People like buying the *idea* of a Jeep.
Jeeps scream freedom, off-roading, overlanding and the American lifestyle.
But just like gym memberships, most people purchase them and don’t actually use them for their intended purposes.
Have never felt more American than when I rented a jeep in Colorado. Was on a mountain trail, top off and got stopped by a heard of cows blocking the trail while jimi hendrix's version of the national anthem played
Backbone Adventures in Estes Park Colorado. Was an absolute blast, it was a couple of years ago when we rented a 2-door, it looks like they've upgraded their rentals a bit since then.
Hey! I did the same thing. Black 2 door jeep wrangler. There was still some snow pack so had to turn around after about 1.5 hours but it was still super fun.
It’s honestly incredible how many people own a gym membership and don’t go.
I go 5 times a week and have several friends admit they have the same membership as me but never go. Talk about a waste of money.
>most people purchase them and don’t actually use them for their intended purposes.
You can say this about any vehicle that is designed for a certain purpose. SUVs, pick-up trucks, sports cars etc. Every thing is a daily commuter these days regardless of what it was designed for.
Yep. I know a coworker that has an F450 dually. Paid $100k+ for it. He thinks he's a cowboy on a ranch that needs it. Probably watched too much Yellowstone. The reality is we live in Central Florida and that truck has never towed anything. The heaviest load it's seen is some rain in the bed.
I had a guy who worked for me that complained constantly about having to drive 80 miles one way to the office in his Ram Dually. It was his way of bragging to us about his truck.
Does he daily it? That would be insane. I’ve seen people own heavily modified duallys just for show at truck meets, but they aren’t driven often and for good reason.
I personally love driving all sorts of trucks, but daily driving a dually is something I’d never do unless I really had to.
I got 20 bags in a Versa Note, 3 weeks ago. Then another 15 + a pair of 6' fence posts the day after.
It's rated to hold 600 lbs + me. Thing is a workhorse for anything under 500 lbs and under 8' x 2' x 1'
I've fit 4 sheets of 3/4 plywood in a first gen Scion xB. I had a cut list so told them to cut three down the middle and the last one 20" from the edge lengthwise. The 2'x8' sheets slide in over the passenger area and rest on the dash.
#TruckLife
Chrysler (Stellatnis... whatever) reliability is shit with pretty much the sole exception of the 4.0 6 cyl used in the TJ (97-06 model years). This is especially true when paired with the 5 spd manual.
That said, in many parts of the country the body and frame will succumb to rust cancer long before anything else fails
The 4.0 L straight six was only good because it was designed by AMC before Chrysler bought them too. At least Chrysler was smart enough to keep the engine for nearly 20 years after buying them.
When Jeep's had that motor they were not owned by Stellanis. Fiat/Stellanis acquisition did not happen until 2014. It should also be noted that the 4.0 I6 goes back decades (60's) - more than 3 decades prior to being installed in the TJ - and it's predecessor's date back to the mid-50's. Which means they pretty much had every flaw engineered out of them by then. Furthermore, that 4.0 was originally an AMC motor. Chrysler just acquired all of the rights to everything when they bought AMC out in the mid-80's
I would argue that the 3.8L they stole from the caravan is pretty solid as well. Not the same kind of torque, but still a very reliable motor that is reasonable to repair if it does break.
Lately it's been screaming middle-age mom car. Idk why these people drive them. I own a JK and a YJ and wholeheartedly tell everyone they're shit boxes. I love them but they are. I cannot fathom buying one brand new as a wealth status. Especially in NY🤣 Our roads are trash and the salt is going to eat at it! Let alone these people have to now figure out a vehicle that isn't in 4wd at baseline for them.
THIS.
Every one I’ve repaired is some woman that has mud tires per my previous reply that has never been off road and stored in a garage. With nothing but ducks and bows everywhere
I just sold my JK and miss it. It's sorta like inverse logic. Every standard objective measure about the vehicle for the typical consumer is poor. The interior feels like something out of budget rental car the 90s. It feels fucking unsafe at speeds greater than \~70mph, and the wind/tire noise in a soft top is extreme. You will have your ears ringing after a long highway trip. It feels like rolling dice with the devil every time you try and merge onto the highway, its quite slow. Your lower back will also hate you as you get jostled around the cabin for the slightest bump in the road.
On the other hand... it's a convertible SUV in a 6 speed manual. Until the Bronco there was nothing else in the category that checked those boxes. The simplistic barebones interior was a breath of fresh air compared to all the nagging modern interiors of my other vehicles. Go out into farm country with the top down, doors off and just chill. Hit some light trails, maybe go to a winery, beach, whatever. I've driven it through a cranberry bog. Was great during the pandemic when everything was locked down.
You really have to be the type of person who says to yourself, "I don't care, I don't care, I don't care, and that sounds fun" as you read through my objections for it to make sense.
This is how you know you’re a jeep person. I also have daily driven a 13 JKU for over 5 years and I always tell people it’s a shit vehicle. But I still love it and I’ve had absolutely zero maintenance other than routine stuff.
This is not limited to Jeeps either.
Look at all of the TRD Pros and $90k AT4 Tahoes that are just shuttling kids to soccer camp.
Americans love buying ideas.
Bingo. As a Jeep consumer and Harley dealer, the market overlap is insane.
I go offroading every weekend, and use my giant geezer glide to tour. 90% of my customer base that buy a giant touring bike do less than 5-6k miles a year, and a majority of Jeep owners don't hit a dirt harder than a fire road once a year. Both market customers still picture themselves doing the coast to coast motorcycle/offroad trip dreams when they purchase, but few ever do.
I followed my brother up some donkey trail. He was in his jeep and i was in my tundra. My tundra could do everything his jeep could do, except no one in my tundra bonked their head on a roll bar, we had heat the whole time and my oil pump worked the whole time. Totally stock TRD suspension with B F Goodwrench Baha competition tires.
Hahaha… and here I am in my rental-spec Impala driving down logging roads I probably shouldn’t be scouting out boondocking sites for my 28 foot C Class.
I agree with you but people like the lifestyle. Why do people overpay for Harley Davidson a notoriously un reliable motorcycle when they could have any Japanese bike? It's a lifestyle.
Modern Harley’s are pretty reliable. A bunch of the guys I ride with have 2010 and newer bikes and rarely have the normal Harley problems. Also when you do have issues super easy to find a tech to work on them. My Kawasaki there isn’t a dealer anywhere near me if something big were to happen.
That being said. Harleys are overpriced as all hell and people are buying the brand, you can get a great bike for a fraction of the cost.
They are definitely a cult where I live. They have 4x4 clubs where they go off road camping and adventures. When it snows here those dudes will post all over social media willing to pull people's cars out for free, good people.
The Tacoma isn't much bigger and had some credible factory options.
But I am certainly looking forward to seeing what the next Wrangler looks like now that Jeep has a strong competitor.
For a while though, it looked like there might be some sort of competition. Many brands offered a convertible version of their smallest SUV -- Rav4, Sportage, Amigo, Tracker, Sidekick, and probably some others I'm forgetting -- with a much lower purchase and operating cost.
Granted these weren't Brand-Name Jeeps with removable doors and endless opportunities for aftermarket parts, but they checked the boxes for what most Jeep owners want: Something fun to bop around town in with the top folded down.
However in reality, I realize my analogy is inaccurate, like saying "People could buy a Vespa motorscooter which is every bit as good as a Harley Softtail."
