OT: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

[Steveriknight]

Anybody own one of these vehicles?

I've been looking into a getting a new car and have wanted a Jeep for a long time. I know that Jeep vehicles typically get bad reliability reviews... but I'm curious to know if anyone has any experience with this model specifically?

Love the look of them, and would probably do a three year lease. Same styling for decades now... never goes out of style. Maybe not as much of a kid's car since the unlimited is a 4 door... or does it still have the kid-car stigma? Any thoughts on that?

This would be my first non-sedan.

 

[BABYBULL24]

I drove my buddy's Jeep Wrangler about 10 yrs ago - it was akin to driving a box down a road at 70 mph's...short wheel base with sketchy steering.

Can see why they put roll cages in those things...

 

[_dave_]

They are fun crawling over rocks and took one about a third of the way on the Rubicon this past summer. Any other kind of driving sucks. They are slow, uncomfortable, get blown around with any cross wind and break.

But for crawling over rocks? Best in class.

 

[rutgersal]

Rent a jeep for a weekend and see how you like it. As mentioned it has its quirks but I found it to be fun. A lease would shield you from reliability issues.

 

[vkj91]

My wife has one. Has for about a year now and She loves it. They drive much better than they did decades ago and the tops are much better and more manageable as well. That being said, how much do you drive? Although they drive better it's still "a jeep" and I wouldn't recommend it if you have a long daily commute.

 

[PSU_Nut]

Have you considered a Honda Accord? lol I have always said Jeep Wrangler would be a great third vehicle but not a primary vehicle.

 

[RU85inFla]

I just bought one. Highly recommend if you can drive it with the top down 80% of the time and average distance traveled is about 20 mins a day. I love it under those conditions.

 

[newell138]

It was my first car in 1986 and I LOVED IT. Now that my kids are grown, my wife and I just bought another, same one you have above. I still love it and they are a lot different than back then. I would not recommend for anyone with a long commute but they are great for driving around town and as RU85 says, when you have the top down on a nice day they are a lot of fun. I haven't had mine in the snow yet but my old one handled great in mud and snow.

 

[cchavis]

Anybody own one of these vehicles?

I've been looking into a getting a new car and have wanted a Jeep for a long time. I know that Jeep vehicles typically get bad reliability reviews... but I'm curious to know if anyone has any experience with this model specifically?

Love the look of them, and would probably do a three year lease. Same styling for decades now... never goes out of style. Maybe not as much of a kid's car since the unlimited is a 4 door... or does it still have the kid-car stigma? Any thoughts on that?

This would be my first non-sedan.

Jeep has unfortunately become the victim to cutting corners but there are good wranglers still out there. If you are looking used, avoid the 3.7L V6 like the plague. I believe they put it in the wranglers from 05-11 but just read any description. The 3.6 pentastar they put in them now is fair, nothing great but not the mechanical nightmare that the 3.7 was.

The best wranglers are the pre-04' with the 4.0L V6 along with even better if you can find them the 4.0 straight 6. Both of those engines were bullet proof and will go 300k miles if their taken care of, new chrysler engines will only get you about 120k miles before problems happen. Just be prepared for what you are getting if you go new, Fiat has cheapened the product so much

 

[RU5781]

I had a 2010 Unlimited Sport.
I now have a 2016 Unlimited Rubicon. I love it.
Will never buy another brand of vehicle. They are great.

 

[daneman100]

If you are looking to own this long term I would stay the hell away from any Chrysler product. Cheaply build and will fall apart. Look at consumer report reliability rankings.

 

[jtung230]

For dooms day preppers. Starwood motor full metal jacket is just right.

 

[Steveriknight]

My wife has one. Has for about a year now and She loves it. They drive much better than they did decades ago and the tops are much better and more manageable as well. That being said, how much do you drive? Although they drive better it's still "a jeep" and I wouldn't recommend it if you have a long daily commute.

I would use it for my daily commute, but the drive is all back roads and only about 20 minutes. Of course, I switch jobs every few years so that could change. Figured a lease would be good to test it out for a few years to see if it works for me.

 

[Steveriknight]

Have you considered a Honda Accord? lol I have always said they would be a great third vehicle but not a primary vehicle.

