goofiefoot
Adventurer
I've been researching JKs for a while now, and I am set on getting one as my next vehicle. I'm looking for information here on what I should be looking for, specifically for distance traveling, camping, and seeing sights off the beaten path. We owned a 2001 Xterra for over 10 years, and took it all over the country. I've regretted selling it ever since, and looking at my options, the JKU Rubicon is ticking all the boxes.
My main concern is longevity, as I want to hold on to my next vehicle for as long as possible without having to worry about constant maintenance and problems. I am considering either new or used, so I know I have 2 engines to deal with.
For my use, if I did go with the older 3.8, I would certainly go with a manual transmission. I know these engines can consume oil at an alarming rate, and I know the manual tranny can have issues with popping out of gear, and that this varies greatly from jeep to jeep. In looking at a 07-11, at what point should I be concerned with mileage? 50k? 100k? We don't put a ton of mileage on our vehicles (currently less than 15k/year), but I want to feel comfortable taking an out-of-state trip with some off-road driving. We're not looking at rock-crawling, just seeing the sights and getting off pavement. What should I look for and/or avoid with this model range? Is this a good option for a long-term vehicle relationship?
For the 12-13 (14?), 3.6 variant, I'm fine with either engine/tranny combo. I know the 12 models had some head issues, but it sounds like most of that was resolved. Any other issues I should consider if choosing a newer model? Looking at current resale values, it looks like I'm better off just buying a new one if I went with this option, since you don't see many selling for much less than new prices anyway. Maybe I can find a good deal if I keep my eye open. My other questions for the earlier models apply here as well.
My thoughts for upgrading the Jeep itself really depend on what I end up getting. My main "wants" would be a winch/bumper setup, rock rails that could be a step for my wife and daughter, roof rack for storage and kayak transport, and some off-road lighting. If I bought a brand new model, I probably wouldn't do any major upgrades right away, as the capabilities would be fine for my intended purposes, and I wouldn't want to mess with any warranty issues. However, if I considered a older model, I might target one with some modifications to save the initial price hit. Any add-ons would be as-needed for my travel requirements. My Xterra ended up pretty heavy with everything I carried with me on a daily basis, so I would want to organize my daily-carry vs. travel supplies.
From here, I look to the Expo community for any advice, experience, and thoughts. I want to get this right the first time, so it is all greatly appreciated.
My main concern is longevity, as I want to hold on to my next vehicle for as long as possible without having to worry about constant maintenance and problems. I am considering either new or used, so I know I have 2 engines to deal with.
For my use, if I did go with the older 3.8, I would certainly go with a manual transmission. I know these engines can consume oil at an alarming rate, and I know the manual tranny can have issues with popping out of gear, and that this varies greatly from jeep to jeep. In looking at a 07-11, at what point should I be concerned with mileage? 50k? 100k? We don't put a ton of mileage on our vehicles (currently less than 15k/year), but I want to feel comfortable taking an out-of-state trip with some off-road driving. We're not looking at rock-crawling, just seeing the sights and getting off pavement. What should I look for and/or avoid with this model range? Is this a good option for a long-term vehicle relationship?
For the 12-13 (14?), 3.6 variant, I'm fine with either engine/tranny combo. I know the 12 models had some head issues, but it sounds like most of that was resolved. Any other issues I should consider if choosing a newer model? Looking at current resale values, it looks like I'm better off just buying a new one if I went with this option, since you don't see many selling for much less than new prices anyway. Maybe I can find a good deal if I keep my eye open. My other questions for the earlier models apply here as well.
My thoughts for upgrading the Jeep itself really depend on what I end up getting. My main "wants" would be a winch/bumper setup, rock rails that could be a step for my wife and daughter, roof rack for storage and kayak transport, and some off-road lighting. If I bought a brand new model, I probably wouldn't do any major upgrades right away, as the capabilities would be fine for my intended purposes, and I wouldn't want to mess with any warranty issues. However, if I considered a older model, I might target one with some modifications to save the initial price hit. Any add-ons would be as-needed for my travel requirements. My Xterra ended up pretty heavy with everything I carried with me on a daily basis, so I would want to organize my daily-carry vs. travel supplies.
From here, I look to the Expo community for any advice, experience, and thoughts. I want to get this right the first time, so it is all greatly appreciated.
From a comfort perspective the JKU is pretty comfortable and has many little things that make life in a Jeep easier without giving up the characteristics that make a Jeep.
