Looking for a Jeep for my daughter

Hi,

My name is Jim and I'm looking for a Jeep Wrangler 4-door for my daughter. (2007 or newer with automatic transmission with 6 cylinder engine). She's been hounding me for one and her truck is on its last legs.

I would like to stay around $20-21K and want a hardtop as we have a two car garage and I can hopefully hoist the hard top in the summer.

I don't know much about Jeeps and want to know what common problems/issues I should check for while looking at Jeeps.
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Erica goes hiking, water rafting, etc. and she will probably go off-roading at some point. (should we be thinking about a Rubicon?)

Erica is 18 and one of my concerns is handling and safety - I've heard they can be hard to handle on the road and wonder if maybe she should be a more experienced driver. (I know, it's the dad in me - lol)

We're looking at 2009 Wrangler Unlimited later today.

Sorry for the long post - don't want to get scammed or rush into buying if it's not a good fit.

Thanks!
Jim

 

A 2017 starts at $27895, and with a Hard top and automatic Tranny you're at $31K MSRP. Based on your budget of $21K, if you are financing, I bet the new one would come out pretty close to the same monthly payment as the used one, because interest rates on new vehicles are so much cheaper than used vehicles. Go test drive one, I think you will be surprised on how well the new Jeeps drive.

 

Hi Jim. Sent you a reply earlier, but I am new at this and think I screwed of up. I started looking for a used wrangler last year. I found the ones in good shape really hold their value. I bought a wrangler unlimited (4 door) new because the sticker was only a few thousand dollars more than the used ones, and of course if you can swing a good deal with the dealership, then it is definitely the way to go. I have seen wranglers like mine with about 15,000 miles on car lots (not jeep lots), that have a asking price above what I paid. Talking payments, yea I think rates on new should be lower than used. If you go new, check out the s package above the lowest package. It has power locks, bigger tires and wheels, ect. About three grand more. Something to be aware of.

 

That's about half of what a new one would cost with the s package. Milage isn't so bad either. I got a bestop glide soft top for my jeep this spring. Actually prefer it over my hard top. Might just leave it on. Has that fast back look. Might check it out. Your deal on that does not sound bad. Good luck.

 

Attached is a sample snapshot of a JKU that sort of matches OffGrid's post. The bottom line doesn't include destination or military disc but its just too close to your used JKU budget to not check out. Based on your useage description for Erica a Rubi would be nice but not necessary. Simlar deals can be found in your local area or not as my road trip 120 one-way got me a super deal. To increase safety you could order the hard-to-find side airbag option. Newer JKs have worked out some of the issues found in the older JKs. Test drive one to feel the power difference and smoother AT.

 

The last post was right but just stock with everything your wanting it will cost about 46k becuase hard tops are more expensive no matter how you cut it lol. Jeeps hold their value like no other vehicle on the road.

 

That kinda looks like one of mine. But mine is a manuel.

 

46k? A basic Jeep 28k, automatic $1500, hard top $900 total about 31-32k this is straight MSRP from the Jeep website including destination charge. You are right that jeeps hold their value like no other. Somehow they even go up in value with people asking more for a 3year old Jeep than what you will pay for a new one. Go figure.

 

If you have an Amex card go to their website and look at purchase price for a Jeep through them. They have a contract with Jeep and you get about a discount through Amex.

 

I know right there are 1987 jeeps going for some outradgious prices now a days lol.

 

Just my 2 cents and my experience.
After looking at several 2016 JKs and realizing I may have to wait another year to save up some more cash. I made one last ditch effort with a Dealership I was the most impressed with. They knew I didn't want to finance, and they didn't push it. Even tried to get me in a 16 JKU at a really nice price of 26k out the door. But I was set on a JK. They checked with their other Dealership and they had a 16 with just over 4K on the odometer. Wasn't the color I really wanted. But they got me in it for 24k out the door. About 2k less than the other 2 doors I looked at. Turns out it was a loaner and went on to their rental fleet. So was it beat on...probably. But I also have the remainder of the factory warranty. So I'm very comfortable with that. It's not brand new off the line condition. It has some scratches, that buffed out. Lol. But anyway.

My point being. I was in the right place at the right time. Don't buy the first Jeep you look at. Take your time, explore every Avenue you can. You never know. You could end up finding a diamond in the rough as I did. BTW. I like the Crystal Granite color now.

 

Granite was one of the top color choices in '16 like the other color, Tank. Granite is probably what made buffing it out possible.

 

I did some research on it. I'm looking at Bushwacker Flat Fenders down the road. And I thought about getting them painted the Crystal Granite. Turns out from what I could see. It's listed as a 2017 color. WTF. And yes. Just about every thing buffed out. You'd never know where I found scratches. Took it to the car wash ONCE.....the antenna beat the crap out of my hood. Shit buffed out. Of coarse, hasn't been to a car wash since, even though I replaced the antenna with a shorty.

So just hold out. You never know. Sorry for ranting.

 

Check out Xenon Flat fenders too. They are relative in price to bushwackers, but they are smooth and paint friendly. Indestructible too. I have a set of each. Bushwackers unpainted textured black, and Xenons painted.

 

Don't buy a 18 yo a 20k Jeep you'll kick yourself

Start her off with a nice TJ

 

Peter....i like'em. Just looked at the Xenons. I actually like them more than the Bushwackers. They are very similar, but the back fenders look better with stock bumpers. Which at the moment I have no plans on replacing. And they look great painted. Thank you for mentioning them.

JW3101. Sorry if I may have hijacked your thread. Best of luck finding a Jeep for your Daughter. Hope our advice helps.