Hey all, its been about 7 years since I sold my last JK and since then I haven’t really kept up with the issues and trends with the model years.

Would any of you mind helping me pick the best model year to buy used and answer if it is it worth it to get a JL? Anything to steer clear of.

I want manual and 2DR. I’m not a serious off roader but I do like the Rubicons. Budget is flexible since this will be a 3rd car for my family I plan on keeping it for quite a while so would like one that will hold value the best.

 

Welcome BACK.. An opinion question to start and oh boy.. IMO I would be JK. Mainly due to all the electronics on the newer models and the electric steering. I'd search for a 16 to 18 JK if I were in the market and one that was not "modded up" I'd prefer less is more on that; maybe wheels and tires small lift.. Not a Sahara fan either.. Just my Opin. Good Luck on the Buy.

 

I’m fairly new here and to jeeps myself. I come from the land of trucks off road.

I’m not running the rubicon, or rock crawling either. Mine is more of a daily driver than I run various trails with off road, mud, smaller rock, dirt.. bush roads, logging trails and old mining roads. Hunting, fishing.

I’ve been pricing out MC Gamechanger, drive shafts, wheels, tires, lockers etc. etc. ie, making a build plan. Imho, I’m very impressed with what a stock sport on mud tires will do - Very impressed, and haven’t really had an issue. That said, if I were to do it over again, I’d just buy a Rubicon and be done with it.

 

Buy something that is not modified. There's ton out there. If more a DD and not going to wheel it more than a fire road the JLs I'd probably go with a JL. If planning on offroading it more I'd probably lean JK.

 

Depends on what you are going to do with it. For a weekend driver up to 35" tires a JL would be a nice ride but you are going to pay more for it. More creature comforts and a real cage plus you can get something other than the 3.6 motor which I would avoid with all the issues it has shown to have. If you want to do an extreme build find an old JK that is stock.

 

Bit of a hijack but ..... Dirtman - are you saying you like the 2.0 Turbo? The diesel is a nightmare and have heard they are discontinuing it. I just rented a Chev 1500 2.7 Turbo last weekend and I am impressed with gas mileage and power. I would put it against a 5.3 V8 in performance.

 

So you are a fan of the 2.0L gasser in the JL?

im a bit too lazy for much mods. The two JKs I owned only got some mirrors for doors off and new wheels/tires. Didn’t even lift one bc my garage back then couldn’t take it.

 

I would take the turbo over the 3.6 anyway. The gen 3 diesel does not have the issues of the second gen but yes they are discontinuing the diesels all together and putting everything into electricl like everyone else. I cant wait for the huge solar farm and bank of car chargers at buck island.