Do I keep my JK or do I upgrade to a newer JK or JL?

[Sjcristi88]

Hey JKers,

So recently I’ve posted questions about doing modifications to my 16 Sahara. After having only 8k left on my loan and finding that my Jeep is worth at least 27k for trade in value. It’s only got 76k miles on it but newer would be better. I’ve decided it’s probably best if I traded my Sahara in for a newer Wrangler instead of spending the 5-7k to upgrade my current ride.
I figure I might as well take advantage of the value of my Jeep while it’s still high.
I was thinking of trading in for either a 2018 JK or a 2019 JL?

I still plan on lifting and adding 35s to the new Jeep. Maybe I can buy one that’s already done up so I don’t have to pay for the mods. Wanted to see what you guys thought of my direction here.

I’ve also had some of my friends criticize me for going for another wrangler and think I should go for a Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner because they think they are more reliable long term. I definitely want to stay Wrangler all the way.
Interested in the Wrangler family feedback as always.

 

[mrjp]

Do some research I remember reading that the early JL`s had some frame and steering box issues and maybe some other stuff

 

[A2112Priest]

I think you have a solid plan. As for the 4Runner or Tacoma, both solid vehicles BUT

1. What vehicle do YOU enjoy driving?
2. Have you had any major problems with your JK? (I traded my 2007 Tundra in pristine condition w/ 187K miles and gained +6-8 mpg by going to a JK...gas adds up............as you can already tell)
3. If I remember right, upgrading (lifts, lights, gearing etc) on those vehicles is more costly than a Jeep

My 2 cents...OH, if you go with another vehicle.....you will lose the Jeep wave! LOL...true though. If you waved at me from a 4Runner or Tacoma..........I'd likely think...WTH was that for! LOL

If my JK was worth what your is.......I'd trade for another in a hear beat but only if I were experiencing issues with mine...no issues...keep it!

 

[JerryD]

Wranglers retain value better than almost any other vehicle. Tacos in 4Runners are very good vehicles, but do they hold the value the same as your Jeep? And like @A2112Priest said, drive what you like.

My experience has been that you're usually, stress usually, better off building what you have because you already know it. You can sometimes get a good deal on a vehicle that's already been lifted & had mods to it etcetera, etcetera, but only if those mods are quality and done right. My current Jeep had the suspension and bumpers done by a reputable, nationally-known company. However they also did some electrical work that was just crap. If you do the work yourself, or at least over see it, you know what's happening and you know what you're getting.

Do what makes you happy, but my thought would be keep it unless you're having problems

 

[Artisanau]

Hey JKers,
So recently I’ve posted questions about doing modifications to my 16 Sahara. After having only 8k left on my loan and finding that my Jeep is worth at least 27k for trade in value. It’s only got 76k miles on it but newer would be better. I’ve decided it’s probably best if I traded my Sahara in for a newer Wrangler instead of spending the 5-7k to upgrade my current ride.
I figure I might as well take advantage of the value of my Jeep while it’s still high.
I was thinking of trading in for either a 2018 JK or a 2019 JL?
I still plan on lifting and adding 35s to the new Jeep. Maybe I can buy one that’s already done up so I don’t have to pay for the mods. Wanted to see what you guys thought of my direction here.
I’ve also had some of my friends criticize me for going for another wrangler and think I should go for a Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner because they think they are more reliable long term. I definitely want to stay Wrangler all the way.
Interested in the Wrangler family feedback as always.

Yep, i agree with the other 3 replies in general. Sounds like you have a good rig now but if i was to upgrade I’d say go with the latest JK i could find and make sure its had the left cylinder head replaced better still both and your all good. For me the JL as good as they look have to many electronics reliant on a dealership fix, but its just my opinion. I’m sure they’re great, enough seem to buy ‘em?
I like to know i have a reasonable chance on keeping my JK on the road and thats bad enough, but theres alot of owner and specialist knowledge shared now so we get half a chance at least. Let us know what you go with.

