Jeep Wrangler experiences

[jhynesrockmtn]

Just got back from Hawaii and they gave us a 4 door wrangler because our car wasn't ready. I hated every bit of it except the one day we need 4*4 to get down to one of the beaches/valleys we wanted to see. Poor ride, poor quality interior, terrible mileage, uncomfortable seats. On pavement the thing wandered terribly all over the place. I'm assuming some of the ride issues could be addressed through aftermarket suspension components but unless you need the off road capability frequently I would steer clear. At a minimum like others have said rent one for a few days.

[onewhippedpuppy]

A good friend has a 2011 model, it rides like a real truck or SUV, no better or worse. I would happily consider one as a daily driver. The interior, powertrain, and ride quality have all been addressed for 2012, supposedly it's a major improvement. He spends the summers with the doors off as well as various hardtop roof panels, can't do that with a new Land Rover or FJ Cruiser. Take it for an extended drive, you'll either love it or hate it.

[RWebb]

how about a new Grand Cherokee? has some MB DNA in it which might overcome your auto trns. aversion

what type of driving exactly are you planning in it? just need gnd. clearance & some traction?

VW Syncro Vanagon?

[JavaBrewer]

If true that the '12 models have been substantially updated then this is potentially worthless.

We rented a 4 door '11 Wrangler in Maui. For a change of pace it was really fun especially with the huge removable roof panels. It had 7K miles on the odo and was pretty rattle/squeak free though the brakes had a bad vibration at higher speeds. IMO as a weekend around town car great but it would grow old real fast if I were in it daily or long distance. MPG was horrible - as expected - but to it's credit better than the wife's Land Rover.

[jurhip]

@ Drdogface - HA! We are actually going to order your exact Wrangler.

I understand every car rides better than a Wrangler. But personally, I don't mind it. I think it is akin to those that get in your old Porsche and you can just see the disappointment in their eyes given the interiors lack of comfort, noise, relatively slow (by modern standards), etc.

I am going to rent one, but personally, I am very tolerant of cars "faults". I am not tolerant of a boring car.

Mainly, I just wanted to hear people experiences with them that have them (for the record we will be getting the 2012 model)

[jurhip]

Originally Posted by pavulon

You're aware that outback XT's and forester XT's (both turbo 4's) could be had with a manual transmission, right?

I would agree that the wrangler isn't a boring drive...mostly because you're so busy steering the thing constantly as it wanders all over the road...especially in a cross-wind. That's not my idea of fun.

New Outback's are not available in with manual in anything one would call a "fun" engine (all NA 2.5l 170 hp). Sad but true. Seems like Subaru is taking notes from Toyota lately and phasing out "fun" vehicles that are still practical.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I'm assuming some of the ride issues could be addressed through aftermarket suspension components....

Jeep suspension modifications head the other way- more capability off road, which makes them even worse highway vehicles.

In Jeepdom, the higher/more modified Jeep has serious bonus points over a stock one. Drivers of stock Wranglers bow their head in shame when someone like stogie25 drives by.

Yes, my wife's Jeep has been lifted! Gotta toss those whimpy factory tires and put on some serious meat, doncha know!

I think Jeeps are the only vehichle that is modded more than Porsches. Buying a new Wrangler is merely the "Starter kit". Driving a stock Jeep on public roads is like forgetting to get dressed before leaving the house.

[pavulon]

If you're gonna do it, maybe find one that someone already stuck a V8 into. That could make it an entertaining daily driver.
Burnsville Offroad Jeep JK Hemi Conversions

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by jurhip

New Outback's are not available in with manual in anything one would call a "fun" engine (all NA 2.5l 170 hp). Sad but true. Seems like Subaru is taking notes from Toyota lately and phasing out "fun" vehicles that are still practical.

That's correct but the new outbacks are REALLY big, homely and they appear to be pretty heavy. The new foresters look as though they were left in the oven too long. Everyone is different but I'm fine with letting someone else take a big depreciation hit.

[jurhip]

pavulon,
i'd love to get a used 2012 wrangler, but our requirements really slim down the field (try finding a manual Rubicon 2dr in Crush - color in a Wrangler is important to the wife so this matters. It is actually her car. She like the "ride" and the trucklike stick). Plus, used cars are very overpriced. I'd rather pay 5k more for a car that is completely new and exactly the way I want it.

