Buying a JL

[BMCGC]

Greetings all.

I currently have a 1999 Sahara. it's my wifes DD. She wants more creature comforts so I am looking at a 2020 Rubicon 2 door, 2.0, AT, 22,000 miles, looks to be bone stock.

Any specific problem areas I should look at when considering a JL from this era?

The TJ guys all say to keep what I have. The misses just retired and she wants a newer Wrangler with the bells and whistles, so that is what she is getting. I considered a used Bronco Wildtrak, but we liked the Rubicon better.

I've had a 65 CJ5 and 87, 07, 11, Wranglers in addition to the current 99.

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[kah.mun.rah]

You will miss the "real Jeep feel" of the TJ but will appreciate the comfort of the JL. IMO 2020 is when they started to get things right with the JL generation (I would avoid 2018 and 2019). One thing that I think was new in 2020 was the option for advanced safety (adaptive cruise control). I haven't heard anyone here with issues with it but my friend's adaptive cruise went out in her 2020 and it was expensive to fix. Because of that, I would avoid one that has it, if possible. Other commonly talked about issue among many different years is bubbling paint (rust under the paint). Do a complete check around the door hinges, edges of doors, edges of hood, etc., to make sure that you don't see any of that.

 

[Heimkehr]

I currently have a 1999 Sahara. She wants more creature comforts so I am looking at a 2020 Rubicon 2 door, 2.0, AT, 22,000 miles, looks to be bone stock.

Any specific problem areas I should look at when considering a JL from this era?

A stock Rubicon will sit several inches higher when compared to the Sahara, so be prepared for the expense of side steps if they're absent and your wife can't get into the vehicle unaided.

A black, cast iron steering gear box was introduced for the 2021 model year. It provides improved steering feel when compared to the aluminum box used between 2018-2020. If the test drive reveals wonky steering, and/or you confirm that the TSB to replace the aluminum gear box with the cast iron unit wasn't performed, be prepared for that potentially four-figure expense, also.

 

[BMCGC]

Thinking about leasing. There are some excellent incentives right now.

We will put half the allowed miles on a Wrangler over the term, so that may be a better option for us financially.

It's all about the Benjamins baby!

 

[Brad Hearing]

She wants more creature comforts so I am looking at a 2020 Rubicon 2 door, 2.0, AT, 22,000 miles, looks to be bone stock.

creature comforts....haha..hahahhahaahnahaHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAH

 

[NWJeepr]

The JL is a different beast compared to a TJ, and more capable in every way except for overall size. That said, TJ's are very sought after, and modern Jeep enthusiasts consider them to be the last "true" Jeep. Are you getting rid of it, or keeping it in addition to the JL?

The 2.0 is an excellent choice. Coolant leaks can be an issue if not identified already (lines/fittings, coolant reservoir) but it's a solid engine with pep where it's needed.

You are correct, it's a wild time to lease a JL. Lease factors are historically high like interest rates right now, but incentives will wipe that out plus some. Lots of dealers sitting on slowly moving inventory...

 

[BMCGC]

I am maintaining and garaging a motorhome, 65 and 67 Mustangs, 23 F-150 and the 99 TJ.

Something has to go, so we will be selling the TJ.

This pic was the day before I changed the transmission pan. Can you tell?

 

[BMCGC]

The dealer is offering me a 36mo lease. $3120 down, $347/mo on a Sport hardtop 2.0/AT

I can get a slightly better deal on a Sport S hardtop 3.6/MT

 

[Jeep Wick]

I am maintaining and garaging a motorhome, 65 and 67 Mustangs, 23 F-150 and the 99 TJ.

Something has to go, so we will be selling the TJ.

This pic was the day before I changed the transmission pan. Can you tell?

How much for your TJ? Are you trading this or private sale?

 

[Flip]

The dealer is offering me a 36mo lease. $3120 down, $347/mo on a Sport hardtop 2.0/AT

I can get a slightly better deal on a Sport S hardtop 3.6/MT

I don't mean to get in your business my friend but financially; selling a paid for TJ (and a beautiful TJ at that) to lease a JL makes no sense to me. You're out $3120 the day you sign and in 3 years you give it back and walk away with nothing. Please consider other options: Keep your TJ for 3 more years while you save $$ to put down a solid amount $$ towards your new JL. Or in 3 years with the sale $$ of your TJ and your savings you might be able to pay cash for your new JL.

Best of luck to you my friend. Remember patients is a virtue.

 

[BMCGC]

I'm a new guy here and none of you know me. I am retired, my wife just retired. We are financially secure, no debt other than my F-150. I'm a numbers guy and I spread sheet everything.

I can cash out a JL, but that cash is currently making me North of a 15% return in my brokerage account. The same reason I did not cash out the F-150.

The 99 TJ is 26 years old. The misses has never asked me to buy her a new vehicle. She worked 40 years, had 3 kids and earned a PhD. I will either sell the TJ or give it to one of the kids.

Every transaction is a business deal to me. No emotion, no attachment, just dollars and cents. Except for my 65 and 67 Mustangs, we have never kept a vehicle beyond 3 years. Dogs on the other hand, we tend to keep.

My 67 as it currently sits.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Anything can happen over the next 3 years but it's not uncommon for the trade-in value minus the residual value of a Wrangler at the end of the lease being more than the amount that you put down at the start of the lease. The money down is then like a deposit that you receive back if you buyback or trade in the Jeep before the lease ends.

 

[BMCGC]

I forgot that my misses unpaid leave check was rolling in. We are buying at 25 Sport, 2.0/AT, Anvil, hardtop. I took a small loan at 4% and did not dip into savings or investments.

A nearby dealer has the same Sport with the S package, but they will not budge off msrp, so it's almost 10k more OTD.

Thanks to all, a pic when we get it home.

 

[Nitehawk92]

The dealer is offering me a 36mo lease. $3120 down, $347/mo on a Sport hardtop 2.0/AT

I can get a slightly better deal on a Sport S hardtop 3.6/MT

A Sport does not have all the creature comforts...

 

[Heimkehr]

A Sport does not have all the creature comforts...

Compared to a TJ, which is the wife's daily driver, a JL-era Wrangler in any trim is a Cadillac. But for the absence of OEM alloys, a new Sport is now the same as a Sport S.

It's all relative.

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