I currently own a flame red 09 JKU Rubicon with 3" lift and 35's w/ 28000 miles and Shrockworks front and rear bumpers. The jeep's got a rattle or a rub that is driving me insane inside the dash. I can't find it to save my life!!! And I spend my entire commute pounding and hitting dash to get it to stop...haha....not kiddin!!!! Other than the dash demon, as I call it, nothing else is wrong with the jeep. In fact it's built just to my liking.

Currently I'm debating on getting rid of the 09 and trading up to a 2013 or 2014 (most likely a 2014 cause I can't find any 2013's I want.). Probably the only thing I would do differently is get a manual over the auto. My tj was a manual and i miss the shifting aspect of the jeep, but i do like the remote start in mine now....decisions..decisions. I would Probably get the same color and rebuild again to the 35's. Oh ya I got the green light from the wifey to shop around...that could change at any moment so I've got a small window of opportunity here.

Am I crazy? or is this just the rattle messing with my head!!!

 

Do it, it's obv your choice at the end of the day, but I'd say go new

 

you should go test drive a 3.6 jku and see if that doesn't light a fire under your ars. Im married so I understand. That window is closing every second. Just know, im in a 3.6 with 35s and im getting 16mpg before the lift and tires 20mpg. But you should be use to it by now

 

Im a first time jeep owner and I love my 13 jku sahara the 3.6 imo has plenty of gettup not that jku is made for speed but it does help with merging on the freeway. I also drive a 2006 dodge charger rt but I prefer the jku over the charger everyday

 

Ha True bro true. My 09 is currently getting 11-12 mpg. Looks like a test drive is in the very near future.

 

I just had the same dilemma....My 09 Sahara had 44k miles and needed tires and brakes as well as a few other odds and ends but i loved my 09....all it took was one drive in a 13 and i was hooked....Now i have a 2013 Moab and cant belive how much better they made the JK....I loove my new jeep and i think u will too....

 

Once you test drive the 3.6, you want be happy until it's yours.

 

Ahhhh..you all make my decision so much easier!!😎. Thanks!

 

The 3.6 is super better than the 3.8. I have test drove it in a manual and really enjoyed the new transmission. Good luck with the purchase.

 

You're probably in a good spot right now with your current Jeep, right? --relatively low mileage, it's built the way you want it, etc.

If you drive a new 3.6, chances are you'll probably enjoy the additional power, the reshaped interior, maybe you'll fall in love with driving a manual again and skip the auto.

Take a hard look at what it's going to cost, though...

If you're getting 12mpg right now, and you're going up to 18mpg with a new 3.6, and gas is $3.70/gallon...

Let's assume the total transaction cost is $8,000 to swap Jeeps, yours for a new 2013 or 2014.

$3700 in gas for a year of driving, 12,000 miles, 12mpg average
$2466 in gas for a year of driving, 12,000 miles, 18mpg average

Savings of $1234/year, more or less depending on how much you drive.

Transaction cost $8,000 / $1234 annual gas savings = 6.5 years to break even. This is when swapping the vehicle for better gas mileage becomes "worth" it.

Beyond that you have to figure out what the additional features are worth to you (soft / opportunity costs).

But then again it's fun to say "to hell with it" and just buy a new Jeep because you want it