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Used 12-13 or New 14-15???

2K views 29 replies 23 participants last post by  kejobe 
#1 ·
Yet another truck guy here in the market for my first Wrangler! I have been crawling these forums for months on months reading and planning and reading more so that when this day came I would be ready to buy. Instead I have went through nearly every possible way to acquire one (leasing to buying older used to buying newer used to buying new), and now I am ready to pull the trigger but still not sure what to do!

No extreme off-roading for me - mainly will use her for getting in the outdoors, maybe some trails here and there (Unlimited Sport RHD would be fine). Want to add a 2.5" lift and 35s. Power locks/windows about the only option I care about with an automatic transmission. Outside of that, something I can afford, and I have learned the used ones retain value like nothing I have seen. I have now decided I would do something I always said I would never do... even if it means a long loan: buy a new vehicle. My last step before committing is to see what those of you much more experienced with the vehicle think:

1 - Buy a low mileage 2008-2011 and add my mods (not really considering this at all due the new engine in 2012...and concerns with long-term reliability on older vehicles in general);
2 - Buy a low mileage 2012-2013 and add my mods (but cost is sooo close to a new one); OR
3 - Buy a brand new one and add my mods.

What do you guys think? And if you would recommend going new, much thought between preferring a 2014 or 2015, or just go with the best deal?

Thanks for the thoughts!
 
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#2 ·
My feeling when I bought my 2013 was that the high cost of used wranglers, coupled with the lower interest rate for new vs used, made the decision to buy new a no-brainer. If I were you, I would be trying to cut a deal on a 2014 and be very flexible in color and options, you should do well in terms of value.
 
#3 ·
For the difference in price between a 2012/13 and new, I'd go new. Take advantage of the full warranty and don't inherit someone else's problems. You can never KNOW what the previous owner may have done to it...

I'd be shooting for a 2015, unless you can find a dealer who is REALLY motivated to sell a 2014 at 5%+ under invoice. It's technically already a model year old, and there aren't really any year end blow outs, at least not that I've seen.

There are some tips in post one of the 2015 waiting room on getting the best price.

Good luck! :thumb:
 
#13 ·
For the difference in price between a 2012/13 and new, I'd go new. Take advantage of the full warranty and don't inherit someone else's problems. You can never KNOW what the previous owner may have done to it...

I'd be shooting for a 2015, unless you can find a dealer who is REALLY motivated to sell a 2014 at 5%+ under invoice. It's technically already a model year old, and there aren't really any year end blow outs, at least not that I've seen.
+1 for StarBrite. Can't say it any better...
 
#4 ·
I was in the same boat. Went new and ended up getting my 2014 JKUS for $600 under Employee Pricing. Figured I waited for this vehicle long enough, I wanted to make it mine from the get go. Check out local dealerships inventory and if you see something in your range, email them and start the haggling process via email. I read about one guy going back and forth between dealerships to get his price down. I emailed the dealership that I was interested in the jeep I now have and after a few back and forths, got the price that I eventually went in and bought it for. $600 under EP from the comfort of my home. :iamhappy:
 
#6 ·
It seems to me you've answered your own question. Based on your comparison why would you buy anything but a '14 or '15 which ever fits best within your budget.

Wranglers have such a high resale value and there is almost a frenzy demand for them that it makes sense to buy a new one.
 
#7 ·
it seems to me you've answered your own question. Based on your comparison why would you buy anything but a '14 or '15 which ever fits best within your budget.

Wranglers have such a high resale value and there is almost a frenzy demand for them that it makes sense to buy a new one.

x 2
 
#9 ·
Just went thru the same decision process my brother-in-law just bought an 09 Rubicon with 20K on it from a dealer he paid 28K plus tax for 5K more I got a loaded 2015 Sahara. Around here used wranglers go for a premium.
 
#11 ·
Bought my '13 JKU 8 months ago, it "called" my name. Little did I know that a '14 was just a little more, but it was out of my price range, more so than the '13 was. The situation was I needed a vehicle then and couldn't wait. Otherwise I would have saved more and waited for a deal on a '14. The moral of the story, buy the best you can afford. If a few grand is the difference between new and used, wait and save.
 
