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Used WK vs. WJ - need a vehicle to replace my TDI

5K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  NEVERENOUGH 
#1 ·
Long story but my VW TDI is being bought back by VW. Need to buy a used vehicle under $10k to save some money and due to some other issues. I had a 2007 WK V6 and absolutely hated the engine but it was an otherwise good car. I also had a 2000 XJ I6 and purely loved the 4.0.

So question is - I drive 25k miles per year and have two little kids. Would you purchase a used 2005+ WK with under 100k for $10k or buy a used 2004 WJ with under 100k for $7k with $3k put aside to tackle repairs.

At the end of the day money isn't that tight but I'm trying to save money in general and put money aside for my kids (i.e. hockey, camp, etc.). I'm fairly handy with a wrench and can do brakes, tune ups, etc. but don't really want to take on big projects.

Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
IMO, I would go for the WK because it's design, driving, handling, and safety are better than any WJ. In essence, more modern.
 
#4 ·
As much as I love the WJ, the WK has better safety features like side curtain airbags so if safety is a big concern go with the WK. A quick nationwide cars.com search of 08-10 WKs with your search criteria only returned one Laredo located in NJ but there are a bunch in the 11k range nationwide.
 
#9 ·
Buying any Jeep with over 100k on it is a complete crapshoot, and the maintenance and repairs are quite costly. By far, the most costly to maintain and troulbesome vehicle I have ever owned is the WK. I might suggest looking at a more reliable brand, i.e., Toyota. I've owned a few Toyotas and sold them with 200k, running great and no failures to any major component, and not nickel and diming to death with little parts, like the WK needs either.
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the feedback guys!

With regards to the focus on more reliable brands, what are your thoughts on a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder? From the research I've done it sounds like other than the some radiator issues they are otherwise good.
 
#11 · (Edited)
I currently have an 05 WK LTD, 4.7L. I like the WK well enough but if I had to do the buy over again I'd get an 04 WJ either LTD or Overland or whatever high end WJ I could get. The reason I have the WK is because I had an 03 WJ Laredo and was T boned by a woman that ran a stop sign. She hit the Jeep right at the front of the driver's side rear wheel well. The Jeep spun, flipped up into the air landed on the roof then continued to roll on to land on all fours with the driver's side tires blown off the rims. There wasn't a body panel without some sort of damage. I had my wife and two grand nieces in the Jeep. Everyone was seat belted. We all walked away with very minor injuries. Of course the WJ was totaled. The woman hit us going around 30mph. The interior compartment retained its integrity.


Oh,....I'd get one with the 4.0L six as well. Not the V8.
 
#12 ·
Glad to hear eveyone was ok. I prefer the styling of the WJ and agree with you that the 6 is preferred even though the mpg difference isn't there. I've heard the v8 is good if it has been maintained.
 
#13 ·
I bought my 05 WK with 75k on the clock which I still own and drive daily. Well maintained by a mechanical engineer. In about 3k miles after I bought it I had to have the tranny rebuilt, $3k. Prior to that AC condenser failed, another $1.2k. My six year old, low mile WK LTD I bought for $13k, then needed almost $4.3k worth of repairs. I should have bought an 06 or 07. Since 1994 I've had 3 jeeps with the 4.0L six, 2 XJ's, a 92 and my current 96 and a 03 WJ Laredo and they were the best. No issues. Reg maintenance and ran great. First, a 92 XJ 4.0 I had for 12 years and it only needed gas, oil and tires. The AC ran cold when I traded it for another XJ, my current 96 Country. Never recharged the 92 and I live in Florida. You can't kill the 4.0 or the XJ's. I tried, believe me.
 
#15 ·
I have a 2008 WK Limited 5.7 HEMI leather loaded 4x4 Quadradrive 2 one owner, all service records new tires, new water pump, sunroof, navigation, leather, memory seats, heated seats, full power Metallic red with two tone Leather if you are interested for 8k she has 128k miles and zero issues. let me know if you want any pics or anything. 863 381 8216 Sebring Florida
 
#16 ·
thanks for the offer. I forgot to update this thread but I ended up purchasing a 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited with the Luxury II package and the v6. Absolutely love it.
 
#17 ·
Congrats on the purchase, my wife has a WK Overland 5.7 Quadra drive 2 and she loves it so much so I found this 08 and was going to use her as a toy after some lifting and modding but she is so clean and nice if it could help someone before I destroy it I would be more than happy to help out... GLAD I CAN START THE LIFT. lol
 
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