3.0 Willys buy or not-advice

[biodiesel]

Insane. I’ve heard when cared for diesels can last forever.

The EcoDiesel is a light duty engine, so it's not going to last forever, but it's a fun little workhorse. I change oil at 5,000-mile intervals. I have a small side business doing landscaping and fire mitigation.

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[FDA44]

Also, if I buy the 3.0 used, is there any considerations I should be verifying/requesting be done from the dealer? If I don’t pick up a new one I just want to ensure if it’s been sitting for a bit I’m not walking away with a problem in terms of maintenance/recalls I should’ve addressed prior to purchasing

 

[RoamingGladiator]

Also, if I buy the 3.0 used, is there any considerations I should be verifying/requesting be done from the dealer? If I don’t pick up a new one I just want to ensure if it’s been sitting for a bit I’m not walking away with a problem in terms of maintenance/recalls I should’ve addressed prior to purchasing

Make sure the HPFP recall is completed on it, I think if its after mid year 2023 it comes from the factory with the "new" pump. Ideally, you want one that has good maintenance records.

These EcoDiesels don't do well with poor maintenance... so better to get one that has good dealership records or if the previous seller kept very detailed records. I have an excel sheet where I track literally everything I do to the vehicle and at what KMs, I don't plan on selling the vehicle but if I ever need to hopefully it'll give the buyer some peace of mind that the vehicle has been extremely well kept.

 

[RoamingGladiator]

Great to know. It’s odd that most folks that have one love it but everything you read you worry if it’s going to be problematic. I’m hoping I can get one.

The majority of people you see complaining about an Ecodiesel fall into one of two categories.

1. They don't own an EcoDiesel and are just parroting what they read
2. They owned a 1st/2nd Gen and unfortunately dealt with a lot of issues

The 3rd Gen EcoDiesel is over 80% new design that allegedly has fixed the flaws from the first two generations, only time will tell if that's true or not. The CP4 Pump decision was kind of stupid but every brand is dealing with that so, not really fretting.

 

[biodiesel]

Also, if I buy the 3.0 used, is there any considerations I should be verifying/requesting be done from the dealer?

I paid $15,000 under MSRP on a new Gladiator EcoDiesel. That's hard to pass up. For that reason, I would be looking at new. If you do buy used, then I would consider an extended warranty. Even though mine was new, I increased the 3 year/36,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty to 7 years/100,000 (Mopar Maximum Care). The extended warranty only increased my payments by something like $19.00 per month.

The diesel has a 5 year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, so that's nice. 5 years seems like a long time, but it goes by fast.

 

[FDA44]

I paid $15,000 under MSRP on a new Gladiator EcoDiesel. That's hard to pass up. For that reason, I would be looking at new. If you do buy used, then I would consider an extended warranty. Even though mine was new, I increased the 3 year/36,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty to 7 years/100,000 (Mopar Maximum Care). The extended warranty only increased my payments by something like $19.00 per month.

The diesel has a 5 year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, so that's nice. 5 years seems like a long time, but it goes by fast.

that is the boat I’m in. 38-41ishK for slightly used or 46k for new.

 

[Rusty PW]

that is the boat I’m in. 38-41ishK for slightly used or 46k for new.

Think I would go new for that price difference. Unless the used one has all the options you want.

 

[FDA44]

Think I would go new for that price difference. Unless the used one has all the options you want.

Agreed. That is the plan. I also think by waiting a bit prices settled and in my case went the wrong way. A month or so ago there was that mad panic that the 23s weren’t going. I’m not sure inventory now but I have noticed some of the better deals 43500 was best I saw for a loaded eco is now pushing the 46k range as a low with most dealers at 50K+.

 

[ShawnwFL]

I have a Willys ecodiesel. I say go for it, I love mine. I have 34k on it and only issues have been the normal gladiator issues (dumbass start stop battery, rear axle seal leaking), nothing explicitly diesel related.

I take short trips (< 5 miles) all the time in mine, probably 75% of my driving, and have noticed no issues.

