Higher miles 3.6 would be my suggestion. If you can get one starting in the 2015 year, that would be best bc by that year, almost every mechanical defect was eliminated except for the possible issue of the radiator leaking at the end tank.


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2010 rubi auto jk, 77 k miles, all good, running 93 superchips tune and premium gas. Been bulletproof, my three kids drive it more than me. "17-25"

 

3.6 came out in 2012.. had a head issue that carried over to some 2013's or so some claim. I think if it was me, i would look for the lowest miles best condition jeep regardless of engine. Also you can do stupid stuff in either of them. Price and comfort wise with 2011, you get the newer interior and most of the bugs from the 3.8 where worked out. Also no matter what he ends up with, have an overnight box ready just in case.

 

3.6.

 

Don't care about fuel mileage, performance, etc.

This statement alone means you should be looking for a low mileage 3.8

 

IMO get a 2014 or newer with an auto. In my area 2 doors with low mileage, under 50K are selling for low to mid 20's. And plenty of sports have all the option you are looking for. And don't rule out fly and drive in your search. Also don't rule out brand new. It might stretch your budget but having a full warranty for a kid in college is a good idea.

 

If reliability is your #1 priority, why do you need a jeep? If reliable is what I needed, I would probably look at a 4wd tundra or tacoma. Just sayin’

 

Or 4 Runner. However....there's no reason a well maintained Jeep can't be reliable. The only unreliable Jeep I've owned was our 98 XJ with 4.0. My 00 TJ 4.0 never gave me a problem and our 17 JKU hasn't yet, either. Granted, not a ton of miles on it at this point.

 

He's a good driver, but one of the attractions of the 3.8 is the lower power and less tempation to a 19 year-old kid to do stupid stuff.

I think if it was me, i would look for the lowest miles best condition jeep regardless of engine. Also you can do stupid stuff in either of them.

I agree with @4Jeepn about what type of Wrangler to look to get.


Also, I don't think either the 3.8 or the 3.6 is any more stupid proof than the other. Neither will allow him to successfully out drag a 'Vette, or out run a pregnant girlfriend's father.

 

Buy a new Subaru Crosstrek. $22k and done.

 

Hi e him your 2010, or sell to him for what he was going to out towards this rig, and buy a new one of yours. You know what he gets with the 2010, no matter how hard you try to get the "perfect" model year, it's still a crap shoot, so why not move the reliable one his way?
Or, as was mentioned, new Crosstrek. Great vehicles, my wife has one, and suits forestry very well also.

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Im going to say what I say to other people who say "this is bulletproof" or "that is bulletproof" and what I tell them is this "never say never because never is never going to happen" any time your going to look at any thing used its a 100% crap shot, it depends on too many variables like how well did the previous owner(s) take care of the vehicle? among other things, just look at the vehicles and look them over as best as possible and go with what ever your gut tells you.

my F250 is a good example, people kept telling me "oh its got high miles, and its been rode rough and put up wet" well that truck is mine now and I got 470K+ on it and its still going, I keep on the oil changes and what not like clock work and that truck may not look purdy or win any shows but its reliable as heck and has gotten me through hell and back with out thinking twice and I would (and already have) drive it cross country with no hesitations and would do this many times over too.

 

Second the suggestion to sell him your 2010 and get yourself another Jeep.

 

You can add the remote start for $99, lots of others here have done it, if you search there are multiple threads. BTW it doesn't mean it'll now always start in remote places. (kidding).



As someone else stated, the only used Jeep you'll (or I'd) likely be comfortable giving him will be yours based on the parameters you gave, so do that, it's a good idea. Then you can get a different one and drive it for a year or whatever to be sure it's as good as yours was and then maybe switch.


Or yes, a Crosstrek or a used 4Runner, the odds are better if looking at it purely from a mathematical perspective.

 

I'm going to go against the grain and say go for it. If you end up buying a problem, the used wrangler market is still solid. Maintainance records help, but you can always have someone go over it. Condition usually gives you an idea if it was properly cared for or not. I don't get the people selling that state "only needs brakes" or just a "leaking gasket thing". If the problem was that small, there is no reason to not fix it before selling.