Haha, actually I have! I like the Accord Sport a lot... but I've been driving a sedan for awhile now so was thinking of trying out something different.

 

[Steveriknight]

I just bought one. Highly recommend if you can drive it with the top down 80% of the time and average distance traveled is about 20 mins a day. I love it under those conditions.

So how does it do on highways when you have to get on the parkway or turnpike for a little while? Does it feel sloppy and dangerous or is that not a problem?

 

[Steveriknight]

It was my first car in 1986 and I LOVED IT. Now that my kids are grown, my wife and I just bought another, same one you have above. I still love it and they are a lot different than back then. I would not recommend for anyone with a long commute but they are great for driving around town and as RU85 says, when you have the top down on a nice day they are a lot of fun. I haven't had mine in the snow yet but my old one handled great in mud and snow.

Curious, what about it do you guys love? Do you actually do off-roading with it? I know that it's the best vehicle for off-roading but I won't likely be taking it off road much at all. I just like the looks of it more than any of the other SUV's out there. I don't have a long commute, but I do occasionally have to get on a highway to get here and there.

 

[Steveriknight]

So does anyone think anything about the stigma that Jeeps are kid's cars.. like a Mustang GT or Camaro? I was thinking that because it's a four door that it was much less so, but I may be justifying it in my mind.

For reference I'm 37 with kids, and don't want anything that isn't age-appropriate... that I'll be embarrassed of, if you know what I mean.

 

[cchavis]

So does anyone think anything about the stigma that Jeeps are kid's cars.. like a Mustang GT or Camaro? I was thinking that because it's a four door that it was much less so, but I may be justifying it in my mind.

For reference I'm 37 with kids, and don't want anything that isn't age-appropriate... that I'll be embarrassed of, if you know what I mean.

It's not a vehicle that's anything to be embarrassed about and 2 years ago they finally added side airbags. Lease irks a good option for these. If all you read is about how terribly unreliable Chrysler products are by every major automobile publication, plus others comment on how unreliable they are, not a vehicle you want to keep long term. For the money you will spend on a wrangler unlimited, look at the suburu or even the new CRV that comes out in a month or two. Not talking about the girlish CRV Honda has out now, but the 17' which hasn't been released yet is supposedly taking a lot of the specs/design from the new civic, which the new civic might be the nicest redesign to come out in 5 years

 

[PSU_Nut]

So how does it do on highways when you have to get on the parkway or turnpike for a little while? Does it feel sloppy and dangerous or is that not a problem?

You definitely got blown around a lot and it was very noisy. It was far more noisy with top up then top down. I actually felt safer with top down because trucks and wind wouldn't shake the vehicle.

If you have a 20 minute commute I would consider how you drive to work. They are very noisy at any speed. If you are a listen to talk radio or a podcast type you will want to shoot yourself because you will have to turn it up so loud to hear them clearly. If you like to jam out to then you will be fine. Also don't plan on having conversations in the car much either unless you like shouting.

 

[vkj91]

So how does it do on highways when you have to get on the parkway or turnpike for a little while? Does it feel sloppy and dangerous or is that not a problem?

No it drives fine. I have driven mine from northern NJ to philly four or five times. Just wouldn't want to spend 1.5 hours a day commuting each way in it.

 

[vkj91]

You definitely got blown around a lot and it was very noisy. It was far more noisy with top up then top down. I actually felt safer with top down because trucks and wind wouldn't shake the vehicle.

If you have a 20 minute commute I would consider how you drive to work. They are very noisy at any speed. If you are a listen to talk radio or a podcast type you will want to shoot yourself because you will have to turn it up so loud to hear them clearly. If you like to jam out to then you will be fine. Also don't plan on having conversations in the car much either unless you like shouting.

You don't get blown around in them anymore and it's complete silence with the top up. They've come a long way and are much more user friendly.

 

[vkj91]

So does anyone think anything about the stigma that Jeeps are kid's cars.. like a Mustang GT or Camaro? I was thinking that because it's a four door that it was much less so, but I may be justifying it in my mind.

For reference I'm 37 with kids, and don't want anything that isn't age-appropriate... that I'll be embarrassed of, if you know what I mean.

If you are 37 and have kids you should be passed the giving a crap what others think stage of your life.

