Pull the trigger on a JL Wrangler or avoid them?

[wibornz]

If you put another vehicle through half the shit my JL has been through, it would be a jacked up mess. Yet here I am wheeling it and it is still running great.

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[Jamrock]

Hope not, but 8 pages is a lot to read. I read the first two and then came here and read what was on page 8.

I am very close to the first anniversary of owning a JL Two Door Soft Top.

Saturday I considered myself a "Real Jeep" owner by purchasing a set of Wheels and tires from another owner he took off his Rubicon. They are "33's" according to him. I had the stock wheels with a set of Michelin's.

Am still looking for a bold on trailer hitch and maybe someday I will go with a hard top and a sunrider front section. I love the ease of flipping up the front portion of the top and I did remove the back window to drive at "Highway Speeds" Saturday with the top open. Have tried up to 60mph with just the front open and it gets quite hair raising without the ability for the air to pass through. Once spring actually arrives I plan to pull all the windows out and see how it does until it gets too hot.

Try the JL, if you don't like it I've heard they hold their value and you may be able to sell it for as much as you paid.

Rod

The new wheels make a big difference. Much better now.

 

[ChargingBuffalo]

Did we scare him off? Lol

No way....I'm here appreciate all the input! I found one out of state that's in my price range. The dealer is going to transfer it and let me try it out for 24 hours. I'm not able to afford a new one, this is a 2020 2 door and has the soft top, should be in later this week

 

[viper88]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

I owned a few Wranglers, all 2-doors. A very early '97 TJ, '15 JK, '19 JLR, "22 JLR. All were great fun. JLs are a LOT better across the board. My TJ was a lot like your Mom's YJ. My TJ has the 2.5L and 3-speed automatic. I feel every generation Wrangler was better then it's predecessor as far as steering, ride, refinement, reliability, capability, noise, vibration, harshness, power, mpg.

Your mom owned a 1988 YJ and loved it? I think you will be very surprised by how good the JL Wrangler is. A modern JL Wrangler is like a luxury SUV compared to the YJ and TJ. I daily drove all of my Wranglers including my current '22 JLR. My '22 JLR seems to have a little better steering then my old '19JLR. A JL on the highway is in my opinion pretty stable. It is excellent for a vehicle with a steering box and solid axles. Go test drive a few on and off the highway.

It's true FCA products can be more consistent QA/QC wise. Their products don't rate well on most independent QA/QC surveys. Rightfully so. I don't think it's a deal breaker. On average I think the difference between the top and the bottom of the list is closer than ever. Modern automobiles are all pretty good today. I would not worry about it. All new Wranglers come with a bumper to bumper warranty. You can buy a additional factory backed Mopar Extended Warranty also if you are really concern about parts failures. The warranties are available for a very good discount from a couple of dealers.

This is a Wrangler forum and like all car forums probably highly biased. I own other really fun cars and I highly recommend buying a Wrangler. I hardly reach for the keys to my other cars. I cannot recommend one enough to you. Have fun test driving. Hope to see you more on this forum!

 

[JustDave]

People generally are only going to post if its something bad. You'll never see a post from someone that says how awesome their Jeep is. I have a Sport 4 door & it's great. Rides like a Jeep, but I didn't buy a Caddy, so I don't expect my Jeep to ride like one.

 

[viper88]

No way....I'm here appreciate all the input! I found one out of state that's in my price range. The dealer is going to transfer it and let me try it out for 24 hours. I'm not able to afford a new one, this is a 2020 2 door and has the soft top, should be in later this week

What model and options on the used 2020 you are interested in? How many miles on it? What is the price?

You might be very surprised about used verses new pricing for a Wrangler. There are a few forum dealers who discount heavily compared to local dealers. There was over a $4K difference between the best deal in my area and who I bought from out of state. I was able to buy for 5%-under invoice.

You might be very lucky? You have one of the forum high discount dealers in your area if you are in St. Louis MO. I would contact Steve Boeckmann @ Jim Butler CDJR for a price on a new factory order. I did not buy from them but they are one of the best dealers on the forum with no BS. They offer some of the best pricing in the nation. Very low doc fees also. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Plus you get a factory fresh warranty with new and usually better loan rates for new verses used.

