Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

71 yrs. old - trade my 2015 JKU auto for 2 dr. 6 spd?

2K views 25 replies 22 participants last post by  ChuffHugginLoognat 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi everyone,

Only I can answer the question, but I'd like some input. I'm a lifetime 2 dr stick shift kind of guy - like the tight handling and using the trans. for braking. A year ago bought a 2015 JKU auto - wife's insistence. Of course, she never drove the thing. If you're into 4 drs and auto, I'm not arguing that - for me, started over 50 yrs. ago with stick shift Camaros, followed by stick shift Chevy shorty pickups.

My 2015 JKU is almost paid off, only paying $295/month. Probably I'd take a $10,000 hit on a 2017 2 dr Rubicon. Here's the catch - I'm 71 yrs. old, retired, fixed income and all that. One side of me says get what makes you happy - you only live once, the other side says be logical, no more payments.

FWIW the 2015 has the lifetime warranty, max trailer tow, etc. etc., but I do find it bulky to drive. And FWIW I think the 5 spd. auto is very solid as far as automatics go - just can't teach old dogs (me) new tricks. What would you do if in my shoes?
 
#2 ·
If you're bound and determined then do it on your terms. I'd list and sell the JKU person to person. The retail price on a late model used JKU/Auto should damn near pay for a JK stick. Just be patient and wait on the right buyer and know what the market is demanding.
 
#3 ·
You can use the auto to engine brake via the autostick feature. However, if you're just not happy unless you're shifting with a clutch then nothing will change that until you have one. If I was your age I'd go with what makes me happy, assuming I can afford it.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Do some research: you may discover that you won't take as much of a hit as you think.

I've owned four manual transmission JKs before my current automatics and I enjoyed very much driving them.

If that's what you enjoy, you may find the penalty to switch is less than you expected.

Good luck.

One of my prior stick shifts: a 2009 JKR
 
#6 ·
paullgj;

I'd guess you know exactly what you want to do (comes through in your post). None of us knows your financial situation/wife's opinion on the matter/all the other factors that weigh in on your decision.

If you're looking for validation/approval, you came to the right place.

If you're truly on the fence, flip a coin. You'll know the outcome you want the second the coin's in the air. In my case, if I lived with the outcome, it's what I wanted all along. If my first thought was "best two out of three", well.............

Good luck.

P.S. Post pictures when you've taken delivery. ;)
 
#7 ·
Tough choice. I am in my 60's and also been driving manuals pretty much my entire life. Try thinking ahead, one knee or arm injury will put you out of commission for driving a manual. Been there and done that after falling and breaking an arm followed by some ACL surgeries.
Still on the fence myself as to which one to order (auto or manual). Leaning towards the manual because we have other vehicles in the household I can drive it I get injured.

I would say go for it if you have other toys in the household you can drive if you are unable to shift.
 
#8 ·
I'd keep the 15. I'm almost 65 and feeling it. Now to get the itch for something better out of my system I might throw on some new tires rims or maybe a lift. Think of the money you'll save!

But that's just me. Should anything happen to you then like me, I consider who the next person who drives it would be and take into account their wishes.
 
#11 ·
I know what you're feeling. I pick up a 6 speed manual transmission Jeep Willys W on Tuesday. The sales people seemed to not understand why I was so adamant about getting a manual transmission. The only Jeeps that I have ever known in my life were standard tranny stick shifts. They are just fun to drive...makes it feel more like a machine than a luxury vehicle. Get the stick!
 
#13 ·
If you can sell it and get what you want then do it. I have a base model sport 2 dr. I knew ahead I did not want a auto and I wanted a solid front axle. In trucks people told me to get a 4 door better resale they said. I do not need the soccer mom version of any thing the kids are grown and gone but the dogs need the door opened for them. If I had to get an auto then I would have got a truck that would be more useful. This jk other than ride in for 2 people is useless. but it is what I wanted and fun to drive. 2dr is so much easier to get around in either in a parking lot or on a trail to where ever you want to go. I understand that locking hubs do not save gas anymore but if I could have gotten that then I would so I would have a 2wd low range. At least I am the grandpa that has something fun to drive when the grandkids get old enough to ride me around. Until then it is still fun for them to ride in.
 
#14 ·
I've had manual and auto JKs, two door and 4 door. Currently have a two door and a 4 door, autos.

