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Rented a JK on vacation

jaldeborgh

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My wife and I just returned from a 2 week vacation on St Croix, where we rented a 2 door JK Sport from Hertz, with 11K miles on the vehicle. As a first time Wrangler owner, purchased a JLUR in March of 2018, I am surprised at the magnitude of the difference. As I noted, I am a first time Wrangler owner so I have zero experience with earlier Wranglers. It wasn't until we got home that both my wife and I truly noticed the difference. My wife's daily driver is a 2019 Grand Cherokee Summit and she actually sent me a text saying she felt she was driving an "ultra luxury car", she rarely says anything about a vehicle.

While the JK was very serviceable, the difference is connivence and comfort is stark. To be fair, I'm comparing a 2 door to a 4 door, so that may effect the driving experience. The major areas of difference are the smoothness of ride, the transmission responsiveness, comfort and quality of fit & finish.

My conclusion is the price increase moving from the JK to the JL is justified. The JL is clearly a more refined vehicle. I'm sure to ignite a firestorm of disagreement, so I'll apologize in advance.
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Slowpoke

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I agree. I've owned both a JK and now a JL.
The JK was great zero problems, very dependable, great vehicle.
But the JL is a big step up in all categories.
Nothing wrong with a JK, it's just a different vehicle.
 

mwilk012

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I don't think you'll find much disagreement on the JL wrangler forums. The JK guys are real sticks in the mud though. The transmission upgrade is HUGE.
 

Jlmoe

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Jk is a great vehicle.. Very robust and well built

Agree on the JL being more refined, esp the interior and infotainment system.. Huge step forward

Both a joy to own
 

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SecondTJ

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To be fair, I'm comparing a 2 door to a 4 door, so that may effect the driving experience. The major areas of difference are the smoothness of ride, the transmission responsiveness, comfort and quality of fit & finish.
There is a 21" difference in wheelbase between 4-door and 2-door, that makes a significance difference in ride quality
 

plex

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Keep in mind even JK had a mid-cycle facelift around 2012, it was really designed in the taste of 2006 like the green dash display. Think about what you drove in 2006? I was driving a 04 Mitsubishi Outlander.
 

mwilk012

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Keep in mind even JK had a mid-cycle facelift around 2012, it was really designed in the taste of 2006 like the green dash display. Think about what you drove in 2006? I was driving a 04 Mitsubishi Outlander.
In 2006, I was 13.
 

TrailTorque

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Keep in mind even JK had a mid-cycle facelift around 2012, it was really designed in the taste of 2006 like the green dash display. Think about what you drove in 2006? I was driving a 04 Mitsubishi Outlander.
In 2006, I was 13.
I was riding dirty in Fallujah City. Semper Fi

My ride:

1BBDBE1E-1BD2-41D9-BA47-B3EAA8AEBFA6.jpeg
13057FA6-C60C-4327-8522-713708295B91.jpeg
48291A08-7766-466B-AF03-620C7027088E.jpeg
 
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srt20

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We just bought a JLUR. First time Jeep owners. But when we started test driving Jeeps, we drove a couple JK 4drs. We very quickly ruled out buying a JK. IMO its a pretty big difference.

Funny thing is, we got interested in Jeeps because my father in law bought a 2dr JK and we drove it a few times and liked it. So we figured we could probably get a leftover JK cheap. Until we made the mistake of testing a JL. That ended it for us buying a JK.
 

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walweb

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Medictrode

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I had a JKU Ver.1 and Ver.2 and my JLUR is an all around better vehicle. All of the electronic control systems are a concern for me, however the JK had the older style Chrysler electronics which were buggy, and I experienced issues a lot on both JKs. Hopefully the JL doesn't give me as many issues.

Probably the only other Jeep I'd find more enjoyable than the JL is the CJ at this point. But I can guess that would be more sentimental.. :)
 

multicam

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I have to leave this thread immediately. I hate the JK with every fiber of my being.
 

Sean L

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I was riding dirty in Fallujah City. Semper Fi

My ride:

1BBDBE1E-1BD2-41D9-BA47-B3EAA8AEBFA6.jpeg
13057FA6-C60C-4327-8522-713708295B91.jpeg
48291A08-7766-466B-AF03-620C7027088E.jpeg
I miss driving those. I think it would be cool to buy one on surplus. :rock:

Back home I had a 2000 Dodge Dakota at that point but I was Eyeballing some TJs and XJs as a potential replacement.
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