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Wait for new JL or get a JK today?

12K views 61 replies 44 participants last post by  wachuko 
#1 ·
I've been keeping up with all the rumors and latest info on the new JL and it sounds very promising.

Have missed my TJ since I got rid of it a few months ago and am now torn between a JK rubicon or holding out for the new JL?

If I do wait... how soon are we talking I can realistically get a JL... November/December of this year?

My alternative is to pick up a used JK to get me by and then just resell it. Any of you experts then JK's value will drop significantly when new JL is released?

Thoughts or reccomendations?
 
#4 ·
Around here a three year old JK with 40,000 is $5k cheaper than a brand new Wrangler with the same options, so why buy used?

I'm waiting for a diesel JL so I have a few more years to wait. But I'm sure JK prices will fall more after the JL is released, but how much I cannot say. Honestly I say wait until we actually see what JLs have to offer instead of reading rumors about it's release.
 
#3 ·
If you miss your TJ I would stick with a JK. The JL is supposedly not going to have a fully removable hardtop or a manually operated soft top. Who knows what Fiat will do to it. Again, if you liked the TJ then the JK is probably going to be a better option for you, especially since earlier JKs are starting to get a bit cheaper
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the replies --- I'm still undecided. I was thinking about getting a used JK rubicon that way I don't eat the initial lost in value as soon as I drove it off the lot.

I found a 2013 fully loaded with only 22k miles for around $30k. My main reason for doing this would be to have it until the new one comes out and if it's worth getting the JL I would sell it.

All your replies and input has been helpful, thank you. What do you guys think of this?

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/6054236835.html
 
#9 ·
Edhgreatone, I too look forward to the JL, but perhaps not the 2018 JL.

I'm concerned that if I buy this new model that I'll be at the bleeding edge of not entirely proven technology yet, essentially being FCA's beta tester for the 2019 model year when the kinks people like me might discover will be resolved.

It's not like someone at FCA is going to compensate me for being their quality assurance person.

This is not to say that FCA won't put their new designs through testing or fix issues, rather that nothing beats the version of the thing that's first been brought to the user market for evaluation.
 
#10 ·
I never buy the first year of a redesigned vehicle. I say buy the used Rubi, drive it, love it, mod it. If you want to sell it in a few years, you certainly will be able to. If you buy a first year JL, you will be waiting a year, or two, for the aftermarket to catch up and provide any good parts. You could be enjoying the Rubi while you wait.
 
#11 ·
I am kind of int he same boat... I've got a pretty nice 2007 JKR, and with 2018 coming out, there are rumors of the 3.0 EcoDiesel... Thats what I am most interested in, I'd still build a Unlimited, with a Diesel motor would be amazing.

Nobody really posts what goes into swapping out a motor in these cars. I know in Nissans you had to do quite a bit of wiring and stuff, but nothing is mentioned for the Jeeps. Who knows...
 
#13 ·
I was in the same boat on what to do. I ended up trading my 14 Sahara with 44k on it for a 17 Hard Rock. Jeep has not had a great track record on 1st year model changes. I wasn't concerned about the technology changes, but I was concerned about them rolling out a new platform. Example: 05 & 06 Commander's and Cherokee's, and early Pentastar JK's.
 
#14 ·
I doubt JK values will drop except maybe new 2017 JKs that will be sold alongside the 2018 JLs. Even today, late model TJs are comparable in price to early model JKs.

Personally, I would just wait until the JL is released and then you can choose between the JK and the JL, or at least wait until the JL is revealed to see if there are any features of the JL that you feel like you must have (or must NOT have).
 
#15 ·
Think of it this way, the JL and JK are "supposed" to be produced for six months +- at the same time. Jeep will not make the JL so awesome that nobody will buy the JK models. It'll be a slight changing of items in my mind. For example if the "new" pentastar got 5mpg more would anyone buy the old one? Or if the Diesel gets 30+mpg on the highway ( if it actually shows up in the JL ) would anyone buy a pentastar that gets 20mpg?

For me, I'm waiting, but solely to see if a Diesel shows up. A double bonus would be a Diesel manual, if it's the 8spd auto, that might change my mind. I'm old school, so a manual transmission is high on the list of must haves.
 
#17 ·
Guys this is beyond helpful, thank you.

Right now I've decided to get a wrangler to get me by. Im torn between a 2013 automatic Sahara with 78k miles at $24k or a manual rubicon with 22k miles for $30k both identical aside from that with leather, navigation etc.

Any advice between these 2 cars? Which would be easier to resell, hold its value better etc?
 
#21 ·
I was in the same boat. I only wanted the JL. Was waiting for it. Thought They'd be on sale in early 2017. Once I found out last December that the JL would be a year away, and then another 6 months before you can have good selection on the lot without mark ups, I changed plans.

I started searching for new discounted or used JKUR. I found and bought a 2016 JKUR Hard Rock with 17,000 miles for $35K. That is $10K less than new ones in my area.