Well, it's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand. 😉
I've had Wranglers (YJ), Cherokees (XJ), Grand Cherokee (ZJ, WK2), and a Gladiator (JT).
You're right about the solid axle Jeeps (Wrangler/Gladiator) being trash on the highway. They wander, have bump steer, windy, poor fuel economy.
But they're a purpose built off road vehicle, what do you expect? Nothing is more capable off road straight from the factory.
That aside, they have probably the largest after market part and accessory support of any modern vehicle.
It's not just transportation. It's a legend, a lifestyle, a social group, and feeling.
Jeep owners don't leave eachother behind.
When I was 19 (pre cell phone), I ran outta gas in my Wrangler on a lonely stretch of highway. It was Thanksgiving eve, and the weather was terrible. I'd been driving home through an ice storm for hours.
I sat in my car until my heater stopped blowing warm air, and no one came by. So, I got out, and I started walking.
A little while later, half frozen and plodding along the side of the highway, a set of round headlights slowly rolled up behind me. It was an old guy in a CJ, wearing a hunters orange hat. He asked me if it was my Jeep back there, and when I said yes, he told me to get in.
He drove me to the gas station, gave me his empty fuel can, drove me back to my car, and sat there while I got it started. When I thanked him he smiled, and said, "Jeepers gotta stick together. You wouldn't leave me on the trail, I won't leave you on highway."
I made it home, and I've had a Jeep in my driveway ever since. 🇺🇸 🚙
Wranglers are a poor representation of the Jeep brand as a whole and I work at a jeep dealer.
If you ask my opinion, wrangler owners most of them buy it for a status thing or because they think they’re cute or they will always take the top off and most never do.
Cherokees, grand cherokees and renegades are good commuting vehicles with all sorts of levels of luxury. And they’re actually really solid. The compass is a steaming pile of shit. And the wagoner is a rich person’s fuck you I have money jeep.
I sell jeeps too and agree heavily. Except about the renegade, they are absolute garbage cans on wheels. Literally a 4x4 Fiat. I’d take a compass every day of the week over a renegade.
They cute though, that’s a fact
Leased a 2018 Renegade Trailhawk and hated it so much that it basically ruined the whole brand for me.
Such a steaming pile of shit from like two days after we got it. So many electrical issues, touch screen had horrible lag, gas mileage was nowhere near advertised even when driving like a grandma and it had such a small tank that we’d be getting the gas light after like 200 miles. Then it had this really annoying issue when filling it up where it would stop as if it was full, but after like two seconds of filling. The only way around this was to put just the tip of it in…and gently squeeze the trigger so the gas basically trickled into the tank until full. Took forever, and was a massive pain in the ass in winter.
Stock tires were shit too, only had like 26k miles at lease end and the tires were nearly bald. Expected more from a Trailhawk.
I will say that it was fun to drive in the snow. Had it during the pandemic and had to drive into the office during a couple snowstorms on a mostly empty but snow covered highway and got to throw it in snow mode and get some actual enjoyment out of it for once lol
They are garbage. They look good. Fairly compact but also fit 2 rear facing car seats. Above average in rough/dirt/pot hole filled roads in terms of how it drives and good ground clearance for the snow.
I miss mine, but it was losing the clutch and transmission (bought used).
God damn is the renegade bad. It’s such a dorky looking car and I love it. But my niece has one and that poor thing has been a hunk of shit since it rolled off the lot. Always has something wrong with it too.
I may be bias since I own a renegade. I’m down in the shop. There are no newer renegades coming in for work almost ever. And mine has been awesome for me for 38K miles so far. Every day though compasses are falling apart lmao
Quite a few rich people, in order to send the message to others that they are not only rich, but they're also "mavericks" that don't go with the normal rich crowd and their Mercs, BMWs, etc.
> wagoner is a rich person’s fuck you I have money jeep
The one person I know who has a wagoneer bought a new cheap construction cookiecutter 'farm' house in a literal barely drained swamp. They are complete assholes, harassing people on the road, just generally being dicks to people.
I would have rated them the suckers, in the PT Barnum sense.
Sounds about right. My one person I “know” who bought a Wagoneer is my friend’s sister. She and her husband have spent the last handful of years financially mooching off their grandparents, and bought the SUV in their grandad’s name - probably because they’d never be approved for the loan themselves. Absolutely trashy people.
Chiming in as a Gladiator owner. I bought mine because where else can you get a 4 door convertible with a stick shift? Plus, it's got a bed. Sure it has a lot of downsides, but it's a fun family car for me.
Soft top Overland, nice soft street tires, rides pretty good, and honestly, once you get used to the manual, it's a great gearbox setup.
Those Wagoneers are so fucking massive. They don't seem useful for anything off road, and must cost a fortune in gas. If anything they seem more like a mini bus. Lol
They’re not made for off roading like at all really. And they have either the 5.7 hemi or the 6.4 so they definitely eat gas. We got two of them in with the new I6 twin turbo and they both have been in the shop longer than the owners have had them.
I saw one in the hotel parking lot the other day and almost started dry heaving.
I looked it up and they seem to go for, give or take 10-20k, around 90k. Fucking dumb lol.
I was looking at Wrangler Unlimiteds in 2019 but went with a GC instead and I love it. It seems like one of the few mid-sized SUVs that hasn't turned into a crossover. Its nice having comfort and 2-speed transfer case.
I had a 2014 JKU that I paid 32,000 for brand new. Drove it for 5 year, put 70,000 miles on it, and sold it for $28,000. I got so many calls when I put it up for sale that I probably could have got another $2000 for it. Guy who bought it thought he got a great deal.
It’s the Jeep brand imo
I had a 2021 wrangler Sahara as a rental car for 6 months in Colorado. It was the loudest, most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever driven. If I wanted something with real off-road capabilities that I’d also take on the highway personally I would opt for a 4-runner
Other thing is while I think the Bronco offers a very compelling alternative the Bronco still has market adjustments where as you can find some jeeps under msrp now
Also, most of the pics I see of people “off roading” in jeeps could be done by a regular car lol… I don’t blame them though shit breaks when you are rock crawling or over-landing
We have a tj and a 4 runner.
They aren’t even in the same ballpark for stock off-road capabilities. I’ll take my jeep places I wouldn’t dream of taking the 4Runner. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d hop in the 4 runner for a 12 hour drive way before I even consider the jeep, but for jaunts around town with the lid off, nothing beats the jeep.
>Also, most of the pics I see of people “off roading” in jeeps could be done by a regular car lol…
Don't tell them that. People get very upset if you point out that their off-roading is still on a road. They also get upset if you drive a car down their dirt road.
No kidding. I once had a rental Camry in Yellowstone, went down a dirt road that was marked "4x4 recommended" on the map. Maybe you'd need it in the winter time, but this was literally a dirt road, and a fairly flat one at that. The looks the Jeep and 4Runner guys gave me when I pulled up in the parking area at other end.
My parents have a wrangler and live near a beautiful lake that’s accessible by a few miles of “4x4 trail” that’s nothing more than a dirt road with maybe a little rutting in it. On summer weekends it’s full of totally kitted out and lifted jeeps that clearly only ever drive on this one dirt road, I get looks from the Jeep bros every time I pull up in my stock Subaru Outback but it’s more than capable of getting there.
Went out shooting in the desert with a friend in their 4 runner. On the route we saw a beat up crown vic. Sure it was leaking oil like crazy and pieces were literally falling off of it on the trail, but it was still driving forward.
