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Need advice on getting first wrangler

1K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  jec1521 
#1 ·
Hey guys,

So I have a 2011 Grand Cherokee and I have made the decision to get a Wrangler. I usually buy 1-3 year old vehicles but it doesnt seem like that makes any sense with the Wrangler so new it is. My question now is, do I lease or do I buy?

I have done plenty of research on this and it seems like most opinions say it is stupid to lease a Wrangler because of numerous factors (cant modify, no incentives, leasing sucks in general, etc.) But I figured before I go buy a new rangler I would see what you guys thought about my situation.

I am not an offroad guy (yet.) I have an SVT Lightning that is my weekend toy so my thing is usually horsepower and speed and I also like modifying my vehicles. So I figured instead of looking at an SRT 8 Jeep or something, I would get something different (to me) and get the wrangler. I love the look of the offroad tires and also love the aftermarket support.

So you would think I would be a perfect "buy" candidate, but I am a little nervous about two things:

1) I never had a vehicle like the Wrangler. What if I don't like it?
2) The new JL is coming out soon.

Do these 2 things make a lease make more sense at this point? I've never bought a new vehicle (only leased or bought used) so I would like to know that it makes complete sense before I do it. It would be nice to be able to have the option at the end of the lease to either buy it out if I dont want a JL, or give it up if I want the JL.

Thoughts?
 
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#2 ·
Since you seem so uncertain whether you will like it, or whether you might want a JL, maybe you should consider buying an older Wrangler for less money and try it. The JL probably won't be out till the end of 2017, and many people don't like to buy the first year anyway. So a used Wrangler will buy you time to see what you like. With the good resale on Wranglers, hopefully you wouldn't be out too much money. Just an idea.

By the way, I bought a 2 year-old lightly used 2012 Rubicon and it's worked out great.
 
#3 ·
I bought a 2014 last year with 5000kms on it. I saved nearly $6-7K off what it sold for the year before. If you can find a deal like that, it's your best bet. Mine still smelt brand new. I would not lease a vehicle, let alone a Wrangler. I agree with what David said about the JL. Usually you don't want to buy the first year of a new model vehicle. You become the test dummy to see what they need to fix for the next coming years. As for not knowing if you'll like it, go take a test drive. It's not the full experience of Jeep ownership but I knew the moment I got in, that I wanted one.
 
#4 ·
First, everyone is different on leasing or buying. Personally I will NEVER lease a vehicle. It just makes me feel I am renting the thing at a high price. Not to mention the restrictions.

Resale value on a Jeep Wrangler is pretty good too!
I'd be willing to bet that if you got a Wrangler you would love it! I have always wanted one and finally did. Now I kick myself for waiting so long. I went with a Rubicon Unlimited because it already had a ton of options I would have added later anyways. I guess you can say I got instant gratification by doing that. Some say I paid more going this route but I have what I wanted right away.

Having the option of taking the doors and top off is priceless IMO. I had to put my top and doors back on last night due to weather and the wife caught a tear in my eye as I was doing it. She just said, "don't worry honey, you'll take them off again soon"

You are not just buying a Jeep, you are becoming a member of an awesome community.
 
#5 ·
I am not an offroad guy (yet.) I have an SVT Lightning that is my weekend toy so my thing is usually horsepower and speed and I also like modifying my vehicles. So I figured instead of looking at an SRT 8 Jeep or something, I would get something different (to me) and get the wrangler. I love the look of the offroad tires and also love the aftermarket support.
Given that, I would venture a guess that you would be happiest with an AEV Conversion Wrangler, with the Hemi. One example, http://www.rubitrux.com/2016-jeep-wrangler-rubicon-unlimited-granite-hemi-conversion-174754.html

 
#7 ·
When I test drove my jeep I said to my exgf, I don't need this, thinking its overkill. I fish, even on the back roads I get on, I thought it was a bit much.

Next morning... I bought it. Driving home I thought, why didn't I do this earlier.

Its not a car, its not an suv, its a Jeep.
 
#8 ·
I think it depends on your hobbies. If you like the outdoors you may like the Wrangler even if you dont "off road". I like camping/fishing , snowboarding, going to the beach, going to parks with my kid and dog, etc so it's a great vehicle for that kind of stuff.

Now if your only hobbies are video games (have friends like this) and expect the Jeep to be as quiet and smooth as other SUVs, there is a high chance you will hate it after the initial cool factor wears off (3-6 months I guess).
 
#9 ·
I'm assuming you don't know a buddy that has a 2012+ Jeep that would let you hold it for half a day. I had a buddy that was too tired from driving back from the beach and he let me drive his Jeep back (3 hours of driving and within the first hour) I knew I was hooked.

My wife is still mad at him for doing this....when I got back, I couldn't stop talking about Jeeps and still haven't....haha.

Also, do you think your dealership would let you do an extended (full day) test drive. I had one dealership do this since they knew that I was very serious about buying the vehicle.
 
#12 ·
What effect do you guys think the JL release will have on the resale value of the JK? I'd hate to buy a JK thinking it will have great resale but then take a hit when the JL comes out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
The JK hasn't affected the resale value of the TJs. A Jeep going to retain 70% of its original value after 10 yrs. There are guys selling 2004 TJs in my area with 80,000 miles on them for $15,000 and getting it for them. I saw a LJ about two weeks ago with 65,000 on it and the guy had $22,000 on it. Its gone so I'm assuming somebody got it.
 
#13 ·
I'd bite the bullet and buy new, but wouldn't go overboard on options. That way you could see if you REALLY like it without spending a whole lot of $$$. Then, if you do like it, you can mod it at your leisure.
BTW, where do you ski?? I have a good friend from N.J. who has a place just up the road from me.
 
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