i kinda like the plain, boring, spartan interior of the older models..my biggest problem with the 3.8 has been pinging, but finally i think i got rid of it. i wouldnt minddd more power, but mine goes just fine for what i do. the newer JK's ive tried have felt like a grand cherokee...i wouldnt want to get that interior wet, as its much much nicer..mine i drive around in thunderstorms with just the trektop and no doors all the time. also the optional painted hardtop makes me nervous..to each their own though, the 2012 is still a nice ride, as all jeeps are. SOMEDAY they better drop the 5.7 into the lineup though..they'd sell !

 

Wow internet name calling, I'm impressed. Instead of doling out cute name calling do some searching and edjumacate yourself.

I like JK's just as much as the next guy but the 3.8 is a bust. Everyone has a friend... my friend has a JK with 60K and no issues. But a little time searching shows:

JK's with piston ring issues, JUST on JK-forum:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...&aqi=&aql=&oq=

About 61,500 results!!!

3.8L oil consumption on JK Forums:

http://www.google.com/search?q=site:...&client=safari

"Only" 605 results... Just on JK forums.

3.8L Spun Bearing

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...&aqi=&aql=&oq=

223 results

Engine failure

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...&aqi=&aql=&oq=

509 results

But I don't know much, just how to use a search feature instead of running my mouth off.

 

So it sounds like it is not up to all expectations of some. Not to surprized at all. I will stick with my 07 witch I am perfectly happy with. I will save my money and when the time comes to change the motor I will up-grade to a Hemi and redo the frame and body. In 5 to 10 yrs from now.

 

Thanks for an objective, thoughtful comparison. Its a bit maddening to sort thru conjecture, speculation, and outright fabrications about something that is easily answered.

However, it sounds like the most important factor in your two test models, is the 4 speed versus 5 speed automatic transmissions. So unfortunately, until someone tests two equally equipped models with the same transmission, which will have to be the 6 speed manual, we still don't have a real comparison of the engines. There's a half dozen 2012s and a dozen or more 2011s at my local dealer, but none of the 2012's are manuals. As soon as I spy one, I will drive both.

 

I know about a steering column recall, but nothing on the motors as of yet, if you have any proof please post it up. Dropping info like this without proof nearly proves otherwise.

 

THANK YOU
To all the ones deciding to go with a 2011: Congratulations on the smoking deals you are getting.
To all the ones thinking the 2012 are worth the xtre $$$: Congratulations to us too, I think we will enjoy our new engine/tranny.

Can't there be peace, not even among the JK comunity?

 

Well, a 6spd to 6spd comparo would be enlightening, but you can look directly to the specs to get the answer. More torque more HP - what's not to like. I have wanted a Jeep since the JKU came out. When I test drove it though, I was disappointed. The engine just was lacking. Tried both stick and auto. With the 6spd, the vehicle would vibrate loudly when accelerating at engine speeds over 3k, the 4 spd auto would just get louder when you would stomp on it - downshifting, but not adding any speed. I test drove them every year since - same thing. When the 11 came out with the new interior, I was this close (picture a small space between my thumb and forefinger), but I just couldn't get past that dang 3.8. How could Jeep be satisfied with this product? (The answer probably is that since they sell so many of them, they couldn't just drop a 5.7 in because they'd sell a lot and it would impact their fleet MPG average - thanks US government). Last winter while on vacation in Colorado, I purposely rented a GC with the 3.6 since the word was out that it was going in the JK. Traveling on I70, I was able to drive at a pace that I wanted to and not have my speed dictated by the incline. There is NO WAY that a stock 3.8 could do that PERIOD. I ordered a 2012 w/o a test drive with no money down and no obligation (thanks to Ben Yothers at Bergey's Jeep in Souderton!!). Aside from the dismal low end performance (thanks 3.21 gears - I will not miss them when my 4.88s are here with the 37s) the engine performs very well. Sports car manufacturers demand tens of thousands more for an addl 20 HP and 2 tenths on the zero to sixty. Jeep has upgraded to a German designed engine and German built (in the case of the auto) transmission (I view this as a good thing -- my two other cars are German made so I have experience, but am also biases I suppose). For me it's Pentastar FTW!

 

The only flaw in your rant is that you can't supercharge a 2011 JK.

 

Not yet but i am sure u will be able to soon.

 

This past weekend I test drove a 2011 and 2012 JKU Rubicons at my local dealership, both with the max tow 4.10 gearing and automatic.

Both of them had really sharp interiors and were loaded, but in terms of performance the 2012 stood out as much smoother when it came to acceleration and better top end (which matters for me since this would be my DD and I would be doing some highway driving). The sales guy was pushing hard to get me into the 2011, and really threw a tempting deal at me (plus 0% for 5 years).

So it leaves me where a lot of other people are right now, confused. Is the smooth transmission and top end worth paying 4k ish more (plus higher financing) or should I go with the 2011? I think its going to be hard to say no to the 2011 but that is what my plan is.

I am going to wait till they get a bunch of 2012s on the lot and have some incentives going. Then going to try to buy through USAA, hopefully I can get a better deal on the 2012 since I have the luxury of being able to wait.

I plan to keep this vehicle for a while so in the long run to be the price difference is not worth it if I can get better performance. Plus with the incentives and USAA i'm hoping to get the difference down even further so it is a no brainer. I also have the advantage of seeing how the 2012s hold up and if there are any issues just by waiting another 5-6 months or so.