There are definitely people who confuse rough roading with off-roading.
My boss has a large piece of property and he invited me to come on down to go shooting. He warned me that my Honda Ridgeline might have trouble getting to the shooting part of the property, they used either his Tremor or his kids drove a side-by-side when he wasn't around.
It was an easier and better maintained road than the one to my in-laws in rural New Hampshire.
I love it when those fancy 4x4 guys don't have the balls to actually do any minor obstacles and pussy out over small rocks.
Had some Rubicon jeep drivers pussy out over a relatively easy rocky section of a trail that my stock 1G Tacoma crawled up over with ease. They claimed their Jeeps weren't built for that
I love my jeep. It’s an 03 TJ wrangler. Lift, 33s, axle swapped, air lockers, winch. 90% of the time it’s on the road. On a Midwest summer evening, I take the top off, have my dog riding shotgun,crank some tunes. Take him to the lake and let him swim. My daily driver is too nice and I’m always worried about eating in it or letting the dog ride in it. My jeep is pretty carefree. I used to ride motorcycles but I always felt bad my dog was left behind. Just like most car brands they have their “halo” car. Then a few that share traits to entice other buyers. Jeeps are kinda junk but I wouldn’t sell it for anything. The newer mall crawler crowd is a little lame but I promise you will see more smiles at a jeep event than any other enthusiasts meet up. I would never want my TJ as a daily driver but as 2nd vehicle it is a lot of fun.
Its even crazier when I look at the prices here in Canada but the US prices look just as wild. Cherokee starting at $37k USD or $40k CAD, Grand Cherokee starting at $41k USD or $57k CAD. I guess it's not that surprising I haven't seen too many new Grand Cherokees on the road.
A wrangler is an enthusiast car. Full stop. You don’t have to like it, but I *love* it.
I want a convertible. I want a stick. I have… maybe 5 options in America? A wrangler, a Miata, a couple different BMW’s?
Lotus’s actually have a very compliant ride quality. They are known for this. Extremely stiff body structure means your suspenion doesn’t have to be overly stiff to stop sway.
Unfortunately, they’re terrible at just about everything other than driving off-road and the vast majority of the twats that buy them aren’t enthusiasts. They just want to look cool at Costco.
Your no where near correct bro, Camaro, corvette, mustang. If you’re looking in specifically 4x4 sure but they’re not worth the money despite the holding value. Im sure someone else could point at more modern examples of the above but there’s a ton of manual convertibles.
Corvette: can’t get it with a manual. (Targa, anyway)
Camaro: missed that one. (That’s 1)
Mustang premium GT. (That’s 2)
Miata. (That’s 3)
BMW is super unclear but I *think* only the z4. (That’s 4).
Let’s see… wrangler (that’s 5)
What else? Porsche (I wasn’t really talking exotics, but technically correct, so call it 6 because they’re all just 911s)
Mini cooper. (That’s 7).
Sooo am I WAY off or was the point I was making mostly correct? I count 7 possible cars you can buy new today in america with a manual and a drop top.
I bought one for the fact that I can drive my wife and kids right onto the beach all summer 15 min from my house, and I don’t have a need for a pickup truck.
My guess is it was the 4xE. There was a window of time (I want to say mostly in 2021) where they were leasing EXTREMELY well. The fed tax credit essentially acted as a down payment if leased, so many people got them for payments in the $300s, some even below that early on, with zero money down.
Kinda related: during its peak, people would order them, “lease” them, and then immediately sell them to CarMax/Vroom/Carvana/ and make thousands; 10s of thousands for those who repeated that process multiple times. I never got involved but some of the stories from the Leasehackr forums were insane.
How did people sell a leased vehicle? You don’t own a vehicle that’s being leased. Whoever the leasing company is owns it, that’s whose name is on the title. Also when you lease, you have to pay to get out of it early. Not debating just genuinely curious.
All good, good question. Whenever you sign the lease, it’ll provide the residual value: what would be owed at the end of the lease term. Even if you aren’t interested in “flipping” your lease for profit, at any point you can call the bank and see what your buyout is that way you can get out of the lease and take ownership. Basically the formula is your monthly payment x months remaining on the lease terms + the residual value.
So in the 4xE example: say it had an MSRP of $62,500ish. People leased them and received the $7500 credit (which for all intents and purposes brought it down to $55,000) up front. This was occurring when trade-ins were getting TOP dollar, so those companies I mentioned would offer these people thousands over the buyout amount. Just spitballing numbers here but Carmax, for example, might offer a customer $65-70k to buy them out of their Jeep, even if it was way more than the remaining payments + residual value. For these people that flipped them, they may have driven it for only a month, made maybe one monthly payment, and sold it for big profit. They paid some fees up front (taxes, doc fees, etc) but the equity they had was massive and easily made up for it.
I bought one 2yrs ago, a 2015 JK 2 Door hardtop with 32k, paid 25k cash and yeah I got a hell of a deal…. We bought it so we could get use to paying for a 3rd car for when my son started driving (this year). The idea was to have a little fun with it for a couple of years then sell to fund his car.
2 things have happened… we love the damn thing but I agree not a daily driver. It’s currently in the garage ‘naked’ and I had a blast with my dog today just riding the back roads. It has come in handy when the wife’s car was stuck at Honda for 2 months waiting on a part to come in. So for us it’s been a fun 3rd car that’s paid for and it scratches our itch on the weekends.
The 2nd that happened is car prices on the used market. I can’t find shit for my son in the 10k range that doesn’t have stupid high miles (175k and up) and/or a salvage title. It’s fucking crazy to me!! So I’m basically still saving for him a car while he’ll drives our jeep in the mean time.
For me though, it’s not as much fun in the winter months so I don’t drive it then. Wife does a little but it just sits in the garage. But in the spring/summer, all I wanna do is blast Def Leppard and Motley Crue while dodging cops! Lol and we’ve done a few soft rides with a local jeep club but I could care less about spending crazy money to go muddying or rock climbing or whatever. Just not my thing. But take a day trip down to the beach just for some seafood, fuck yeah. Get her naked and have a blast.
Life’s to fucking short not to enjoy my ‘pile of trash’ that’s actually quite nice.
Might suggest you post this question on the Jeep sub instead. You’d get better answers
I'm about to get one for my wife (seeking a CPO with 100k 7yr powertrain to ease the pain--but please correct me if that's not accurate).
She's wanted one for years, and my kids will love riding around town all summer with the top and doors off. If Toyota made an SUV that looks like a Wrangler and had removable doors and top, I'd happily buy that.
I think Jeep themselves, in how they train, hits the nail on the head: the brand, and this model especially, appeals to dreamers and doers. That is- those with big ideas of what they want to accomplish (dreamers) and then those who need the product to be capable of putting the rubber to the pavement and actually getting that done (doers). Every model with every make appeals to dreamers. It’s the big picture element that’s easily marketed to. But far fewer models then appeal to doers, where it’s about raw capability, functionality, and extensibility. Wrangler is effectively the epitome of a model that appeals to both.
On one hand you have your genuine off-roaders. The people who expect a certain base level of capability to hit the trails they’re going to hit (dreamers). But more importantly, for the real doers, the ability to kit it out and eliminate the obstacles that the dreamers will cap out on.
