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

[Beach Nut]

I know it’s tough to walk away from your “dream vehicle”, but they made more than one. My buddy has that door rust going on too, a 2018 Sahara in silver…he’s pissed. Save yourself the stress and aggravation and move on…that’s a lot of cash, and private owners prefer cash. The Stealership probably paid about 17k on trade in…and NEVER pay KBB. Jeeps are expensive toys and you’ll probably be putting another 5k or so into it…look for newer, lower miles. Don’t rush into a regrettable purchase….just my opinion.

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[Eyeball]

My experience has been that if there is enough rust to make you ask the question “Is this too much rust?” The answer is yes.

 

[HawkEye99]

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.

Thank you for the explanation! Ideally, I would get it from the southwest, but I am in the process of moving and will need to purchase within a month, as I will begin medical school soon and won't have time to purchase once I start.

A nearby dealership just put up a same-year Sahara (81k miles) yesterday, and it's advertised for 20k. I'll call them tomorrow to get photos of the undercarriage and see if that one is in better condition.

 

[HawkEye99]

I know it’s tough to walk away from your “dream vehicle”, but they made more than one. My buddy has that door rust going on too, a 2018 Sahara in silver…he’s pissed. Save yourself the stress and aggravation and move on…that’s a lot of cash, and private owners prefer cash. The Stealership probably paid about 17k on trade in…and NEVER pay KBB. Jeeps are expensive toys and you’ll probably be putting another 5k or so into it…look for newer, lower miles. Don’t rush into a regrettable purchase….just my opinion.

Agreed. Just like you said, even though it's my "dream vehicle," the good thing is that so many of them are being sold at any given point. I've already walked away from a deal a few weeks ago when they tried to force over $3.5k in add-ons. I will keep looking for the right one. Where would you suggest I look for private sellers? Is there a Jeep-specific sale forum somewhere? I'd feel more comfortable buying from the community. Thanks!

 

[LSJKU]

Agreed. Just like you said, even though it's my "dream vehicle," the good thing is that so many of them are being sold at any given point. I've already walked away from a deal a few weeks ago when they tried to force over $3.5k in add-ons. I will keep looking for the right one. Where would you suggest I look for private sellers? Is there a Jeep-specific sale forum somewhere? I'd feel more comfortable buying from the community. Thanks!

A few people list their "for sale" here on this forum. You may want to search this forum.

 

[Ratbert]

Thank you for the explanation! Ideally, I would get it from the southwest, but I am in the process of moving and will need to purchase within a month, as I will begin medical school soon and won't have time to purchase once I start.

Heads up that these aren't exactly known for their reliability.

 

[WillysMeow]

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

This.

Salting roads should be illegal! I hate road salt.

 

[AVENTUS]

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.

What years (or years and months if we know that) had the raw contact dissimilar metals in door hinges ?

 

[Nate88cool]

What years (or years and months if we know that) had the raw contact dissimilar metals in door hinges ?

All the JLs from 18 to present have this issue or will have it. It's an aluminum door bolted to a steel hinge. Over time with moisture causes the aluminum to corrode. Only way to fix it is to have the doors removed and hinges and repainted with a barrier between the two parts.

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

As a life long Maine resident I’d like to share a few pictures of what a rusted frame really looks like.

Just to clarify, it’s not my truck but it is still hauling a sander body in the back and a plow on the front. This truck is way beyond surface rust, the Jeep in question is easily treatable. A salt neutralizer wash and quality undercoat that frame would outlast the engine under the hood. Is it a good or bad deal? That’s not my decision to make but judging by the pictures, I wouldn’t hesitate to run it.

 

[LSJKU]

As a life long Maine resident I’d like to share a few pictures of what a rusted frame really looks like.

Just to clarify, it’s not my truck but it is still hauling a sander body in the back and a plow on the front. This truck is way beyond surface rust, the Jeep in question is easily treatable. A salt neutralizer wash and quality undercoat that frame would outlast the engine under the hood. Is it a good or bad deal? That’s not my decision to make but judging by the pictures, I wouldn’t hesitate to run it.

Daaammmmmmn! I've got old car parts sitting in the back 40 that don't look that bad.

 

[HawkEye99]

Heads up that these aren't exactly known for their reliability.

That's true. But the heart wants what it wants, and mine wants a Jeep

 

[tk1700]

As a life long Maine resident I’d like to share a few pictures of what a rusted frame really looks like.

Just to clarify, it’s not my truck but it is still hauling a sander body in the back and a plow on the front. This truck is way beyond surface rust, the Jeep in question is easily treatable. A salt neutralizer wash and quality undercoat that frame would outlast the engine under the hood. Is it a good or bad deal? That’s not my decision to make but judging by the pictures, I wouldn’t hesitate to run it.

True, but he still has the door corrosion to deal with. That's not an easy fix and is probably worse than what his pics show.

 

[HawkEye99]

True, but he still has the door corrosion to deal with. That's not an easy fix and is probably worse than what his pics show.

Yeah the pics were the tip of the iceberg. Almost all hinges had the corrosion issue. I'll let this Jeep pass and find a better one.

 

[Penguin07]

FWIW, my JL that my wife surprised me with back in March (21 JLU Sahara with 62k miles) was around the price that you're seeing. It was within top 3 of similarly spec'd Wranglers in terms of price with initial listed pricing of 24k that my wife haggled down. It has a bit of rust on the door hinges, but hinges are easy to replace, and none on the actual door themselves, whereas yours seem to have some. And the underbody definitely looks like it has more rust than mine.

This was at a dealership in NH, so definitely much less population than Mass or something, and the dealership admitted that due to the location, they price their inventory a lot lower than they would if they were in a more geographically favorable area.

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