Jeep sahara or jeep sport

[CAMAROJV123]

So my dad is real serious about buying a jeep, its come down to two. Theres a 97' Jeep Sahara, 79,000 miles, 4.0 6 cyl with both tops hard and soft AND half door as well as full doors. Its selling for $7800. Then theres this other Jeep, its an 02' with 101,000 miles, 4.0, its a sport, 7900,with both tops, new brakes, shocks, and bumper...buttttt the sahara has the same bumper.

Im going twords the sahara, but what do you guys think it the better jeep for the money, cuz he would prolly pick it up Saturday???

THANKS! :banana1:

[1320PNY]

The '02 has tilt steering and a revised motor for "smoothness" over the 1997. I can't see that those improvements add up for much unless your Dad needs the tilt steering to fit better.

I say the 1997 would be my option. I know the 4.0 motor is good for 300K miles as my Father-In-Law has one that won't die, so mileage isn't that much of a factor, but lower mileage is typically less abuse.

[subliminal1284]

Sahara is the one he wants

[CAMAROJV123]

yea i doubt he would care about that steering wheel. What makes a sahara better than a sport?

[Breecher_7]

Either are good, as said above, those 4.0L 6 cylinders live forever.... Prices sound a bit steep though.

[CAMAROJV123]

:banana1:Thanks alot guys! ill let him know. Maybe we could bring it to one of the snow drags!! haha if we ever get any snow... not complaining

[CAMAROJV123]

yea I've been looking all over. cars, autotrader, craigslist, and I found the sahara on craigslist, everything else in the area their selling for like 5,990 and they are like 95's. Its hard to find a decent one that isnt too far away and not with miles that skyrocket

[SSmike1]

is it a Manual Tranny? or auto?

[CAMAROJV123]

its an auto

[Prince Valiant]

I'd be inclined to go with the one with the greater top options.

My brother has a soft-top jeep, and during the cold months or long trips, it sucks; so loud and drafty. I'd rather already have a hard-top ready to go for cold months or long trips, one you already know fits, and not have the hassle of spending extra to get it. That's my brothers problem...he just doesn't want to go through the hassle of actually buyuing a hard-top.

Only problems I've enountered (on others, not mine) were the TPS, the oil pressure sending unit, and lastly, rear main seal.

The 3 speed auto's on those things are pretty reliable.

[CAMAROJV123]

the nice thing about them is BOTH jeeps have BOTH tops, which is pretty hard to find! i love the sahara. all it needs is a little 2 1/2 in lift and hes set ;)

[wrath]

I'd get the newer one. It has the modern PCM and engine in it. Plus it has 5 years less use/sitting/rust.

The first year of the TJ sucked ass.

[CAMAROJV123]

the sahara over the sport? yea i dont think mileage is a huge deal, but then again it is about 30,000 less? Im not sure, ill check out the sahara tomorrow and see whats up

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

Sahara due to half doors.

[GTSLOW]

Which year got rid of the distributor? Was it 01 or 02? I would go for the ones without distributors. I've seen how much of a PITA early TJ's can be (in that area).

PS tell him to get a rubicon if he wants the real deal :goof

[SSmike1]

i agree with nan, i'd go with the newer model, easier to maintain and run better with Newer EFI and Ignition and PCM.
in this economy, i'd offer $5,000.00 and start negotiating LOW!!!!!!
:)