JL vs JLU on value, safety, and practically

[Jeepster21]

Yes, I saw that I was trying to get better clarification as to exactly if there was a difference in by how much.

they both hold value very well, but according to KBB the best of the best is the JL Unlimited(4 door)

https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/best-resale-value-off-road-suv/

#1 in off road SUV's

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[davewald]

Call me weird (lots of people do), but I don't include resell value when determining which vehicle to buy. I focus on what I can do with it, how reliable it is, etc. Like a tool. Buying something like a vehicle based on how much I could get when I resold it seems to say I shouldn't have bought it in the first place. Bitcoin, gold, real estate, etc., yeah.

 

[Jeepster21]

Definitely true.

Curious as others have mentioned this.

Call me weird (lots of people do), but I don't include resell value when determining which vehicle to buy. I focus on what I can do with it, how reliable it is, etc. Like a tool. Buying something like a vehicle based on how much I could get when I resold it seems to say I shouldn't have bought it in the first place. Bitcoin, gold, real estate, etc., yeah.

 

[entropy]

This has been asked a million times on this forum. The JLU will obviously be more practical overall. You have 4 doors and a much bigger trunk.

I have a kid and a wife and we use the 2 door for camping and all that. I will even be towing a small 5x8 camper with it. It is a great platform and very practical once you get used to it. Cars are huge nowadays, so it just takes a little getting used to. I do not find it uncomfortable, and my other car is a 2020 Camry... For me it is actually hugely practical, I live 10 minutes from downtown los angeles, houses here are expensive and small. My driveway isn't very big, my garage has been converted into an office and gym space. The 2 door allows me to keep the wrangler + camper trailer (to come) + Camry on my driveway. It is perfect, and I don't like the look of the JLU. Jeeps are narrow, and the JLU looks funny. Too long and narrow, short and stubby is better (that's what she said). Resale for the 2 door is high. I got offered more than I paid for mine a few weeks ago. You can also find great deals on a dealer lot, thats how I found mine. I paid only 31k for it and it is a loaded sport S 39k MSRP.

If you like the 2 door and don't plan on towing anything above 1,500 lbs. Get it. You'll find a way to meet your needs. The fun factor of the 2 door vs. 4 door is also like 10 fold greater for the 2 door. I had a 4 door for a few weeks and hated it, but it did feel more like a SUV. The 2 door just feels like an old Jeep, a fancier one, but still a Jeep. So if you want a Jeep ,get the 2 door. Want a SUV that's also a Jeep? get the 4 door.

 

[Notorious]

Call me weird (lots of people do)

I haven’t but okay… hello weird.

Curious.

Sit in the back seat of your four door wrangler while parked at the local park. Watch the sun set as you consume your favorite pizza and contemplate. If you haven’t done this yet, you haven’t lived fully.

 

[track.n.trail]

The JLU is more practical and safer. There is no debating that.

Having said that, buy a 2 door if that's what you want!

 

[JDChris]

I've owned both. I think the 2 door is great 98% of the time. Yes, the 4 door is more stable at 80mph+ but if you aren't doing emergency maneuvering at those speeds, the 2 door is fine. I went to a 4 door for my last 2 Jeeps and the next one (hopefully soon), will probably be a 2 Door. I'm waiting for the Mojave. If they decide to only make the Mojave in a 4 door then I will reluctantly stick with a 4 door

Things that make the 2 door attractive to me:
Lighter
Gets batter gas mileage (see lighter)
Cheaper
Easier to park (especially parallel parking)
Takes up less space in garage
I'm assuming cheaper insurance

 

[entropy]

Oh and regarding safety. The both meet certain standards. I wrecked my 2018 2 door on a freeway, airbags deployed snd everything and here I am. Didnt flip.

The 2 door can be as safe as the 4 door imo in most scenarios. But the 4 door can be safer sometimes. The 2 door will never be safer. BUT if you are lifting, with the 2 door you can get away with a lesser lift/smsller tires keeping the COG lower. Would that make up for the risk of a rollover due to the small wheelbase? maybe, maybe not.

But if safety is a top priority for you. People are gonna hate me for saying this. Get a Bronco. In all seriousness, Jeep did slack on modern safety standards when designing the Jeep. It only has airbags for the front cabin. It is still a safe vehicle, very safe. But it could be much safer and they don't have an excuse for not making it safer.

 

[Reinen]

Oh and regarding safety. The both meet certain standards. I wrecked my 2018 2 door on a freeway, airbags deployed snd everything and here I am. Didnt flip.

The 2 door can be as safe as the 4 door imo in most scenarios. But the 4 door can be safer sometimes. The 2 door will never be safer. BUT if you are lifting, with the 2 door you can get away with a lesser lift/smsller tires keeping the COG lower. Would that make up for the risk of a rollover due to the small wheelbase? maybe, maybe not.

But if safety is a top priority for you. People are gonna hate me for saying this. Get a Bronco. In all seriousness, Jeep did slack on modern safety standards when designing the Jeep. It only has airbags for the front cabin. It is still a safe vehicle, very safe. But it could be much safer and they don't have an excuse for not making it safer.

I'll 2nd the B-word on that. It's an on-road vehicle that goes off-road. The Jeep is an off-road vehicle that goes on-road. It's obvious which one will be safer in an on-road crash. Jeeps need to be driven conservatively on-road.

BTW, here's an excuse. Can you imagine a rear passenger airbag going off in an overlander's rig? That would get ugly. Broncos can assume there's actually a passenger there. Jeeps could have anything there.

 

[LarryB]

There are a lot of great answers already about practicality, so I will just add ... which one gets you more excited?

Wranglers are never the practical choice in most cases, they inspire emotion. For me, the 4 door did nothing for me. If the 2 door gets you excited, you can live with its shortcomings. I use a trailer hitch mounted basket to carry more stuff from Home Depot ... you’ll make it work if you want to bad enough.

 

[Wolfy]

I tend to agree with the folks that mention the fact that, if you want a "practical" vehicle, buy something else. The 4 door is a little more practical than the two door, but you shouldn't be buying a Jeep based on practicality. For me, it's just a fun vehicle, just like the motorcycle I own. No one ever asks me which motorcycle I've owned was the most practical. I buy then based on what I think is the most fun for the type of riding I'll be doing. I have young grandkids that live with me, they fit in my 2-door. It's as impractical as hell. I love driving it. Kinda like a sports car with really sucky handling that can go anywhere. Having said that, I might just trade it for a real sports car! (... but then I wouldn't be able to explore).

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