KJ to KK

[Kevin]

I was in a wreck last week and the KJ was a total loss. I'm sitting on an insurance check and thinking about getting a KK since its a buyers market. I was wondering if anyone has made the switch and what their thoughts were between the two.

 

[jeepkj02]

IMO, Stick with a KJ.

 

[ups4]

I was in a wreck last week and the KJ was a total loss. I'm sitting on an insurance check and thinking about getting a KK since its a buyers market. I was wondering if anyone has made the switch and what their thoughts were between the two.

Depends on what you're gonna do with it.

I love my KK. I've had it since April and have about 5k on the odometer. It feels and drives like a bigger vehicle. My only complaint with it so far is the A/C not cooling all the time. I'm sure with the proper mods it would be very off-road capable, but the KJ seems better for that purpose. I'm not interested in that though. It's my daily driver. I just like the beefier look and feel.

My 06 KJ Special Edition (which I traded for the KK) was a blast to drive. Nimble and peppy, as you're aware I'm sure. Never had a single problem with it in the two years I had it. I just wanted a new vehicle cause I like that new-car smell .

 

[Kevin]

I don't go off-road or anything. The pot holes, bumps and uneven pavement scattered around the city are enough for me. Weekdays I drive to the bus stop and back, weekends are random. Mileage wise I go no where. I got my KJ in 11/07 and 8/5/08 (the accident), it had 3,500 miles.

 

[Dave]

I don't go off-road or anything. The pot holes, bumps and uneven pavement scattered around the city are enough for me. Weekdays I drive to the bus stop and back, weekends are random. Mileage wise I go no where. I got my KJ in 11/07 and 8/5/08 (the accident), it had 3,500 miles.

So you don't really need a new one with your usage, then you should consider a used KJ as your first choice preferred option. (with the KK being second choice) I'll bet if you look around you could find a good KJ that also wasn't taken off road and maybe even pocket some of the money.

Just for the record, I do personally like the KJ better mainly due to the drivetrain and selec-trac. I guess I like pulling a shifter to go to 4wd...But then, we have some dirt mountain roads and a lot of snow in the winter up here.....

Dave

 

[hyde]

I would go down to an AWD sedan for a while with the way gas prices are.. You really don't need a KK in NY.

 

[tan's2002kjlimited]

Personally, I think an '05 Renegade with leather and full skids would be just fine, to start with.

 

[Kevin]

I'd love to pick up a WRX Wagon but they're kind of hard to find in decent (i.e. not raced) condition. The price of gas doesn't really bother me since I don't travel enough for it to hurt.

From      To         Days    Miles  Gallons  Top Off  MPG
11/10/07  12/01/07   21.00   265.6  18.054   No       14.71
12/01/07  12/13/07   12.00   133.4   9.031   Yes      14.77
12/13/07  12/31/07   18.00   186.0  13.390   No       13.89
12/31/07  01/12/08   12.00   136.7   9.655   No       14.16
01/12/08  01/19/08    7.00   279.2  15.653   Yes      17.84
01/19/08  02/09/08   21.00   222.0  15.777   No       14.07
02/09/08  02/29/08   20.00   216.7  15.544   Yes      13.94
02/29/08  03/14/08   14.00   188.0  11.553   No       16.27
03/14/08  03/22/08    8.00    94.0   6.353   No       14.80
03/22/08  04/11/08   20.00   282.1  17.862   Yes      15.79
04/11/08  05/06/08   25.00   291.1  17.267   No       16.86
05/06/08  05/29/08   23.00   265.7  17.824   Yes      14.91
05/29/08  06/07/08    9.00   284.4  15.813   Yes      17.99
06/07/08  07/03/08   26.00   234.1  15.407   Yes      15.19
07/03/08  07/12/08    9.00   224.7  13.576   No       16.55
07/12/08  07/26/08   14.00   135.9   9.080   Yes      14.97

I owe a lot to the KJ. The accident was pretty bad yet all that happened to me was a blood-blister on my left thumb and some singed hairs on my right wrist, both from the airbag deployment. I don't think I could get another one mainly because it wouldn't feel right not that I think they're bad vehicles.

My experience with the KJ is a strong factor in my interest with the KK. I'm trying to capitalize on slow SUV sales to get the best deal. I'm purposely targeting dealers with excessive KK inventory.

