I have been following and looking at Carvana's site for about two years. I finally pulled the trigger and I couldn't be happier.
I have bought cars sight unseen on eBay before, in person via Craigslist, used car dealerships, new car dealerships, etc. I can't really find a single thing that a non-Jeep dealer would have caught, and that's if it was even caught at a Jeep dealership. The soft top was put up improperly, I fixed it within 10 minutes (this is my 4th Wrangler since 2010). There was definitely some mud and water inside the jeep at some point, and things like the emergency jack and lug wrench were rusted horribly and completely unusable, but they were a useless dead weight on the Wranglers in the first place.
Ok, so the 2015 JKUR (JK Unlimited Rubicon) was $36k and change out the door with 22k miles on it. Its original sticker was $42,500. It had a newer aftermarket Bestop soft top, which is a nice upgrade, heated seats with cloth interior, which is actually quite rare (didn't want leather), 4.10 gears, which were an option in 2015, Nav, Sat, HDD 730n factory head unit, Alpine upgrade sound system, and remote start among other things. This was an oddly perfectly equipped model that would have cost $50k to buy a new 2017 and $52,500 for a new 2018. All things considered, it was in expected condition. If it hadn't been dirty or wet at some point in 3 years, I would actually be curious why, LOL.
Similarly, buying a basic BMW 325i or similar daily commute vehicle like a Honda Civic for the younger crowd, you expect the usual chips and nearly invisible (from 5 feet) dings and "scratches" in the clear coat, basic surface rust on exposed unpainted metal bits, etc. If I was insisting on perfection, I would have spent the money on new, LOL.
The bad that I knew about before delivery and had no issue at all with.
- Mismatched tire brands with similar tread pattern and same size 2 matching pairs front and back.
- Soft top oddly crooked, it was a twisted and looped strap on the top frame and incorrectly zipped/velcro'd window.
- Fuel door broken/beat up (dumb dealer installed/aftermarket option).
- Rusty bolts, skid plates, and such from living in the snow/salt belt part of its life.
What I found after delivery:
- Door removal bolts were in their holder in the rear, meaning they weren't securing the doors on the Jeep, LOL. Ehh 10 minutes, some anti seize, and a t50 torx driver and they are back where they go.
- Plastic stick on rocker "guards" looked way better in the pictures, so I removed them carefully to inspect the rockers for damage, none found aside from some paint scuffs from a prior owner's boots. To be expected honestly. The guards have stayed off as they only accelerate rust on the rockers.
- One rock rash scratch on the passenger side rear shock absorber tube with some rather heavy rust on it, no worries it’s all getting replaced anyway when the Jeep gets a 4" lift down the road.
- As stated above, there was some mud and water inside the Jeep at some point, and things like the emergency jack and lug wrench were rusty and unusable, but the compartment and so on throughout the Jeep's interior and exterior have nothing more than a light coating of surface rust/oxidation on bare metal and no actual "rust" per any sane person's definition. Literally, nothing out of the ordinary, and no rash from offroading hold some fender scuffs and light "forest pinstriping" of a few areas. It has likely seen about 100 miles of light/moderate offroading and mud compared to its stock capabilities, which are much higher than it was seemingly subjected to. Just for reference, two days in Ocala National Forest will get you 100 miles of offroading to this extent.
- Two wheels damaged during what I am assuming was a removal of wheel locks that the prior owner likely didn't include the key for. This is my only legitimate actual complaint/disappointment all in all. While I will be replacing the factory wheels, it detracts from the resale price by about $300 with them being damaged.
- I do think their detailing leaves a lot to be desired but is better than most; there is carpet torn around the seat brackets, likely from removal on the trail to get to the drain plugs, dirt still under the carpet here and there, mud/water stains on the sides of the seats from wheeling with the doors off, etc. It can all be rectified with a little time and minor money for dish soap and some water, maybe a new interior brush since mine is old and falling apart, LOL.
The engine is well cared for; already had a bore scope down each cylinder, oil checked and filter inspected, no valve tap, which is a common issue with the 2012-15 model year 3.6l. The alternator is clean, airbox clean, transmission fluid clean, and not burnt, coolant clean and properly filled (overflow tank bracket cracked but fine after being epoxied).
All and all, it's likely in the top five used vehicles I have purchased from Fords, VWs, Subarus, Minis, Jeeps and the other 40 vehicles I have owned in the past 15 years, both new and used, cheapest being $8k most expensive $70k. The entire experience has been better than the last two brand new cars I purchased and still own (2018 Civic Si and 2017 Dodge Durango). Here in Florida, the dealers are absolute garbage and most, if not all but two in the Orlando area want sticker plus $700-$1k in base dealer fees not including tax, title, license, paperwork, and preparation fees all totaling over $1000 minimum at the least expensive dealerships. I drove three hours out and three hours back to get the Honda Civic Si and still paid $700 in dealer fees, full msrp, and they tried (and failed, while including them anyway) to force me to buy the dealer installed options totaling $799 that I didn't ask for when the deal was made over the phone prior. That was the least expensive dealership option by $580.
If somehow you find fault with Carvana just remember you only get what you give. If you are looking for perfection, buy new. If you want convenience, fair upfront pricing and honest delivery/salesmen/saleswomen with ZERO stress, this is the place to go. If you want a perfect specimen for cheap, you will waste more time than it is worth trying to find it, these are USED cars, just buy a new car and pay the premium for perfect like myself and many others do all the time.
Also, I have only had this Jeep in my possession for eight hours, and I will have it looking showroom worthy in another six hours including painting the entire underside (it helps to have a vehicle lift at home).
I can't stress enough that I will certainly be back to Carvana within 12 months for another fun toy delivered to my door!
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
