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Sport vs Willy's?

72K views 58 replies 35 participants last post by  JE01 
#1 ·
Hey guys! I just wanted a few opinions on my options for picking up a Wrangler right now. I've been looking hard for one and would like to get one within the next week or so and have two current options right now.

a 2015 WW Wrangler Unlimited for 33,560 - $500 Military = 33060
24W, Power convenience, Auto, and hardtop
(From an autobroker so non-negotiable)

or a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Sport Plus = 30,175 - $500 military = 29,675.
24s, Tubular sidesteps, auto, SOFT TOP and power convenience.

The Willy's is non negotiable but the 2014 Wrangler can be negotiated, I found this specific model for 30,175 on their website without anything else so i figure I can always negotiate a little further


Or would I be better off getting a 2015?

Cliffs: WW price is 33,060, Reg JKU is 30,175 website price (discounts included) and I'm sure I can haggle a bit and add my military discount.

Thanks guys!
 
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#2 ·
Hey guys! I just wanted a few opinions on my options for picking up a Wrangler right now. I've been looking hard for one and would like to get one within the next week or so and have two current options right now. a 2015 WW Wrangler Unlimited for 33,560 - $500 Military = 33060 24W, Power convenience, Auto, and hardtop (From an autobroker so non-negotiable) or a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Sport Plus = 30,175 - $500 military = 29,675. 24s, Tubular sidesteps, auto, SOFT TOP and power convenience. The Willy's is non negotiable but the 2014 Wrangler can be negotiated, I found this specific model for 30,175 on their website without anything else so i figure I can always negotiate a little further Or would I be better off getting a 2015? Cliffs: WW price is 33,060, Reg JKU is 30,175 website price (discounts included) and I'm sure I can haggle a bit and add my military discount. Thanks guys!

No idea if those are good deals or not. Aim for 1-5% under invoice to start.

The Willys is a great package. You get the Rubicon tires and wheels (gloss black), 3.73 tc the connectivity package and rock rails along with a couple other goodies.

You just need to decide if it's worth the money. The 2 models you're looking at aren't apples to apples so it's hard to say how much more the WILLYS is than the sport. For me, with no power options it was a wash, I basically got the package free when comparing it to a comparable sport.



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#5 ·
Hey guys! I just wanted a few opinions on my options for picking up a Wrangler right now. I've been looking hard for one and would like to get one within the next week or so and have two current options right now.

a 2015 WW Wrangler Unlimited for 33,560 - $500 Military = 33060
24W, Power convenience, Auto, and hardtop
(From an autobroker so non-negotiable)

or a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Sport Plus = 30,175 - $500 military = 29,675.
24s, Tubular sidesteps, auto, SOFT TOP and power convenience.

The Willy's is non negotiable but the 2014 Wrangler can be negotiated, I found this specific model for 30,175 on their website without anything else so i figure I can always negotiate a little further


Or would I be better off getting a 2015?

Cliffs: WW price is 33,060, Reg JKU is 30,175 website price (discounts included) and I'm sure I can haggle a bit and add my military discount.

Thanks guys!
I'll be the one to say buy a Jeep with a hard top. That way your Jeep has the electrical harness installed from the factory allowing you to use the rear window defroster.

If you want to buy a soft top later, whether regular or Premium, you can get great deals off Craiglist. You can sell your hard top as well and get at least $1300 for it easy.

I got my Premium soft top for $500 on Craiglist and will hopefully sell my hard top for $1300 this weekend. They usually go for more than that. $1300 is a deal for hard tops.

The Premium soft top is much better than the factory (regular) soft top, not only in looks, but also comfort (3-ply v. 4-ply offers more insulation from weather and noise).

Keep looking around. There's got to be a few more '14 Sports with hardtop on the lot. I decided to go with '15 because it has better speakers. That's about it though.

The WW has some nice features like wheels and suspension, but you need to ask yourself, will you actually keep your stock wheels and suspension? If not, why bother with the WW? Get a Sport and build 'er up.
 
#7 ·
It might be worth building one or two on cars.com as well, to get an idea of what you can get by customizing: http://www.cars.com/go/configurator....jsp&year=&make=&model=&makeid=23&modelid=249

For example, you can always get a Sport with the 3.73 and limited slip diff (that's what I did), which would reduce the number of differences between the two models. You'd have to crunch the numbers to see if it's worth it to do that though, or if it's a better deal to just get the Willys.
 
#8 ·
We recently went through through the process of Willys vs. Sport. Basically we wanted a very well optioned Sport almost to the point of Sahara, but without leather, etc. The Willys is likely a bit more capable than a Sport. I think it really depends on how you will use the vehicle. If mostly street, and limited off road, then save the cash.

For us we decided Willys.
 
