Ok so im looking to get a Wrangler, really want a JK. im looking to get one around $16k give or take a few, Ive been told that the 3.8l v6 has a lot of issues and to stay away from it, is it really worth the extra 3k or so that i usually see to get a 2012 or newer. Im not going to mod the hell out of it right now ill use it for weekend stuff and a 3 hour round trip commute twice a week. any knowledge you guys have on what to go with is helpful, no information is useless

 

3.6 is more dependable, but 3.8 is a good engine. My 2009 has over 100K miles with no issues

 

If you can find something you like for only $3k difference with a 3.6L, yes it's worth it. The problem is typically finding something that close in price range between the 3.8L and 3.6L all other specs being equal. The 3.8L is a fairly reliable engine, just very underpowered.

 

I have about 170,000 on a stock 3.8... and it is running great. But any engine with 100,00 plus miles on it will vary vastly by how it was taken care of... or not. It can be a big gamble if you don't know about the sort of care a Jeep had before you buy it... and it has high mileage...