I’ve had my 2008 2-door wrangler for a while now. It’s paid off which is great, but has the 202hp 3.8L V-6 (pre Pentastar). I’m having a devil/angel dilemma. Part of me says to be fiscally responsible and keep what I have, and the other part says to get a new JLU Rubicon with all the new bells and whistles. I’m just not sure I want to put anymore money into an older vehicle...with an anemic engine and only 2 doors when I can technically afford to get something newer, or brand new and start fresh. I keep going back and forth. Am I crazy? I feel like I’m going crazy. Does anyone else have experience with a similar situation? Thank you!
Also, for more context, my JK is lifted with M/Ts. It’s very loud on the highway and I have to turn O/D off to maintain the speed limit on the highway. I’m wanting to travel more and longer distances. So something quieter and easier to drive at high speeds would be great. If I keep my JK I’d need to swap the suspension for something more pavement friendly, and go from M/Ts to A/Ts or a hybrid tire. All of which would cost money that I’m thinking I could just put towards a new vehicle right?
Tough to tell you what you should do.... but
The JL platform is fantastic. Really well done. Jeep knocked it our of the park
But the JK is easy to work on
We love our 2010 even with the 3.8 & 4 speed auto
Rock Krawler long arm lift kit & their springs are very nice on and Offroad.
I regeared to 5.13s for our 37s & while the motor and transmission are still weak it is drivable. We can do 70-80 mph for 7 hrs to and from a trail with the kids & such & other than the poor MPG it is fine.
The JL platform is fantastic. Really well done. Jeep knocked it our of the park
But the JK is easy to work on
We love our 2010 even with the 3.8 & 4 speed auto
Rock Krawler long arm lift kit & their springs are very nice on and Offroad.
I regeared to 5.13s for our 37s & while the motor and transmission are still weak it is drivable. We can do 70-80 mph for 7 hrs to and from a trail with the kids & such & other than the poor MPG it is fine.
Attachments
Enthusiast III
- 1,808
- First Name
- Hugh
- Last Name
- Bryce
- Member #
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14890
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KA5KLX
Heres my two cents. I have a 2013 JKU with the 3.6 and a 6 speed manual running 35 BFG KO2s the first owner didn't understand that with taller tires comes taller gears it's still sporting 3.73 gears It suffers some at stoplights but in 6th at 75 I am pulling 19.9 mpg so I learn to live with the around town issue. I wouldn't trade this truck for anything it's just too much fun on the trail. I sounds like you are leaning to go much newer or brand new I wish I had a good answer for you aside from four doors are really nice with friends!
Enthusiast III
My 2dr 2012 JK, paid for and with massive mods is where I am staying. I have too much invested and just over 41000 miles and really starting to use it more. I am thinking about getting a trailer so keep the jeep more open.
Enthusiast III
Advocate II
- 1,416
- First Name
- David
- Last Name
- Cuthbertson
- Member #
-
47361
- Service Branch
- Air Force U.S. ARMY
It really depends on what you're using it for. We bought a 2015 JK LWB for our "big trip" around Canada (11 months) and it was excellent. Probably 70% surfaced routes, 30% unsurfaced, no "rock crawling", Dempster Highway and Trans-Labrador Highway, among other routes. We sold it after the trip. If I were to buy another I'd consider the new hybrid (not yet available here) - however it seems that the fuel consumption isn't much better than the petrol 3.8 L Wrangler we had in Canada.
How long can you wait?
Jeep and Ram sales are tanking due to absolutely dismal reliability. And excess cost.
Our dealer lots are filled with 4 door Rubies and Glads. Poor mechanic service is hurting them as well. None of our local shops know squat about DEF, diesels, or the hybrid junk.
I wanted to love the 4xe. But it's as heavy as a Superduty, and has no manual trans option. The redundant starter and alternator, is a joke. Needs some maturing. Better batteries, more compact purpose built drive train.
You should be able to get a sweet deal soon. Or maybe wait until they pull their heads out, and offer a decent engine and trans combo.
Jeep and Ram sales are tanking due to absolutely dismal reliability. And excess cost.
Our dealer lots are filled with 4 door Rubies and Glads. Poor mechanic service is hurting them as well. None of our local shops know squat about DEF, diesels, or the hybrid junk.
I wanted to love the 4xe. But it's as heavy as a Superduty, and has no manual trans option. The redundant starter and alternator, is a joke. Needs some maturing. Better batteries, more compact purpose built drive train.
You should be able to get a sweet deal soon. Or maybe wait until they pull their heads out, and offer a decent engine and trans combo.