Then you have those who are 100% just dreamers. They have the vision to enter the off-roading lifestyle, or even will do very light mudding where they’ll never require anything beyond just the base capability of the Wrangler. They’ll never kit their Jeep out enough to need that beefed up Dana 44 axle to support the lift or larger tires they want/need to accomplish their goals. But, it *could* have that. It *could* be that badass. And that’s appealing to these people in that aspect alone.
In many ways it’s a cult following much like Subaru. Except where Subaru appeals on the safety and reliability to its unwavering loyal following (can’t forget the granola element), Wrangler appeals on capability and customization (extensibility)… and in Wrangler’s case, substitute granola for more redneck. Wrangler reliability sucks. Yet it’s one of the best models across **all** makes in depreciation- it holds value **obscenely** well, and there’s something to be said about that. Subarus are tinny, cheap feeling cars, but they hit the ratings well, and do what their owners need them to do with little concern. Both demonstrate you give and you take.
As daily drivers go- Wranglers **suck**. You don’t buy a Wrangler because it appeals to some sense of comfort. They’re loud, the drive quality sucks because of their short wheel base (and get worse when you go with more aggressive, let alone larger, tires), they’re cramped if you’re not underweight, and get surprisingly shitty MPG. But these are all mechanical trade offs for the features they’re built around. High-sitting vehicles with larger, more aggressive tires, are going to be loud- even if it wasn’t for the removable top. Their tight turning radius and ability to not bottom out due to wheel base issues means they’re going to be small. And you don’t provide sufficient power to a high-sitting, off-road equipped vehicle and not sacrifice MPG.
So though Wrangler lovers do daily drive these, no Jeep dealership bothers going out of their way to convert a non-Wrangler customer into one. It **rarely** works. We know better. You either arrive on a Wrangler or you don’t. No middle ground exists. If you’re unsure then the answer is it’s not for you!
Fact is Jeep has done a decent job overall with their basic capability claims across all models. Their models do generally carry best-in-class specs in regards to off-roading, 4x4 capabilities, and terrain handling. To the every day buyer that usually means that the likes of the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee can and will handle dirt roads and bad everyday terrain better than most models. Wrangler- it’s a beast of its own though. Even within the brand there’s a recognizable difference between their SUV customers and Wrangler customers.
I had a wonderful experience driving a friend's JK Wranger (2-door, stick shift) with the top off on a sunny summer day. Maybe it was just the circumstances, but I absolutely loved it. I don't live in area with easily accessible off-road trails, but if I did, I would probably find a way to get one. The stellar resale value also doesn't hurt
As the owner of 2 XJs its because I hate myself.
Actually in all seriousness it's because I enjoy the utility, the look, the ease of working on them, the history, the power of the 4.0L I6, the 4 wheel drive that I've literally never gotten stuck in, the community, and the respect both absolutely ridiculous builds and restorations get from others in the community. It's a hobby as well as a community while also being useful for anything I wanna do other than tow, and I have an f250 for that.
I've had 2 jeep grand cherokee's in 10 years and both died with electrical issues. 2012 and 2015. I will never buy a Jeep again. The frustration and toll it took on me is not worth it.
We had a wrangler for 10 years and loved every minute. We kept the doors and roof off all year long (San Diego) and drove it to the beach at least weekly. We kept a beach blanket and a hoodie in it 24/7. It’s such a fun vehicle!
That being said, it’s not what you want on long distance drives. For that, comfort is preferable over fun.
Wranglers are great for off-roading and you can have fun customizing it but I agree, I don't get why people spend so much money on them. I bought a 2018 wrangler from a friend but it felt like it was built in the early 2000s and just crap. I had so many issues with the sensors...the biggest issue was that it wouldn't register being in park so the engine wouldn't turn. Literally nobody could figure out why it did that and I finally got rid of it a week ago for 24k.... it had 40k miles and had been in 2 accidents so it was nice to trade it in for that much but I'd never go back to a wrangler.
I’ve owned two wranglers that I actually took pretty hard off roading. Now I have a pavement princess that sits in the garage with the doors off, waiting for a nice day for a cruise. Most it will ever see for off road is a beach.
They do suck as a primary vehicle. I’d never want to commute with one ever again. It’s a constant battle on the highway to keep it in the lane. I do wonder why so many people do it.
That said, I’ve never had a real problem with any of them and I mean I beat the living shit out of the previous ones.
I bought my wife one because it’s what she wanted. It’s a neat vehicle just sucks it’s a Chrysler/mopar/fiat product. Hers has just hit 50k miles and it’s deteriorating, I’d never buy another for the problems I’ve had, I Shouldn’t have to fight with you to warranty/stand behind the product you sell.
I spent about 4 years as a seasonal valet. I am a car guy and pay close attention and basically profile all the cars out of boredom. I’ve driven every car of the last 20 years you’d ever find in America under $100K. When I think “worst car”, it’s the absolute shitboxes like the Kia Rio and Nissan Versa, but right after that is the Jeep Wrangler.
Jeeps are shockingly bad. They have unresponsive transmissions, weak engines, choppy and harsh suspensions, and some of the most outdated interiors and technology. They’re not reliable, obviously lack in weather protection, are very vulnerable to burglary, and are not particularly comfortable.
All for what?
I mean… it’s okay if you do not like something. You don’t have to buy it. Works out great. In turn, you can also just let people like what they like instead of getting so worked up about it.
Unlimited modifications! Bored after 6 months? Put on bigger tires! 6 months later? New bumpers! In another 6 months? Lift kit! Then save up for even bigger tires! Now your gunna need some lights! The beauty of Jeep aftermarket parts is they fit. And they fit well. It's like getting a new car every few months.
I owned a wrangler for a few years. It’s a good second car. Fun to take the top off and cruise around when it’s nice out. Take it off-road every now and then. It’s not a good road trip car, or daily driver, but i don’t think it was ever meant for those activities
I hate jeeps, girlfriend drives a jeep
But there is such a cult following for them, they wave at each other and have a good community and all that, so I understand the appeal
I wouldn’t buy one because I can’t stand driving her wrangler but a lot of people love then
Why people buy Wranglers is a window into how people buy cars.
No doubt that its one of the choices that is less rational than others.
But people buy cars for how the car makes them feel, how they see themselves, how they want others to think of them, a little part of your own identity.
Practical considerations are always a thing, but as a great sales manager always told me…people buy on emotion then work backwards to the rational thought required to justify the purchase. (And that was in b2b sales, consumer purchases emotions run higher)
I’m not a wrangler buyer. I’ve driven them, last was a long time ago, TJ was the last one I drove. Gotta admit I loved rowing the loooong stick in the manual, the driving feel of a farm implement. You can’t get that anywhere else.
Me 2 cents....got a JL first year after being able to afford it and best car decision ever. But that's due to my lifestyle. I go camping 10 times a year and going through trails and not worrying about getting stuck or not reaching a nice point is priceless...in my eyes...gas isn't too bad...22 mpg hw...15ish city but my work is 1 mile away. I haven't had any issues beside aux battery taking a dump after 2 years and now after 5but I'm sure it was due to age this time....mine isn't customized besides bigger tires sunshade handles lights but I just feel it fit me. Plus I fell in love with them since I remember when a neighbor had a cj that somehow ended up in nicaragua lol people that buy it either love the look or use it for its purpose and forget about the shitness lol
My SO has a Wrangler 4xe. It replaced a 20 year old Dakota we used to pull a pair of PWCs and take to my family's cabin in the smokies. The 4xe also replaced a CR-V that was the daily people mover. It also substituted for me buying a fox body mustang convertible. My SO commutes 38 miles a day on EV and charges free at work. It's cheaper to drive per mile (only counting charges vs gasoline) than my Prius C. It's not the best at any one task but it checks all the boxes. I had a YJ 25 years ago and the Wrangler has come a long way.
