Driving the car of my dreams: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

In My Humble Opinion
1

So for years now I’ve been lusting after the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (the four-door version of the Wrangler).

I know, I know, I know … it’s (1) overpriced, (2) not fuel efficient, (3) unreliable, (4) expensive to maintain, (5) a rough ride, (6) noisy, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. This is after more than two decades of owning: (1) a Toyota Corolla, (2) a Toyota Corolla, and (3) a Scion XB.

So it’s not actually on top of my list for my next vehicle (but it’s kind of never not there either).

There are so many different trim packages to ponder … Sahara? Rubicon? Big Bear? … Every single one makes me imagine I’m an action hero in an old time movie.

Anyway, my car’s in the shop for repairs and insurance sprung for a loaner. You’ll never guess what they gave me. That’s right, a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (Sport).

And whaddya know, it’s gorgeous. It’s so, so beautiful. And so cool. And the ride is rough as hell. But I think I might be able to tolerate that.

But …

… I don’t fit in it! My backside is like in a vice grip between the door and that damn storage console. My belly just barely clears the bottom of the steering wheel at the highest position …

… and the brake is positioned like it’s meant to be worked with my left foot … I have to swing my right leg way over, like I’m sitting diagonally.

… Is this really what it comes down to? My dream car and I will never be together because the goddamn front seats are not designed for me?

… Can anyone give me hope? Is there something that might, theoretically, in the hypothetical sometime future that I might actually acquire a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara … Rubicon? … Whatever … that there might be some way for me to actually fit in that damn driver’s seat comfortably.

2

Doesn’t knowing the Jeep is uncomfortable make it easier to lose the dream of buying one?

Perhaps you might look at similar vehicles, like the Nissan Xterra or the Toyota Land Cruiser.

3

I, too, thought I wanted a 4-door JK. I rented one for a week in Maui and loved it. But I didn’t need a car then. Years later, nearing the need for a new car, I rented one for 2 weeks on a business trip – the company picked up that tab. It was fun, but into that second week the stiff ride was really getting to me. I started getting pretty annoyed in those last days.

I’m glad I had that experience because in 2014 when it was time to replace my 15-year old car, I decided not to get a JK, I got a WK2, the Grand Cherokee. Diesel engine, rear ELSD, QL (the quadra-lift / air adjustable suspension). I love it and am so glad I did not get the JK.

Perhaps it’s an age thing. I am 55 now. If I was younger then I might’ve gotten the JK. So Ascenray if you really have your heart set on the JK, I suggest driving one for at least 2 weeks. Ideally, 4.

Oh and the new next-gen Wranglers, the JLs, come out next year I believe.

Good luck, and I do love my Jeep. It is my first Jeep.

4

Sorry to hear that. My friend had a jeep for a while and I liked how tall you felt and the sight lines. I love my short box 4 door tundra, maybe you need a pickup truck.

5

I owned three Wranglers: 1992, 1998 and 2003, the last two Sahara trim. All two-door, loved them all. Clunky, noisy, but total fun to drive, especially off-road.

6

Well…you know, you can take the doors off…

7

Advice for all prospective Jeep owners:

Invest in comfortable walking shoes.

8

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned losing a little weight:D (Guys are too polite here)

I drove around with some Jeep Wranglers in the early 2000’s (rentals or buddy’s - not my own)
Yes, they are rough riding and the short wheelbase made it easy to get it spinning around on ice (which surprised me).

However their 4 x 4 capability and relatively small size makes them great off-road, not so good as a daily driver for everyday driving.
I don’t know how this applies to the 2017 Wrangler and the four door version but the Jeeps have not changed that much over the years.

Also, Bullitt has some great points.

Since you are familiar with Toyota’s, look at the RAV4 (available in AWD) or the Land Cruiser (Big, luxurious, expensive, durable and a favorite of ISIS)., Toyota Sequoia (Big and expensive), or Toyota Tacoma in 4 wheel drive - probably the most useful in my opinion

9

Those short walks over to the stuck Land Rovers, to hook up the tow strap, are more comfortable in good shoes. I love pulling those Rovers out, yes I do.

10

Wait until mid 2018 and you will be able to get the 2019 Jeep Wrangler (4 door) pick-up truck. This will be the first open bed truck by Jeep since the 1992 Scrambler. The model name hasn’t been chosen, and it will be based on the upcoming redesign for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

11

As they continue to ruin the Jeep by making it into a non-Jeep, IMO.

