Yeah I am sure a COUPLE of seconds would be but does it justify 4k........i don't think so.

 

I would say if you just have your JK as a cruiser or an off-road toy it doesn't, but to me it does. At any rate I get really cheap financing from my credit union and have a tread lightly membership, so the price difference between an '11 and '12 spec'd the same is negligible. If it was 4K and I had that much in cash and didn't care about having a power train warranty then I would certainly consider going the RIPP route on an '11.

 

i too was disappionted with the 3.6 in a new rubi [2door]
my 05 liberty with the 2.8 turbo diesel would kick its a--
come on chrysler spend the money to get this engine us certified.
you have been making them for overseas since 07

 

Thats funny, and likely true.

Although I am not in the market for a new Wrangler, it does seem, especially with the new auto 5 speed, there would have to be improvement in acceleration.

Maybe some people were just expecting too much.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS. I think that the 3.8 is just such a dog that the new motor got over hyped in anticipation. I mean it's still slow by most standards, but it does have an adequate amount of power. Something, imo, the 3.8 certainly didn't have.

 

I agree 100%,, between this and I'm going to a 4dr made the choice easy for me.

 

No, it's not just an interior upgrade. I have test driven the 2012 with the Pentastar, and I have owned a 2007 and a 2008 JK. There is a much better throttle response in the mid-range revs and the gas mileage will be slightly better probably only about 1-2 MPG higher than the 3.8L. I just went to the dealer and plunked down a $1,000 deposit to order a 2012 without a second thought. It's no Hemi, but the street manners will be markedly better. Mine will be a daily driver like 99% of the other JK's out there, so highway performance does matter. With the "Tread Lightly" membership discount, I got a 2012 Wrangler Sport (2 door) with 5 spd auto trans, air conditioning and the tow package/3.73 gears for $24,056 before tax & tags. Still a great deal with the new interior and Pentastar. Now the waiting game.

 

I drove the 12. Huge change!!! It's funny how every f 'n person on this that owns an 11 or earlier dogs out the 12. Go ahead and talk yourself out of the 12. Fine... But your full of shit for saying the 12 is not much better.

 

I drove both today. I'm coming from a Commander for the last 5 years after selling my 2003 Rubicon. The deals being offered on the 2011's were only $1000 less than the 2012. I took both 2011 and 2012's on long test drives. Both had the auto transmission and 4.10 gears. Driving from stoplight to stoplight, the 2012 was a bit peppier but not a huge deal. Merging onto the highway though it was night and day. From a standing start, I'd say the 2012 is a good 2 seconds faster 0-60. Jeeps aren't designed for speed, but I can say I actually had a bit of trouble merging into traffic in the 2011. For the price, the extra horsepower is worth it. I ended up getting a Black Unlimited Rubicon with 5sp auto, connectivity group, color matched top and flares, trailer tow group and 4.10 gears for $34,900. I wouldnt trade a 2011 in for the 2012 just to get the pentastar but I will say the pentastar is a much smoother feeling engine and sounded a lot quieter than the old 3.8...to me it felt more like the 4.7L V8.

 

Congrats, if you don't mind me asking, what was the factory sticker? What city are you in? I am in Orange County, CA and the local dealers here seem to want to deal, but not knowing what the sticker was on your deal makes it difficult to gauge local offers.

Thanks!

Paul

p.s., I bet the black with black matched roof looks GREAT.

PJ