Obviously any JK cannot be considered an investment,but..............

I keep looking at used TJ prices because I want to be somewhat sensible and not take a huge loss when I trade in. I typically get tired of whatever vehicle I own after two years. I figure someone has already taken a hit on the used one and its better for me.

My rationale is this............ Why spend 17K on a used TJ when I can get pretty much the same thing or better in a brand new JK for a few dollars more? I'm looking at a stripped JK( B package I think) but it still comes with everything I want that used to cost extra on a TJ( hard doors,6cyl, cd w/6 speakers etc). With the auto tranny it still only stickers for $20,500. I'm thinking I should be able to buy it for $18,500-$18,900

In a few years when I go to trade it in on whatever happens to excite me at the time, The dealer is going to look at 07JK two door X with auto tranny and soft top. Calculate the mileage and make me an offer. I am willing to bet that it wont make a difference if its a b,c,or s package to them because all they are looking at is the black book value.

What are your thoughts?

 

Go for the JK, I loved my TJ while i had it, but the JKs are a whole new world of wranglers. They're Great!!! ( in tony the tiger's voice, lol) As for black book value down the road, they might account for the package, but regardless, you'll pull better money for a used one owner JK than a used multi-owner TJ. besides, nothing beats a new car with a full warranty, at least until you put 44" mudders and 10" of lift and void all of that precious warranty. lol

 

Well, JK's ARE definitely an investment - at least for me and for most people on this forum - we're investing quite a bit into them, in the way of mods!

2 years or 2 months from now, you're still going to take a hit on depreciation... unless you're predicting that 2 years from now JKs are going to sticker at 200% what you're paying NOW for them, you're going to come out losing money. You're probably safe in that you won't be upside-down on the JK as a trade-in, because Wranglers hold residual value so well. Having said that, if you KNOW that you're going to get rid of your JK in a couple years, why not just lease it?

 

i had a few i thought where good investments and it never panned out that way at the dealership...your thoughts on trade in is most likely correct..they just look at book price then call around and see what someone will give them for it. cars, trucks, vans all are the worst investments you can make they just lose value unless you hold on to them drive them and get use out of them well after they are paid off. i have come to the conclusion don't even think of the return you might get just enjoy the ride. life is short we are here for a good time not a long one.

 

I left out that I do plan some mods,although very simple. Budget boost,tires/rims,rock rails,bumpers. Things I can easily pull off later or don't cost a small fortune.I have lost literally tens of thousands of dollars on mods from other vehicles that I 've owned chasing down that elusive tenth of a second in the quarter mile. Now it's just chrome for the Harley and soon will be toys for the jeep.