I didn’t want to derail this thread on Hard Top Convertibles, so instead I’ll ask here -
I am looking at the Jeep Wrangler, probably late Spring. I have a ten-year-old that I’ll be driving with often, and one, maybe two dogs. Always wanted a Jeep. Currently I drive a 2005 Escape. Rather not get the Unlimited (it doesn’t look as Jeep-y), and I want the manual transmission. Wish they had a diesel here, but c’est la vie…
I do not have a Wrangler. I’ve had a couple of CJ2As, which was the first civilian Jeep of that type, and is the direct ancestor of the Wrangler. I currently own a Cherokee XJ.
The CJ series had a fairly harsh ride due to its short wheelbase. They became longer and wider with the CJ-7, which was the immediate predecessor to the YJ/Wrangler. I know one person who owns a Wrangler, and she likes it. You may find that there is a lack of space if you have the seats filled with a child and a couple of dogs. Personally, I really like the CJ/YJ/Wrangler style and wouldn’t mind one. But practically, they don’t have enough space. I’ve seen the four-door Wranglers on the road (I haven’t actually examined any), and they seem to have a similar amount of space as the XJ Cherokee. Were I to get a ‘jeep’ Jeep style, I would definitely consider the four-door model.
Not long after I bought my Cherokee, a coworker bought a Wrangler. He opted for the four-cylinder engine for fuel economy. It didn’t work. At freeway speeds the four-banger was working hard, while the 4.0 l straight-six in my Cherokee was just loafing along. I got better mileage in my larger, heavier, two-more-cylinders Jeep than he did in his Wrangler. So whatever you do, get the six.
I bought my Jeep new in 1999, and it has like 230,000 miles on it. (Maybe 240,000 – I haven’t looked recently, and the g/f has been driving it.) It has been fairly trouble-free. Issues I can recall: 1) The main computer went out, preventing shifting into 4th gear. A faulty oxygen sensor may have contributed to that, or else it was a separate problem. Both were covered under warranty. 2) The ventilation system would not change from dash to defrost or back. That was fixed under warranty. 3) After well over 100,000 miles, the rarely-used passenger window mechanism failed. That cost $400. 4) Last year, after having been sitting unused for a year, the ignition switch failed. The Jeep would run and the lights would come on, but no accessories worked. I had the switch replaced, got a tune-up, brake rotors replaced, something else with the brakes fixed, new spark plug wires installed, a new serpentine belt, transmission and differentials serviced, radiator flushed, and something else done for $1,200. Let me see… 5) I had the water pump and alternator replaced a few years ago when one or both of them was making noise. 6) It’s on its third battery. 7) Headlights replaced in 2007. Remember that you’ll have a second differential, and that will require routine maintenance. So, so far it’s been pretty much trouble-free considering the mileage. I would assume a Wrangler type would be similarly reliable.
One thing to consider: If you’ve never driven a Jeep-type vehicle, they cannot be driven like normal cars. They can flip. This was improved somewhat with the CJ-7, and I assume it’s been improved more since then. Still, be careful taking turns at speed.
I drive a Wrangler (my third). It’s sort of a love-hate relationship, but every time I’ve unloaded a Jeep I’ve regretted it immediately, and started pining for another one. So, now I’ve got a 2000 Sahara with a hard to and a soft top, automatic transmission, air conditioning. Really, everything I want. I do sort of miss having a stick shift, but my daily commute is 60-90 minutes each way and usually in stop-and-go traffic, so I sacrifice a little for greater comfort.
It’s noisy and uncomfortable. The ride is terrible. It’s tempermantal (engine light, random backfires, unexplained occassional rough idle, it runs poorly in hot weather, sometimes the alarm system malfunctions and disables the starter, etc), the soft top is a pain in the ass to take down and put up, taking the hard top off and putting it back on again is a two-man job and not an easy one (it comes off in May and goes back on in November). But, without a doubt, it is the most fun to drive of anything I’ve owned, and I’ve owned about 20 cars in my life, including Mustangs, a Camaro, a BMW, an Acura, Ford, Chevy and Toyota pickups, a Duster, a couple VWs, Hondas, etc.
