Wanting a Jeep...opinions ?

[Drdogface]

My DD for the past 11 years has been a Suby Outback and it's been a good car. I suspect it'll be good for another 150K miles but I find myself, again, lusting a bit for a Jeep Wrangler. I know I won't get the milage but it would be a lot more fun than the Suby and better in the winter snow. The Suby is low to the ground and at 67 I'm finding it harder to get in and out of.

Going to drive one today to see if they are as underpowered as I suspect.

Any opinions on them and perhaps which model is best for the price. I'm thinking about buying new as I usually do. I live in the Sierra foothills and don't drive long distances much except to the Bay Area a few times per year.

[mossguy]

My son recently got a new Patriot. The only negative I have noticed so far is the bulk and location of the "A" Pillar.

[craigster59]

Personally I'd go for the traditional 2 door rather than the 4.

[craigster59]

These guys might be worth checking out, oldest Jeep club in America.....
Auburn Jeep Club

[Rick V]

This was my DD for a few years, it ended up with 35's on it, I wish I could have kept it but a growing family didn't leave much room for a DD-playtoy. She spent as much time off road as she did going to work.

[red-beard]

My parents just rented one in San Diego, not sure of the model. They were quite surprised at the quality.

Why not rent one for a weekend.

[Drdogface]

Damn good idea, Red I did that with my Suby now that you mention it..

[Laneco]

The 2011 JK still has that ****ty 3.8 mini-van V6. That motor is a turd. It makes barely adequate power for the JK and offers rather poor fuel economy. Torque is acceptable, but certainly not overwhelming by any means.

If you hold off for the 2012, the new 3.6 offers something like another 70 hp and minor bump in torque, with better fuel economy. It will also come with a 5 speed auto instead of the current four speed auto. The 2012's should hit the showroom in September-ish. It would be worth the wait.

We've had two of the JK's (current body style wrangler). One as a two door, stick and one as a four door auto. I liked the stick, Steve hated it. We both loved the four door. Gearing is very long legged. Too long-legged. Either check the box for the shorter axle ratio or get the trailer tow (which comes with the shorter axle ratio).

The JK Wrangler is light years ahead of previous Wrangler's for box-stock off-road capability combined with on-road good manners. Surprisingly quiet, pleasant to drive, maneuverable, etc.

We would definately buy another one. Now if they would just quit pussing around and put the hemi in it from the factory!

p.s. - if pockets are a bit deeper, the Grand is a dang nice ride.

angela

[Dantilla]

My wife's daily driver is a lifted '05 Rubicon.

She absolutely loves it, especially in the Summer with the top and doors off.

The downsides are poor gas mileage, and a lack of storage space. Sorry, but the 4-door version is goofy.

Renting one is a good idea. While the off-road capabilities are amazing, they definately do not go down the paved road like a Porsche.

[Drdogface]

Thanks Angela,
Your writing style is fun to read Appreciate the tip on the 2012's. When I drive one today I'm pretty sure I'll feel the same about the underpowered 3.6. A Hemi...oh yeah !

I don't like the looks of the 4 door version at all and would not even consider it.

Edit: Love to rent one but having a bit of trouble finding a place to do so.

[masraum]

I've never gotten used to the look of the 4dr models. They just look off, but I can see how they would add some functionality and make them more useful.

[grendiers]

I imagine at 67, and no disrespect here, that your daily driving miles are minimal. Go to the Jeep dealer and take test drives on all the models that interest you. I, at 53, and am one who works 5 months a year, have a 1985 rust free Jeep Grand Wagoneer, with a more modern GM TBI fuel injection system I installed. My wife and I bought it in the SW a couple years ago, and drive it back and forth from NM to WI. Works great for our needs, two dogs, and our seasonal restaurant business.

I also have a rust free 1971 Jeep CJ5, and a fairly rust free 1995 Jeep Wrangler. The latter, I installed dana 44 axles from a grand wagoneer, detroit lockers front and rear, 4.10:1 low range gearset in the transfer case, replaced the puny 2.5L four banger with a 4.0L inline six from a '97 wrangler. Run 33" tires, and since we live in the southern NM mountains, both jeeps, and the GW, are great for mild four wheeling, and going to the grocery store. So, whatever floats your boat, don't forget the older jeeps, and I see that you have had a few.

But, on the newer models, I'd skip the Rubicon package, and go for the two-door sport model. Or whatever they're calling it these days. Or, find a cherry '91-'95 six cylinder wrangler, or the later '97- to whenever they got rid of the 4.0L motor, if you want something better on the highway. In any case, Jeeps are not the best, ride-wise, for lengthy daily drives, hence, my reason for the first line above.

[pwd72s]

I looked into buying a Jeep before I decided to go Mustang. Yeah, I know...all over the map, there. I also looked at the Nissan 370Z...too small.

