Buy new or used, very tough decision.

BigCanoe · 06-13-2012, 01:04 PM

I really want to get a JK. I have been pricing used ones and as you know they hold their value like crazy. I could probably save a few K getting a 2007 year model.

Anyone else struggled with this decision lately? I might just have to wait till the end of the year and see if there are any incentives

gshappell · 06-13-2012, 01:16 PM

They do keep value, but you usually can find some good deals just for a little more miles. This is my third jeep and I made some bad decisions with buying/reselling my previous ones and lost a lot of money.

Best thing is to go drive both versions... I bought my 2008 right before the new 2011's came out. Knew they were coming out and really like the new interior but it wasnt worth that much money for the same engine/frame/etc...

Might be different with the new engine(2012), but that may/may not be that important to you depending on what you plan to do. Personally, ill take all the hp i can get, but i didnt get it to go racing it down the road otherwise I would've kept my R32.

Good luck

JemLT1YJ · 06-13-2012, 01:21 PM

Depends on id you wanna save a few bucks or have a new one with warrenty. I was in the same boat as you, heck a new one was only like 2 grand more if that!! Glad i got new cuz now my TIPM is bad and its getting fixed for free!!! A warranty can pay for itself in a hurry over something used...

paul84043 · 06-13-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JemLT1YJ

Depends on id you wanna save a few bucks or have a new one with warrenty. I was in the same boat as you, heck a new one was only like 2 grand more if that!! Glad i got new cuz now my TIPM is bad and its getting fixed for free!!! A warranty can pay for itself in a hurry over something used...

You know, before the new engine in 2012 I would have agreed, but it's a game changer.... You can pick up a new '12 or '13 for a couple grand more than a used one... At that point it becomes a pretty obvious decision.

Blstr88 · 06-13-2012, 07:33 PM

I literally went through this only 2 weeks ago.

I wanted a JKU but wasnt planning on buying new. The price for a used one was around $20,000...I found a few under that, but most of those were higher miles than I wanted. Anyway, the dealer convinced me to try test driving a 2012 and that was game over for me...the new engine is NOTICEABLY more powerful. Coupled with the 6 speed M/T I was hooked. I ended up trading my truck in for it and I'll find an older truck to use for work.

Im not sure if you were planning to finance, but the brand new ones come with 0% financing for 36 months too...again, a game changer as far as Im concerned. Saving $6000 or so will become obselete if you're paying 5%+ in interest.

JemLT1YJ · 06-13-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul84043

You know, before the new engine in 2012 I would have agreed, but it's a game changer.... You can pick up a new '12 or '13 for a couple grand more than a used one... At that point it becomes a pretty obvious decision.

See in my IMHO its not a game changer. I could care less about the pentajesus engine. Now if your talking goin from the old automatic to the new automatic THATS a game changer. My (stupid pos as some people think) 3.8 gets up and goes better then any jeep i ever owned(4 banger and 4.2). I had choice new/leftover 2011, or 12 and took the 11 w/rebate. Used savings on parts ::thumpsup::

Godholio · 06-13-2012, 08:06 PM

Got my '12 Sport for less than a '10 or '11 goes for locally. With the new engine it's a no-brainer.

gshappell · 06-13-2012, 08:34 PM

Also keep in mind seems to be a moderate amount of posts across the 4 major forums about penta engine issues. I will prob wait a year or two before trading mine in or just going hemi 5.7 at some point. That said, it's nice having warranty and some dealers want crazy money for used jeeps.

waterboarder · 06-13-2012, 09:17 PM

Get a 2007. That "few thousand" that you save ill buy a new pair of bumpers, a nice winch, synthetic winch rope and maybe a little more.

Look here - I bet he'd take 17K.

Quote:

2008 Jeep Wrangler X - Way Below Book - $18500 (East Anchorage

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/3030250047.html
Daughter graduated and is now in Africa leaving me with her very clean 6 cylinder Jeep that has an automatic transmission and only 39K miles. It also has a black convertible top, full metal doors with roll-up windows, sound bar, roll-bar pads, sheepskin seat covers, and both summer and studded winter tires. NADA high-book is $20,900. MUST SELL, MAKE OFFER.

Call Jim at 227-1716 or 726-1998 weekends and evenings, or 786-2139 (W) workdays, or to leave message.

dirtball28 · 06-14-2012, 05:49 AM

Or, those few bucks (if you save em) will rebuild your 3.8....

You can join tread lightly and get a nice price on a new JK, so that may help make up some of the difference in price. There are other ways to get a good price as well. Probably not $17-18k good, but not too bad. Both engines have had their reports of issues, so in my opinion that's a bit of a wash. Warranty for any problems that do come up would probably be better on a new one, but I dono. Numbers wise, the new ones offer alot better performance, but that may not be important to you.

Bottom line, I think you need to test drive both and spend some time reading about the differences between the 07-11 Jk and the 12s (or 13s if you wanna wait). I test drove a 2010 and 2011 a while back and knew it wasn't worth it to me to trade in my TJ for one of them. I test drove a 2012 last weekend and knew it was time for the TJ to go. Your experience may differ though, so again, assuming you are financially equipped to purchase either, go drive both and let that make your decision for you.

JustinCHorst · 06-14-2012, 05:53 AM

I'd avoid the the 07...and personally I would go with a 12...having owned two JKs the engine pre pentastar is not that great no matter how much we all try to say it is. Also I know there has been some claims of Pentastar issues but there has been even more oil starvation issues with the old engine with 07 taking the brunt of them...for that reason, along with some other first year issues I would avoid the 07 if you are set on going with a pre 12

MYounts · 06-14-2012, 06:08 AM

If a new one is a bit of a stretch you might lease it instead. Your payment would probably be lower than buying a used one. At the end of the lease you can buy it or get another one. I leased mine, mainly because of uncertainty on gas prices. At the end of the lease (39 months) I can buy it for $17,000. It'll probably be worth at least $23,000 then, so I could buy and sell for a profit or keep it. You're essentially stretching the payments out over a longer time but it gives you options if your needs change, gas goes to $6 a gallon, or they come out with a diesel, etc. For the small difference in price, new is the way to go.

paul84043 · 06-14-2012, 06:14 AM

I'm not trashing the 3.8, I owned a 2010 and was really planning on waiting a few years before changing up. The problem is how well the Wrangler holds its value. We weren't even looking for a new Jeep, heck, we HAD a new jeep. But I got a stupid coupon in the mail and it got the wheels turning.
I just happened to stumble across a '12 on the lot that was exactly what we wanted and I could not believe the dealer offered us 1000$ less for our 2010 than we paid for it.
It really was a no brainer decision....
I'm just saying that, all other things being equal.... there would have to be a pretty big incentive for me to NOT get the '12.

JemLT1YJ · 06-14-2012, 06:51 AM

I always avoid first year model anything, bikes, atv, cars... Tuere were 07 oil issues and 12 lifter/head problems. Like i said least the 12 will have warranty. Or wait till aug/sept when 13s come out.

paul84043 · 06-14-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JemLT1YJ

I always avoid first year model anything, bikes, atv, cars... Tuere were 07 oil issues and 12 lifter/head problems. Like i said least the 12 will have warranty. Or wait till aug/sept when 13s come out.

I've always subscribed to this theory as well, but this engine/tranny combo is not new, it's been in production for several years now.