My opinion would vary depending on how you plan to use it. 2 door is great for 1, ok for 2 and crappy for 3 or 4. We have 6 kids from ages 31 to 16, them hopping in and out of the back of a two door stinks. Constantly flipping up seats stinks. Car seats for the grandkids is a near impossible feat. But it's a blast off road with the tighter turning radius and shorter wheelbase. My wife loves the 2 door when it's just her or her/me. Anything more and we take the 4 door.

Secondly the wrangler manual is a love it/hate it transmission. Research and decide for yourself though, no sense in taking internet strangers word on anything. Lots of threads on here with people calling the manual crappy and the manual guys telling the auto guys they aren't a man for driving an auto. Good times... :)


As far as selling, we sold a 9 month old 2013 in early 2014 with 14k miles. Took about a $300 hit. Bought it right, sold it right. Couldn't believe it.

Good luck old man :D :thumb:
 
#16 ·
I have a 2015 with the manual, and I figured what would make me sell it are bad knees/hips when I get older. However, I'd probably just convert it to an auto and keep it around before selling it if I've had it for 20+ years.

If you're healthy and think you can get 5 years or more from it, go get a new one and minimize the expense by trying to get top dollar for yours on Craigslist. Life is short and only getting shorter.

If you're not in the best of shape and see potential shifting problems on the horizon, then keep what you got and forget about what you don't have. Life is short and only getting shorter!
 
#17 ·
I'll offer a different opinion here. I'm from the TJ board. Last year, at 60, I got my TJ. 4.0 engine, 5 speed. It had been 25 years since I had a Jeep, and I couldn't be happier. While I can't say it makes me feel young again, it DOES remind me what it was like.

If you want a JK, several other posters have given you great advice, but my preference is a TJ. It's smaller, lighter, more agile. You could most likely sell the JKU and more than pay for a good TJ.
 
#18 ·
Jeep Wranglers hold their value. Shop around a bit for trade in quotes and list it private sale. Three year old Wranglers are selling for just a bit less than new, my bank even values my 2013 for just 2k less than what I paid for it, nobody should complain about not being able to get a loan for it if they can afford to.

I'd say take a long test drive in a 2 door manual and see how you like it. If you are back on top of the world again, list yours.
 
#20 ·
I'd do some research and see how much of a loss you'd take. I'd assume some since the lifetime warranty is not transferable.

If it's a very small loss, do what makes you happy. Although you may regret the decision later as health declines. I tore my left ACL last summer and was very glad I had an auto. I'm in my late thirties.

I would say on a fixed income do the smart thing. In my retirement, I'd want to DO more. You already have an awesome jeep with a lifetime warranty. More cash every month seems like a win-win.
 
#21 ·
I was in a similar boat. My wife urged me to buy an automatic pickup truck 2 years ago. Because "I'll drive it" she said. She drove it once and refused to since. I hated it as I I'm a 'stick kind' of a guy. Was almost paid off and I traded it on my current JKUWWW - 4 door, stick shift, etc...and yeah my note's gone up, but so has my driving pleasure.
 
#23 ·
Hey, man......At our age, I believe that we should get what we want. My wife likes the automatic, so I bought a Silverado Crew Cab Texas Edition. She LOVES it. Good for her. But I bought a '16 JK Sport with a 6 spd. I LOVE it. The wife can drive it...she knows how, but prefers to be a passenger. She likes riding with the top flipped to the "sunroof" position better than she likes riding the motorcycle, and she's been the backseat passenger on the bike for the last 44 years and ridden across the country and enjoyed every minute.
So.....life is short......even shorter for guys like us.....time is limited, and you've EARNED some enjoyment in your driving. 2 DOOR MANUAL TRANNY !!!!
Go for it.
 
#25 ·
hey, man......at our age, i believe that we should get what we want. My wife likes the automatic, so i bought a silverado crew cab texas edition. She loves it. Good for her. But i bought a '16 jk sport with a 6 spd. I love it. The wife can drive it...she knows how, but prefers to be a passenger. She likes riding with the top flipped to the "sunroof" position better than she likes riding the motorcycle, and she's been the backseat passenger on the bike for the last 44 years and ridden across the country and enjoyed every minute.
So.....life is short......even shorter for guys like us.....time is limited, and you've earned some enjoyment in your driving. 2 door manual tranny !!!!
Go for it.
+1!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top