From what I understand, the new ones are vastly different from mine, so many of the issues I have probably would come to bear on your purchase.
NETA: I have 2 kids, and they both have similar love/hate feelings toward the Jeep. They love riding around with the top down in the summer, but hate pretty much everything else about it (the poor ride, lack of space, difficulty getting in and out of the back seat, it’s smelly, etc).
My wife hates it. No love there. At all.
We also have a Honda Odyssee minivan, for practical family purposes and whatnot - my wife’s daily driver.
Flipping- I did learn to drive on Army trucks, and currently drive an SUV, so hopefully I remember to slow down just a scootch more. I will freely admit that the big part of wanting one is the fun factor. I’ll also admit that part of me is looking forward to re-learning some basic maintenance and being able to do my oil changes and other small items. The ruggedness is appealing for the winter too. you are making me reconsider the Unlimited for the size though.
But mostly the fun.
Are you looking at new or used?
Wrangler / CJ has had a number of revisions that look almost the same but are wildly different mechanically. Over the years the off-road capability of Jeep products (and don’t get me started on the car-based “Jeeps”) has suffered in favor of comfort, but some models are still very capable off-road.
The Wranglers are still off-road capable, and many people trick them out for such usage.
I know my Cherokee does pretty well on narrow, steep, snotty-with-mud trails. 
(I just wish my camera’s lens didn’t stop working so I could have taken a picture of it completely covered with mud.)
I had a 1992 Wrangler, a 1998 Wrangler Sahara and a 2001 Wrangler Sahara. While Wranglers never ride all that well, what with the short wheelbase, the difference between the old leaf spring suspension pre-1998 and the coil spring suspension thereafter is night and day. With the former, you had to wear a helmet to drive down a dirt road. Also, the improved Cherokee-style dashboard in the newer Wranglers is a huge improvement, despite what purists may say.
My Wranglers were all hardtops that came with a soft top option. You can also buy custom tops for them that give you better options for T-top type roofs, etc. I’ll say this, though: the hardtop removal is NOT a one-man job. It can barely be a 2-man job. And you’ve also got to store it somewhere. I searched in vain for a top lift to mount in my garage, but as of 2003, there was no lift on the market to remove the newer tops without risking severe damage to the fiberglass. The downside to a soft top only is road noise from the billowing canvas. But Jeeps are noisy bastards anyway and designed more for lower speeds off-road.
Getting in and out of the back seat is a PITA unless you’re a kid. And you risk a smashed toe if you’re not careful (perhaps that’s been improved).
No side airbags (again, perhaps changed) was the ultimate reason we gave up on Wranglers. The danger from side impact was significant, and Jeep got an ‘F’ from safety rating agencies for that.
Problems aside, the damn things are a lot of fun, and you can sink tens of thousands into lift kits, big wheels, winches and other things that make a Jeep a true mountain climber.
Why a Wrangler and not a Cherokee?
They stopped making Cherokees in 2001.
I sometimes drive a 2005 Wrangler that belongs to a friend. I grew up with sports cars, and my other car is a light truck. The Jeep rides harshly, gets only 16MPG (mostly country driving, 2WD), and generally is uncomfortable. It lacks many amenities and features we take for granted in ordinary sedans (although some might be available as an option, like cruise control). Doors won’t stay open, the rear hatch is clumsy. About 28,000 miles, automatic. Even with the rear jump seats removed, it has very little cargo space.
I would never buy one unless I needed off-road use badly, and wanted it for a second car only.
Still, I might be glad of the 4WD this coming winter, and that could make all the difference.
The new ones have the 3.6 V6. That’s suppose to be one of the better engines to come from Chrysler in some time.
Every year I think, ‘I’m not using the Cherokee. I should sell it.’ And every year, it snows and I’m glad to have 4WD. The SO has been driving it the past year, and she enjoys the power. (Her vehicle is a 4-cyl. Tacoma.) She also likes that the back end isn’t slippery in the rain.