If you can find a nice 3.6, I would get one, they also have a better interior. Nothing wrong with finding a good 3.8 either, I have some friends running them with no major issues. Life is too short, have fun and enjoy it where you can.

Just another thought, if you can find a certified pre-owned they come with a pretty good warranty.

 

Absolutely love my JK for summer top down driving, rock crawling, etc...but if I’m going on a trip that requires easy drivability and reliability and possible bad weather highway driving I take my 2003 tundra with 220k on the odometer before I even consider my much newer Jeep. I taught my daughter to drive in my Toyota and my son will get the same. Neither will be allowed to even borrow the Jeep for years. Brains just are not mature until 30 (at best - my son will take longer) and driving a wrangler well takes maturity and solid judgement. Right tool for the right job.


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Until 30, now I'm not sure how I survived a CJ-5, '74 Vette, GSXR-750 (2), and a ZX-9 before that age (damn I had a bunch of toys before I got married). Oh, and I had one of those really dangerous 3 wheelers - Tecate 250. You make it sound like there should be a special Wrangler driving school, don't agree - especially the JK. I would be more worried about other drivers on the road.

Teach them as best you can, it's not like they are going to college at 12yo. Young adults that need to make their own choices, or are you going to wipe their butt until they are 30.

 

I would worry more about how many miles, than what type of engine

 

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Yes, when one talks about reliability as it pertains to vehicles in general, the Wrangler isn't usually at the top of the list. I get that. But I will be buying one. It's familiar, I know their foibles/idiosyncrasies, and I've learned a lot wrenching on my 2010, so I can do a lot of the basic stuff.

The boy has been driving mine since he learned to drive, so it's a known quantity. And it will definitely be a JKU, since the longer wheelbase makes for a more stable drive. We've even taken it to offroad parks to let him see what it can/can't do offroad in a controlled environment.

I've never been terribly fond of Toyotas. Yes, they're very reliable and well-made vehicles, but something just always seems "off" to me whenever I drive one. Ergonomics, seats, whatever, they're just not my cup of tea.

And I'm not giving him my Jeep so I can go out and buy a new one, not yet (though that is a good idea, I just don't trust myself to be thrifty). Three kids in college right now, money's just a tad tight. Besides, I've set a goal for myself (professionally), and if I reach it, my reward to myself will be a JLUR with a 6.4 stuffed into it.

 

Just want to say that I love my 2010 Mango Tango JK. Why not start with the best deal on a JKU with the 3.6? It makes sense to me to buy your son the best you can afford. Or give him yours for now, and use one of your other rigs, even your wife’s, for yourself? My thinking is after helping you work on your Jeep, It will mean something more to him, having your’s and he will, take better care of it. Vance.

 

I have no idea which is the more reliable but after 9 years in Alaska with the army, I learned that you should always pack a survival bag in cold regions. Heavy sleeping bag, long coat or parka, warm headgear with ear flaps (balaclava is great), heavy warm boots and gloves. You should also have a survival candle (will keep the interior of a closed vehicle warm enough to survive with that heavy sleeping bag). Water for 48 hours. Boots are no joke. In Alaska we often saw women who tried to walk away from a stranded vehicle that had no boots and ended up with no feet or useless feet...keep a set in the car. Very cheap insurance.

 

Welcome to the Forum!

 

I understand that parents want the best for their kids, but I always felt that a car is not something you should 'give' them, even if you have the financial means and even if it's for school. Sure I would help my son to buy one, but he needs to work his ass off and pay at least half of the Jeep first, otherwise he will never respect the value of the car/Jeep he's driving. Also, having 2 two more kids means I would commit myself to spend another 40K in the next few years. That's something my friend. If my son wants to study somehwere far from home, 'getting there' is part of that choise.
About the Jeep itself, if would buy a 1997~1999 Jeep 4.0 TJ period. They are stupid reliable and they are pretty comfortable for what it is. I'm 56 years old and still drive my TJ on a daily basis. It never left me stranded. I had 2 YJ's and 3 XJ's before this one, non of them left me stranded either.