#12 ·
Here is the system I use. I figure a vehicle has about a 15 year, or 200,000 mile lifespan. At that point it is close to being worn out or needing major renovation. If you feel like more miles, or fewer is accurate it doesn't matter. Just use 10, 20, 25 years, or whatever in your calculations instead of 15.

I find a new vehicle that I like and calculate the price I'll actually pay for it and divide by 15 and 200,000 to calculate cost per year and mile to drive. For example a $35,000 vehicle would cost $2333/year or 17.5 cents/ mile to own for 15 years or 200,000 miles.

I then look at used vehicles and do the same to calculate cost of ownership. In this case a 5 year old Jeep would have to sell for under $23,330 and have less than 65,000 miles on it just to break even long term.

Just make sure you are comparing the same vehicle, you can't price a new Rubicon and compare it to a 5 year old Sport.

Most of the time I find it is pretty much the same cost wise. When you consider warranty, new technology etc. I think you are better off buying new most of the time. But there are deals out there on used vehicles. And sometimes if you want to pay cash etc. a new vehicle may be just out of reach.
 
#14 ·
Get a 12 or newer with the Pentastar. Night and day difference... I would also vote new, hard to find a REALLY good deal on a clean 12 or newer.
 
#15 ·
I just went through this, granted my JKU is a second vehicle for me, so I didn't need a brand new Jeep sitting in my driveway half of the year. I chose to go used and drove the 3.8 and found it adequate for what I wanted it for. I had a price range too and sort of employed the same reasoning of jmr40. I picked up my used 2010 Sport with 65k for right around 20k and very, very clean.....couldn't pass it up.

So, look at your budget, your intended use and what's available at the prices you have set. If it will be your DD, then go new if possible compared to a 1 or 2 year old used.
 
#16 ·
I'd go new, look for a great deal on a 2014 or just get a 2015. Nice thing about a 2014 is that the mileage will always be low unless you drive it like crazy. That's worth a few hundred when you go to sell it.
 
#17 ·
Bought my '13 for $25,000 OTD. It had 18,6xx miles on it. With all the options it has, if I were to buy it new it would be $35,000 +/- I felt it was worth it to me at least to get a used low milage one. It cost me 18,000 miles, but saved me $10K+.
 
#25 ·
I know that in my area, it makes no sense at all to buy a 2-3 year old Wrangler at all. I looked for quite some time and everything 2012 or newer was so close to new that I quit looking. Just had a buddy buy a 2012 jku Sahara for about $2k less than my '15. Granted his is a Sahara (with about 23k on the odo), but is not much more loaded up than my Willys Wheeler W with the new sound system and Uconnect 430.
 
#27 ·
just went through this...in my opinion depends on how dire you need a new vehicle. if you want a '14 you'd better be very flexible with options and colors (i was pretty specific, wanted base model with no fluff except 373's). '15 would be ideal for what minimial price jump there is from used. if you can get something off the lot that meets your criteria great, if ordering can you deal with the wait to get your perfect jeep? i ended up with a cpo '12 that was exactly what i wanted, color i wanted, bumpers/wheels/tires/misc. add ons that made it worth it (to me) to have instant gratification and not really have to do much else to it to enjoy it, aside from yanking the windows and doors off of course! you can def. mindf**k yourself a little in the purchase process, but believe me the payoff is well worth it!
 
#28 ·
I was in same situation. After i drove the newer ones with the more horse power the pre 2011 was not a option anymore. I didn't want a new one, but like you say the used ones are the same price. I bought my new one for less then 5 owners were asking for their used ones and this one had 30 miles on it vs 10-30k miles on it. And was the color I wanted.
 
#29 ·
Pulled the trigger...finally! Decided I really wanted black and that my list of desired features was too long to make a new one affordable. Got a super clean used 2012 with 30k miles for just under $28k. Great deal based on everything I'd looked at. The clear coat even has a shimmer of very dark green when the sun his it right. Couldn't be happier with it. Thanks all for your help!

So far I am loving my first Wrangler and can't believe it took me this long to convert!
 

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