Jeep Wrangler

camaro mark · August 4, 2008

Of course it is not a GM but my wife and I test drove a 4 door wrangler sahara this weekend. She is looking for something to tool around in instead of our GMC Yukon. Of course I know the jeep is smaller and I was a little disappointed fuel milage wasn't better (15/19 mpg) but overall it wasn't bad. I know nothing about jeeps as I have always driven GM products. It has a 3.8 motor in it with 202 hp.

We aren't looking to dump the Yukon because of gas (well that doesn't help) but it is really more than the 2 of us need. I also know we will take a hit on trade it but it is almost paid off so I am not too worried about that.

Just curious if anyone has had good or bad experiences with jeeps?

ColoradoSkiCountry · August 4, 2008

I've owned 3 Jeeps in my life:

1. 1989 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2 Door 4WD 5-Speed with the 4.0- BULLETPROOF! Best 4X4 I have ever had. I loved this Jeep!!!

2. 1989 Jeep Wrangler 5-Speed with the 4.2L Carter Carbed I-6 - Had electrical problems, kept going thru alternators, but finally got that fixed, had 189,000 miles on her when I sold her. Loved it!! Great vehicle.

3. 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L Limited AWD- 5.2L Engine was bulletproof, hated the fact that it was AWD, had alot of oil leaks, which cost $1100 to get them all fixed, had about 150,000 miles on her when I got rid of her. Not too bad of a vehicle.

Would I own another Jeep? Yes, so long as it had the 4.0L in there. Don't know enough about the 3.7L or whatever replaced the 4.0 to give an honest opinion on the newer engines. Just remember that Jeeps are not built for fuel economy.

Go Anywhere, Do Anything, only in a Jeep.

95Sierra2500 · August 4, 2008

It depends on what you're after. A Jeep Wrangler doesn't really have much for storage/hauling space inside unless you remove the rear seat. However, for just cruising around or even hard-core off-roading, it's hard to beat the vehicle designed for it and doing it since WWII. The mileage isn't that great, but then again, you're driving a brick with probably no better than 3.73's. Some 3.08's would be okay for highway gears, but you lose some of the off-road capability.

Other than that, if you get the 2.2 or the 4.0, you've got a rock-solid vehicle. I doubt you'll be disappointed if you're just going to tool around in it.

geektoad · August 4, 2008

My personal opinion is go for a used TJ Wrangler (97-06) rather than the the JK (07-09). You'll save a BUNCH of money and get a vehicle that's bullet proof. I just sold my 2001 TJ and i'm still not sure i should have. If you want extra space, get an 04-06 Unlimited it's not 4 door, but it does have the longer wheelbase so you have more room than a normal TJ. I'm sure the new JKs are good vehicles, but they're just getting too far away from what the wranglers we supposed to be. The resale on a new wrangler isn't going to be great either if you decide after a short period that it's not the vehicle for you, whereas a TJ you will probably be able to sell it for near what you buy it for if you don't put a ton of miles on it. That's my two cents.

camaro mark · August 4, 2008

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

Zembonez · August 4, 2008

If you buy a Wrangler, make sure you buy an 06 or older with the 4.0 Six. That Chrysler V6 is a total gutless POS with the reliability of a Chrysler V6 to boot. Only thing is they didn't come in 4 door until 07. I'd try to find a Rubicon package if possible. Better axles and a few other goodies.

Don't expect good mileage though. Most stock Wranglers get something like 13-17 mpg and lifted ones with bigger rubber lose about 3 mpg from that. Certainly not an economy move.

REAL Jeeps (pre 07) are pretty darn reliable mechanically. The 4.0 - AT combo is darn near bulletproof. (That is the combo in my Cherokee) You have to be a Jeep guy though... and you either ARE or ARE NOT. There is not much middle ground on that.

geektoad · August 4, 2008

If you buy a Wrangler, make sure you buy an 06 or older with the 4.0 Six. That Chrysler V6 is a total gutless POS with the reliability of a Chrysler V6 to boot. Only thing is they didn't come in 4 door until 07. I'd try to find a Rubicon package if possible. Better axles and a few other goodies.

Don't expect good mileage though. Most stock Wranglers get something like 13-17 mpg and lifted ones with bigger rubber lose about 3 mpg from that. Certainly not an economy move.

REAL Jeeps (pre 07) are pretty darn reliable mechanically. The 4.0 - AT combo is darn near bulletproof. (That is the combo in my Cherokee) You have to be a Jeep guy though... and you either ARE or ARE NOT. There is not much middle ground on that.

Agree fully. It's a different experience. As one of my sigs used to say: My Jeep is not an SUV and you SUV is not a Jeep.

silverad03 · August 4, 2008

I test drove a 2006 Rubicon before I ended up with my Silverado. When it was all said and done, I didn't go for the Rubicon because it didn't get much better gas mileage than a Silvy and I couldn't haul hardly anything or anyone around with it. I was more interested in an all-around daily driver than a no-frills off-roader at that time so it wasn't the choice for me. I was also concerned about resale value trying to get rid of it later because many Chrysler products take big dumps on resale value, comparatively. Resale value aside, I've always thought a Wrangler would be a great camping/weekender/run-around vehicle (pre-2007 models) and I'd own one as a second vehicle (or third, after my 30-mpg daily driver these days) if I had the cash.

I have to say, I'm rather impressed with how Chrysler didn't completely foul up the Jeep until 2007; they kept similar and solid styling cues from the old CJs and stuck with the tried-and-true 4.0 for years. I knew when Chrysler bought the Jeep brand that there would come a day when Jeeps would be hideous and have lost sight of their purpose. The addition of the Liberty (worthless for off-road, I high-centered one on a curb in a parking lot once), Patriot and other lackluster vehicles under the Jeep name was the beginning. Now the new "JKs" are another step in that direction, imo. They've dropped the 4.0 in the Wrangler and gone to a Chrysler engine: I've never driven a Chrysler drivetrain that felt like it had any power to accelerate until you downshifted into first gear and floored it 5000 rpm - not traits you want in an off-roading engine (including their late-model marketing-gimmick "hemi" engines as well). I don't know how the new JK engine performs or lasts, but I don't have high hopes based upon Chrysler's track record. Also, the new JK appears noticeably wider, which sacrifices trail maneuverability (and why? for soccer mom stability? pfffft). And, since when is it a sound styling concept to replace a shaped metal body panel with a huge, awkward, flat chunk of plastic?? Leave it to Chrysler - I notice they've also taken this approach to dually fenders on the Dodge trucks, brilliant. How many years will it take them to dissolve the Jeep brand and convert the Wrangler into just a different size box with the same grille and other styling cues like every other vehicle in their lineup?

Ok, rant over ...and now back to the regular-scheduled topic, already in progress...