Anyway, I test drove a 4 door Wrangler. Angela nailed it...just could NOT get past the gutless V-6. Also, the 4 door I drove was automatic...the gearbox "searched" wayyy too much for my taste.

Angela's report should weigh a lot when making your decision.

[Drdogface]

Well, just back from Auburn's dealership and I must agree, this current motor is gutless, at least on the interstate. Around the city streets it felt OK but get on the fwy and it's pitiful. I found the automatic more responsive to drive even though I'm used to a stick in my truck and P car. The seats were very comfortable which was very important. Bad seats and I'm outta here with out even starting it up. My wife liked them both. I did not even approach making any deals since the 2012 models will be on showroom floors in a month or so. The motor in the new ones will be about 80 hp more powerful and have a better auto tranny as Angela pointed out. I dunno about ordering one before they even hit the floor...could do but think I should wait to see how they are first. I can't imagine not liking the 2012 with that big of HP increase and better tranny.

My daily milage is more than one would think but most all of it is around the local area. I have a second home of sorts, down the road on a lake about 25 miles from town where I spend a lot of time loading for shoots and doing some leather, but I don't think that drive would be any problem at all....I found the ride to be very comfortable. The Dual Top option seems like the way to go since the hard top comes off in manageable pieces instead of needing a winch to remove the one piece one.

[Laneco]

Mark,

If you determine that the 2012 JK is the one you want, several of the colors are going to be made for one month only and then they will be dropped and some previously desirable colors will not be available at all (like Detonator Yellow). I think order banks opened in June, so there is definately time.

Remember, get that 3.73 not that wussy 3.21 - no mattter which transmission you pick. The 3.21 is just is about as useful as a tennis racket for a fish. We had a 3.21 with the six speed manual and good heavens, you had to go 70 to be above idle speed in sixth... That was with the small stock tires. When we got the second JK, with the auto and 3.73, it was fine even with the 33's on it.

If you want something real nice, check the option box for the remote start. We just LOVED that. Snow or ice on the ground. Walk up to the front room window, hit the remove start, wait until the Jeep thaws out, THEN leave - sweet!

This was Steve's 4 door (I know - they look weird to you - LOL!). Don't think I have any pics of the two door. This is the X, which is the bottom end one (we took the X decal off). This was bone stock before we put the lift and 33's on it. To pick up a little power on the turd-matic 3.8, we did a cat back exhaust, Gibson headers and revised intake. The stock exhaust manifolds did not even align to the ports on the heads... Absolutely pitful. PRobably picked up 20 or 25 horsepower when everything was done.

angela

[Laneco]

This was playing in the snow. The Jeep pushed in deep enough that the front license plate disappeared somewhere. Just kept digging itself out and going forward.

Jeeps rock. Now about that Hemi...

angela

[jeffgrant]

Some Jeeps even work well at the track.

We ran a track day last week and there was lots of rain and standing water. My job was to go and "clear off as much water as you can".

Mission accomplished.

[Drdogface]

Angela,

I am definitely jacked to get a 2012 and had read about the color availability from Jeep forum. I know many of you all will barf at this but I really like the Sahara Beige color ever since I had it on a Toy pickup back in the '80's. I'm also hot on the yellow but 2012 will not have that same yellow...they call it something like 'Bulldozer' or some such like Case brand heavy equip. My wife kinda gave me a funny look and reminded me that my P car is yellow. Yeah, so what ...no I didn't say that. So the yellow will change and the beige will disappear, as you said, after about a month.

I'm a bit goosey, as I said before, about ordering one w/o even seeing or driving it but I'm sure it'll be better than that sissy motor I drove today. Also not sure what kinda deal I could strike without one there. USAA has a buying service though and that's worked for me a few times. No haggle and you get it about $250 over invoice BUT you have to finance thru them. Not usually a problem. I've been with USAA for nearly 40 years. Damn, I'm old

If you, or anyone, has input on ordering and having one built, lemme know. The salesman touted proudly that if I did that my name would appear on the factory sticker...whoop d' doo. Oh well, I guess some people have egos that need stroking.

On some online forum was the rumor/suggestion that there may be choices of motors and even possibly a diesel. They discuss the Hemi but I think that won't happen...too bad. Even if they do offer a diesel it won't be available in the PRK. (don't get started, Mark) Thanks, BTW for the tip on remote start. I bet you like heated seats too. My Suby has them and I really got hooked.

I'll be waiting to see what really comes true on the colors and options but won't wait too long if I really want a special color.

[Drdogface]

This is allegedly a new color added to the line up for 2012:



I think I could like it . I am, after all, an SF Giants fan...but wifey did this

[LakeCleElum]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm........Grass Valley Calif.....Been there on a few m/c trips.....Flew on once on a private plane and had my buddies GF pull up in here SL 450 and take us to lunch..........Great 4WD country.......