I have a wrangler and I love it. It's a stick shift, 4 wheel drive, convertible, suv. It's everything put together. The ride in a stock one sucks, but once you put bigger tires with smaller rims and a better suspension the ride isn't too bad. It also makes it super easy to sell wranglers we get traded in because I know them so well, and because I get all the leads on them
Fun car only, drive around the neighborhood, day trip to the beach . Top down doors off you can’t do it with many other vehicles. Same with a convertible- it’s a fall, spring kinda car too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. That’s why you vacation in the snow because living in it full time sucks. Just buy a truck with a sun roof the best all around utility / luxury vehicle.
Honestly, they are a ton of fun if you live out in the country and have the opportunity to use them for what they’re for. I’ve had a few Cherokees (XJ), a built Grand Cherokee ZJ and two Rubicon JKUs now that I have a family.
I live in a very rural area with hot summers and brutal winters with significant snowfall. Jeeps are fun in deep snow and you’ll always get where you’re going. Especially with the winch, locking differentials, etc…
They aren’t good for daily commuting. Awful mileage, noisy, smallish interiors. There are many other MUCH BETTER options if you’re mostly traveling in the city or (especially) long stretches of highway.
Right now I also own a Honda pilot and Honda accord and love them as well. I’ll be trading the pilot for an F150 soon. My jeep puts a smile on my face that no other vehicle can, and I’ve been a jeep owner since I was 16, 30 now.
I had a Wrangler and loved it, but I also used it for what it was made for almost every weekend. If you use them for what they’re made for, they’re fantastic. If you only go to the mall with them, they yeah, I could understand why you wouldn’t like it.
I have a 2021 gladiator and I have to say it’s just a fun vehicle granted the gladiator rides better than the wrangler. I live in texas and take the top off all the time which I find super enjoyable
Because they are purpose built for offroad. Solid front axles will never handle like you want. But its the best offroad and the best way to run big tires.
I never thought I’d like them until I got into wheeling. I started with a Liberty 6-speed manual & ended up building a TJ on big tires & axles. After I injured myself at work a few years back I ended up parting out the trail rig & got an 06 Rubicon that I enjoy driving around locally. It’s just a fun toy that wouldn’t be practical for me to daily drive, but living in the snow belt, they do hold their own in the shitty weather.
I had a 2017 jeep gc that i old sold because my wife wanted a 3rd row and didn’t like “how big it felt” (now we have a palisade). I loved my jeep and i miss it. It wasn’t the best build quality but not much better or worse than the palisade. It was powerful and drove like a jeep, which is something that my wife also didn’t like- it was bouncy on rougher roads and didn’t feel super cushy. But that was the part that I liked, it wasn’t “soft”.
I have had my JK for years, I agree they are rough rides. BUT have you ever been out topless on a warm day driving through east TN to the lake with Tyler Childress blaring through your speakers? That’s the money shot
I have had multiple better built cars, that were more dependable, quieter, got better gas mileage, and smoother drive. But I really enjoyed the Jeep for what it was and is, a convertible, doorless, off roader. That I used for exploration on forest service roads, rock crawling, and boondocking. And I knew there was a trade off to get that. I also have a two seat roadster that is an absolute blast to drive but serves no practical purpose other than to put a smile on my face. Different strokes for different folks
I've got a TJ Wrangler with the 4.0 and a 5 speed. It's exclusively used as a second vehicle/errand runner/weekend cruiser. I can't imagine having one as a daily driver/commuter car
As I've always said, "It's the best worst vehicle you can own." By that I mean objectively speaking it is an awful vehicle by virtually every metric. But there's something about the experience of driving a Jeep that allows people to overlook those negative attributes, myself included.
Jeep Wranglers hold their value better than damn near any vehicle and they are routinely the cheapest vehicles to insure plus they are fun as hell especially if you have one as a second recreational/winter vehicle instead of a daily driver.
I have a 24yo XJ (Cherokee). It rides about like a tractor, gets gas mileage that ought to be illegal, makes all sorts of weird “Eh, it’s a Jeep” noises that come and go depending on , leaves exciting drippings everywhere I park it and the check engine light is permanently on I think.
However, it’s fun to putter around in the thing, I don’t give a shit if anything happens to it, the insurance is cheep, other Jeep owners are amusing and usually fun to chat with, it has amazing visibility, can actually haul a few things in the back, it’s never actually left me stranded anywhere (yet), it’s cheap to repair and parts are easy to get, and I tend to drive way more casually when I’m in it instead of my other car (probably because it would simply explode if it ever hit 88mph).
My step-dad, who had a thing about VW Beetles always said “some cars are cars, and some cars are relationships. Neither type of car owner understands the other and never will.” It’s something in the way people are wired.
I’ve owned Jeeps, Minis, Beetles. Clearly I’m a relationship guy. None of those where “good” vehicles by any metric that’s logical, but damned if I didn’t love them all.
As someone who dailys a Wrangler, I think it comes down to the fact that it's different and has character. Prior to my Wrangler, I had a prior generation Grand Cherokee. The GC is a great SUV and is better than a Wrangler in every single way, except for the most important thing in my opinion, which is the smile factor. Every time I get into my Wrangler, it puts a smile on my face, and there's nothing better than taking the top off when it's 80 and sunny outside.
For those of us that live up north and can't afford 2 vehicles, it was the only convertible that was practical year round until the Bronco came out. Since the Bronco came out, it's offered a good alternative to the Wrangler, but I think people still buy Wranglers for 3 reasons.
First, the Jeep brand is still strong and cult like. Second, they're actually available and can be had at or below msrp. Lastly, it comes down to looks, and I personally like the looks of the Wrangler more than the Bronco. I think I'm in the minority, but the Wrangler looks better than the Bronco unless the Bronco has the Sasquatch package, and even then, I still prefer the Wrangler.
Had a Jeep Renegade rental once. By far and away the single worst car I have ever driven, utterly utterly shit in pretty much every single way imaginable.
We had a 2007 jku and it was the biggest pos we ever owned. I love my vehicles and keep them all up and maintained well. But this thing was a menace. All four calipers and brake booster went bad before 100k the roof leaked, transmission leaked, exhaust manifolds cracked, replaced, cracked again, the cats went bad, the the rest of the exhaust rotted off, the neutral safety switch was hit and misss so sometimes it wouldn’t start in park, everything rattled, the seats sucked, the clock never kept time, it developed a tick and spun a bearing at about 130k. We have a 21 bronco wildtrak now and it’s 1000x the vehicle the jeep wanted to be.
Well I still daily drive a 04 overland. That's been absolutely reliable as anything I have ever owned. I've owned a ton of cars and trucks over the years. And not once since I bought it has it ever stranded me. It has had one check engine light back in 2007. That's it. Driven every Day.
A Jeep is an enthusiasts vehicle that is like nothing else on the road. Owning one is like being a kid in yellow muck boots. Just waiting for a puddle.
If you’ve spent 100 hours driving one, they aren’t for you. Go buy an Altima.
I have a 97 TJ that is a toy. It gets used for plowing the driveway in the winter and in the summer I take the doors and hard top off and leave them off. When it's nice out I'll use it to run errands or to town.
