Tough buying decision

[Murphy Slaw]

I thought a sport bar was full of middle aged guys wearing Sketchers…

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[linux_guy]

I thought a sport bar was full of middle aged guys wearing Sketchers…

Were you wearing a yellow shirt? Sitting at the end?

 

[Zandcwhite]

Welcome to the Forum!
The Lord was watching over your daughter!
IMO opinion, the 3.6 is by far the most reliable, best option. The Diesel was a real challenge, because of the emissions. Plus the Dealers service technicians, really don't like working on them. As for the 4XE, they have been a real problem for some, spending more time in the repair shop then in the owner's garage. They have also had their share of fires. The factory has told some of the owners, not to put them in their garage, because they may burn the house down. The 2.0 sounds like a sewing machine, it has been a decent engine, but it would not be my first choice. The 3.6 has been sold to approx. 14 million users. Some (a very low percentage) have had some issues, but as for current, they are very reliable. We have four (4) 3.6's in the family, with no major issues. I highly recommend this engine! Good Luck! Whatever you purchase, I suggest that you take out the MOPAR extended warranty insurance policy.

The big complaint of the 3.6L>2.0t guys is the sound... like the 3.6L sounds like a hemi v8? It sounds like a slightly larger sewing machine in my opinon and sound doesn't even make the list when comparing the two for me. Both our 2.0t and our 2 3.6L have been rock solid reliable. The 2.0t retured significantly better fuel economy in similar builds. It pulls better at sea level, but not significantly so. At altitude is night and day. At 10k feet it's got a 25% power advantage thanks to the turbo and having driven both It feels like that's an under estimate. The 3.6L is a complex, vvt, vvl engine and therefore no more reliable than the 2.0t. The potential added expense of a turbo replacement, likely at 150k+ miles is easily negated by the 15-20% better fuel economy. 150k miles of that fuel savings at current prices would buy 3 new turbos easily. If I were ordering new (and for some reason the 392 wasn't an option), I'd go 2.0t for sure. For the OP that's shopping used, I'd still prefer the 2.0t but wouldn't shy away from the 3.6L if the deal was right.

 

[Heimkehr]

Someone who knows more than I do about the differences, pros/cons between the 3.6L and the 3.6L e-Torque, please chime in! @Heimkehr @alphawolff

Thanks for the tag. I actually have the 2.0T (non-e-Torque) in my Jeep.

 

[croppz]

The big complaint of the 3.6L>2.0t guys is the sound... like the 3.6L sounds like a hemi v8? It sounds like a slightly larger sewing machine in my opinon and sound doesn't even make the list when comparing the two for me. Both our 2.0t and our 2 3.6L have been rock solid reliable. The 2.0t retured significantly better fuel economy in similar builds. It pulls better at sea level, but not significantly so. At altitude is night and day. At 10k feet it's got a 25% power advantage thanks to the turbo and having driven both It feels like that's an under estimate. The 3.6L is a complex, vvt, vvl engine and therefore no more reliable than the 2.0t. The potential added expense of a turbo replacement, likely at 150k+ miles is easily negated by the 15-20% better fuel economy. 150k miles of that fuel savings at current prices would buy 3 new turbos easily. If I were ordering new (and for some reason the 392 wasn't an option), I'd go 2.0t for sure. For the OP that's shopping used, I'd still prefer the 2.0t but wouldn't shy away from the 3.6L if the deal was right.

Don’t forget that 3.6s eat cams because fuck it why not.

They obviously all don’t do this. But I find it funny when people (not you) complain about potentially needing to replace a turbo as if it’s any more or less costly/difficult (arguably easier) than swapping cams in a 3.6.

 

[SmokyMtnsJeepGirl]

Thanks for the tag. I actually have the 2.0T (non-e-Torque) in my Jeep.

Oops! Sorry! I thought you had the 3.6 e-torque for some reason

 

[GinaC]

4xe shouldn’t even be in the conversation. If you had good luck with the 2.0l, just stick with that.

Light duty diesels are just overcomplicated and expensive.