In all honesty, the Wrangler is not a great highway vehicle, but neither is my 914, a daily driver for over 4 years.

[pavulon]

If specificity is fore-most and it needs to be bought quickly, purchase options approach nil. Good luck and let us know how it goes for the long haul!

[89911]

I drove one when on vacation skiing. I am not sure what engine it had but it was fairly underpowered . It drove and handled ok. Not much room to haul skis and equipment without putting the rear seats down. Did fine in the snow.

[porsche4life]

My mom had a '95 hardtop 6cyl 5spd... Great ride around town, but she hated it on the highway, and it sucked on ice. She looped it and put in the ditch one time, not sure how it didn't roll. We would have kept it if we had needed an offroader, but we didn't so it was sold and she got a bug....

[Hawktel]

"The Jeep is the only true American sports car"


I loved my 91 YJ. Looking for another jeep now.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Porsches are the best thing on pavement.
Jeeps are the best thing off pavement.
...

Porsche- To low to get in and out of easily, rides way too rough.
Jeep- To high to get in and out of easily, rides too rough.
...

Well, as Porsches go, my Cayenne has adjustable ride height, and adjustable damping (shocks). ...and I'm fairly certain that an OE Cayenne would leave an OE Wrangler on or off the road.

I'll add that I really didn't want to like the Cayenne, but there it is, now sitting next to the 911.

[speeder]

People love their jeeps for reasons that cannot always be quantified. A guy that I'm doing some work for at the moment has a new 4-door Wrangler that is heavily modified by some outfit in Texas. Kevlar coating on the body, big wheels and lights everywhere + a cool rack on top, the works. Must have cost a fortune.

I rode in it yesterday and took some pics but I haven't yet figured out how to post pics from my iPhone to this board. It really is cool if you're a Jeep lover. They have amazing resale and a following that just doesn't care about their objective shortcomings.

I should add that this guy is really successful and has a choice of rigs to drive including a modded C63 Benz but he loves this Jeep. He's a French Morrocan guy who loves all things American, especially cars. He just bought a really nice '68 Mustang Bullitt clone that he was telling me about.

So I guess the point is that like old 911s, you can't judge these vehicles purely by their purposefulness.

[azasadny]

This was my father's Rubicon. Had had it for a few years (post divorce car), then sold it for almost what he paid for it. The Jeep was in "like new" condition with extra soft and hard tops. He had fun with it, but for an "over 70 year old guy", it was too hard, and he also had a Ford Expedition, so he sold the Jeep and he now drives a Ford Fusion.

There was a bidding war going on when he sold the Jeep in 2008 and several guys really wanted it and he sold it in less than a week on Craigslist...

[Drdogface]

Great looking Jeep !

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by island911

Well, as Porsches go, my Cayenne has adjustable ride height, and adjustable damping (shocks). ...and I'm fairly certain that an OE Cayenne would leave an OE Wrangler on or off the road.

I'll add that I really didn't want to like the Cayenne, but there it is, now sitting next to the 911.

On road the Cayenne will hand any Jeep its ass, that's hard to argue. But I seriously doubt it can keep up in true off-road rock crawling. For true off-road you can't beat solid axles, armor, big aggressive tires, large approach angles, and locking front/rear/center differentials. There's a reason why competitive rock-crawling buggies use that formula, and it's how a Rubicon comes stock. IFS/IRS just cannot provide the same amount of articulation, no matter how many computers control suspension and traction.

With that said, most Jeep owners don't actually use their Rubicon on the Rubicon. In reality I'm sure a Cayenne would actually be more practical, but the Wrangler does have a unique rugged appeal.

[Dantilla]

Another big advantage of the Wrangler over the Pepper-wagon: The top comes off!

When off roading, I don't see any Cayennes out in the woods, nor any Hummers- Too wide.
The Jeeps will squeeze thought pretty tiny gaps in the trees. With the top and doors off, the driver can see three of the tires- Both driver's side by leaning out the door, the right rear by using the rear-view mirror, leaving only the right front unable to see for exact tire placement on difficult terrain.

I know Hummers are seen off road in wide open desert areas, just not in the thick forest.