First Jeep purchase, need some advice

[GeepTheJeep]

I am looking for a 4 door Wrangler. I’ve been considering just buying from Carmax which is how I’ve bought used cars in the past.

I plan on using the Wrangler in the summer in Cape Cod and then letting my sister in Providence use it the rest of the year.

Here are some of the requirements:
Automatic
4 doors
Under $35k
ot silver
Not yellow

Preferences:
Under $30k
Not black unless it’s tricked out
Sky 1 Touch
Red or white (would do green, blue, khaki, etc)
Leather seats
Alpine (w/ sub)
Certified Pre Owned (or some type of warranty…I’m used to buying used at Carmax)

I drive a Tesla and am curious about the 4xe but I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews online. I think if I had my way I’d do the 4xe but it seems complicated and might be out of my price range

Lastly, am I crazy for buying cheapest one on Carmax which is like 2012 with over 100k miles?

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[TheNewGuy]

I am looking for a 4 door Wrangler. I’ve been considering just buying from Carmax which is how I’ve bought used cars in the past.

I plan on using the Wrangler in the summer in Cape Cod and then letting my sister in Providence use it the rest of the year.

Here are some of the requirements:
Automatic
4 doors
Under $35k
ot silver
Not yellow

Preferences:
Under $30k
Not black unless it’s tricked out
Sky 1 Touch
Red or white (would do green, blue, khaki, etc)
Leather seats
Alpine (w/ sub)
Certified Pre Owned (or some type of warranty…I’m used to buying used at Carmax)

I drive a Tesla and am curious about the 4xe but I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews online. I think if I had my way I’d do the 4xe but it seems complicated and might be out of my price range

Lastly, am I crazy for buying cheapest one on Carmax which is like 2012 with over 100k miles?

I don't think you're gonna find a 4 door with your list on wants for under 30k unless it's really high miles or ridden hard.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I would stick to 2013 and newer. 2012 was the 1st year of the 3.6L and had some learning curves. If you want the sky one touch (and other features of the newer JL generation) your will need to stick to 2018 or newer. I wouldn't get too hung up on the Alipne with sub if taking it off of your filters introduces you to more opportunities. I have had Wranglers with and without the premium sound setup and to be honest, I don't notice much difference. Especially when the top is off or open. Leather is something you can always add later with some nice custom Katzkin seats. I think $30K-$35K is doable in today's market.

From all of the ones at your local dealership, I would get this one:
https://www.premiercapecod.com/used/Jeep/2021-Jeep-Wrangler-a6af7df5ac182bc1a04cf7ebc1931819.htm

Reasons:
- The 2021 model has shook out a lot of issues from the 2018-2020 versions.
- 3.6L eTorque engine
- Rubicon suspension and rock sliders
- LED lights
- Low mileage
- Remote keyless entry
- Anti-spin rear differential (best rear axle scenario if your sister will be driving in any snow in the winter)
- cold weather group (heated seats)
- technology group
- convenience group (garage opener)
-

 

[GeepTheJeep]

I would stick to 2013 and newer. 2012 was the 1st year of the 3.6L and had some learning curves. If you want the sky one touch (and other features of the newer JL generation) your will need to stick to 2018 or newer. I wouldn't get too hung up on the Alipne with sub if taking it off of your filters introduces you to more opportunities. I have had Wranglers with and without the premium sound setup and to be honest, I don't notice much difference. Especially when the top is off or open. Leather is something you can always add later with some nice custom Katzkin seats. I think $30K-$35K is doable in today's market.

Super helpful. Do you think a 2015 with 106k miles for $20k is a good buy? Again, I’m so new to Jeeps I’m frankly shocked at prices on late models with high mileage.

Regarding tops: Sky 1 Touch seems very appealing with back panels that come off. We have a 1 and 3 year old and we are all fair skinned. The amount we would have roof off is minimal. The freedom panels do not seem appealing as I can’t think of any circumstance where my wife and I would want that. Sky and soft seem best for us but would love any other insight.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Super helpful. Do you think a 2015 with 106k miles for $20k is a good buy? Again, I’m so new to Jeeps I’m frankly shocked at prices on late models with high mileage.

Regarding tops: Sky 1 Touch seems very appealing with back panels that come off. We have a 1 and 3 year old and we are all fair skinned. The amount we would have roof off is minimal. The freedom panels do not seem appealing as I can’t think of any circumstance where my wife and I would want that. Sky and soft seem best for us but would love any other insight.

I added some notes to my prev comment above. As far as the sky 1 touch, it is very easy but adds a lot to the price. Soft tops are very noisy if you plan any road trips. The freedom panels are a pain to store in the back of the Jeep. I have what I feel is the best of both worlds and use the Bestop sunrider for hardtop. When I want some open air or sunshine I can flip open the roof above me and the passenger while at a stoplight. If it starts raining or is too sunny I can easily close it from my seat at the next stoplight. If I am going on a road trip I simply take the sunrider off and put the freedom panels back on. When I want full open air and take the hardtop off, I can keep the sundrider on as a bikini top for shade until I get to the trail and then flip it open.

 

[rcadden]

I added some notes to my prev comment above. As far as the sky 1 touch, it is very easy but adds a lot to the price. Soft tops are very noisy if you plan any road trips. The freedom panels are a pain to store in the back of the Jeep. I have what I feel is the best of both worlds and use the Bestop sunrider for hardtop. When I want some open air or sunshine I can flip open the roof above me and the passenger while at a stoplight. If it starts raining or is too sunny I can easily close it from my seat at the next stoplight. If I am going on a road trip I simply take the sunrider off and put the freedom panels back on. When I want full open air and take the hardtop off, I can keep the sundrider on as a bikini top for shade until I get to the trail and then flip it open.