Amen. Don't get the 4xe unless you feel lucky about your house not going up in flames. I didn't feel lucky and got rid of mine 1.5 years after I got it. At a 50% loss in value, I might add.

The 2.0T engine is the Alfa Romeo Giulia engine which has been around since 2016 with no major issues. The coolant tank does have a history of leakage, but that is easily fixed and many folks switch to an aftermarket one proactively. (I'm still wondering if doing that will void my extended warranty.)

It's the same engine that was in the 4xe, and I'm very happy with mine. It gets about 15.5 mpg for me with city driving and premium gas (which I feel makes it drive a bit smoother).

And time for my regular PSA. I don't know if your daughter is a manual transmission gal like I am, but I decided on the automatic so I could get remote start. You can't get that anymore with a manual, even aftermarket, due to safety regulations.

EDIT: The Sky One Touch isn't available on the 2-door, otherwise I would have gotten it again. This past winter the 4xe had to stay outside and we get a lot of snow up here. The SOT held up like a champ, though I did go brush it off every day when we got over 3 inches. The Sunrider does the same job for the 2-door.

 

[croppz]

Amen. Don't get the 4xe unless you feel lucky about your house not going up in flames. I didn't feel lucky and got rid of mine 1.5 years after I got it. At a 50% loss in value, I might add.

The 2.0T engine is the Alfa Romeo Giulia engine which has been around since 2016 with no major issues. The coolant tank does have a history of leakage, but that is easily fixed and many folks switch to an aftermarket one proactively. (I'm still wondering if doing that will void my extended warranty.)

It's the same engine that was in the 4xe, and I'm very happy with mine. It gets about 15.5 mpg for me with city driving and premium gas (which I feel makes it drive a bit smoother).

And time for my regular PSA. I don't know if your daughter is a manual transmission gal like I am, but I decided on the automatic so I could get remote start. You can't get that anymore with a manual, even aftermarket, due to safety regulations.

EDIT: The Sky One Touch isn't available on the 2-door, otherwise I would have gotten it again. This past winter the 4xe had to stay outside and we get a lot of snow up here. The SOT held up like a champ, though I did go brush it off every day when we got over 3 inches. The Sunrider does the same job for the 2-door.

Funny thing you mention the Alfa

Their coolant tank sits at the front of the engine bay just behind driver head light and is clear/easily read for levels lol. For some reason I feel like stellantis coulda done the same for the JL and moved the turbo/intercooler reservoir somewhere else but just said screw it.

 

[DocSavage]

Ok, I'll admit im usually the odd man out. I've driven all 4 of these jeeps, either owned or rentals for 1 to 2 weeks at a time. My Gladiator is an ecodiesel and by far one of the best jeep motors I've had. It rivals the 4.0 in my mind due to fuel milage. I bought it used with 21k miles and am sitting at 116K tight now. Only issue was a particulate sensor that went out, to the tune of $400 to replace. Milage was running 28ish and 32 on highway, but started dropping at about 100k miles. Had to clean the EGR tube it was almost clogged. After seeing how bad that was, I did a weight loss and am running 31ish around and 34 highway. Without all the crude going into the intake I expect the motor will lady 250k or better.
My second choice would be the 2.0 turbo. Ended up with one as a rental and when I got extended a second week, I did a 5 hour drive home to visit family. I was surprised the gas milage was as hood as it was, and it had plenty of power. Didn't even realize it was a 2.0 till I was showing it to my brother. Good power and efficient milage. Not bad. I would consider it.
3.6hated when jeep went to the V6 motors and not a big fan. They are "acceptable" but nothing to write home about. Fuel milage is middling and drops tremendously when towing, one reason I really like the diesel. It has its issues and the oil cooler cracking has to be one of the stupidest design issues I can think of for a motor, well timing belts with water pumps inside the timing belt is probably worse. I don't like it but wouldn't turn one down because of the v6.
Finally the 4xe, run don't walk away. I had one for a 3 week business trip where I was at a test facility at Yuma where we often sat in our cars all day with them running for AC. If it hadn't been for the gas motor it would have been useless. I only charged it once. Took 3 hours to get a 60% charge that only lasted 9 miles till it was at less than 1% charge again. And worse thing is just idiling yhe motor doesn't charge the battery. Plus only one charger in Yuma used the connection the 4xe needed. Tesla and the ones in the shopping center were both different from what the jeep used. That is a major issue in my mind.
Honestly if I was in the market for another vehicle, if I couldn't get a diesel jeep, I'd look at a different brand of vehicle. I'm really not impressed with jeeps lineup anymore, and I've only driven jeeps since 96.