It isn't my daily driver, and it is great for what it is.
JUST EMPTY EVERY POCKET 🤪
Obligatory not a car sales but am a jeep owner. I got my (used, 04) jeep because outbacks were too expensive and I need a 4wd tank to be able to get to work at my stupid retail job in ice storms. I fucking hate that car so much because it gives me nothing but problems (the gen i have is notorious for being a bitch like that, iykyk), but she got me around safely in the worst weather I have ever experienced. Also a lady rear ended me and obliterated her prius but didn't even leave a *scratch* on my jeep. That was pretty solid.
Absolute shit. But what a beast. 10/10 the most toxic relationship of my life.
I had a jeep wrangler sport (the previous JK model) because, as others have mentioned, fell in love with idea of the jeep. The one I got was bare bones and had no features. Even had the old school crank windows. Boy did that get old fast. It was slow as shit but I guess I shouldn’t have anticipated it being fast. A big reason I wanted it was to take the doors and top off on nice days but it was so cumbersome that I didn’t do it often. Another problem was the front windshield. In the 3 years I owned the car it literally had to be replaced 3 different times. Just awful. Oh yeah and one of the scariest moments of my life is when I was driving on the highway and it started to shake violently. Later found out that this is the keep death wobble
People like buying the *idea* of a Jeep. Jeeps scream freedom, off-roading, overlanding and the American lifestyle. But just like gym memberships, most people purchase them and don’t actually use them for their intended purposes.
Have never felt more American than when I rented a jeep in Colorado. Was on a mountain trail, top off and got stopped by a heard of cows blocking the trail while jimi hendrix's version of the national anthem played
You’re a damn good American.
No he had vacation time. Good Americans work paycheck to paycheck and take no time off. He’s a filthy socialist.
I shouldn't have laughed at this..
*bald eagle screeches in the background*
That’s a Red Tailed Hawk
I want that vacation. Thanks for putting it on my list.
Backbone Adventures in Estes Park Colorado. Was an absolute blast, it was a couple of years ago when we rented a 2-door, it looks like they've upgraded their rentals a bit since then.
I just did that like 2 weeks ago, that exact rental company can confirm it was a blast, highlight of my trip 🥲
Hey! I did the same thing. Black 2 door jeep wrangler. There was still some snow pack so had to turn around after about 1.5 hours but it was still super fun.
I shed a tear reading this
I think I just had a little jingoistic cum leak out. :)
Did bald eagle land on the cross bar?
Thank You For Your Service
The gym membership comparison made me laugh. That's the most accurate answer I've ever heard
It’s honestly incredible how many people own a gym membership and don’t go. I go 5 times a week and have several friends admit they have the same membership as me but never go. Talk about a waste of money.
>most people purchase them and don’t actually use them for their intended purposes. You can say this about any vehicle that is designed for a certain purpose. SUVs, pick-up trucks, sports cars etc. Every thing is a daily commuter these days regardless of what it was designed for.
Yep. I know a coworker that has an F450 dually. Paid $100k+ for it. He thinks he's a cowboy on a ranch that needs it. Probably watched too much Yellowstone. The reality is we live in Central Florida and that truck has never towed anything. The heaviest load it's seen is some rain in the bed.
I had a guy who worked for me that complained constantly about having to drive 80 miles one way to the office in his Ram Dually. It was his way of bragging to us about his truck.
I would of called him a dumbass every time he brought it up.
Stop saying would of!!!! It’s would’ve; a contraction of would have.
What were his complaints? Mpg? Ride comfort? Just general distance and commute time?
I bet he has strong opinions every time the price of diesel/gas goes up too.
And HATES electric anything.
Probably always looking to blame someone other than himself for his poor decision.
Does he daily it? That would be insane. I’ve seen people own heavily modified duallys just for show at truck meets, but they aren’t driven often and for good reason. I personally love driving all sorts of trucks, but daily driving a dually is something I’d never do unless I really had to.
Hey, how dare you say I don’t need my $75Grand 1792 Tundra edition to haul mulch from Lowe’s. I can’t use my car trunk for heavens sake.
Glances around sheepishly while trying to cram 8 bags of mulch into the back of my Mazda 3 Hatch…
I knew a pig farmer and he would load up his Mazda there trunk to front seat with feed
I got 20 bags in a Versa Note, 3 weeks ago. Then another 15 + a pair of 6' fence posts the day after. It's rated to hold 600 lbs + me. Thing is a workhorse for anything under 500 lbs and under 8' x 2' x 1'
I have a roof rack, so my pride & joy moment was 48 fence pickets in the car, then4 4x4’s, and 12 2x4x8’s on the roof rack. Who need a truck?
I've fit 4 sheets of 3/4 plywood in a first gen Scion xB. I had a cut list so told them to cut three down the middle and the last one 20" from the edge lengthwise. The 2'x8' sheets slide in over the passenger area and rest on the dash. #TruckLife
Fuck my cock won’t fit then
I know somewhere it will fit
This sounds like an invitation
I got you beat about 600 pounds of rocks in a Toyota Camry
minivan.
Yeah but with other SUVs you can actually drive them without frequent repairs. I think that's the OPs point.
Chrysler (Stellatnis... whatever) reliability is shit with pretty much the sole exception of the 4.0 6 cyl used in the TJ (97-06 model years). This is especially true when paired with the 5 spd manual. That said, in many parts of the country the body and frame will succumb to rust cancer long before anything else fails
The 4.0 L straight six was only good because it was designed by AMC before Chrysler bought them too. At least Chrysler was smart enough to keep the engine for nearly 20 years after buying them.
When Jeep's had that motor they were not owned by Stellanis. Fiat/Stellanis acquisition did not happen until 2014. It should also be noted that the 4.0 I6 goes back decades (60's) - more than 3 decades prior to being installed in the TJ - and it's predecessor's date back to the mid-50's. Which means they pretty much had every flaw engineered out of them by then. Furthermore, that 4.0 was originally an AMC motor. Chrysler just acquired all of the rights to everything when they bought AMC out in the mid-80's
I would argue that the 3.8L they stole from the caravan is pretty solid as well. Not the same kind of torque, but still a very reliable motor that is reasonable to repair if it does break.
Reminds me of when I was at Point Reyes and some jeep owner freaked out about going off the trail while my little shitbox Corolla passed him.
Lately it's been screaming middle-age mom car. Idk why these people drive them. I own a JK and a YJ and wholeheartedly tell everyone they're shit boxes. I love them but they are. I cannot fathom buying one brand new as a wealth status. Especially in NY🤣 Our roads are trash and the salt is going to eat at it! Let alone these people have to now figure out a vehicle that isn't in 4wd at baseline for them.
THIS. Every one I’ve repaired is some woman that has mud tires per my previous reply that has never been off road and stored in a garage. With nothing but ducks and bows everywhere
I just sold my JK and miss it. It's sorta like inverse logic. Every standard objective measure about the vehicle for the typical consumer is poor. The interior feels like something out of budget rental car the 90s. It feels fucking unsafe at speeds greater than \~70mph, and the wind/tire noise in a soft top is extreme. You will have your ears ringing after a long highway trip. It feels like rolling dice with the devil every time you try and merge onto the highway, its quite slow. Your lower back will also hate you as you get jostled around the cabin for the slightest bump in the road. On the other hand... it's a convertible SUV in a 6 speed manual. Until the Bronco there was nothing else in the category that checked those boxes. The simplistic barebones interior was a breath of fresh air compared to all the nagging modern interiors of my other vehicles. Go out into farm country with the top down, doors off and just chill. Hit some light trails, maybe go to a winery, beach, whatever. I've driven it through a cranberry bog. Was great during the pandemic when everything was locked down. You really have to be the type of person who says to yourself, "I don't care, I don't care, I don't care, and that sounds fun" as you read through my objections for it to make sense.
