Too much Rust? Looking to potentially buy this 2018 JLU Sahara

[HawkEye99]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first Jeep (lifelong dream!), and came across this 2018 JLU Sahara with 83k miles at a local dealership in New England today. Asking price is $22k, which is at the top-end of what I'm willing to spend.

This will be my daily driver, but I was a little put off by the amount of rust on the undercarriage. This Jeep has lived its entire life in Michigan and Massachusetts. I am a bit of a newbie, so not sure if this amount of rust is acceptable or if I should just pass. Couldn't really tell if it's surface rust or if it has progressed.

I'm scheduling a PPI for it this week, which should confirm, but I was hoping to get some opinions from the Jeep community. I uploaded some photos I took. Thank you all in advance!

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[dank8307]

I'd avoid it.

If you do decide to get it in that condition, you realistically have three choices:

1. Accept it as something that won't last the next 5 years before being potentially deemed as unable to pass safety inspection.
2. Get a thorough rust removal done, and then annual application of Surface Shield or Fluid Film, to remove the rust and then prevent it from coming back.
3. Start annual application of Surface Shield or Fluid Film, which will at least keep that cancer from spreading.

 

[Ratbert]

1. Accept it as something that won't last the next 5 years before being potentially deemed as unable to pass safety inspection.

Safety inspection?

 

[dank8307]

Safety inspection?

A lot of New England states have annual safety inspection on top of emission, and one of the items vehicle can fail is structural rust/corrosion. I wouldn't be surprised if the previous owner traded it in because that thing is on a borrowed time from how it looks.

 

[Nate88cool]

I wouldn't say the rust is terrible and just surface rust where the welds are on the frame and cast parts which is common. Like others have said I'd definitely get it fluid filmed, surface shield, or Krown coated etc. The door corrosion is guaranteed on any year JL with the poor design of dissimilar metals. I don't think the rust corrosion would keep me away from it other than the price. That seems extremely high for a nearly 10yr old jeep with higher miles pending on how maintenance was done over its life.

 

[2timing]

Get it oil sprayed it'll be fine, looks like most jeeps,here in N.E Ohio that are driven year round. Also plan on changing the shocks

 

[ScotM]

My 2022 with 5 k miles is valued at 26 grand. California jeep. Just run. Do not spend that kind of money on a jeep with that many miles

 

[JeepinPete]

Frankly, the undercarriage rust is superficial and minimal for an 8 year old car that has lived its life in the rust belt. Wouldn't concern me in the slightest. The door corrosion on the other hand would. That is an expensive repair out of pocket unless you can find used doors in better shape and the correct color at a junkyard.

 

[HawkEye99]

I wouldn't say the rust is terrible and just surface rust where the welds are on the frame and cast parts which is common. Like others have said I'd definitely get it fluid filmed, surface shield, or Krown coated etc. The door corrosion is guaranteed on any year JL with the poor design of dissimilar metals. I don't think the rust corrosion would keep me away from it other than the price. That seems extremely high for a nearly 10yr old jeep with higher miles pending on how maintenance was done over its life.

Thank you sir. Based on the Carfax, the previous 2 owners seem to have taken decent care of it. Oil changes every 7k miles, which is longer than I'd like. Given its mileage, I understand that it's due for a transmission and differential fluid change as well.

Unfortunately, regarding the price, almost all clean history, stock Jeeps I've seen within this price range nationwide are 2018-2020 models, typically Sport S. KBB shows that this is the current market price range. Not sure where else I can find one for a better deal.

 

[HawkEye99]

My 2022 with 5 k miles is valued at 26 grand. California jeep. Just run. Do not spend that kind of money on a jeep with that many miles

Unfortunately, KBB shows that this is the current market price range. Not sure where else I can find one for a better deal. 22k is my absolute max as I'm a student and paying cash. I just replied to Nate88Cool with additional information, if you're interested. Thanks!

 

[HawkEye99]

Frankly, the undercarriage rust is superficial and minimal for an 8 year old car that has lived its life in the rust belt. Wouldn't concern me in the slightest. The door corrosion on the other hand would. That is an expensive repair out of pocket unless you can find used doors in better shape and the correct color at a junkyard.

Thank you for your response! Why would the door corrosion be an issue? I thought it was just a paint/aesthetic problem, which isn't that big of a deal for me. However, I'm new, so I'm happy to learn more about this.

 

[HawkEye99]

In addition, I'm hoping whichever Jeep I purchase will last me at least 7-8 years. I plan to religiously maintain it (oil changes every 4-5k miles, spray undercarriage annually, etc.) and not off-road/modify much. If this Jeep doesn't seem like it'll last that long, I'm happy to look at other options, as there are a couple more I'm looking at in the area.

 

[DavidES1]

Don't buy it. Fly to Arizona and buy one and drive it back.

 

[LSJKU]

Thank you for your response! Why would the door corrosion be an issue? I thought it was just a paint/aesthetic problem, which isn't that big of a deal for me. However, I'm new, so I'm happy to learn more about this.

That door corrosion is a red flag for potential rust-cancer everywhere else you cannot readily see. Run away from this rust bucket. It may help to concentrate on finding a used Jeep from the southwest or western USA. I sold both my 2012 JKU and 2018 JL with no obvious rust after about 6 years ownership.

 

[Jeepa]

I agree walk away. There are tons of Jeeps for sale. The little things you accept now will bother you later and cost you money.

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