Planning on buying a Jeep Wrangler

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by epbrown

Yep, a re-do of the Scrambler they had for a while in the 80s, iirc; I always liked those but their rarity makes them pricey on the classic circuit.

The Wrangler is a love/hate vehicle, and the most-returned (sold within a year) vehicle sold in the US. People think they'll be fun, then discover they hate the lack of creature comforts. There's a used car dealer down the street from me and they always have a wide selection of 1-2 year old Wranglers.

While that may be true, look at resale value, particularly for the four door Unlimited models. Despite their debut in 2008, it's still hard to find one for under $20k.

Wranglers are cool because they are like 911s, they have evolved over the last 40 or so years and each new model is only slightly different. Just like the 911, you end up with the purists who think the last "real Jeep" was the CJ, or TJ, or JK, etc. They are also the most easily modified vehicle on God's green Earth. Ever look at a Quadratec catalog? It's a solid 2" thick, and they have a different one for each generation!

[red-beard]

I owned Cherokees for several years. I really like the look of the four door Wrangler. I just rented one last week, not impressed. Door latch is weird, doors don't close except for slamming. Window controls in center. A.C. is not strong. Seat doesn't adjust low enough. The step is useless, making entry/exit tough.

[VincentVega]

I like the current 2Dr hardtop as a 2nd car. Sounds like just what you are looking for. Great resale if it doesn't scratch the itch. Plans for the boxster? I keeping thinking about one.

[Dantilla]

When one drives a Jeep Wrangler, it must be driven appropriately.

[ckcarr]

Any other Jeep is not a Jeep. You can own a Renegade, a Grand Cherokee, A Compass, a Wagoneer, a Commander, J-10 Pickup or any other model ever made. None of those are like Wrangler ownership. A Wrangler is unique. You own it, you'll develop some kind of emotion toward it. Put money into it, or leave stock. Top on, top off. Doors on, doors off. Or, let the soccer mom drive it.

It's sort of like Harley ownership. You end up loving them or hating them. Or loving to hate them but not giving them up.

However, as has been said, every significant change makes it better and better. The new JL is an awesome, but expensive machine, although you don't have to buy a Rubicon. Lots of choices and configurations that are much more affordable. Go to the Jeep site and build one.

Don't kid yourself though as it's not going to be a BMW X series, or a Porsche Cayenne. Or a GMC Sierra or F-150 modern luxury pickup truck. It's a Wrangler.

I'll always have a Wrangler.. But I live where I can use it.

[RZG77]

I’ve owned two, a loaded Rubicon and a basic model, I still have the basic one. My wife is driving it now but we plan on keeping it in the garage when we get her a new vehicle. I have both hard and soft tops for it, hard top only for the winter. If you plan on any mods then stay with a cheap one, I paid around 30k for mine.
Don’t order the hitch if you can ($400) you can buy the same for less then $150 and put it on in 30 min.

[MMARSH]

I really love mine. Bought it to pull behind the motorhome last summer, but now its my daily driver. besides the gas mileage, there's not to much i don't like about it. love pulling the tops and hitting the trails with it

[cantdrv55]

Here’s mine. No, it’s not a 4 door but it’s paid off and it’s a TJ with the bulletproof 4.0 liter and 5 speed. Future classic.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My oldest son is 14 and wants a Jeep for his first car. I thinking about buying a TJ now so I can enjoy it, working on it as a father/son project, then giving it to him when he turns 16.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

Any other Jeep is not a Jeep. You can own a Renegade, a Grand Cherokee, A Compass, a Wagoneer, a Commander, J-10 Pickup or any other model ever made. None of those are like Wrangler ownership. A Wrangler is unique. You own it, you'll develop some kind of emotion toward it. Put money into it, or leave stock. Top on, top off. Doors on, doors off. Or, let the soccer mom drive it.

It's sort of like Harley ownership. You end up loving them or hating them. Or loving to hate them but not giving them up.

However, as has been said, every significant change makes it better and better. The new JL is an awesome, but expensive machine, although you don't have to buy a Rubicon. Lots of choices and configurations that are much more affordable. Go to the Jeep site and build one.

