For a lot of Jeep people, the TJ is the one that got everything right. For me personally, it sits in a strange middle ground. After Jeep stopped being cool, but before Jeep started being really obnoxious. Arriving in 1997, it brought back the round headlights the YJ had exiled, then made the real change underneath: coil springs at all four corners in place of the old leaves. The Quadra-Coil setup gave the TJ a comfortable ride and a big jump in wheel articulation, so it climbed better and drove better at the same time.
Power comes from the trusty 4.0-liter inline-six and its 190 horsepower. The one most want is the Rubicon, added in 2003 with front and rear Dana 44 axles, factory air lockers, and a 4:1 low-range transfer case, which is serious hardware straight off the showroom floor. Purists also chase the 2004-2006 Unlimited, the long-wheelbase LJ, built in small numbers and worth some real money today.

The YJ is to the Wrangler as the 996 is to the 911; the headlights got everyone's undergarments in a bunch. When it replaced the beloved CJ-7 in 1987, the round-eye faithful revolted. They ignored that YJ was wider, more stable, and far more civilized on pavement thanks to sway bars and a lower center of gravity. They focused on the headlights, because people hate change. Personally, I find the YJ to be easier on the eyes than the TJ. Come at me, Jeep nerds.
Early cars made do with the wheezy 2.5-liter four or the old 4.2-liter six, but the better ones arrived in 1991 with the fuel-injected 4.0-liter inline-six, the same tough motor that powered the Cherokee. That combination of the classic 4.0 and a simple leaf-sprung chassis is the YJ sweet spot.
Clean, unmodified examples have quietly become the affordable entry point into vintage Wrangler ownership. Get one before the rest of the internet finishes changing its mind.

Wrangler

Browse 25 Jeep Wrangler listings. Sales from $3,000 to $89,343. Get free email alerts on MaxFindsCars.

Jeep Wrangler

Generations

TJ

JK

JL

YJ

Active Listings(25)

49k-Mile 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Original-Owner, 10k-Mile 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4.0 6-Speed

38k-Mile 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0

Modified 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4.0

Original-Owner 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4.0

1997 Jeep Wrangler SE 5-Speed

GM V8-Powered 1988 Jeep Wrangler

2024 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4xe

One-Owner 2001 Jeep Wrangler SE 5-Speed

20k-Mile 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4.0

6.4L Hemi-Powered, 50k-Mile 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Never miss a Jeep Wrangler listing

Recent Sales(24)

2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition Four-Door

Original-Owner 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 6-Speed

Modified 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X 6-Speed

9k-Mile 2002 Jeep Wrangler SE

9k-Mile 2007 Jeep Wrangler X 4×4 6-Speed

41k-Mile 2005 Jeep Wrangler X 4.0 6-Speed

48k-Mile 2003 Jeep Wrangler SE 5-Speed

2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Polar Edition

19k-Mile, Modified 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider Edition 4.0

2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon AEV 5.7L Hemi

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4.0

2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4x4