Considering buying a Jeep.

[Somecallmetimm]

If you hold fast to the 5 years or newer, your options are a JK or JL. Only recommendation I would make is to stay away from the first year JLs ( 2018, 19) Typically the first year or so of a model is when all the issues get addressed. For lower prices the 2017-18 JKs will be your best bet because all JK issues will have been addressed. I would also suggest you stay away from the 2.0 turbo engines. The 2020-current JLs will have a more refined interior, less road noise, but more bells, whistles and nannies than the JK.

Good luck on your search.

 

[zip]

I knew I came to the right place to start my research. I am currently working 7 days a week, so haven't had much time to go through this plethora of useful information.
I very much appreciate everyone's information, and hope to read this full thread soon.

 

[BrittanyHighland]

You should probably consider this word of warning first...

Article: Buying a Jeep Wrangler: Should I Do It?

From the introduction...

Admit it, you’ve asked yourself this same question. You’ve been trying to justify to your family, friends and most likely to yourself, the idea of buying a Jeep Wrangler.

But let’s face it, if you’re going to be completely honest, you are going to be hard pressed to find any practical reasons to justify the purchase.

 

[NatersXJ6]

You should probably consider this word of warning first...

Article: Buying a Jeep Wrangler: Should I Do It?

From the introduction...

That was clickbait garbage with no actual facts or usefulness. Let me sum up and waste less of your time than mine… don’t buy a Jeep because they are expensive and uncomfortable versus other (Lexus) options… unless you want one… then buy it!

 

[GATORB8]

Entertaining thread to read.

Wranglers are certainly not practical for 95%+ of the population, but sometimes passion should trump practicality.

Correctly driven, you'd be hard pressed to find a vehicle that could keep up with a base stock wrangler with the sway bars disconnected anywhere off road but high speed desert. The solid front axle setup is extremely cheap and easy to modify compared to anything more than a spacer on IFS.

I wouldn't shy away from the 2.0T, it's in vehicles across the Stellantis line up and economies of scale tip future repair and parts cost in your favor. It's also more efficient and more powerful than the 6. The ZF 8 speed auto in the JLs is a great unit, too.

I'm not sure how much it's changed in the past few months, but not long ago it was cheaper or the same price to order a new Wrangler than to by a lightly used one. 6%+ below INVOICE is available at a handful of dealers across the country (USA).

 

[GATORB8]

Do the research, that engine has the start/stop technology not bad in itself but how they do it is plenty complex. They use the alternator to restart rather than the stater and to do it fast they use a 48V lithium battery.

The bad, the battery is outside of course but under the drivers seat. To be effective the battery must be at the right temperature so There are coolant lines under the chassis to keep it warm PLUS air conditioning lines to keep it cool. For me that is retarded on a rugged vehicle.

The V6 has none of that "technology".

I'm of the same mind as deserteagle56..... the last good off roader was the TJ.

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There are two JL ESS systems, e torque and 12V. I see tons more complaints on 12V since the baby aux battery and starting battery are in parallel and attempt to kill each other.

Only real solution is to disable ESS on those and remove the aux.

Edit: I certainly understand generation loyalty. But I’d say our JLU is a pretty good off roader. Like Vettes, Jeeps get better every generation.

 

[86scotty]

If you hold fast to the 5 years or newer, your options are a JK or JL. Only recommendation I would make is to stay away from the first year JLs ( 2018, 19) Typically the first year or so of a model is when all the issues get addressed. For lower prices the 2017-18 JKs will be your best bet because all JK issues will have been addressed. I would also suggest you stay away from the 2.0 turbo engines. The 2020-current JLs will have a more refined interior, less road noise, but more bells, whistles and nannies than the JK.

Good luck on your search.

I'm curious why you would recommend staying away from the 2.0t. Just your opinion or have you heard of anyone having problems? I'm legitimately curious, not trying to start an argument. Ours has been amazing. It does rattle a bit like a little domestic 4 cylinder, but it is one so there's that.

Also, as noted above the fan runs a lot but just offroad, low speed climbing, etc. I keep the 'off road pages' gauge cluster up on the dash when off road (for the gauges, not the novelty) and the temp never rises no matter what the fan is doing. Better said, it goes up some as most vehicles do offroad and the fan brings it right back down, but it never goes up much.

 

[Ozarker]

To say Jeeps get better every year is in the eye of the beholder, or satisfied owner or a dealer!

The more crap you put in or on any car/truck, the more there is to break down and go wrong, shops love them.

Just understand that if you fail to do owner's maintenance as required, you might be in Nowhere's Ville and your Jepp will just shut off saying you should have changed your oil 47 miles ago! If that sounds good for you, go buy a new Jeep. Don't worry, if you're within a hundred miles of an oil change it will start barking at you, shutting off in turns or simply leave you stranded until the oil pressure drops, then you can go again.