On the highway it shines though. Easily cruises at 75 in 8th and easily make passes, usually stays in 8th but sometimes drops to 7th. I got 31 mpg on my last trip to the keys.

you can throw 35s on there with no regear. The diesel doesn’t seem to even notice the larger tires. One poster said you’ll lose a couple mpg with 35s and I have not found that to be the case. I’ve got 12k miles of date with stock Willy’s tires and 14k miles of data with 315s, there is a 0.3 mpg difference.

oil change cost does suck though. Filter alone is $100. Expect to spend at least $200 every oil change (at the dealer anyway).

 

[FDA44]

I have a Willys ecodiesel. I say go for it, I love mine. I have 34k on it and only issues have been the normal gladiator issues (dumbass start stop battery, rear axle seal leaking), nothing explicitly diesel related.

I take short trips (< 5 miles) all the time in mine, probably 75% of my driving, and have noticed no issues.

On the highway it shines though. Easily cruises at 75 in 8th and easily make passes, usually stays in 8th but sometimes drops to 7th. I got 31 mpg on my last trip to the keys.

you can throw 35s on there with no regear. The diesel doesn’t seem to even notice the larger tires. One poster said you’ll lose a couple mpg with 35s and I have not found that to be the case. I’ve got 12k miles of date with stock Willy’s tires and 14k miles of data with 315s, there is a 0.3 mpg difference.

oil change cost does suck though. Filter alone is $100. Expect to spend at least $200 every oil change (at the dealer anyway).

Thanks. This along with everything from folks so far has been extremely helpful. I’m 100% going eco diesel. The torque, and not having to regear alone has me sold. MPG is icing on the cake. Now I just need to work a deal. There’s still a lot out there but prices rose since the Feb/March 20+% off. Still I feel there are deals to be had BUT the diesel is tougher as they are no longer offering.

 

[Jefe1018]

Think I would go new for that price difference. Unless the used one has all the options you want.

Or mods... sometimes that could save you thousands up thousands.

Not to say that I'd be looking to get back the thousands in mods I have into mine... but if I could have found one with thousands of dollars worth of mods I would have done anyways for only $3,000 less than a brand new one.. it would be food for thought for sure.

 

[Saltymedic]

I'm going out on a limb here, especially as a diesel owner, and I'm going to say the 3.6 may be your better choice. Given all the information you've provided the 3.6 would certainly be a more economical decision in the long run. In many discussions you'll read that I recommend the diesel but in your case I don't really see any reason that I should.

Edit: I didn't see that you're already going for it. Enjoy your new Eco-Diesel, I know I do!

 

[biodiesel]

oil change cost does suck though. Filter alone is $100. Expect to spend at least $200 every oil change (at the dealer anyway).

You can get the Mopar oil filters for as low as $54.95. [68507598AA]Mopar OEM oil filter. 2020+ Ram 1500/Jeep Wrangler JL with 3.0L Diesel (dieselfiltersonline.com)

And if you shop around, you can buy Pennzoil Platinum on sale for as cheap as $5.00 per quart.

 

[FDA44]

Just came across exact trim/color I want. Pre owned JT w 7k miles. 2021. Priced around 36k. I’m certainly considering it as it would run me at least another 10k to buy a new 23 which I don’t have at the moment. The warranty for the 23 is better though as that dealers offers what appears to be a lifetime power train. I’m sure I may be missing some fine print. Am I overthinking the preowned warranty issue or not? Ironically there is a 22 JL w higher miles for 37k. Decisions..

 

[biodiesel]

I’m certainly considering it as it would run me at least another 10k to buy a new 23 which I don’t have at the moment.

I'm concerned less about the total cost and more about the monthly payment. We just bought a new 2023 Gladiator. I was able to get the payments and extended warranty in the payment range that we wanted/needed. I think most people will tell you that my method for handling finances is poor, but I don't like to live paycheck to paycheck, so I get my payments as low as I can and leave plenty of money in the bank for emergencies. I can always pay the loan off sooner.

So, rather than looking at the total cost, maybe look at the monthly payments. I'd even look for a bank that offers an 8-year loan if that's what it took to get the payments in my comfortable range. Anyway, that's just a thought.

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