 

[Threepointsix]

I’d be quite tempted to go with a JL considering your JK’s trade-in ‘value’. BUT, Im with above poster.....all those creature comforts of a JL rely on dealer updates and who knows what else. They do look slick and have some robust parts that JK’s would benefit from. But also, 7k and the JK is all yours. Paid in full. That opens a lot of opportunity.

Lastly, I also think of what can last me the longest. That’s why I’m still holding strong onto my TJ. All the electronics on a JK, and JL, make we question their long term life.

 

[Sjcristi88]

I’d be quite tempted to go with a JL considering your JK’s trade-in ‘value’. BUT, Im with above poster.....all those creature comforts of a JL rely on dealer updates and who knows what else. They do look slick and have some robust parts that JK’s would benefit from. But also, 7k and the JK is all yours. Paid in full. That opens a lot of opportunity.

Lastly, I also think of what can last me the longest. That’s why I’m still holding strong onto my TJ. All the electronics on a JK, and JL, make we question their long term life.

Yeah, I really like the way the JL’s look. I have heard a lot on this forum of the risk of buying one. As for my JK I know I’m so close to owning it for good. But I’ve put more miles (76k) that I ever thought I would in my first 3 years with it. I would like to go for a cart that will give me longevity with a long term value as well. Which is why I’m leaning towards the newer JK or JL. It’s a tough decision if I add to it now. That’s another 7k I’ve put in it. And it’s not getting younger is my concern. Looking back now I should have made these mods when I first got it lol. Thanks for the reply Threepointsix.

 

[Sjcristi88]

Yep, i agree with the other 3 replies in general. Sounds like you have a good rig now but if i was to upgrade I’d say go with the latest JK i could find and make sure its had the left cylinder head replaced better still both and your all good. For me the JL as good as they look have to many electronics reliant on a dealership fix, but its just my opinion. I’m sure they’re great, enough seem to buy ‘em?
I like to know i have a reasonable chance on keeping my JK on the road and thats bad enough, but theres alot of owner and specialist knowledge shared now so we get half a chance at least. Let us know what you go with.

Yes, I keep hearing about JL issues as well. They look so awesome. But it’s understandable they’re only a few years old. Does anyone know of anyone who has good experiences with the JL’s lol. They definitely are getting away from the more rugged JK look. But I still dig it.
I don’t believe either of my cylinder heads have been replaced is that something I should be looking for ? The most I’ve seen when I first bought the vehicle was some metal fragments in the oil when I changed the oil.
Thanks for the reply Artisanau

 

[Sjcristi88]

Wranglers retain value better than almost any other vehicle. Tacos in 4Runners are very good vehicles, but do they hold the value the same as your Jeep? And like @A2112Priest said, drive what you like.

My experience has been that you're usually, stress usually, better off building what you have because you already know it. You can sometimes get a good deal on a vehicle that's already been lifted & had mods to it etcetera, etcetera, but only if those mods are quality and done right. My current Jeep had the suspension and bumpers done by a reputable, nationally-known company. However they also did some electrical work that was just crap. If you do the work yourself, or at least over see it, you know what's happening and you know what you're getting.

Do what makes you happy, but my thought would be keep it unless you're having problems

Wranglers retain value better than almost any other vehicle. Tacos in 4Runners are very good vehicles, but do they hold the value the same as your Jeep? And like @A2112Priest said, drive what you like.

My experience has been that you're usually, stress usually, better off building what you have because you already know it. You can sometimes get a good deal on a vehicle that's already been lifted & had mods to it etcetera, etcetera, but only if those mods are quality and done right. My current Jeep had the suspension and bumpers done by a reputable, nationally-known company. However they also did some electrical work that was just crap. If you do the work yourself, or at least over see it, you know what's happening and you know what you're getting.