The purpose of this thread was to see if any KJ owners could contrast with the KK. For instance, my only gripe with the KJ was I felt it lacked storage space. The KK has a ton of large and small storage areas so if everything else has remained constant (sans the design), I'm sold. But if I'm not going to experience that slight hint of joy I had when in my KJ, I'm going to look at others.

 

[LibertyOrDeath]

Well if MPG's are not an issue consider a F series Ford. I've seen some of them price close to a similar year and/or miles KJ. Especially those with the V10. In fact I saw a 2005 F350 4x4 V10 Quad Cab with 34K for just under $21K.

 

[hyde]

My uncle just got F150, he is getting 14.4 majority of the time he is carrying a load, and almost %75 city traffic, and that thing is powerful!

 

[mkaresh]

The seat of your own pants is the best guide.

I'd drive every single thing that might be a contender, and then go with whatever you like best.

If you're interested in reliability info, I operate a survey with quarterly updates. Latest public release always here (next update next week):

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

Nothing on the KK yet...but that's another thread.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

KK has more comfortable seats than your KJ. (The '02-'04 seats still beat both).

KK has the window controls in what some consider the "proper" location, on the driver's side door, but the KK seems to have downgraded in the interior department... door panels are now almost all hard plastic, no vinyl. Center console lid is harder as well.

I'd um, get another KJ. (But the KK's instrument cluster is so much easier to read... I like the new controls and seats)

'09 KKs have better suspension tuning. I hope so it doesn't feel so dang bouncy.

 

[KKDude08]

KK has more comfortable seats than your KJ. (The '02-'04 seats still beat both).

KK has the window controls in what some consider the "proper" location, on the driver's side door, but the KK seems to have downgraded in the interior department... door panels are now almost all hard plastic, no vinyl. Center console lid is harder as well.

I'd um, get another KJ. (But the KK's instrument cluster is so much easier to read... I like the new controls and seats)

'09 KKs have better suspension tuning. I hope so it doesn't feel so dang bouncy.

09 or 08? Your comparing the KJ and the KK right?

 

[jnaut]

The purpose of this thread was to see if any KJ owners could contrast with the KK. For instance, my only gripe with the KJ was I felt it lacked storage space. The KK has a ton of large and small storage areas so if everything else has remained constant (sans the design), I'm sold. But if I'm not going to experience that slight hint of joy I had when in my KJ, I'm going to look at others.

Here are some thoughts: http://thewidenet.blogspot.com/2007/11/thoughts-on-2008-jeep-liberty.html

 

[mkaresh]

Here are some thoughts: http://thewidenet.blogspot.com/2007/11/thoughts-on-2008-jeep-liberty.html

Well worth a read, thanks for posting that link.

 

[Gimme Liberty]

Well worth a read, thanks for posting that link.

I don't know if it was really much of a read, no offence to the author. Between being yet another whine about the location of the spare tire (1) or a mildly homophobic rant about whether a guy wants to be in a car resembling a girl or resembling a guy (2), it seems like other than "KJ good, KK bad" there wasn't much real substance to this blog.


Note:
(1) For every person who hates the tire under the KK is another person who thinks it is convenient and no big deal. If you're changing a tire in crappy conditions, you're gonna get wet if the tire is under the Jeep, behind it, on top of it or inside. You want to stay clean and neat, call AAA. We drive Jeeps, not BMWs.

(2) I don't agree that men have historically liked curves on their car. Yes, some of the greatest cars had nice curves, but go back and look at cars made from the 50s to the 70s (and on) and see how many cars had hard angles. What's curvy about fins?

I wouldn't slam a guy (or woman) for driving a more rounded KJ, so why should the KK come in for criticism simply because it has a few more angles in its form?

There is plenty to appreciate in the KK, just like there was a lot of good in the KJ. There is room for improvement for sure in the KK and maybe the '09 might see some of those improvements. Time will tell.

Long story short, though, you are the best judge of what works for you.

 

[jeepmedic46]

I'd stay with a Kj myself

 

[mkaresh]

I guess I should clarify: I found the blog post very entertaining, and a unique perspective.

But would I expect it to inform someone else's purchasing decision? No.

Last line of gimme liberty's previous post is the true bottom line.

 

[Kevin]

I figured I'd update you guys. Ultimately I ended up in a... 2008 Nissan Xterra.

Let the flame wars begin, ha!

 

[Marlon_JB2]

I figured I'd update you guys. Ultimately I ended up in a... 2008 Nissan Xterra.

Let the flame wars begin, ha!

WHAT?!?!?

lol

Tell us more.