Should I wait for the 2018 model or buy a 2017?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 6
From: bay area, ca
The JL is awesome, but not awesome enough to go into such debt over. Consider how much interest you'll pay on that loan, plus depreciation, and you're looking at financial figures that imo are nuts. Jeeps are in Land Rover territory now. But if you can swing it, go for it I guess.
Actually, a newer used Jk is pretty costly too. How are people affording newer Jeeps these days sheesh?!
Actually, a newer used Jk is pretty costly too. How are people affording newer Jeeps these days sheesh?!
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,362
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
Now that all the deets about the JL are out, I can see a lot of people waiting for it. I think it's more appealing to the average consumer that is looking for refinements and such, but if looking for something to modify and off road, I'd still take a JK. I'd imagine it's going to take some time for all the mods to catch up with the JL.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: heart of dixie
The difference between the JK and TJ was basically all safety. The JK is wider, has better highway manners, has a longer wheelbase but around the same length (JKU obviously a little longer than the LJ)
The JK and JL will probably be produced at the same time for a while in the 2018 model year, and I personally don't expect to see a huge change between the models. The big changes are going to be in the form of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. I doubt capability will change much if at all between these two jeeps. It sounds like the JL will get a new style of Dana44 but it won't be much different.
As far as modding the big rumour was that the front bumper mounts would stay the same, I doubt that will be true but if it was it will make moving to a JL a lot easier.
The JK and JL will probably be produced at the same time for a while in the 2018 model year, and I personally don't expect to see a huge change between the models. The big changes are going to be in the form of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. I doubt capability will change much if at all between these two jeeps. It sounds like the JL will get a new style of Dana44 but it won't be much different.
As far as modding the big rumour was that the front bumper mounts would stay the same, I doubt that will be true but if it was it will make moving to a JL a lot easier.
I'm one of those folk that likes to have the new body style in the first or second year, because that's the only years its the "new" model. And the previous becomes the "old" model. Jeep is less sensitive though. Driving the previous model such as a TJ right now, doesn't carry the same discount as with cars and trucks. Its win-win imo. I'm still going to look very hard at the JL. The only thing that will keep me from trading will be ridiculous sticker price, or unattractive colors.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 9
From: Hamilton, NJ
Buy a jeep like it's a something you'll keep for the rest of your life. If I were in the market I'd at least wait to get a test drive of the new model. Take your time and don't jump into anything you'll wish you hadn't.
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 542
Likes: 10
From: Austin, TX
If you drive an automatic, I would think the new transmission is reason enough to wait for the JL.
OTOH the aftermarket for parts and accessories is going to take a while to catch up with the JL, at least to the extent that parts and accessories from the JK don't fit, so be aware of that. More limited selection may drive higher prices.
In either case owning the JL is going to be slightly more expensive but JKUs have shown to hold their value unreasonably well which basically means buying used doesn't really benefit you much if at all. A JK, even a 1-2 year old one, won't be appreciably cheaper than a new JL, and may even be more expensive if the seller has installed "upgrades" that they expect to be compensated for when they sell it.
I would ordinarily be worried about a new vehicle having "bugs" but in this case the new engine choice (turbo 4 cyl) and the transmission are known quantities from other vehicles. I would say that a more refined electronically-controlled transmission is certainly going to be different to maintain and repair than the old one, and especially for the typical change-averse Jeep owner, a turbo 4-cylinder is going to be a tough pill to swallow. IMHO the aluminum body panels are an awesome idea and I will be trying to figure out how to retrofit these onto my own JK for weight reduction and corrosion resistance. But they will be more difficult for typical body shops to repair, and it'll be harder to find experienced body workers who can repair (weld, dents, etc.) aluminum.
If the turbo-4 looks like it gets 20+mpg routinely in mixed use with no downsides and the sloped windshield doesn't look awfully funny, I'll probably seriously consider trading my JKU in on a new JL even though my Jeep is only 2 years old, mostly because due to the insane resale value I can basically get every penny I paid for my Jeep back and wind up with a brand new vehicle at virtually no additional cost besides sales tax. I'm not afraid of turbos or alloy body panels. I'm more afraid of owning a Jeep without a bumper to bumper warranty.
OTOH the aftermarket for parts and accessories is going to take a while to catch up with the JL, at least to the extent that parts and accessories from the JK don't fit, so be aware of that. More limited selection may drive higher prices.
In either case owning the JL is going to be slightly more expensive but JKUs have shown to hold their value unreasonably well which basically means buying used doesn't really benefit you much if at all. A JK, even a 1-2 year old one, won't be appreciably cheaper than a new JL, and may even be more expensive if the seller has installed "upgrades" that they expect to be compensated for when they sell it.
I would ordinarily be worried about a new vehicle having "bugs" but in this case the new engine choice (turbo 4 cyl) and the transmission are known quantities from other vehicles. I would say that a more refined electronically-controlled transmission is certainly going to be different to maintain and repair than the old one, and especially for the typical change-averse Jeep owner, a turbo 4-cylinder is going to be a tough pill to swallow. IMHO the aluminum body panels are an awesome idea and I will be trying to figure out how to retrofit these onto my own JK for weight reduction and corrosion resistance. But they will be more difficult for typical body shops to repair, and it'll be harder to find experienced body workers who can repair (weld, dents, etc.) aluminum.
If the turbo-4 looks like it gets 20+mpg routinely in mixed use with no downsides and the sloped windshield doesn't look awfully funny, I'll probably seriously consider trading my JKU in on a new JL even though my Jeep is only 2 years old, mostly because due to the insane resale value I can basically get every penny I paid for my Jeep back and wind up with a brand new vehicle at virtually no additional cost besides sales tax. I'm not afraid of turbos or alloy body panels. I'm more afraid of owning a Jeep without a bumper to bumper warranty.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 435
Likes: 10
From: Ft. Barfoot, VA
By 2020, the aftermarket goodies would have definitely be ready for the 3.0 ecodiesel Jeep and I can't imagine how much that is going to cost.
I love my JK and love the JL even more but am I ready to take a huge loss to jump on the new ship?... hard to say.
I love my JK and love the JL even more but am I ready to take a huge loss to jump on the new ship?... hard to say.
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 542
Likes: 10
From: Austin, TX
How would you take a huge loss? Certainly not in the TX automotive economy, where Wranglers essentially don't depreciate. This is the really rare instance where it costs less than $1k/year to own a moderately-driven, mostly-stock, unabused Wrangler. Not really a huge loss. Now if you'd bought a Liberty and want to turn around and buy a JL...