Jeep really had a hit with the Cherokee, and I was sorry to see it discontinued. I’ve taken mine offroad, over 45 miles of washboard dirt road, hauled kayaks, boats, and motorcycles, it was invaluable when I moved up here, and it’s been packed solid with film gear. If you keep it down to 55 mph on the freeway, it can get 25 mpg. (Normal driving is 20 mpg at best.)
I currently own a 2000 Jeep Wranger (automatic 6-inline). It is TERRIBLE on gas. I say that it’s the reason why I can’t smoke, drink, do drugs, gamble or have kids - I spend all my money on gas. It’s a pain in the ass for carrying things (no trunk) and to get in and out of the back seat (but just the dog sits back there anyway.) It is not built for comfort. It drives differently than a normal car, you have to get used to it. I hate driving a regular car because I’m so used to my Jeep’s height and lack of a trunk making it easier to see around me and back up. All that being said: I love my Jeep. Exchanging a “Jeep Wave” makes my day.
Heh, that’s a lot like me. I owned two Wranglers (soft top standard transmission), trading my first in on my second. For some stupid reason I got a Jeep Patriot when the second Wrangler hit 150,000 and I felt like replacing it.
I miss the Wrangler’s crappy ride. 
I am also in the market for a Wrangler (and drive an Escape! :D). I am finding that I like the models with the new 3.6l engine (2012-2013) much better. The 2Dr version rides rougher due to the short wheel base, but the 4Dr Unlimited ride just like the Escape does. Also, if you are not going off-roading often, go for the Sport or Sahara packages over the Rubicon for a better ride. If you are going off-roading or modding the Rubicon is a better starting point. The JK models (2007-2014/15) are much improved in ride and reliability over the predecessors, so some of the concerns with older models have been addressed. The issue with tops being a multi-person job still remain though.
The other big plus with Wranglers is that they hold their value extremely well. A new Wrangler will retain, on average, 55% of its value after 5 years, so they are not a bad investment for a vehicle. This also means that there is not a significant price difference between new and recent year useds.
On thing I learned from a test drive the other day: if you get a chance to try out a Right Hand Drive version of the Wrangler (they are made for rural mail deivery), do it. Such a different experience. 
Just for kicks, I looked up my 1999 Cherokee on Kelley Blue Book. It’s in excellent condition, especially considering the mileage. I do try to keep it up mechanically, and it’s quite nice cosmetically. One nick in the fabric on the back of the driver’s seat, a small scratch from offroading on the passenger door, and the typical pitting on the front from stuff being thrown up on the freeway. Otherwise the paint looks new when it has a coat of wax on it. At nearly 14 years old (I bought it 02/99) its private party value is $3,661. It’s worth more than that to me, so I guess I should stop thinking about selling it. It’s too useful when I need it. (I can’t remember how much it cost new, but ISTR around $22,000.)
As you may know from the other thread, I have a '98 Wrangler and love it. I’ve driven it since I was 16 (in 1998) and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Jeeps aren’t big. A kid in the front seat and 2 dogs in the back wouldn’t be bad, depending on the size of the dogs, but with the back seat in place they have sports car levels of room. The “trunk” area is laughable, nonexistent really when the soft-top is down. With the back seats folded up there’s about a normal trunk’s worth of space though. It works fine for me, but I’m a single guy with no kids (or dogs).
As everyone said, the ride is stiff, bumpy, and loud. Hard-tops are a good deal quieter than soft, and a good-quality soft top like a Bestop will reduce the noise as well, but you’re never going to make it a quiet car.
That said, if you’ve always wanted one black rabbit’s advice is the best: Get it! You’ll be having so much fun driving it you won’t notice a little extra noise or a few bumps in the road. Whenever I read reviews of Jeeps that make note of such things I think “Yeah, of course it’s loud. It’s a FUCKING JEEP!” It’s like giving a Lamborghini a bad review because the gas pedal was too responsive and you kept peeling out. Plus, they’re fairly reliable and IME the stuff that does go wrong is easy to fix. All of my major repairs were things I could have done myself if I had the time.
