1 Check for signs of water leaks, and since only one top will be on get the dealer to agree to fix any issues with the other one once you switch them if they say both don't have any leaks.
2 Check for the steering clunk - leave it idling for a few minutes to heat it up before driving it or spend some time in stop/go traffic.
3 Start it up a few different times to make sure it doesn't have the random'no start' issue.
4 Make sure you get 2 keys - they are expensive to replace.
5 If it's a Rubicon, make sure the e-lockers and sway bar disco work.
6 If the soft top is on it currently, check the rear-window zippers are smooth and pull easily.

Any scrapes underneath or scuffs on the sidewalls could be signs of off-roading, but don't avoid it just because it's been off road - that doesn't give any indication of how it's been maintained.

 

If it is a rubicon, Only problem was the rear locker--locked and would not unlock--check the swaybar unconnect-connect and both lockers several times--lockers are an expensive repair--I have 70k on mine and that was the only problem which Chrysler fixed under warranty--an excellent machine-CRW

 

No problems here. Just good times. Talk em down a grand & get ready to put your perma grin on!!
Good luck.

 

48,000 NO PROBLEM HERE BUY IT...

 

I checked out that JK today and I'm on the fence. It looked pretty nice but I noticed that on the undercarriage the drive shaft seemed to have a lot of rust (pretty much completely rust covered. Is that normal? There wasn't any rust anywhere else on the car but that concerned me. Am I too picky?

 

I've never seen a drive shaft that wasn't rusty, other than ones that guys have sanded & painted themselves.

 

I bought my 07 Sahara in January. It only had 9K miles on it. I did get the Auto Trans recall, but I just added a tranny cooler. Other than that, no problems in the last 3k miles.