looking for either really probably prefer 4 door but would go for 2 i dont really want to buy from a dealership but i would. whats the life on these things before they start giving you problems
Just starting my search so any information is useful
i firmly believe you will either be a jeep guy, or not a jeep guy... I happen to be a jeep guy, and it is a good life. However, i must warn you of the jabs and ribbing you will take from non jeep guys, as their manhoods cant handle the flyness involved in jeep ownership.
For what its worth, i have a little 02 jeep wrangler tj (2.5 4 banger) and would absolutely consider a 4 door rubicon unlimited when i upgrade.
If you are a little interested in jeeps, i would say its a pretty safe bet that you'll like them once you go test a couple. Plus, lets be honest, driving with no roof and no doors is basically the best thing ever.
+1 from a happy jeep guy
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Ive wanted a jeep for quite some time but am just acting on it now. My only concern is the durability but by the sounds of things these things hold up pretty well through the years
I really like my '07 Grand Cherokee but I'm thinking of trading it in soon. My first choice is another GC (new) but lately I've been thinking of a Wrangler too.
My biggest worry goes back to the older ones as I spend a lot of time on the highway and I'm just not convinced it's comfy and practical on the highway. Other than that I think it actually fits my lifestyle better.
Not to jack the thread from the OP but I'd like to hear more about the new Wranglers too.
I've had a 1999 Jeep TJ for the past 9 years and for the most part I love it.
A few things you'll want to know...
1) Gas mileage sucks. I get about 550 km on a 62 L gas tank, doing a mix of city and highway driving.
2) Jeeps have the aerodynamics of a brick. Watch out for wind gusts.
3) The brackets that hold your side mirrors and the hinges on your back window are made of some crappy white metal that won't hold paint and quickly becomes pitted with corrosion. The hinges will crumble to powder over time and are expensive to replace.
4) The radiators typically need to be replaced after 9 to 11 year range.
5) If you're over 6 feet tall, then the lack of leg room can be a pain. When I'm travelling long distance I typically have to stop every couple of hours to stretch my legs.
In closing, Jeeps are great in winter and they are a dream to park due to the short wheel base.
I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler X - I have just over 100K miles on it and have done nothing but regular maintenance. The fuel efficiency is not great, but since I work from home it's no big deal. Been driving 70 miles this week for training with the roof off and it's been awesome
I have a 09 Wrangler X 2 door. You don't drive it for the gas mileage. But the new models like mine have better rides then the older ones, they're way more stable and the cabins have better sound quieting.
They're a fun ride, great in the winter.
The only thing thats a bit of a pain in the a%% is mounting the cancas roof.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
I've had a 1999 Jeep TJ for the past 9 years and for the most part I love it.
A few things you'll want to know...
1) Gas mileage sucks. I get about 550 km on a 62 L gas tank, doing a mix of city and highway driving.
2) Jeeps have the aerodynamics of a brick. Watch out for wind gusts.
3) The brackets that hold your side mirrors and the hinges on your back window are made of some crappy white metal that won't hold paint and quickly becomes pitted with corrosion. The hinges will crumble to powder over time and are expensive to replace.
4) The radiators typically need to be replaced after 9 to 11 year range.
5) If you're over 6 feet tall, then the lack of leg room can be a pain. When I'm travelling long distance I typically have to stop every couple of hours to stretch my legs.
In closing, Jeeps are great in winter and they are a dream to park due to the short wheel base.
Just to add for mine
I get about 600kms out of a tank of gas, or about 12.5l/100 km's
the body work is vastly improved and remodeled over your model.
I'm 6'1 and have plenty of leg room. Because of the height and seat layout getting people into the back seat of the two door can be an athletic adventure, and you're never going to look cool pounding a chick in the back seat.
I think that the wheel base is longer and wider on the new jeeps and the wheels are bigger which gives it a much more stable ride.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
I've had a 2000 Jeep TJ, which my son has now. I also had a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon - fully loaded. Both were great vehicles. In fact, I'm buying my 2000 Jeep TJ back from my son - I'm using it strictly for off-roading.
The Rubicon was especially a nice vehicle. I got rid of it because we were doing long road trips to Phoenix, and it was too hard on gas, and there wasn't enough room in it to carry all our stuff. The thing about driving a Jeep on the highway, is that it's like driving a sheet of plywood into the wind. The Rubicon had enough power, but it was revving really high, when I was 75 to 80 mph on the freeways down south. So, that's one of the reasons that the gas mileage was so bad.
If you are driving around town or out in the bush, then you can't beat it.