If you get one, I STRONGLY urge you to get a 6 cylinder. In practice they get virtually the same gas mileage as the 4 cylinders, and the extra power is like night and day. I love my four-banger, but it’s what I’d call just adequate for the vehicle. The extra 2 cylinders make highway driving much easier. The second my engine conks out (which might be another 10 years for all I know) I’m dropping a 6 cylinder in mine.
JK/Wrangler 2007 through to the present are whizz-bang technology, including such wonders a traction control, which makes for driving on snow and ice a lot better than earlier models.
2012 has horsepower, more torque, and better gas milage than 2007-2011.
4dr/Unlimited has a smoother ride, room to sleep in the back, and lots of cargo space, but will high-center more easily than the 2dr when you are going over large obstacles.
Whatever you get, remember that a Jeep is like a lego set, in that you can build pretty much whatever you want. 2dr/4dr, 2wd/4wd, standard/heavy duty axles, optional lower geared transmission (for towing), optional transmission cooler, standard/additional underoo armour, 16/17/18" wheels, standard/kevlar tires, soft/hard/combo (freedom) top, no ac/ac, and then there is a world of after-market options that can turn your Jeep into a rock-crawler, or mud-bogger, or Apollo LEM. Come to think of it, if you bring one in from Europe, you can even get a diesel. This also means that you should take care to see just what it is you are buying before you sign the deal, for not all Jeeps will have the options that you seek.
It fun reading what all y’all have for rides. Here’s mine:
I have a 2007 Wrangler Unlimited X 4dr 4wd that is somewhere between a Sahara and a Rubicon. I chose it because for work I regularly drive long distances in northern Ontario, which requires travelling through North Shore blizzards, and for fun I paddle in the wilderness which requires driving on logging roads and skidder trails.
It comes into its own for winter storm driving. True 4wd + traction crontrol + deep treaded siped ice tires + decent ground/snow clearance + low mounted fog lights + powerful heater + comfortable sleeping fully stretched out in the back = the ability to take on the worst winter blizzards with ease.
On logging roads, it handles better than light trucks due to a better weight distribution. It rides a lot more smoothly than the shorter wheelbase 2dr, but not as smoothly as a full sized pickup with a load in the back.
On skidder trails, true 4wd + traction control gets it through everything but deep mud. By relying on traction control rather than lockers, it sacrifices power by braking one of the wheels to which power is being applied, however, there is still lots of power to spare. If I were into mudding, I’d go with lockers. The underoos take away much of the worry of leaving tranny and oil pans on the trail. Due to it’s mid-size wheel base rather than the 2dr short wheel base, it high centers more easily on large obstacles than the 2dr, so if I were into rock crawling, I’d go for the 2dr. All Jeeps are wide, so at some point you have to decide whether to push through the bush or simply trailer in an ATV. As far as trailering goes, I have a trailering package that includes a transmision with a lower gear ratio (higher numerically), a larger rear axle, and a transmission cooler, so class II towing is easy.
With the hardtop on it is comfortable and quiet on the highway – a pleasure to drive. With the soft-top on it is a bit noisy but OK. Without the top on it is noisy as hell, but who cares, 'cause the top is off! In the summer I mount a scaffolding cage (Congo Cage by Safari Jeeps/Kargo Master), which is a bit of a pain in the ass when raising or lowering the soft top (to make it easier, I use a boat winch extended off the rear bumper rather than use the armstrong method), however, there are after market soft tops that do not lever up and eliminate the need to lift the cage. The racks make wind noise even with a baffle. With the hard top, I use high-mount racks, so as to be able to easily remove the two front panels (freedom top panels) of the roof on warm days.
Gotta say that I love this thing. It gets the job done without protest in nasty conditions, and is one heck of a lot of fun.