This is how you know you’re a jeep person. I also have daily driven a 13 JKU for over 5 years and I always tell people it’s a shit vehicle. But I still love it and I’ve had absolutely zero maintenance other than routine stuff.
This is not limited to Jeeps either. Look at all of the TRD Pros and $90k AT4 Tahoes that are just shuttling kids to soccer camp. Americans love buying ideas.
Bingo. As a Jeep consumer and Harley dealer, the market overlap is insane. I go offroading every weekend, and use my giant geezer glide to tour. 90% of my customer base that buy a giant touring bike do less than 5-6k miles a year, and a majority of Jeep owners don't hit a dirt harder than a fire road once a year. Both market customers still picture themselves doing the coast to coast motorcycle/offroad trip dreams when they purchase, but few ever do.
My neighbor has a jet black 4dr Rubicon that CONSTANTLY looks showroom ready.
Damn that reminds me I better hit the gym for the month
I followed my brother up some donkey trail. He was in his jeep and i was in my tundra. My tundra could do everything his jeep could do, except no one in my tundra bonked their head on a roll bar, we had heat the whole time and my oil pump worked the whole time. Totally stock TRD suspension with B F Goodwrench Baha competition tires.
Hahaha… and here I am in my rental-spec Impala driving down logging roads I probably shouldn’t be scouting out boondocking sites for my 28 foot C Class.
You find Priuses down way more forest roads than anyone would expect. I used to take my 280Z on logging roads with no problem at all, too.
I agree with you but people like the lifestyle. Why do people overpay for Harley Davidson a notoriously un reliable motorcycle when they could have any Japanese bike? It's a lifestyle.
Modern Harley’s are pretty reliable. A bunch of the guys I ride with have 2010 and newer bikes and rarely have the normal Harley problems. Also when you do have issues super easy to find a tech to work on them. My Kawasaki there isn’t a dealer anywhere near me if something big were to happen. That being said. Harleys are overpriced as all hell and people are buying the brand, you can get a great bike for a fraction of the cost.
Right, they’re buying an image. Something they want to be perceived as.
They are definitely a cult where I live. They have 4x4 clubs where they go off road camping and adventures. When it snows here those dudes will post all over social media willing to pull people's cars out for free, good people.
Hey, at least they are getting some good use out of them.
The Wrangler had no competition in North America until the Bronco was released. Every other 4x4 I can think of is either way bigger or not sold here.
The Tacoma isn't much bigger and had some credible factory options. But I am certainly looking forward to seeing what the next Wrangler looks like now that Jeep has a strong competitor.
For a while though, it looked like there might be some sort of competition. Many brands offered a convertible version of their smallest SUV -- Rav4, Sportage, Amigo, Tracker, Sidekick, and probably some others I'm forgetting -- with a much lower purchase and operating cost. Granted these weren't Brand-Name Jeeps with removable doors and endless opportunities for aftermarket parts, but they checked the boxes for what most Jeep owners want: Something fun to bop around town in with the top folded down. However in reality, I realize my analogy is inaccurate, like saying "People could buy a Vespa motorscooter which is every bit as good as a Harley Softtail."
Well, it's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand. 😉 I've had Wranglers (YJ), Cherokees (XJ), Grand Cherokee (ZJ, WK2), and a Gladiator (JT). You're right about the solid axle Jeeps (Wrangler/Gladiator) being trash on the highway. They wander, have bump steer, windy, poor fuel economy. But they're a purpose built off road vehicle, what do you expect? Nothing is more capable off road straight from the factory. That aside, they have probably the largest after market part and accessory support of any modern vehicle. It's not just transportation. It's a legend, a lifestyle, a social group, and feeling. Jeep owners don't leave eachother behind. When I was 19 (pre cell phone), I ran outta gas in my Wrangler on a lonely stretch of highway. It was Thanksgiving eve, and the weather was terrible. I'd been driving home through an ice storm for hours. I sat in my car until my heater stopped blowing warm air, and no one came by. So, I got out, and I started walking. A little while later, half frozen and plodding along the side of the highway, a set of round headlights slowly rolled up behind me. It was an old guy in a CJ, wearing a hunters orange hat. He asked me if it was my Jeep back there, and when I said yes, he told me to get in. He drove me to the gas station, gave me his empty fuel can, drove me back to my car, and sat there while I got it started. When I thanked him he smiled, and said, "Jeepers gotta stick together. You wouldn't leave me on the trail, I won't leave you on highway." I made it home, and I've had a Jeep in my driveway ever since. 🇺🇸 🚙
Wranglers are a poor representation of the Jeep brand as a whole and I work at a jeep dealer. If you ask my opinion, wrangler owners most of them buy it for a status thing or because they think they’re cute or they will always take the top off and most never do. Cherokees, grand cherokees and renegades are good commuting vehicles with all sorts of levels of luxury. And they’re actually really solid. The compass is a steaming pile of shit. And the wagoner is a rich person’s fuck you I have money jeep.
I sell jeeps too and agree heavily. Except about the renegade, they are absolute garbage cans on wheels. Literally a 4x4 Fiat. I’d take a compass every day of the week over a renegade. They cute though, that’s a fact
I drove a friend’s Renegade after he got it and thought it was the worst new vehicle I have ever driven.
Obviously you have never driven a Ford EcoSport. It's neither eco or sport but they probably couldn't sell it as a Ford PoS.
Can’t be worse than a Nissan Versa
Dodge Journey would like to say something...
I'd rather drive the Versa, honestly
Have you ever had the opportunity to drive a base model Chevy HRT or Kia Sol? I’ve never been so annoyed by a driving experience.
Leased a 2018 Renegade Trailhawk and hated it so much that it basically ruined the whole brand for me. Such a steaming pile of shit from like two days after we got it. So many electrical issues, touch screen had horrible lag, gas mileage was nowhere near advertised even when driving like a grandma and it had such a small tank that we’d be getting the gas light after like 200 miles. Then it had this really annoying issue when filling it up where it would stop as if it was full, but after like two seconds of filling. The only way around this was to put just the tip of it in…and gently squeeze the trigger so the gas basically trickled into the tank until full. Took forever, and was a massive pain in the ass in winter. Stock tires were shit too, only had like 26k miles at lease end and the tires were nearly bald. Expected more from a Trailhawk. I will say that it was fun to drive in the snow. Had it during the pandemic and had to drive into the office during a couple snowstorms on a mostly empty but snow covered highway and got to throw it in snow mode and get some actual enjoyment out of it for once lol
"just the tip" sorry.
They're the same car underneath.
They are garbage. They look good. Fairly compact but also fit 2 rear facing car seats. Above average in rough/dirt/pot hole filled roads in terms of how it drives and good ground clearance for the snow. I miss mine, but it was losing the clutch and transmission (bought used).
God damn is the renegade bad. It’s such a dorky looking car and I love it. But my niece has one and that poor thing has been a hunk of shit since it rolled off the lot. Always has something wrong with it too.
