Best Jeeps to Buy Used

Jeep has built vehicles that can suit just about anyone, whether their needs entail scaling a towering rocky trail, scooting to the mall, or both. If you are getting ready to visit a used Jeep dealer in Lexington, then you might be wondering what the best Jeeps to buy used are. Some models to keep an eye open for include the 1999 to 2004 WJ Grand Cherokee, 2007 to 2018 JK Wrangler, and 2007 to 2017 Jeep Compass.

The WJ Grand Cherokee is an excellent all-around vehicle for daily driving, moderate off-roading, and is just new enough where maintenance can still be easy. The JK Wrangler is a more hardcore off-road machine and perfect for enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Compass is well appointed for the average commuter and inexpensive for such a new and low mile vehicle.

XJ Cherokee

The XJ generation of Jeep Cherokee is an uncommon combination. Specifically, a unibody design that is revered by off-road enthusiasts more or less universally. How Jeep managed to create this seeming impossible contradiction is down to how they meticulously optimized the truck, including introducing unibody construction in an era when it was not even considered an option for anything other than sedans. The XJ wasn’t built to check boxes and be good enough; it was designed to revolutionize the SUV market.

The Cherokee’s reputation for dogged reliability is largely down to how well put together that unibody frame is, and the rest can be attributed to the legendary 4.0-liter I6 engine. This popular powerplant matched the Cherokee’s chassis in terms of rugged dependability while producing more than enough torque and being easy to work on. These features separate the XJ Cherokee quite definitively from the current crop of car-like crossovers built by other companies, which are essentially just taller hatchbacks without actual off-road capability or the toughness to last half a century without breaking a sweat.

While the XJ may have in many ways been the genesis of the modern crossover, this original article packs far more credibility than any of the new kids will ever likely attain. The XJ Cherokee has stood the test of time in a way that few vehicles have, and it continues to be a popular platform for those looking for a reliable daily driver, a capable off-road platform, or both.

2007-2017 Compass

For those just looking for a good way to get around town in comfort without breaking the bank, the first-generation Jeep Compass is a great choice. In fact, the small crossover makes a great first car for those simply looking to have good personal transportation from a legendary manufacturer. However, when properly outfitted, the Compass will still be capable of exploring back roads and handling bad weather.

While not necessarily built for off-road enthusiasts, the Compass has modern and attractive Jeep-style looks, belying the fact that it is still quite a new vehicle. Upmarket variants with heated seats, built-in audio hard drives, leather seats, and other amenities are very inexpensive on the used market for their age and mileage. Add to this a surprisingly capable four-wheel drive system that melds seamlessly with an intelligent stability control system, and you have a great Jeep that is a very desirable buy for a hassle-free daily driver.

WJ Grand Cherokee

The WJ generation of Grand Cherokee was designed and built during what many would call the modern golden age of Jeep, combining classic style and high capability. Equally capable of shuttling kids to school or traversing a backwoods trail, the WJ remains an awesome example that just because a vehicle is rugged doesn’t mean it has to be spartan. Produced from the 1999 to 2004 model years, this well-accomplished true SUV remains a benchmark multiple decades after it was released.

The WJ Grand Cherokee features a sumptuous interior with plush available leather captain’s chairs and a proper sound system. These days many of them have been upgraded to either be even better off-road or on-road. Their surprisingly low cost makes them a great choice for the enthusiast who isn’t looking for a spartan experience or for the standard motorist who wants a little more style, comfort, and capability in their life.

CJ-7

Jeep has built vehicles for everyone, but the further back in the lineup’s history that one looks, the more spartan and single-minded the brand’s focus was. These days there are plenty of Jeeps that can take on the highway in plush comfort and then instantly hit a trail without problems, but the original Jeeps were not highway creatures.

The CJ-7 is a steadfast icon of that earlier era, and to this day, it remains a platform the many hardcore enthusiasts flock to. Built from 1976 to 1986, the CJ-7 Jeep is the predecessor of the modern Wrangler and has just about the most honest chassis code of any vehicle sold in the United States – CJ simply stands for Civilian Jeep. Very similar to the original Willys Jeeps that helped win World War II, the CJ-7 is a lightweight and low-cost off-roader with a single purpose.

While the CJ-7 excels at its purpose, making off-road trails quiver in fear at the sight of the little rig, it is not for the faint of heart. Even most enthusiasts would reconsider buying one if any sort of daily driving needs to be done in it, but its spartan nature also adds to its aura and capability. When this Jeep was envisaged, getting over the next hill was more important than getting there in comfort.

JK Wrangler

The JK Wrangler was the Jeep that took the Wrangler into the modern era. Sold from the 2007 to 2018 model years, this relatively recent off-road machine is both a direct descendant of the CJ-7 and a perfectly competent and even comfy highway cruiser. Its comfort and utility are only magnified by the availability of a larger four-door “Unlimited” version with more passenger and cargo space.

The JK Wrangler mixes timeless looks and go-anywhere ability with off-road capabilities that even a factory CJ-7 would’ve had trouble keeping up with. This is all done with a far more comfortable interior, a substantial safety increase, and even a full modern infotainment suite. The JK was designed to be both the perfect machine for enthusiasts and an everyday commuter, making it the best vehicle for those who like to go off-road but can only have a single vehicle.

The JK is new enough where some can still be found with a factory warranty. It presents a great opportunity for those who would normally get an average crossover or SUV to buy something with true off-road capability and not just off-road looks.

TJ Wrangler

While the newer JK Wrangler is the perfect mix of all capabilities, the older TJ Wrangler is perfect for those who have little need for frills but still want a more modern machine. Very competent on the road and off, while the TJ doesn’t have the modern amenities of the JK, it remains full of iconic style and performance.

In effect, it is the perfect Jeep off-roader for most enthusiasts, as it has all the capability one actually needs without the newness or tech features that can make a used Jeep expensive. The TJ Wrangler is a particularly good choice if you are planning on customizing your vehicle for even greater capabilities.

Choose Your Used Jeep

There are many American icons you can choose to drive, and several will keep on going when the road runs out. But the Jeep is the only one that remains readily available and easily affordable to almost anyone, whether they are your average driver, a casual fan, or a hardcore enthusiast.
There is a used Jeep for just about everyone, and anyone can get their hands on one here at Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Paris, Kentucky.

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