Or, if you like real adventures, get off in Nowhere's Ville and have a coil go out after 50,000 miles and limp back home thinking you might blow the engine any second, that's real Jeep adventure!

If we ever buy another Jeep it will be an old TJ/CJ with a hardtop, working heater and hopefully A/C. Might consider an old Cherokee!

Remember, cult followers often die early, broke and unforgiven.

 

[GATORB8]

To say Jeeps get better every year is in the eye of the beholder, or satisfied owner or a dealer!

The more crap you put in or on any car/truck, the more there is to break down and go wrong, shops love them.

Just understand that if you fail to do owner's maintenance as required, you might be in Nowhere's Ville and your Jepp will just shut off saying you should have changed your oil 47 miles ago! If that sounds good for you, go buy a new Jeep. Don't worry, if you're within a hundred miles of an oil change it will start barking at you, shutting off in turns or simply leave you stranded until the oil pressure drops, then you can go again.

Or, if you like real adventures, get off in Nowhere's Ville and have a coil go out after 50,000 miles and limp back home thinking you might blow the engine any second, that's real Jeep adventure!

If we ever buy another Jeep it will be an old TJ/CJ with a hardtop, working heater and hopefully A/C. Might consider an old Cherokee!

Remember, cult followers often die early, broke and unforgiven.

Ha, I certainly understand hesitancy of a person who would rely on a shop, and definitely appreciate the simplicity of the older tech. Our JL hasn’t seen a dealer since it was picked up, and likely never will.

I’m personally all in on the ease of computer diagnostics. Misfire on cylinder 3 tells me a lot more than “why the hell am I misfiring”. A plus for the 2.0T is that half the plugs and coils aren’t under the intake like the 3.6.

We have 2.5x+ the hp and tq of a TJ, more stock flex, safer, stronger axles. Yes, I think it’s better. Doesn’t mean I discount the CJ/YJ/TJ love, just like I’d love to have never sold my TTB V8 Bronco.

 

[zip]

"The bad, the battery is outside of course but under the drivers seat. To be effective the battery must be at the right temperature so There are coolant lines under the chassis to keep it warm PLUS air conditioning lines to keep it cool. "

OH MY!!!

 

[Somecallmetimm]

I'm curious why you would recommend staying away from the 2.0t. Just your opinion or have you heard of anyone having problems? I'm legitimately curious, not trying to start an argument. Ours has been amazing. It does rattle a bit like a little domestic 4 cylinder, but it is one so there's that.

Also, as noted above the fan runs a lot but just offroad, low speed climbing, etc. I keep the 'off road pages' gauge cluster up on the dash when off road (for the gauges, not the novelty) and the temp never rises no matter what the fan is doing. Better said, it goes up some as most vehicles do offroad and the fan brings it right back down, but it never goes up much.

Personal opinion based on the following generalities.

Turbo technology has come a long way, however first years of any given model after major design changes, are always buggy. In this case you're talking about an entirely new platform and power plant. The time frame the OP mentioned included the first year of the JL.
The trend of putting smaller forced induction engines into larger vehicles is also a relatively new practice and has some unpredictable consequences that could be potentially very expensive.
HP vs Torque in what we do with our rigs... you will always get better torque numbers out of more displacement.

I'm glad your experiences say otherwise, to me, it means there's hope for that our sport will live on despite the current design trends.

 

[GATORB8]

"The bad, the battery is outside of course but under the drivers seat. To be effective the battery must be at the right temperature so There are coolant lines under the chassis to keep it warm PLUS air conditioning lines to keep it cool. "

OH MY!!!

Note, at least right now. The Etorque setup with the battery referenced is only on the 3.6L:

 

[86scotty]

Personal opinion based on the following generalities....
I'm glad your experiences say otherwise, to me, it means there's hope for that our sport will live on despite the current design trends.

I agree about turbos and more torque/bigger motors historically but times they are a changin'. Consider the 8 speed automatic in new Jeeps, my 4 cyl. included. It's magic. I love it. I'm sure it's great on the 3.6l too. In fact I know it is, my wife had a late model GC with the 3.6l/8 speed combo and though I disliked the vehicle the drivetrain was great.

Anyway, it's all relative and based on experience I guess. I've had several late model turbo cars and never replaced a turbo. My son's Mazdaspeed 3 just won't die at well over 200k of spirited driving, original turbo. I recently PM'd (voluntary replacement, not failure) my work truck turbo at 950,000. It was showing no signs of decline but my trust in it was based on it's age.

I should probably say this about now. Having had almost every generation of Wrangler in the past I never thought I'd buy a 4 cylinder turbo until I drove one. Also, not trying to convince anyone that the 3.6l isn't great but this 2.0l sure makes our Jeep our choice for road trips these days. I've definitely never said that before about my old Jeeps.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

The trend of putting smaller forced induction engines into larger vehicles is also a relatively new practice

Is it?

 

[GATORB8]

Is it?
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