#10 ·
I am not one to bag on any Jeep including the highly criticized Dragon edition but the only thing that makes the Willy's edition more capable are the tires and maybe the rock rails, both of which can be added for a lower cost to the Sport. The rest is purely cosmetic.

Special Editions often seem to command a premium but in many cases such as this one can be easily and more cost effectively recreated by starting with a Sport.
 
#11 · (Edited)
I am not one to bag on any Jeep including the highly criticized Dragon edition but the only thing that makes the Willy's edition more capable are the tires and maybe the rock rails, both of which can be added for a lower cost to the Sport. The rest is purely cosmetic.

Special Editions often seem to command a premium but in many cases such as this one can be easily and more cost effectively recreated by starting with a Sport.
I'm sorry to contradict, spinlock, but this simply isn't true, at least it wasn't for the '14 two door I bought this spring.

I started off with no intention of the Willys -- I was building a Sport S as I wanted it. Wound up getting within 200 bucks of the cost of the Willys with the same options, so I was effectively getting the KMs, the black Rubicon wheels, the rails, and the Rubi shocks for $200. Which, since I plan on using up the tires, keeping the wheels indefinitely, and keeping the same rock rails, made all the sense in the world and represents a great value.

Not sure what "rest is purely cosmetic" you speak of. The decals? Well, yeah, but every model has decals of some sort. I doubt you're paying anything more for these. I'll grant you that tinted windows are somewhat cosmetic, but more importantly, they are useful at keeping the interior cooler in the summer. I can't think of anything on the Willys that's cosmetic except the Willys stickers. Did I miss something?

Now if a person doesn't want Sirius radio, Connectivity Group (which I only wanted because of the individual tire pressure readout), slush mats, tinted windows, LSD, 3.73, or the Rubi stuff, then of course it doesn't represent a value because you'll be getting things you didn't really want anyway. But since I had checked all of those boxes with the Sport S before I even looked at the Willys, it made great sense for me.
 
#14 ·
Get what u like.

:dance:HI, Get what you like, if there is only a few $$$ Between A Sport and Willis, then you will be better off with Willy, also when you sell or tade the willy u will get those $$$ back. I did same math as u and now I have a willy in the garage. If you do not want the power package you can order the base willy. Well life is short and good shoping 2 u.:iamhappy::thumb::thumb:happy happy.
 
#16 ·
This is accurate if you're comparing the Sport 2dr the the Willys W 2dr, for some reason there is a much larger gap between costs with the 2dr. With the 4dr some Willys (like mine) end up being cheaper than a comparable Sport.
 
#20 ·
I'm going with a Unlimited Sport S with the following options:

-430 Head Unit
-Connectivity Group
-3.73 Rear Axle
-Trac-Lok Differential Rear Axle
-Alpine Premium Sound
-Automatic Transmission
-Dual Top Group
-Side steps

Can't stand the ugly wheels on the Willy's and Rubicon's! :puke:
 
#22 ·
We all have different tastes - I love the wheels ;-) I also love manual transmissions, soft tops (not hard tops), rubicon shocks/springs, and 2 door JKs (I prefer their handling and maneuverability)... it's just personal preference. You will love your Jeep, I'm sure.
 
#25 ·
Willy's

I just bought a 2015 Willy's 2 door. I was able to get it for only a little more than the dealership was asking for a sport which seemed like a great deal considering the upgrades. I feel like the Willy's comes with just the right amount of upgrades that makes it worth the jump. I would have spent the difference in cost between the two immediately trying to upgrade the wheels, tires and shocks. It would have cost me more to go after the gearing.
 

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#27 ·
priced both out and came up with a $1400 difference from factory when you add everything to a sport that a willys has. I.e the willys was $1400 more- for that I got the gloss black wheels and good tires, the black grill and bumper appliqués , the vehicle control center, the rock rails, slush mats, recovery kit and grab handles.

I knew I was going to sell the wheels and expected 1200 but got 950 (vs the 350 I would expect for sport wheels and sra's ). I also knew I was going to sell the rock rails and expected 250 but got 80...... So , long story short the willys vs equally equipped sport plus upgrades works out almost exactly the same cost wise.



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#28 ·
I love the Willys package but I bought 2013 JKU Commando Green Sport S. If I was buying today I would probably would buy the Willys edition or a Rubicon but if you can get a Sport with 3.73 and LSD which I did for $30,000ish and the Willys for $33,000ish then you have $3000 dollars to work with.

I just did this to my Sport S and it is awesome!

AEV 2.5 lift $959
Geo brackets $99
AEV Procal $159
5-Black AEV Savegre Wheels $1125, much cheaper wheels out there.
5-315/70/17 Duratrec $1395

That's $3737, not installed

Sell your take offs pay install at about $4000 even total.
Would you rather have that for $34,000 or a Willys for $33,000?
 