I love it. I lightly modded it. I wheel it all the time. And now, I can sit back and wait for the right time to buy a JL on my terms.

I'll buy once dealers are ready to discount. When aftermarket (lift kits and the like) are proven. In other words, I'll play the market to my advantaged, vs being desperate to buy the first JL I see.

The best way to buy a new Jeep is when you don't need it, because you already have a nice one. You take the time and strike at the right opportunity/deal.

I like my JKUR so much, that I wish I had bought it sooner. JL now is simply an interesting vehicle to watch.
 
#22 ·
am now torn between a JK rubicon or holding out for the new JL?

If I do wait... how soon are we talking I can realistically get a JL... November/December of this year?
At the very least you will be able to SEE the JL this year, and can make an informed decision based on what it offers.

I just grabbed a JK myself, and was thinking about waiting like you. Ultimately, because I plan on never selling this Jeep I went with the JK because it has had 10 years of refinement to work out bugs in the platform, and the JL is going to be Version 1 of a new design. I'm also not thrilled about the increased windshield rake on the JL to make it more aerodynamic and fuel efficient. Basically the last year of the JK is the best that design is going to be, and I know I love it. But I have no doubt that the JL is going to do a lot of leapfrogging in terms of performance and amenities that only a new design can offer, -I just don't know that I'll like the sum of the parts, and I don't really want to buy Version 1 of a vehicle I'm aiming to keep for a long time.
 
#23 ·
Just my opinion, but I'd say go for a JK. I'm in the same boat - I have to wait two years before I can get my Wrangler (still young, establishing credit), but I know I'll be looking for a JK over a JL. Too much new technology, removes the soul of the Wrangler IMO. Seems like the JK may be the last of the old guard.
 
#24 ·
If you gotta have a newer jeep now, then the JK is the way to go. If you're concerned with keeping value, and you miss your TJ, why not get another one to tide you over? I agree that buying brand new isn't the best deal, and buying a 1st year model isn't always they best idea, but there is something about this JL that I like that the JK never had....
 
#25 ·
I for one, never like to buy the first year of a Model change. Give them time to get the Bugs worked out first!
 
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#26 ·
is it really that much of a change? you could say this pretty much about anything... wait until next year.

This will be my 1st Jeep ever... I'm going with the JL, I'm new blood

the refresh is pretty much the reason I'm jumping into the Wrangler world. I love the idea of modding my ride but for some things, I'll take the factory warranty (aka Apple CarPlay) I'm assuming since this is a Jeep, it can get a little wet (aka light rain) & still be covered?

This is assuming...
 
#27 ·
I fought this battle myself and ended up picking up a '17 JKU instead and for a darn good price...well relatively considering.

I used to be a Toyota and Jeep guy and had planned on choosing between the new Taco and a Jeep. I waited and the re-designed Taco had all kinds of problems. The first JK's had issues as well that took a few years to work out. I had a '12 JK, the first year of the 3.6L and it had to have the head replaced as well as some other issues.

However, I was almost willing to risk it because of the 8 speed in the JL.

I took a couple of back country camping and wheeling trips with my mind on JK vs JL. When in the middle of nowhere, miles and miles from anything, you start to side towards dependability and a tried and true rig over the new technology one.

So, I picked up a JKU because it is as tried and true of a package as it is going to get and I figured the price would be quite a bit more for the JL for a good while.
 
#33 ·
I vote JK for one major reason...Aftermarket support.

The support will definitely be there for the JL, but it’ll be more expensive and longer wait times. The 3 week wait for my JK lift is absolutely killing my soul at the moment...I couldn’t imagine it being longer.

Get the JK today, mod the $hit out of it and enjoy it now...you can always sell/trade it in for a JL a few years from now [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#34 ·
I would personally still get a JK as of right now..... I like the JL but like everyone has said, it will be its first year and we still do not know too much about how it will perform immediately. JKs also have a massive aftermarket support while it may take a little while for the JL aftermarket to pick up. I am very excited to see the JL and JT even though the JT won't come out for a while
 
#40 ·
It works both ways. Sometimes they remove features or go to lesser quality parts. Sometimes they introduce new bugs. Sometimes they reduce the choices to streamline production. Price may be higher in later years too.

Personally, I just go for it. I don't keep vehicles that long anyways.
 
#41 ·
I'm going to agree with topher36 - get the JKU now and wait for the first couple years to get the kinks out of the JL. That's what I did and even if I change my mind in 3-5 years I'll have gotten 3-5 years of fun out of my Jeep before getting the JL!

The lifetime warranty is fantastic - but who wants to go back and forth to the dealer for issues to get fixed just to have the newest toy? I'd rather get a JKU - no issues, runs perfect so I'm stressed being out on the road by myself for long trips or out on the trails.

Good luck on whichever you choose!
 
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