Do what makes you happy, but my thought would be keep it unless you're having problems

I wouldn’t even think twice about keeping my Jeep if I knew it was going to last to 200k miles. I drive a lot and the miles add up quick. Next thing you know I’ll be past the 100k mark. Is it hard to install your own 35 inch tires and lift kit? That’s usually not work I would undertake. I think I just have the mindset of go newer before I do start having problems. But I love my wrangler, just want to make sure I’m making the right decision for the current value while I have it. If I kept it for another 2 years would the value really dip that much ?

 

[Artisanau]

Yes, I keep hearing about JL issues as well. They look so awesome. But it’s understandable they’re only a few years old. Does anyone know of anyone who has good experiences with the JL’s lol. They definitely are getting away from the more rugged JK look. But I still dig it.
I don’t believe either of my cylinder heads have been replaced is that something I should be looking for ? The most I’ve seen when I first bought the vehicle was some metal fragments in the oil when I changed the oil.
Thanks for the reply Artisanau

They do look good if you spend more $’s tricking them up and if your a lotto winner who cares, go nuts.
Out of the box, they don’t do much for me personally. I’ve looked closely around one at the dealership and i’d rather have my 2013 JK. Most forums will have comments and experiences of the JK head issue from 2011/13 then onwards to 2016.
The comments will vary in success of getting them sorted via the Chrysler extended warranty etc but it can be expensive doing it yourself. My plan is to keep mine and if anything major goes wrong which I’m not expecting, well, I should have the several thousand $’s in my pocket I was going to spill on a new rig to cover it and the thing is the real cost will be nowhere near a new one, it’ll be peanuts by comparison. Its all personal choice eh and if you have the money, why nit treat yourself i guess. No one’s getting off this rock alive

 

[A2112Priest]

Yeah, I really like the way the JL’s look. I have heard a lot on this forum of the risk of buying one. As for my JK I know I’m so close to owning it for good. But I’ve put more miles (76k) that I ever thought I would in my first 3 years with it. I would like to go for a cart that will give me longevity with a long term value as well. Which is why I’m leaning towards the newer JK or JL. It’s a tough decision if I add to it now. That’s another 7k I’ve put in it. And it’s not getting younger is my concern. Looking back now I should have made these mods when I first got it lol. Thanks for the reply Threepointsix.

DOn't let mileage scare ya...especially since it's always been yours! I am the second owner of my 2 door JK and I just turned 131K miles...runs like a top. It is base model so no extra electronic gizmos...manual 6 speed, manual windows, after market stereo, soft top, bimini top. ~3.5 inch lift on 35's...FL is pretty flat so 6th speed is useless. Stock gears (3:21). I have ordered 4:88 gears which should liven up the use of the transmission and give me the obvious extras. I have also added the 9Drive (after market Pedal Commander) and it is probably one of the single best additions I've added...took the lag out of the gas pedal... I added a FlowMaster axel back Outlaw exhaust as well.

 

[Anybodyhome]

I just rolled 88k on my 2014 Sahara and I've had it almost 5 years now. It had 35k on it when I bought it and it's my DD as well as dog-hauler and vacation vehicle. Of course, I'm 65 and have to think about just how many more vehicles am I going to own before I die. My Rhino is here to stay, unless someone offers me stupid money for it, in which case I get another. If anything I'll add a vehicle (still looking for the vintage muscle car deal of the century), but not ready to give up my JK.

Back to your point- don't give up $2-3K by trading it. Sell it yourself and you'll have a few extra bucks to drop in the next one. The 35s and the lift, new shocks and a couple other mods will take the $2-3k you keep by selling it yourself.

 

[Michael Shatto]

The answer has to do with your cash-flow.
If your budget includes car payments forever, calculating the cost of a new Jeep is easy.

 

[Chris]

I personally don't believe the JL in it's current state is enough of an "upgrade" to make me want to switch. I'd be happier with a nice 2012+ JK Rubicon Hard Rock / Recon.