My wife, kids and I were all kind of checking out Jeeps this summer. They do look like a lot of fun, so we bought this 2010 Jeep Wrangler Islander:
I had it for a couple of days before I traded it back to the dealership because I hated it more than any vehicle I have ever owned. What you may not notice (or may choose to ignore) on a test drive is how gutless and uncomfortable they are. It's honestly embarrassing trying to merge one of these things because they're so slow.
Inside is also really busy with tassels, buckles, grips, padding, speakers and other miscellaneous do-dads hanging around everywhere you look. The tops are way too annoying to take on and off, too.
I think there are way better vehicles for the money out there. So glad I got rid of mine. Sooooooo glaaaaaaad.
My wife, kids and I were all kind of checking out Jeeps this summer. They do look like a lot of fun, so we bought this 2010 Jeep Wrangler Islander:
I had it for a couple of days before I traded it back to the dealership because I hated it more than any vehicle I have ever owned. What you may not notice (or may choose to ignore) on a test drive is how gutless and uncomfortable they are. It's honestly embarrassing trying to merge one of these things because they're so slow.
Inside is also really busy with tassels, buckles, grips, padding, speakers and other miscellaneous do-dads hanging around everywhere you look. The tops are way too annoying to take on and off, too.
I think there are way better vehicles for the money out there. So glad I got rid of mine. Sooooooo glaaaaaaad.
Heh, I felt the same way when we test drove one last year. Soooo gutless, it was a struggle to merge off memorial on to deerfoot. Another reason why I didnt buy was they're notorious for this..
When you add bigger tires they are prone to the speed wobble which is extremely dangerous.
Last edited by burn_this_city; 09-30-2011 at 11:38 AM.
My wife, kids and I were all kind of checking out Jeeps this summer. They do look like a lot of fun, so we bought this 2010 Jeep Wrangler Islander:
I had it for a couple of days before I traded it back to the dealership because I hated it more than any vehicle I have ever owned. What you may not notice (or may choose to ignore) on a test drive is how gutless and uncomfortable they are. It's honestly embarrassing trying to merge one of these things because they're so slow.
Inside is also really busy with tassels, buckles, grips, padding, speakers and other miscellaneous do-dads hanging around everywhere you look. The tops are way too annoying to take on and off, too.
I think there are way better vehicles for the money out there. So glad I got rid of mine. Sooooooo glaaaaaaad.
Well, for starts, a 4 door model isn't really a "Jeep". Sure it looks like one - but take that thing off road, and you're going to get stuck.
I agree, the vehicle isn't for everyone. I've had two of them. They are a fun vehicle for around town or off road. I got rid of my 2007 Wrangler (2 door), because it's not a great highway vehicle. I now have a Toyota Rav4 with a V6 - it is wayyyyy more powerful and wayyyyy better for long road trips. Having said that, I am buy back my old 2000 Jeep TJ from my son (who has taken pretty good care of it). I'm going to use it strictly for around town and off road. I'll still have the Toyota for every day use and for the long road trips. And of course, the 350Z for those "Sunday drives"
I would not expect anything less from chrysler than a vehicle that tries to shake itself apart comming down a paved road. Because in reality its just trying to shake off the fact that it is a Jeep and always will be.
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Westerner by birth, Canadian by law, Albertan by the grace of God
Not to defend my jeep or anything, but I've never had problems with power and being able to accelerate and pass people.
I've had it up to 160 in 6th and I don't get wobbles or shakes.
while its not as smooth of a ride as a car or passenger truck, I find that its not a serious wobble at all.
I do have the two door, not the four door, but I don't know if that is going to make a difference.
I'm extremely happy with it, its a solid vehicle and completely kicked arse last winter.
I took a 6-speed 2-door 2010 Wrangler for a test drive and agree that it handles reasonably well for what it is, and it had way more punch than the 4-door.
The only thing that rgmg is that the flat windshield catches every rock and chips and cracks quickly, I now have to pretty much budget for a new windshield every spring.
I agree, the four door models have the advantage of cargo space, but its just a bigger body on the same sized engine.
I've had no trouble with power.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Mrs. Cowperson destroyed her 2006 Jeep Grande Cherokee over the summer - totalled it but she was alright - so we bought her a 2010 Jeep Grande Cherokee North Edition.
Both seem to be very good vehicles and the first one was very reliable through a number of years. I think I was surprised by the reliability given I had a prejudiced, opposite expectation before we got it.
I drive a Dodge Durango . . . nicely sized for lugging two Golden Retrievers around.
Coincidentally, article in the Globe and Mail indicating vehicle prices are at their lowest relative price in 17 years right now.
Any Jeep Wrangler Owners?