Steve Boeckmann
Sales Consultant
Jim Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
317 West Main St.
Linn, MO 65051
[email protected]
Cell: 573-680-0922
www.jimbutlercdjr.com

A link to a thread about dealers who discount:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-on-2022-wranglers.80479/page-75#post-1830281

 

[ChargingBuffalo]

What model and options on the used 2020 you are interested in? How many miles on it? What is the price?

You might be very surprised about used verses new pricing for a Wrangler. There are a few forum dealers who discount heavily compared to local dealers. There was over a $4K difference between the best deal in my area and who I bought from out of state. I was able to buy for 5%-under invoice.

You might be very lucky? You have one of the forum high discount dealers in your area if you are in St. Louis MO. I would contact Steve Boeckmann @ Jim Butler CDJR for a price on a new factory order. I did not buy from them but they are one of the best dealers on the forum with no BS. They offer some of the best pricing in the nation. Very low doc fees also. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Plus you get a factory fresh warranty with new and usually better loan rates for new verses used.

Steve Boeckmann
Sales Consultant
Jim Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
317 West Main St.
Linn, MO 65051
[email protected]
Cell: 573-680-0922
www.jimbutlercdjr.com

A link to a thread about dealers who discount:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-on-2022-wranglers.80479/page-75#post-1830281

I will check them out, thank you for the information. It's the Sport model with power windows and locks, automatic transmission, AC and upgraded infotainment system. $37,000, 5100 miles.

 

[viper88]

I will check them out, thank you for the information. It's the Sport model with power windows and locks, automatic transmission, AC and upgraded infotainment system. $37,000, 5100 miles.

Call Steve at Jim Butler and ask him to quote the exact same build. There is something to be said about having a brand new warranty and peace of mind if you have any anxiety about possible repairs.

 

[ChargingBuffalo]

Call Steve at Jim Butler and ask him to quote the exact same build. There is something to be said about having a brand new warranty and peace of mind if you have any anxiety about possible repairs.

Appreciate it, I will e-mail him from work and see what he says.

 

[viper88]

I will check them out, thank you for the information. It's the Sport model with power windows and locks, automatic transmission, AC and upgraded infotainment system. $37,000, 5100 miles.

Which engine?

 

[ChargingBuffalo]

Which engine?

it has the 2.0 liter

 

[Driftyd]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

The best advice I can give you is to test drive one and make sure you drive it down the highway and are fully aware of what you are buying. I test drove mine and it has a ride of its own. I can’t really explain why it wanders a little bit sometimes but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Test drive that is the advice that I give to anybody who ask if they should get a jeep. I will also tell you that the sticker on the window telling you the gas mileage is crazy and you should be aware that you were only going to get 14 to 15 miles to the gallon.

 

[betsy]

I’ve had 8 2dr wranglers, not the best ride in the world, but you get used to it, I guess I did because I put over 150k miles on all but 2 , I grew up driving short wheelbase vehicles . I wouldn’t drive any else, plus the crappy roads in Maine makes it very difficult to own something high end, lots of dirt roads to explore also, good luck on your purchase ?

 

[sixspeed]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

Any Wrangler will wander all over the road when on road. High speeds and the Rubicon are worse. Honestly, it drives like a 1960s truck. BUT, all of what is bad on the highway makes the Wrangler a star off road. It’s the price you pay for a car that will climb a tree and I have certainly gotten used to and comfortable with its idiosyncrasies.

But I off road. if you don’t or only go on calmer roads, you might want to get something with independent front suspension (4 Runner or (God help you) a Bronco). The Wrangler Sport doesn’t drive as bad as the Rubicon so maybe that works.

I have never had any real problems with the three Wranglers I’ve owned but, as you said, many on the forum have told horror stories. I would suggest getting a long extended warranty. Six years from now, you won’t remember the high price when your engine blows up.

 

[YelowOldCowboy]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

I'm 65 and enjoying driving my Jeep Rubicon daily.

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