I'm looking at getting my soon to be 16yo daughter a vehicle and of course I want to get her a Jeep. Should I even consider the old 3.8L? The ones I've been looking at are around 100K miles which scares me a bit. My first and only Jeep is a 2012 JKUR so I have no experience with the older ones. What can I expect? Reliable or not? It would be very hard for me to buy anything but a Jeep. Also considering Grand Cherokees in the same year and mileage range. I'm looking to stay well below $15K so the 2012+ are not an option.

 

Looking at only stock jeeps and no plans to mod later

 

Well at least with a 3.8 you wont have to worry about her drag racing it.

 

0 issues with my 2008, 75k. Except the windshield bolts and the typical slight leak.

 

I wheel mine and it's heavily modded. No problems except for the things I caused lol.

 

I have an 07 with 117,000 miles and it still runs perfect. Mines heavily modded with 35s and I can still hit 85 on the freeway and I'm getting around 18 mpg

 

Thanks. I feel better about it. Let me see if I can find a good deal on a JK

 

I wouldn't buy her one if she is planning on driving on the Highway. Death Wobble is a real problem for these years....I know everyone is going to say that it is a maintenance issue but it is a design issue.... I have two daughters of my own and I let them drive it all over town but never on the highway.

 

The only difference is the steering box. From the old jks to the new ones if memory serves me right.(correct me if wrong) death wobble is a maintenance issue. Don't be fooled. You lift it and don't do it right ie new trackbar control arms ...you'll get wobble. Worn parts wobble. If you keep on top or your jeep and not be a lazy ass you should have no problem driving 85 down the high way and have no wobble

 

There are plenty of videos that show you what to look for to prevent and diagnose a wobble or the potential for a wobble. I have an 07 and just hit 78k with no real,issues that I couldn't fix in the driveway.