Don't kid yourself though as it's not going to be a BMW X series, or a Porsche Cayenne. Or a GMC Sierra or F-150 modern luxury pickup truck. It's a Wrangler.

I'll always have a Wrangler.. But I live where I can use it.

My wife and I had a 1985 Jeep CJ7, and most people would argue that it was one of the last years of the "REAL" Jeeps. Extra heavy duty suspensions, spartan flat dash, no sound insulation, and axles as thick as my calves.

[rfuerst911sc]

Back in the day our family went through the Jeep phase . My dad had a 1960 or so CJ5 with 5.38 axles and an anemic 4 banger . But put that in 4 X 4 low range and with that gearing it would climb a tree ! My brother had a 1964 CJ5 also a 4 banger but his had the metal hard top . My first was a 1973 CJ5 with a 258 six and 3 speed on the floor that was a good one . Eventually that was replaced by a 1980 CJ5 that I purchased new , that was a POS ! Very anemic and problem plagued vehicle .

Got rid of that and bought a 1976 CJ7 with the 304 V8 and Quadra Trac full time 4 wheel drive and 3 speed automatic . This Jeep I went full on nuts with , replacing the tub , windshield frame , front fenders and hood all with fiberglass pieces . Added a factory hardtop and painted it hugger orange she was a beast . Much lighter than factory with all the glass pieces and that 304 would scoot right along . It was an off road machine not much would stop her . Eventually the family got bigger and it had to go I do sometimes miss them .

[onewhippedpuppy]

While I’ve had some cool cars, the Jeeps are what my kids have enjoyed. Here’s vacation in 2017.

[wswartzwel]

ckcarr pretty much nailed it... Jeep ownership is just right for some people. They are fun.










(This is a natural creek crossing on a country unimproved road... not randomly driving through creek)





I have had sports cars, and all types of motorcycles... Jeeps are just plain fun... if you aren't in a hurry. Don't mind a little rougher ride, and aren't worried about fuel economy.

[vash]

damn..my 2nd and favorite car was a CJ7., that thing got me into places i should have perished.

one time i lost my brother in the desert. he was carrying as much water as i was..zero. (we were idiots, i know). i miraculously found my jeep. but only after we got separated. i put it into four low and simply started crisscrossing the desert. how i didnt roll or get that thing stuck was unknown. i found him down a steep ravine. the look on his face was priceless, 1. he knew he was saved, and 2. he was shocked at the crap i was driving thru.

i did not tread lightly. i had to find my brother.

if i didnt have the retarded CA smog nuttiness, i would find myself a 1984 Cj7 and relive that vehicle. i would put that new tiny duramax diesel retrofit into it..ASAP!

[Steve Carlton]

My brother's best friend's family had a CJ-7 at their Tahoe house with 1,200 miles on it when it got stolen. By the time it was recovered, the insurance had already paid off. My brother tracked down the sale of it to a local wrecking yard and when we called we were told it was stripped and the interior was gone. We went anyway and it was in perfect shape. Started it up and it ran terrible. I looked at the firing order and the plug wires were switched. Switched them back and it purred like a kitten. My brother's bid beat the wrecking yard by $100 and he got it!

[Dantilla]

I'm on my third Wrangler. First one was the early leaf- spring version with square headlights that I bought from an insurance auction after it had been tipped up on its side. Perfect for beating around the woods.

Second was a '97 TJ. Coil springs are far more capable, both on road and off.

Currently have a TJ Rubicon. 4:10 axles and lockers front and rear make it nearly unstoppable, even with just a mild lift and 33" tires.

All have one thing in common: Nothing better than Summer with the top and doors off.

[dmcummins]

Picked it up today. Ended up buying used, 2017 with 2500 miles. Probably going to lose the chrome stuff, I’ll decide later.

[wswartzwel]

Nice! Enjoy it.

[cantdrv55]

Don’t forget the Jeep wave! Have fun.

[MT930]

Love mine would not want to take it on a long road trip. The value retention is excellent.
Tops & doors off in the summer. The kids and I take it on adventures all summer.