 

[yokramer]

"Tough buying decision" Is it buying another jeep that shes likely gonna flip again? Still no idea how people flip these things over so often.

Also if she liked the 2.0 why stress about changing it.

 

[Heimkehr]

The 2.0T engine

It's the same engine that was in the 4xe, and I'm very happy with mine. It gets about 15.5 mpg for me with city driving and premium gas (which I feel makes it drive a bit smoother).

I know that city driving imposes a MPG penalty, but your Turbo 4 should be providing better fuel economy than that. I also use Premium fuel, and with Summer-blend fuel and in mixed driving I can maintain an average 26 MPG. This, in a Jeep with two additional doors and a throttle controller for occasional Fun Times™.

 

[DocSavage]

I've got to agree with Heimkehr. I got in mid 20s in the rental i had with the 2.0 Turbo. It was way better than my 4.0 or the 3.6s I'd driven

 

[GinaC]

What about steep hills? Those are part of my daily drive.

Also, I just broke 1,000 miles even!

 

[Zandcwhite]

What about steep hills? Those are part of my daily drive.

Also, I just broke 1,000 miles even!

I still don't know how anyone is pulling 26mpg. If you hypermile the thing and/or do a lot of cruising at 50mph maybe. Even when ours was stock we never saw more than 21-22mpg. Most of our daily driving is either country highways with frequent stop signs. 0-65-0-65 is not good for fuel economy. On roadtrips out west the cruise control is set at 80-85 for hours. Even worse for fuel economy. After the lift and 38s it was more like 17mpg average. Sometimes more like 15 if there was a heavy headwind. Yours will get better once broken in, but don't hold your breath for mid 20s. I'll bet low 20s is where it settles. Of course the 3.6L in the newer JLUR on 39s only returns 12-13mpg so the 2.0t still has the advantage when pushed hard too.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I know that city driving imposes a MPG penalty, but your Turbo 4 should be providing better fuel economy than that. I also use Premium fuel, and with Summer-blend fuel and in mixed driving I can maintain an average 26 MPG. This, in a Jeep with two additional doors and a throttle controller for occasional Fun Times™.

That is legit impressive. I never saw numbers like that, even stock.

I've got to agree with Heimkehr. I got in mid 20s in the rental i had with the 2.0 Turbo. It was way better than my 4.0 or the 3.6s I'd driven

I would love to see 20 mpg in my 2.0. Lol.

I still don't know how anyone is pulling 26mpg. If you hypermile the thing and/or do a lot of cruising at 50mph maybe. Even when ours was stock we never saw more than 21-22mpg. Most of our daily driving is either country highways with frequent stop signs. 0-65-0-65 is not good for fuel economy. On roadtrips out west the cruise control is set at 80-85 for hours. Even worse for fuel economy. After the lift and 38s it was more like 17mpg average. Sometimes more like 15 if there was a heavy headwind. Yours will get better once broken in, but don't hold your breath for mid 20s. I'll bet low 20s is where it settles. Of course the 3.6L in the newer JLUR on 39s only returns 12-13mpg so the 2.0t still has the advantage when pushed hard too.

I am getting 15mpg on 37s, steel bumpers, full skids, rock rails and winch in a 2.0. Its rarely moved from that since the day I put 35s, bumpers and lift on it. I am a little heavier on the pedal but rarely go faster than 115 kph (70 in Freedom Units) and if I do, cruise is set. Still on 4,10 gearing as well.

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