Just a couple of thoughts:
Drive both the JK and the JKU. I went in wanting a JK (it does look better). However, the ride quality of a longer wheelbase is so much smoother. The JK feels choppy and gets pushed around a lot by highway wind.
Get as stock a jeep as you can find. Never trust someone else's lift kit and who installed it. If it has one already, find a trusted shop to look it over well. Some of those things are installed poorly. Also, research Jeep death wobble a bit.
They are an absolute blast and a young person is going to love it and look past every fault (loud, slow, poor gas milage etc) and appreciate how fun they are.
Not sure when the arrival of the Ford Bronco will be, but you may see some increased Jeep inventory as people move into the new Broncos. I think it was going to start in Spring 2021 but chip shortages may have delayed it.