#29 ·
I love the Willys package but I bought 2013 JKU Commando Green Sport S. If I was buying today I would probably would buy the Willys edition or a Rubicon but if you can get a Sport with 3.73 and LSD which I did for $30,000ish and the Willys for $33,000ish then you have $3000 dollars to work with. I just did this to my Sport S and it is awesome! AEV 2.5 lift $959 Geo brackets $99 AEV Procal $159 5-Black AEV Savegre Wheels $1125, much cheaper wheels out there. 5-315/70/17 Duratrec $1395 That's $3737, not installed Sell your take offs pay install at about $4000 even total. Would you rather have that for $34,000 or a Willys for $33,000?
Not that the Willy's was available when I bought my Sport S, but that's my way of thinking.
 
#31 ·
Willy's

I was able to clear my Willy's for $28,000. So it worked out better than a sport. I plan on tinkering with mine in time. I just don't fell like I have to right away. I like the look it has stock and now I can take my time and shop around to slowly add the goodies. Which is probably the best part of a Jeep! It's crack!
 
#34 ·
Hey everyone, I'm getting ready to upgrade my 1994 YJ to a new JK unlimited. I'm planning to place an order sometime in April. I've spend 100's of hours reading this forum, and thanks to everyone's posts, I'm a lot more educated. With that said, I'd like to get some opinions on a Jeep Sport vs Willy Wheeler.

Sport config: 24S, Auto, Premium soft top (no hardtop), Black appearance group (comes with side steps), connectivity group, premium sound & leather package, and slush mats, MSRP = $36,715, Invoice = $35,011.

Willy Wheeler config: 24W, auto, Premium soft top (no hardtop), side steps, Alpine 9-speaker upgrade (connectivity & slush mats are included std with willy). MSRP = $36,730, Invoice = TBD.

Essentially, I'm building the same Jeep and the price is the same. (Go Figure!) With the Sport I get leather, but I was planning to upgrade the wheels with a set of Rubicon pull-offs, which I can buy on ebay for $1200-ish. If I were to go with the Willy, I'd want to add heated leather at some point which I could do through the dealer for ~$1,800. I might be splitting hairs, but any thoughts as to which way to go? 98% of the time will be on the road, 2% light trails \ beach.
 
#36 ·
I went with the willys. Look at the list of extras you get with the willys. 3.73 rear end which is the max tow package. Do not order the tow package. You can order the hitch for 85 bucks from quadratech. Keep the standard rock rail and then add ace slider rails for $400 from dealer on forum. Ace sliders or baracuder sliders work with the oem rock rails. Keep the alpine. Willy has black wheel with 17 inch bfg mud tires. They are nice on the black willy trim. Willys is called rubi lites. Dont forget the trail kit from dealer parts department. Others priced out willys as a good value for what you get. I love mine. I also have half doors. My 14 leaked and my dealer replaced it with a 15 that doesnt.
 
#35 ·
You also get better suspension with the Willys, along with 3.73 gearing. While no side steps on the Willys, you do get rubi rails to cover the pinch seam and give you a tiny bit of protection out in the wild. You can add Rock Rails/Steps like Ace/Barricade/Etc for $400ish.

I'm Willys biased b/c I love mine so much, but I wasn't looking for leather and while I would like heated seats it hasn't been an issue for me in northern VA winter where its been pretty cold for us. I like the Willys wheels better than the Rubi's wheels

Just to give you an idea of what I got, JKU Willys W, 6 spd, prem top, supp airbags, alpine audio - Sticker $35,400, I got it to $31ish before taxes in VA (Out the door at just under $33K)
 
#37 ·
The Willys Wheeler also includes the $400 Trac-Lok rear LSD.
 
#39 ·
What do you mean?
 
#41 ·
The Willys Wheeler also includes a "performance suspension" (same shocks as the Rubicon) and the $200 Satellite radio.
 
#43 ·
Replacing the shock, at the factory, with Rubicon shocks does not make the suspension a "performance suspension". If you believe that it does, well it just doesn't make it so.

And I have nothing against WW Jeeps. If the options available on it are what John Doe wants on his Jeep, especially at a price point that John Doe likes, then it's the right Jeep for him.

But still... it ain't a performance suspension.

My Jeep came with Sirius, BTW, which I rarely if ever listen to. So in my little world it doesn't get a vehicle sold to me. Others like it. Just isn't my thing.
 
#45 ·
I don't understand the non negotiable. Is the price you listed sticker or already marked down? I paid over 10% under sticker. Even after tax/title I was under the window sticker.

Try using truecar.com see if that price is good for your area.
 
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