Considering a Jeep Wrangler

[johnnie]

Anyone have one or had one before? Is it a decent vehicle? Should I look at something else? Just thought I would ask for some opinions here....thanks.

[Dookus]

1. Depends what you want it for

I think they're really cute, but they're definitely not comfortable. If you're gonna spend any appreciable amount of time in it on a daily basis, you may want something a little less "rickety". It's a very bumpy ride.

[johnnie]

7. Thanks Dookus...

I've ridden in them, but never drove one. I did have an S10 for a while, and that seemed to jump around quite a bit. Thanks for your input.

[mstrsplinter326]

2. Major knocks against Wranglers:

Inflated price, for whatever reason(s) Jeeps sell for more than their worth - not that they're bad cars.

Ride, already mentioned.

Gas consumption.

Engine noise, sound like a Mack Truck accelerating up-hill during many normal situations.

Convertable and/or hard tops are obtuse, pourous, especially on older models. (very cold in winter)

Interior doesn't match up to engine quality.

*****But, I love these cars. They are so much fun to drive, especially in the summer. You can do anything you want to that car. Everything comes off! EVERYTHING! Try it out (You can take the windshield off pretty easily if you are, for some reason, interested). And they resell for high prices as well, even if older.

[johnnie]

8. Thanks mstrsplinter326

The price does seem a bit steep, but then again...it seems a lot of different vehicles I have looked at seem over priced.
The Gas consumption seems to be one of my main worries.
Thank you...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. A mechanic's opinion

My husband works as a mechanic for a Dodge dealership. Here's his 2 cents.

He doesn't have a very good opinion of Jeep Wranglers because they are overpriced. If you want one, tell him the model and he'll go through the service bulletins and look for recalls and known service problems.

Old Wranglers, on the other hand, are better, especially if you go back a few years.

[johnnie]

9. Thanks ayeshahaqqiqa

That was the first time I ever typed those letter in that order.
I appreciate you and your husbands input. I was thinking of seeing if there were some older models on the lot.

[shanti]

15. oh, a dodge person!

i have a question for your husband. i'm planning to buy a 2004/2005 caravan. is this a good idea?

[mike_c]

4. I'll offer a strong endorsement for a Cherokee....

I've never owned a Wrangler, so I can't comment. But I have a '98 Cherokee driven 140,000 miles to date. We've lived out of the back of it for months at a time in Baja several times (WAY off the peninsular highway, I might add), driven it all over the Northern California mountains, and it's been utterly dependable. At least after I threw away the cheap tires that it came with and replaced them with light truck tires. We once stopped for directions in a rural valley in the Sierra de la Gigante and the guy we asked pointed back the way we had come and said "don't got that way-- it's impassable". We don't drive it off-road for thrills-- we drive to go to places where few other people go. It has NEVER failed us, and we've pushed it pretty hard.

[johnnie]

10. Thanks Mike_c

Well, at least that says something about the durability. I've looked at those, but it is a bit much for just me. My parents had one years ago, and that thing just kept going and going.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Find yourself an old CJ5

Get a REAL JEEP! :D

[johnnie]

11. Thanks nothingshocksmeanymore

LOL...well, if I had the cash for one...it would probably be pretty cool as a second vehicle. Thank you...

[tridim]

6. My friend had one

A 2002 I think. He sold it last year and made a point of telling everyone he knew that he would never, ever, never buy a Jeep again. I think his major beef was the repair costs, and that it broke down a lot.

[johnnie]

12. Thanks tridim

....Ouch. Well, something to think about.

[Old and In the Way]

13. Used to have a CJ-5, ragtop, no roll bar.

Had to have it. Glad to sell it. Too short a wheelbase and too high center of gravity.

[onebigbadwulf]

14. I had a soft top[

And I only liked driving it in summer.

I'd always get rained on and could NEVER get warm in winter....

AND I LIVED IN LA!!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

16. Jeeps are merde

I will be happy to sell you our Cherokee real cheap. I have owned three jeeps and the fact is that British sportscars are more reliable and easier to fix. If you have ever had the pleasure of working on a Triumph, you will appreciate how truely bad jeeps are. Lets just say that the only person I would wish one on is *.

[BigMcLargehuge]

17. I had an 89

Tow Truck Bait... Junk. Renault Transmission, GM Engine, lots of time waiting outside garages.

[Kadie]

18. A source to check out

for safety ratings.
http://www.iihs.org/

[Briarius]

19. I've got one and I love it

I haven't had too much problems with repairs. BTW mine's a 98. As far as the ride and interior, you have to remember what you're getting isn't a car. I personally like it cause it's comfortable for me as a tall person.