12:32 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline
If you had the choice, would you spend your money on a new 4-door JK with the better motor...
Or would you spend the same ammount on a slightly used 4-door JK with all the mods done already?
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:27 am
If you buy the new one are you going to have any money left over to play with?
2:58 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "Bender" wrote: If you buy the new one are you going to have any money left over to play with?
If I buy the new one, the mods will have to be done slowly over time. It will have the better motor, but it will remain mostly stock for a while.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
3:33 am
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline Get a used one then take the cost difference and buy a Hemi! 
Or just go for this... 😀
3:42 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline I'm not made of money, I won't be dropping $10,000.00+ into a Hemi swap.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
4:18 am
How much better is the new motor? Any other differences between the years?
4:45 am
We have flirted with the idea of an "ours JK ". No way around it. Lift, lockers, axles,and all the normal stuff..... Like a V-8 I checked my mpg in my 4wd quad cab 1500 this week. my freeway mpg was 20.6 and my overall avg. was 17.2. This truck always has at least 1200lbs of toolboxes and stuff in it. I think a hemi powered JK might be able to take the place of a gas motor pick-up in the right setting. I wish I had more money, I'd build one and let you try it. Buy a used one with some stuff done to it and build the rest.
4:55 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "Bender" wrote: How much better is the new motor? Any other differences between the years?
The old engine has ~200 HP and the new motor has ~300 HP. There is some interior upgrades and new paint choices with the new model as well.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:52 pm
"jsmorrow" wrote: I think a hemi powered JK might be able to take the place of a gas motor pick-up in the right setting.
I don't know. I tried that with the 4Runner (without the motor obviously). It's a pain to have to hook up a trailer to run to the store for some concrete or wedge 2x4s between the front seats. As a general rule it also sucks to load heavy stuff into a rig with a bunch of lift. It got so bad that at one point I even went as far as folding down the back seats in the corolla and threading 2x4s in there. The lumber yard wouldn't load them for me. Said it was too much risk. Kelly won't let me even consider using the Manrano. 😀 I don't think I could live without a truck anymore. Of course I've dumped more money into fixing my "wood" truck than it's worth this year so maybe it's time to upgrade...
2:56 pm
"JohnDF" wrote: [quote="Bender"]How much better is the new motor? Any other differences between the years?
The old engine has ~200 HP and the new motor has ~300 HP. There is some interior upgrades and new paint choices with the new model as well.
That's a ton. I just did some quick research. I'd wait. Save your money now for modifications later. 😀
10:51 pm
May 4, 2004
Offline Go for the horsepower. You'll still have your TJ to play with.
1:11 am
"Bender" wrote: [quote="jsmorrow"]I think a hemi powered JK might be able to take the place of a gas motor pick-up in the right setting.
I've dumped more money into fixing my "wood" truck than it's worth this year
I didn't see in the rules where it said we had to get rid of our " beaters ". I thought it was reference to a P/U vs HEMI JK as a primary ride. What is the Torque curve like on that new V-6 ? I'm sure that the peak hp is way up in the rpm's.
1:45 am
"jsmorrow" wrote: I didn't see in the rules where it said we had to get rid of our " beaters ". I thought it was reference to a P/U vs HEMI JK as a primary ride.
Sorry...I was thinking of it as a complete swap (mainly because I can't imagine DDing my truck unless it's snowing). I'd DD a HEMI JK no problem. 8)
By the way John, it looks like it's unanimous. Glad we could help with your decision. 8)
3:53 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Ya, thanks everybody...and I agree with you all. I will wait for a 2012.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
3:41 am
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline After John replied - - -
I would say, "it depends"!
The 2012 motor has about 260hp, much more than the current motor's 202hp. That is a welcome benefit. The motor is de-tuned from the Grand, so they aren't the same output.
However, if you are on a budget and you want to get the most bang for your buck I'd look at the bigger picture.
Right now you can order a 2012 however you want for 2% below invoice. That's a great price, but they don't have any lease specials currently so you'd be trying to secure the best CU financing possible.
On the other hand, the 2011's have all kinds of deals, but you'd need to take what they give you so far as option combos and colors. With incentives the 2011's will be in the $5K+ range of lower price. If you plan to keep it, and don't worry about being the first person up the hill on every run, you can get a LOT more jeep for your money if you sacrafice the motor and one model year.
The initial colors for the 2012's are carry overs from 2011 mainly, but only for about 60 days. After that 4 new colors come and 4 go away. In December, 3 more new colors come along. Most have names that don't give away what they will look like so you'd need to wait and see if you're unsure. If you don't care about color, you could save even more bucks!
I guess it depends on your budget and your priorities.
I did a lot of math on selling my 08 (with 8K miles) and upping to the '12. After thinking it through, I couldn't justify the 2012, and will get a hemi if I really want the HP. My 08 on 38's gets 15 on the hwy and about 13 around town. This is way better than my TJ. The 2012 is supposed to get about 2 mpg better mileage.
2:50 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Hmmm...inteligent response Brad, and it's got me thinking again...dang it!
I used to wheel a lot. . .
3:22 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline This could go for new or used regarding the mods but do you like doing the work yourself, or would you prefer to just have it done?
4:01 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline If I'm doing the mods to a stock vehicle, I would do them myself and not have to pay extra to have somebody else do the work.
I am not opposed to buying a vehicle already modded as long as it was done correctly. In fact, it could save a ton of money.
I am not one of those guys that thinks they HAVE to work on their own rigs. Real Jeeps are built AND bought.
And remember, this is going to be a mall crawler; looks nice but not meant to be off-roaded hard. I already have a Jeep that I can beat the crap out of.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
4:09 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Here is an example of a Jeep I am looking at. It looks exactly how I want it to look; nice color, nice size, bumpers, winch, etc.
There are probably a few things left to do, like re-gear the axles and some sliders/protection. But the biggest chunk of the mods are done and installed.
It's a 2011 (Sport) model with 600 miles on it, clean carfax and all paperwork.
They are asking $35,000.00 for it and I'm still trying to crunch the numers to see if it's a deal or not...
Either way, this is what I want to end up having, even if I buy new and do the mods myself over time. Good looking Jeep.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
5:27 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline "JohnDF" wrote: I am not opposed to buying a vehicle already modded as long as it was done correctly. In fact, it could save a ton of money.
That's what I was thinking. I like the one in the picture. Plus it says MOAB! 😀
5:56 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline That's what I'd like my Jeep to look like, but realistcally I need to wait for the better motor. The mods will just have to come slowly.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:40 pm
"JohnDF" wrote: That's what I'd like my Jeep to look like, but realistcally I need to wait for the better motor. The mods will just have to come slowly.
What are you planning to do with it that makes you "need" the better motor?
7:54 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "Bender" wrote: What are you planning to do with it that makes you "need" the better motor?
Drive over 40 MPH, pass slower vehicles, and not have to drive to Tahoe in 3rd gear
I used to wheel a lot. . .
8:56 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "JohnDF" wrote: [quote="Bender"]What are you planning to do with it that makes you "need" the better motor?
Drive over 40 MPH, pass slower vehicles, and not have to drive to Tahoe in 3rd gear
Very funny. I can pull just about every grade in 5th gear with my current motor and can easily navigate hwy 50 in the 55mph range.
However, I'm sure you're getting an auto. 😀
The rig you are staring at is a Sahara. I don't know the mods, but Saharas have the 2.73 t-case and the D30 front.
For $35K you can get a loaded 11 rubicon (new) with nav, and have enough left over for the lift and wheels/tires through you'd still need to do your own lift install (and buy me taco bell or pizza).
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