12

People say that, but I’ve owned four Wranglers (all standard transmission two doors) and never had a problem.

But, reliability is my primary concern, so I buy new and sell when they hit 150,000 miles.

13

The storage console might come out; I have a console in my mini-van and it’ll come out, but my wife won’t let me :o (she stores–things–in it).

There might be a control that lets you shift the pedals closer to the floor and another one that lets you raise/lower the steering wheel. Not familiar with Jeeps.

14

I rented a 2017 Wrangler Sahara for work last week. Probably the worst rental SUV I’ve ever had. It had all of the downsides of owning a Jeep, but in a 4-door, extended wheelbase, road vehicle.

Styling wise, it was as if a proper Jeep had been rendered into a cartoon, a la Roger Rabbit. The HVAC controls, interior handles, air vent binnacles, etc were all caricatures of what Jeep stuff should look like. Chunky, oversized plastic masquerading as Jeep tough. Really felt juvenile.

The sound system was complete garbage, the NVH was bad, the engine was screaming at almost redline at only 90 mph (I know a Jeep isn’t meant for this), the body rolled and pitched on the highway, the hood shook worryingly every time you passed an oncoming vehicle on an undivided highway, etc.

15

Like I said, they are ruining the Jeep legacy with this crap, starting with making a 4-door version and appealing to the macho wannabes with shiny shit that doesn’t work and won’t last. I stopped buying Wranglers only because of side-impact safety issues, but wouldn’t bother with the new versions for any reason.

16

Looks like Jeep built themselves a minivan.
:smiley:

17

I have a two-door, standard Sahara with a soft top, and I love it. It’s the second Wrangler I’ve owned (first was a Sport model).

Love them. So fun. I have wanted one ever since I used to watch the Dukes of Hazzard when I was little and Daisy had one. :smiley:

18

I tend to buy new, and keep long. My last car was bought new, lasted 15 years and over 225,000 miles. Nothing major, original rings and valve seats. And it is still running strong for its second owner with 35,000+ more miles. That was a Honda. And this is a Jeep. I like reliability. We shall see.

Grand Cherokees seem to last long. Maybe it’s confirmation bias but now that I drive one I notice them all over. The 1st-gen, ZJ, was from 1993-1998 and I see them on the road all the time. And the other gens too, WJ and WK. With the Diesel engine I’d love to get half a million miles and more on my WK2. Only time will tell. I plan to post if that happens, or if it becomes time to put a bullet in its head prematurely. I’ll fess up if that happens.

Yeah yeah guys, I get it. If it ain’t a CJ then it ain’t a real Jeep. I get that. And this is coming from a retired Marine who drove the old M151s (and the old M998s too). And the YJ, TJ, and even the JK pilots dish that out too. Fair enough. But I hit the trails pretty seriously in my WK2. Seriously, that is for its factory stock suspension. Is it as capable as a stock Rubicon JK? No, but it’s pretty capable. This WK2 can do some pretty wild things, especially with the rear ELSD. As I get older, I’ll take it. I’ve always wanted a Jeep, and this baby is so cushy and luxurious and the wife loves that. Me too, no doubt. And I can cruise down the highway at 90+ MPH all day long, especially with the Diesel and its long range. (There’s a lot of open range land here out west, and on the highways there’s a whole lotta nuthin’ between small towns. 90 MPH and the WK2 is barely breaking a sweat, it’ll do that all day long. In quiet comfort.)

As we’re on the trails I see the young couples in their Wrangler types. Sometimes the guy’s young lady is quite attractive. Hot weather, skimpy shorts and all that. I almost want to pull up next to her side, roll down my window, turn down the XM radio and the A/C, and ask,

*“Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?”

“And just WTF is that?”*, I imagine his response might be, as he clears the grit from his teeth and sees me admiring his passenger.

And then she turns to him and says, “Hey, why can’t I ride in that?”

My imagination can be pretty good at times. As I like to say, I am a legend in my own mind. :slight_smile:

19

Daisy, yes, that’s the name of the young lady passenger of the guy wiping the grit from his teeth in my previous post. :slight_smile:

20

As Clotaire Rapaille says, the reptilian always wins:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/interviews/rapaille.html