2005 Jeep Wrangler 4.0

Listed here is a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0, which came with a range-topping engine and a fair few standard features. These can make the Wrangler a bit more practical, although if you’re after practicality alone, the Wrangler might not be the wisest choice. It’s more of a heart-driven decision, but certainly a decision you might repent not making when it’s too late.

Apart from being a clean example, this UK-supplied car has a lot going in its favour. To start with, it’s just got two owners from new (the vendor being its 2nd owner), it comes replete with service history, valid MOT, and it is ready to be driven to its new home -- or an off-road trail, wherever its new owners want to take it.

The vendor mentions that the Wrangler hasn’t been subjected to off-roading and has largely been doing motorway miles. The hard-top is included with the purchase, although it’s not fitted on the vehicle at the moment. There’s also a custom exhaust included, which, at the push of a button, amplifies the aural performance of the 4-litre, inline-six engine.

The TJ Wrangler is a brute; its presence can’t be denied. At the same time, it’s not like most modern ‘super SUVs’ which somehow tend to have a graceless appearance, to look different just for the sake of it. With the TJ, Jeep clearly made a ‘throwback’ version way before it was the industry norm.

Having said that, while the Wrangler isn’t obnoxious in the way it looks, it’s also not for those who don’t seek attention. The rarity of the vehicle will always have a role to play in this aspect, and the Wrangler is, despite the popularity of the more modern versions, is a fairly rare car.

The all-black example here has a few mods done to it which ensure that the colour choice doesn’t make it entirely inconspicuous. For instance, it’s got a custom grille, wide Cooper tyres, prominent side step, chrome-tipped exhaust, etc. With the hard top in place, it does tend to gel better with other regular cars.

It’s got a clean exterior with no damage except for some scratches near the bonnet. There are a few accessories that one might appreciate, like the tow bar, which the vendor mentions hasn’t been used. The auxiliary driving lamps don’t look out of place, either. And the soft top is free from cuts, too.

The Wrangler you see here is from 2005, so the cabin’s not plush or modern. But it’s functional, which makes all the difference in a vehicle like this. In terms of practicality, it offers good room for the front occupants, whereas the bench seat at the rear isn’t anywhere close. The luggage space isn’t going to please your favourite consumer journalist, either. On the bright side, the bench can be folded opening up a lot of space at the back.

With the TJ, Jeep brought the Wrangler closer to other cars in terms of features, like airbags. The roll cage is an integral part of the cabin, too. It’s got a Kenwood head unit, and the AC controls are manual as well. One thing you’d appreciate, especially if this was being looked at as a runabout, is the presence of the automatic gearbox. The usual transfer case/4WD selector sits right next to the AT gear lever. Since this is the Sahara-spec car, it also benefits from the leather-wrapped steering wheel and a new seat fabric.

Like is the case with the exterior, the interior is clean and has aged well. There are some spots on the driver’s seat and it’s not going to be the most comfort-orientated cabins. Although with the hard top in place, the Jeep Wrangler will certainly be more liveable.

A look under the car, and there’s only some amount of rust. The fact that it was used mainly for on-road travel can explain that. According to the vendor, it hasn’t had an accident or any mechanical problem in the past. The tyres are near-new Cooper ones with substantial tread on them. The engine bay is no different; there’s some rust, but nothing to worry about.

Jeep replaced the YJ model with this, and the ride quality was improved. In comparison to a modern car (or even crossover), the TJ is bound to feel bouncy and a bit unsettled. That’s for everyday use. For a focussed off-road approach, there are enough aftermarket choices, even despite its age, to make this Wrangler the weapon of choice for serious off-roading.

As far as road driving is concerned, if you can live with the relatively bouncy suspension, the Wrangler won’t be an issue. The vendor mentions that it drives wonderfully and let’s not forget that it has a 4-litre inline-six engine. That does make the Wrangler a decently quick car, if not an outright Lamborghini Urus rival.

The great bit about this Wrangler is that it has only had two owners and all service records (mostly in Norwich) are present, too. According to those, the first service was done in 2005, whereas the latest one was done in September last year. It’s got a valid MOT till Feb 2022 and has passed without any advisories except for a handful in 2014/15.

There are no repair bills attached, presumably because the vehicle hasn’t had any major repair work. There’s an invoice for the aforementioned exhaust system, which was fitted in March last year for GBP 450. This is a valve system, which gives the flexibility of keeping the exhaust muted when passing residential areas, etc.

It comes with two keys as it did originally, and the vendor purchased it at 90,000 miles. The current odometer readout is only a smidgeon over 100k miles.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

The Wrangler might be a well-known car globally, but you don’t and won’t see too many of these. In a country where Land Rover has done exceedingly well -- and not to forget the variety of pickup trucks -- it’s not easy for the Wrangler to fit it. On the positive side, this means it’s rarer and if you don’t mind the over-expressive looks, it can make for a good purchase.

This very Wrangler seems to be near-perfect in terms of what it is. It’s an original UK-supplied car with just two former owners. It hasn’t been away from the tarmac and is unmolested. Its automatic gearbox will make it easy to drive regularly, whereas the inclusion of the soft top will massively improve the practicality of the car which isn’t exactly practical otherwise.

New Cooper tyres are a bonus whereas the valve-based exhaust system does give the Wrangler some more character. Not that it didn’t have plenty of that already. Which can also be a negative for the vehicle. It’s almost like a new lifestyle choice, running a Jeep. It’s attractive, is quite capable at off-roading, and when the sun is out, the hard top can be removed or the soft top can be folded away easily. We estimate £13,000 - £16,000.

If you’re enamoured with the Wrangler, there aren’t too many cars better than this Sahara. Jeep loyalists do think that the TJ is the sweet spot between the Jeeps of the yore and something modern like the JK and JL. They aren’t wrong!

Did we mention that it looks cool?

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.