Why are Jeeps Expensive to Maintain?

February 17, 2022

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Let’s face it, that mud-covered kid inside of us really wants an equally mud-covered Jeep Wrangler.

If you thought off-road as a kid, you thought Jeep, and many of us have never shaken that resemblance well into adulthood. Leaving people often wondering, “are Jeeps expensive to maintain” and mostly, “why are Jeep Wranglers so expensive?”

Part of the answer is simple: supply and demand. Jeep knows they have an icon on their hands that people will line up for, and they will use it to their advantage. But these cars are also durable, reliable, and very fun to drive.

This article will walk you through some of the most popular Jeep models, favorite used Jeeps according to people who enjoy them, and the cost of Jeep maintenance with insurance.

What are the Most Popular Jeep Models?

how expensive are jeeps to maintain

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Jeep has several great models available, with the Jeep Wrangler knocking the ball out of the park when it comes to popularity. The Wrangler has a strong engine and, like many other Jeeps, offers you a four-wheel drive to go off-road while still coming with a decent price tag.

Another popular model is the Grand Cherokee, which provides an elegant interior design. It is one of the best-looking cars out there, but it’s also very expensive to maintain! On top of that, its fuel economy is abysmal compared to most other SUVs.

The Jeep Compass is also a fan favorite and known to be a reliable and compact SUV. The compact crossover doesn’t have the best fuel economy but makes up for it with excellent handling and acceleration paired with outstanding off-road capabilities.

Jeep Compass on a rocky road

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The most expensive Jeep out there is worth a mention too. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk sets you back $87,000 but packs a whopping 707 horsepower while still providing impressive 4×4 offroad capabilities. This means this machine will take you 0 to 60 in as little as 3.5 seconds on any surface you want.

And the Wrangler Rubicon 392 comes in as the second most expensive Jeep ever made. But for around $70K, you do get an excellent and stupidly fast V-8-powered off-road monster.

Are Jeeps Expensive to Maintain?

are jeeps expensive to fix

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Jeeps are a blast to drive and are reliable off-road vehicles. But if you find yourself thinking, “are Jeeps expensive to maintain?” The answer is, sadly, yes.

Jeeps are expensive to maintain because most of them are heavy and equipped with powerful engines. They are also often taken off the beaten track, making them more vulnerable to breaking down.

Finding a good mechanic who specializes in Jeep repairs is also tricky. Most independent mechanics are not familiar with the way these vehicles are configured; thus, they are unable to give quick fixes when it comes to maintaining them. This means that you have to find a good mechanic and stick with them if you want your car to run smoothly for a long time.

are jeeps expensive to maintain

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Suppose you find a mechanic specializing in Jeep repairs. In that case, they often get away with charging a higher hourly fee than your average mechanic because they know Jeeps are expensive to maintain. Jeep owners usually prefer an expert that can help faster than the average mechanic.

Another reason why Jeeps are expensive to maintain is the spare parts. They can be challenging to get your hands on, which means you might be shelling out a lot of cash for even a minor repair job. In addition, unless you have a Jeep expert with a vast collection of parts on hand, you may have to order parts from other shops or even other states, as some parts, especially for older models, can be tricky to find locally.

Jeeps are expensive to maintain, but the good news is there are several things you can do to keep your Jeep from breaking down too often. And this is practicing preventive maintenance. This means that you have to change your oil and filters at the right time and get rid of any leaks in the cooling system as soon as possible while keeping it in the best possible condition.

Are Jeeps Good to Buy Used?

jeep throwing the water from a stream

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So we already know that Jeeps are expensive to maintain, but what about buying them used to save a little money?

If you are looking for a used Jeep, be sure to do your research first. Make sure to find out how much it will cost to maintain the car, including things like oil changes, tune-ups, and repairs. You don’t want to end up paying more for the vehicle in the long run than you would have if you had bought it new.

Also, be sure to check the Jeep’s history. Get the VIN number and run a CARFAX report to see if it’s been in any accidents or has any other mechanical issues, especially since Jeeps are often thrown off-road and can have some hidden damage.

are jeeps expensive to maintain

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Because Jeeps are already expensive to maintain, you don’t want to buy a faulty one to add insult to injury. Finally, take it for a test drive before you buy it to make sure you’re happy with it. If you are satisfied, then congratulations! You are the proud owner of a Jeep.

Despite all their negative aspects and mainly the fact that Jeeps are expensive to maintain, they are still an excellent choice for people who enjoy spending time off-road.

This is because they can handle rough terrain well and put up with harsh driving conditions without requiring too much maintenance. The only thing you have to make sure of is that you buy a Jeep from a reputable dealer, as most of the used ones on sale are not in excellent condition.

Popular Jeeps to Buy Used:

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Score: 8.3/10
Reliability: 3/5
Avg price: $11,241 to $15,599

2015 Jeep Renegade

Score: 7.9/10
Reliability: 2.5/5
Avg price: $13,258 to $17,635

2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Score: 7.8/10
Reliability: 3/5
Avg price: $6,534 to $18,373

2011 Jeep Compass

Score: 7.6/10
Reliability: 2.5/5
Avg price: $18,438 to $27,687

2018 Jeep Cherokee

Score: 7.4/10
Reliability: 2.5/5
Avg price: $18,438 to $27,687

2015 Jeep Wrangler

Score: 7.4/10
Reliability: 3/5
Avg price: $19,614 to $33,119

2018 Jeep Compass

Score: 7.2/10
Reliability: 2.5/5
Avg price: $17,178 to $23,046

2018 Jeep Wrangler

Score: 7.2/10
Reliability: 2.5/5
Avg price: $19,241 to $18,957

2010 Jeep Liberty

Score: 7.2/10
Reliability: 4/5
Avg price: $6,750 to $8,290

2009 Jeep Patriot

Score: 7/10
Reliability: 3/5
Avg price: $4,309 to $5,792

2009 Jeep Commander

Score: 6.5/10
Reliability: 3/5
Avg price: $9,101 to $14,574

Source: cars.usnews.com

Jeep Insurance Costs

are jeeps expensive to maintain and insure

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Jeeps are often taken off-road, making them more vulnerable to breaking down and eventually adding to the Jeep maintenance bill. Another reason why Jeeps are expensive to maintain is that the insurance cost is high. This is because they are considered high-risk vehicles.

The average annual insurance costs for a Jeep Wrangler lie between $500 and $1700, depending on the coverage provided. Apart from the amount of coverage, there are several other factors that affect the insurance costs like crash rate stats and safety features of the specific model.

The price of parts is also considered when calculating your car insurance and if parts for your specific year and model are either more expensive or harder to find, your insurance may cost you more than you’d expect.

Other factors that your insurance will take into account when pricing your car insurance are the presence of anti-theft devices, automatic daytime running lights, rearview camera, electronic stability control, rear park assist, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and anti-lock brakes. As all of these features significantly decrease the risk of damage that you would need to contact your insurance company in the first place.

Geico, State Farm, and USAA are among the cheapest car insurances that provide full coverage for Jeeps for a reasonable average price of around $1100.

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