Hi all! First off, thanks for letting me join the jk-forum team!


I'm on the hunt for my first Jeep (JKU) and wanna get your opinions on which is the best deal from the few I'm looking through right now.


They all have remote start, leather, heated seats and 430 Nav radio, color matched hardtop, any "upgrades" listed below for each. All stock tire size , no lift.

*Wet spots under each is water runoff from being washed right before picture was taken, fyi

Option 1: 2012, black, 84k miles, newer tires $21,000

Option 2: 2013, white, 75k miles, $22,900

Option 3: 2013, True Blue, 61.5k miles, 10A hood, soft top included, aftermarket wheels, needs tires $24,250


Ranked from least favorite to favorite and ironically cheapest to most expensive . I really like option 3 but it's the top of my budget. What do you all thinks the best deal?


Will be a grocery getter/daily for a little while. Thanks!

 

Welcome. You answered your own question. Stay away from the 12. They have had some engine issues. The true blue is a rare color and for 1800 you're getting a Jeep with 14k less mileage. The late model 13s also have upgraded Dana 30s. Beefier Cs, 1350 u joints for when u do start to venture off road.

 

Welcome and Option 3 all the way

 

The true blue one hit the market in April of 2013, so it's an early model, would it still have the head issues and other problems the 12's had??

Any reason why you say option 3??

 

I'd say the few extra grand for owning option 3 is pretty insignificant over the life of the vehicle. The one drawback is it requiring tires, but maybe you could use that as some leverage for a cheaper price. if you weren't in love with those wheels, you could probably buy new take-off rubi wheels and tires for cheap on ebay and bolt em right on, either selling the current wheel/tires, or saving the wheels for to mount new larger tires on later down the road. I'd pick option 2 second just due to '13 over the '12's seats.

 

Yeah tried the tire leverage plan, he won't budge on the price. Rockstar wheels aren't my top choice, but I like them better than stockers. I found a good deal on tires, but the '13 Jeep is at Max budget....but it comes with a soft top, so it levels out a bit (is what I keep telling the wife haha)

Are the seats in the 12' not as good? I noticed they're different for sure. I've looked at both '13s in person and they're pretty comfy seats.

 

The seats in the '13+ were a big improvement IMO. I think it will just come down to personal preference on that color and if you value the hood on the blue one. I guess I would say this.....these things tend to spend your money will all kinds of things you'll soon want for it. Don't go over budget just to get in to one. Leave room to have a little fun with it.

 

Seat comfort is good, and I'll probably ignore that '12 due to that and potential engine issues

Haha I already have a long list of random BS I wanna buy for the Wrangler I don't yet own it's not that I don't have the money for it, just set my own budget so I can have money to finish up my other project I have going on (1964 Cutlass, LS2 swap)


Thanks for the advice everyone. Ill update back once I've made a decision!

 

I would buy the 13 but in all honesty for what you are looking at in options I would buy a grand cherokee instead. Its going to be a better vehicle for a daily driver. If you are planning on going off road I would look at for Rubicon model.

 

Appreciate the advice, but a Grand Cherokee because I want remote start and heated seats? It's cold up here in Michigan, and those are def nice things to have. I'll stick with the Wrangler. It will def see light trails and some overlanding, but not looking to have 37's or anything on it...yet haha