Buying my first Jeep! I need some advice

[Nanook]

I bought mine second hand and 3 years old and it's been a great vehicle. I prefer to buy 2nd hand around the 2 - 3 year mark as the first owner is the one that's lost the most on it. Mine is always on the beach or around the Watagans. It also tows the camper trailer everywhere without an issue.

If I didn't buy the JK, it would have been a Defender.

As for reliability, they are no different to anything else out there. My Toyota Hilux had more problems than I've ever had with either my TJ or JK.

Mines a manual which has always been my preference however if I was buying new I would have got an auto. There is nothing wrong with the manual, you just have better control in the scrub with an auto.

[Rod.D.]

Originally Posted by Nanook

I bought mine second hand and 3 years old and it's been a great vehicle. I prefer to buy 2nd hand around the 2 - 3 year mark as the first owner is the one that's lost the most on it. Mine is always on the beach or around the Watagans. It also tows the camper trailer everywhere without an issue.

If I didn't buy the JK, it would have been a Defender.

As for reliability, they are no different to anything else out there. My Toyota Hilux had more problems than I've ever had with either my TJ or JK.

Mines a manual which has always been my preference however if I was buying new I would have got an auto. There is nothing wrong with the manual, you just have better control in the scrub with an auto.

Is there anything I should be looking out for on the used JKs? Any common faults, issues, etc?
Also, what are the major services (eg. 40k, 100k) like? Should I avoid a certain KM range so I don't get stuck with a major service/part replacement?

I'm off to the dealership now to test drive a manual and see which one I like best. The car will be 85% city and 15% off road so an auto would be good around town as well.

Thanks for the help so far!

[warnabrother]

Buy the auto.. dont even bother test driving the manual.. my mate is now up for his 3rd manual gearbox on a 5000km old vehicle... not the norm, bit the auto is a better box..
Other than that, I do not think they are any more or less reliable than any other new vehicle.. just perhaps not as "strongly" built as some of the Japanese 4wd's.. My auto Pentastar is just coming up on 3yrs with only the head replaced under warranty (common early model issue).. I have beat on it pretty hard and it keepa coming back for more...

[YamahaDOC]

Is your price for a manual or auto, and is it a 2015?
Auto ftw btw! I was lucky to test drive both extensively along with the CRD, and the auto 3.6 was so much nicer to drive. My only wish is that the 2 door suited our lifestyle. The 3.6 auto 2 door absolutely flew for a true 4x4, very fun drive.

[LeighP]

Yep, when I test drove my MY13 3.6 auto, the responsiveness was a big selling point.

[Wazza D]

Originally Posted by warnabrother

Buy the auto.. dont even bother test driving the manual.. my mate is now up for his 3rd manual gearbox on a 5000km old vehicle... not the norm, bit the auto is a better box...

I have observed the same thing.
I've had no problems with my auto but I've witnessed and heard of plenty of problems with the manuals.
I actually wanted a manual when I bought mine but I couldn't wait for one to be available. I am now glad I was impatient.
I love my JK, warts and all.
Mine has the crappy 3.8 in it but it does good enough for me.

[Rod.D.]

Originally Posted by YamahaDOC

Is your price for a manual or auto, and is it a 2015?
Auto ftw btw! I was lucky to test drive both extensively along with the CRD, and the auto 3.6 was so much nicer to drive. My only wish is that the 2 door suited our lifestyle. The 3.6 auto 2 door absolutely flew for a true 4x4, very fun drive.

The price was for a manual 2015 model.

I've always driven a manual but I think that the auto would be a better long term choice and after reading your comments about the manual it seems like it's the way to go. It will add another $2,060 on top of the price I was quoted.

I'll have a look at a couple of used ones next weekend to see the condition they're in and work out if it's worth the savings.

Thanks for the feedback!