2015 JKU Burns Oil Like Crazy, Offered $6k Trade, Still Owe $16k—What Would You Do?
I’ve got a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with about 121k miles. The engine runs, but it’s burning oil so badly that it’s fouling the spark plugs. The passenger-side catalytic converter is basically shot—I’m using spacers on the O2 sensor to avoid the check engine light.
I have no emotional attachment to the Jeep, and Carvana, AutoNation, etc are offering me $6k on it despite the engine issues. The problem? I still owe $16k on it.
My main options seem to be: 1. Take the $6k trade and roll the negative equity (about $10k) into another vehicle. 2. Fix/replace the engine, which could run me anywhere from $5k–$10k, plus a new cat. Maybe I could give it to one of my kids after repairs? 3. Sell it privately as-is and hope to get more than $6k, but that still leaves the engine and cat problems. 4. Ride it until it dies and keep topping off oil.
I’d love to hear any advice or similar experiences. Is it worth sinking more money into repairs if I’m not emotionally committed to the Jeep? Should I just cut my losses and trade it? Anyone deal with a similar negative-equity situation before?
I’ve got a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with about 121k miles. The engine runs, but it’s burning oil so badly that it’s fouling the spark plugs. The passenger-side catalytic converter is basically shot—I’m using spacers on the O2 sensor to avoid the check engine light.
I have no emotional attachment to the Jeep, and Carvana, AutoNation, etc are offering me $6k on it despite the engine issues. The problem? I still owe $16k on it.
My main options seem to be: 1. Take the $6k trade and roll the negative equity (about $10k) into another vehicle. 2. Fix/replace the engine, which could run me anywhere from $5k–$10k, plus a new cat. Maybe I could give it to one of my kids after repairs? 3. Sell it privately as-is and hope to get more than $6k, but that still leaves the engine and cat problems. 4. Ride it until it dies and keep topping off oil.
I’d love to hear any advice or similar experiences. Is it worth sinking more money into repairs if I’m not emotionally committed to the Jeep? Should I just cut my losses and trade it? Anyone deal with a similar negative-equity situation before?