+1 for the Sunrider as a good option. I keep mine installed ~10 months out of the year, it's easily my favorite "mod"

 

[Wbino]

The thought of a Tesla and Wrangler sharing a driveway.....

 

[Jeep Wick]

Super helpful. Do you think a 2015 with 106k miles for $20k is a good buy? Again, I’m so new to Jeeps I’m frankly shocked at prices on late models with high mileage.

Regarding tops: Sky 1 Touch seems very appealing

Sky is only current generation unless I missed something, late 2018 up. I think a soft top in Safari mode would suit you better and give you more Jeep for your budget. I wouldn't spend $20k on an old JK when new ones can be had in the $30s. Shop autotrader and be ready to travel for the right one.

 

[new to JL's]

Yeah. Sky 1 touch is only on JL's not on previous platforms.

The thought of a Tesla and Wrangler sharing a driveway.....

 

[Wbino]

Yeah. Sky 1 touch is only on JL's not on previous platforms.

Shouldn't that Tesla be out on the road as a robotaxi earning you money as you sleep using it's FSD?

 

[AndySpill]

I added some notes to my prev comment above. As far as the sky 1 touch, it is very easy but adds a lot to the price. Soft tops are very noisy if you plan any road trips. The freedom panels are a pain to store in the back of the Jeep. I have what I feel is the best of both worlds and use the Bestop sunrider for hardtop. When I want some open air or sunshine I can flip open the roof above me and the passenger while at a stoplight. If it starts raining or is too sunny I can easily close it from my seat at the next stoplight. If I am going on a road trip I simply take the sunrider off and put the freedom panels back on. When I want full open air and take the hardtop off, I can keep the sundrider on as a bikini top for shade until I get to the trail and then flip it open.

I own, love, and reccomend the Bestop Sunrider. That said, a cheaper option, which I also own and love is the EZ Flip-Top

https://www.amazon.com/Flip-Top-Wrangler-Freedom-System-Flip-Seconds/dp/B0BSLVVDQL

I have zero financial connection to either Bestop of EZTrunk (the makers of the EZ Flip-Top.)

While the EZ Flip top is a more permanent adhesive installation, its screw hinges can always be undone once the product is installed, if you wish to separate the Freedom Panels from the rear of the hard top: a necessary step to then use the Sunrider product after an EZ Flip installation.

I have metal bar that connects each Freedom Panel's most forward and midline interior bolting points for their corresponding clamps/latches to keep the panels secured when closed. The passenger's bolt has been replaced with a thumb screw.

This bar--which when I release all the Freedom panels latches, makes opening both panels at the same time a one push up process. The thumbscrew allows me to quickly detach this metal bar to isolate the Freedom Panels if I only wish to open one of them with the EZ Flip top.

 

[new to JL's]

Shouldn't that Tesla be out on the road as a robotaxi earning you money as you sleep using it's FSD?

It was my son's, he sold it around March 2022, while prices were still high!

 

[BXFXJeep]

There seems to be a huge disconnect between trade in value, and what Wranglers are actually selling for, was it always this far apart.

https://www.4xeforums.com/posts/89367/

 

[Heimkehr]

I’m so new to Jeeps I’m frankly shocked at prices on late models with high mileage.

CJs and Wranglers have for many decades now held their residual values very well. Pricing will oftentimes trend toward the higher side of things, irrespective of model year or even overall condition. Make peace with this reality and the shopping experience should be a bit easier to bear.

Soft tops are very noisy if you plan any road trips.

That is usually contingent on how windy it is, or isn't, when driving. The soft tops aren't automatically or always noisy when driving any distance.

The design of the JL-generation convertible top is very good. There are instances when the interior of my soft top Jeep is as quiet as we'd expect from a hardtop. There are also those times when a windy day, and/or heavy rain, will make for a noisy drive.

 

[Joe Nichols]

I would stick to 2013 and newer. 2012 was the 1st year of the 3.6L and had some learning curves. If you want the sky one touch (and other features of the newer JL generation) your will need to stick to 2018 or newer. I wouldn't get too hung up on the Alipne with sub if taking it off of your filters introduces you to more opportunities. I have had Wranglers with and without the premium sound setup and to be honest, I don't notice much difference. Especially when the top is off or open. Leather is something you can always add later with some nice custom Katzkin seats. I think $30K-$35K is doable in today's market.

From all of the ones at your local dealership, I would get this one:
https://www.premiercapecod.com/used/Jeep/2021-Jeep-Wrangler-a6af7df5ac182bc1a04cf7ebc1931819.htm

Reasons:
- The 2021 model has shook out a lot of issues from the 2018-2020 versions.
- 3.6L eTorque engine
- Rubicon suspension and rock sliders
- LED lights
- Low mileage
- Remote keyless entry
- Anti-spin rear differential (best rear axle scenario if your sister will be driving in any snow in the winter)
- cold weather group (heated seats)
- technology group
- convenience group (garage opener)
-

That's what I did with the 3.6L eTorque & you do not get that problematic small aux battery. It comes with the 48V aux battery & I have not had any issues with it. Mine had 21K miles on it when I bought it. Love the heated seats and I have cloths seats and they are very durable.

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