 

[Steve91562]

I understand they are pretty stiff rides, and not exactly highway friendly, but great off road, and one of the few that still offer a manual transmission.

 

[Steveriknight]

If you are 37 and have kids you should be passed the giving a crap what others think stage of your life.

Thanks for the contribution, but it's not that simple.

 

[RUSK97]

So does anyone think anything about the stigma that Jeeps are kid's cars.. like a Mustang GT or Camaro? I was thinking that because it's a four door that it was much less so, but I may be justifying it in my mind.

For reference I'm 37 with kids, and don't want anything that isn't age-appropriate... that I'll be embarrassed of, if you know what I mean.

Who gives a crap? Drive what you want to drive and F those who look down their noses at you.

 

[RUSK97]

Have you considered a Honda Accord? lol I have always said Jeep Wrangler would be a great third vehicle but not a primary vehicle.

WTH?? I thought it was a RU thing. Now we've got PSU guests suggesting Accords in every damn car thread!??!

I need to tow a 10,000lb boat. Answer: Accord
I need to seat 8. Answer: Accord
I need sub-3 second 0-60 acceleration. Answer: Accord
I need 100mpg city. Answer: Accord
This is so tiresome.

 

[newell138]

Curious, what about it do you guys love? Do you actually do off-roading with it? I know that it's the best vehicle for off-roading but I won't likely be taking it off road much at all. I just like the looks of it more than any of the other SUV's out there. I don't have a long commute, but I do occasionally have to get on a highway to get here and there.

It's just fun to drive especially w the top down. I have a hard and soft top so for winter it's just like any other car. I live at the beach and it just goes with the environment down here I do take it on the beach in the winter so that's fun. My first one I had was when I was 23 so I took it off road all the time. I am 54 now and down here people of all ages drive them.

 

[RUPedro]

I've had a bunch of different Jeeps including 2 Wranglers. I currently have a 2012 Unlimited with the pentastar engine. I have 60k+ miles on it and have had zero issues in 4 and a half years. It has been the least repaired car I have ever owned. My other jeeps have had their share of problems. It seems every other jeep I get is a good one for reliability. I drive in bad conditions a lot and they won't stop you in this vehicle. I also drive a lot on the highway and just got 24.5 mpg driving about 70 mph on a recent long trip through Canada. It is not an economy car by any means but you can get decent mileage with the new engine and the ride is much better than the older Wranglers but you'll feel the road.

 

[ho26rus]

lot of good responses but mine is
try an older wrangler first . I had a 1998 that will go on, with ,care, forever. Top down great sound system it is the ultimate fun car

But i never left the garage with a threat of rain present. The top is a nightmare to stretch open
great gas mileage. spare parts affordable and easy to find
I never had a reason to doubt it but as others have said they dont take them on long trips
At the moment i am looking for a 1998 wrangler

 

[LC-88]

Jeep has unfortunately become the victim to cutting corners but there are good wranglers still out there. If you are looking used, avoid the 3.7L V6 like the plague. I believe they put it in the wranglers from 05-11 but just read any description. The 3.6 pentastar they put in them now is fair, nothing great but not the mechanical nightmare that the 3.7 was.

My wife has a 2014 JK (4 door - auto) Sahara. She loves it. I've driven it alot. Drives well, has power and speed. 2012-2013 3.6 engines had head warping issues (Pedro - only about 10% - sounds like you are OK). fixed in 2014. Another major issue with the 3.6 is that Chrysler, in their infinite wisdom, used plastic for the oil filter/oil heat exchange housing. No recall yet, but the housing is known to crack when you torque the oil filter cap on and off. Ends up dumping most of the oil from the engine if it fails. Always check for an oil puddle before you drive away. I do my own oil changes, and torque to spec for this reason. No issues yet at 60K miles. Don't know if Jiffy Lube would be as careful.

That being said, get a factory extended warranty if you go with a Jeep.

 

[RU85inFla]

So how does it do on highways when you have to get on the parkway or turnpike for a little while? Does it feel sloppy and dangerous or is that not a problem?

First I have a 2 door manual transmission Wrangler with a soft top. I have no issues with it on the highway in Florida but if you are someone that drives aggressively you might be disappointed.

The sort top is a little loud on a long trip but that was better for me that a hard top I woulld have to store 80% of the time.