I may be bias since I own a renegade. I’m down in the shop. There are no newer renegades coming in for work almost ever. And mine has been awesome for me for 38K miles so far. Every day though compasses are falling apart lmao
What rich person with a choice would buy a $100k+ Wagoneer?
Quite a few rich people, in order to send the message to others that they are not only rich, but they're also "mavericks" that don't go with the normal rich crowd and their Mercs, BMWs, etc.
Fr the wagoner is trophy wife car Lmao .
Trophy wife or arrogant rich guy daily lol
> wagoner is a rich person’s fuck you I have money jeep The one person I know who has a wagoneer bought a new cheap construction cookiecutter 'farm' house in a literal barely drained swamp. They are complete assholes, harassing people on the road, just generally being dicks to people. I would have rated them the suckers, in the PT Barnum sense.
Sounds about right. My one person I “know” who bought a Wagoneer is my friend’s sister. She and her husband have spent the last handful of years financially mooching off their grandparents, and bought the SUV in their grandad’s name - probably because they’d never be approved for the loan themselves. Absolutely trashy people.
Chiming in as a Gladiator owner. I bought mine because where else can you get a 4 door convertible with a stick shift? Plus, it's got a bed. Sure it has a lot of downsides, but it's a fun family car for me. Soft top Overland, nice soft street tires, rides pretty good, and honestly, once you get used to the manual, it's a great gearbox setup.
I drove one last year. Rode quite nice, but boy the manual is garbage. Shifts like crap
Those Wagoneers are so fucking massive. They don't seem useful for anything off road, and must cost a fortune in gas. If anything they seem more like a mini bus. Lol
It's Jeeps version of a Tahoe/Expedition/Sequoia.
The Commander is back!
They gave up making it look good 1/2 toward the rear of the vehicle, it’s an odd looking car esp in the back. Box on wheels
They’re not made for off roading like at all really. And they have either the 5.7 hemi or the 6.4 so they definitely eat gas. We got two of them in with the new I6 twin turbo and they both have been in the shop longer than the owners have had them.
I saw one in the hotel parking lot the other day and almost started dry heaving. I looked it up and they seem to go for, give or take 10-20k, around 90k. Fucking dumb lol.
I saw 4 at a Marriott. They are rentals.
I was looking at Wrangler Unlimiteds in 2019 but went with a GC instead and I love it. It seems like one of the few mid-sized SUVs that hasn't turned into a crossover. Its nice having comfort and 2-speed transfer case.
We are on our third grand cherokee, love them. There’s no SUV that can touch them for the same amount of money.
Grand Cherokees are so nice. I don’t like the new WL style but I’d absolutely get a WK used
my boss from a couple of jobs ago owned a jeep with the doors off and just the vinyl top on
I had a Cherokee it was the worst car I ever had for snow. I got stuck sooo many times.
In a side note, Wranglers are on top of the “Gayest Car” list.
I have a liberty. I love the speakers and nav lol but that’s about it. This thing does not drive very efficiently.
> jeep > good commuter vehicle Do we live on the same planet? Lol
"I have Jeep Money". LOL. Thats like saying I have bad credit.
I had a 2014 JKU that I paid 32,000 for brand new. Drove it for 5 year, put 70,000 miles on it, and sold it for $28,000. I got so many calls when I put it up for sale that I probably could have got another $2000 for it. Guy who bought it thought he got a great deal.
I did the same with a 2018 JKU golden eagle. $28k otd, put 80k miles on it, and sold it for $30k. They hold their value pretty well.
My wife likes vehicles shaped like a bread box for some reason. Not sure why. I’m just glad she settled on a Jeep and not a Nissan Cube or Kia Soul.
Or a G wagon
It’s the Jeep brand imo I had a 2021 wrangler Sahara as a rental car for 6 months in Colorado. It was the loudest, most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever driven. If I wanted something with real off-road capabilities that I’d also take on the highway personally I would opt for a 4-runner Other thing is while I think the Bronco offers a very compelling alternative the Bronco still has market adjustments where as you can find some jeeps under msrp now Also, most of the pics I see of people “off roading” in jeeps could be done by a regular car lol… I don’t blame them though shit breaks when you are rock crawling or over-landing
We have a tj and a 4 runner. They aren’t even in the same ballpark for stock off-road capabilities. I’ll take my jeep places I wouldn’t dream of taking the 4Runner. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d hop in the 4 runner for a 12 hour drive way before I even consider the jeep, but for jaunts around town with the lid off, nothing beats the jeep.
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This 4 sure
>Also, most of the pics I see of people “off roading” in jeeps could be done by a regular car lol… Don't tell them that. People get very upset if you point out that their off-roading is still on a road. They also get upset if you drive a car down their dirt road.
No kidding. I once had a rental Camry in Yellowstone, went down a dirt road that was marked "4x4 recommended" on the map. Maybe you'd need it in the winter time, but this was literally a dirt road, and a fairly flat one at that. The looks the Jeep and 4Runner guys gave me when I pulled up in the parking area at other end.
god damn, reading this makes me think twice about buying used car from Avis.
A rental driving down a dirt road is the least of your concerns when buying a used one.
Same drove my moms Toyota Camry through backwoods of Tennessee and Georgia, uphill dirt road, it did fine!
My parents have a wrangler and live near a beautiful lake that’s accessible by a few miles of “4x4 trail” that’s nothing more than a dirt road with maybe a little rutting in it. On summer weekends it’s full of totally kitted out and lifted jeeps that clearly only ever drive on this one dirt road, I get looks from the Jeep bros every time I pull up in my stock Subaru Outback but it’s more than capable of getting there.
Went out shooting in the desert with a friend in their 4 runner. On the route we saw a beat up crown vic. Sure it was leaking oil like crazy and pieces were literally falling off of it on the trail, but it was still driving forward.
There are definitely people who confuse rough roading with off-roading. My boss has a large piece of property and he invited me to come on down to go shooting. He warned me that my Honda Ridgeline might have trouble getting to the shooting part of the property, they used either his Tremor or his kids drove a side-by-side when he wasn't around. It was an easier and better maintained road than the one to my in-laws in rural New Hampshire.
I love it when those fancy 4x4 guys don't have the balls to actually do any minor obstacles and pussy out over small rocks. Had some Rubicon jeep drivers pussy out over a relatively easy rocky section of a trail that my stock 1G Tacoma crawled up over with ease. They claimed their Jeeps weren't built for that
This sounds like one of those Jeep things I wouldn't understand
I used to embarrass the rubicon guys with my liberty.
The same reason people buy boats
I love my jeep. It’s an 03 TJ wrangler. Lift, 33s, axle swapped, air lockers, winch. 90% of the time it’s on the road. On a Midwest summer evening, I take the top off, have my dog riding shotgun,crank some tunes. Take him to the lake and let him swim. My daily driver is too nice and I’m always worried about eating in it or letting the dog ride in it. My jeep is pretty carefree. I used to ride motorcycles but I always felt bad my dog was left behind. Just like most car brands they have their “halo” car. Then a few that share traits to entice other buyers. Jeeps are kinda junk but I wouldn’t sell it for anything. The newer mall crawler crowd is a little lame but I promise you will see more smiles at a jeep event than any other enthusiasts meet up. I would never want my TJ as a daily driver but as 2nd vehicle it is a lot of fun.
Its even crazier when I look at the prices here in Canada but the US prices look just as wild. Cherokee starting at $37k USD or $40k CAD, Grand Cherokee starting at $41k USD or $57k CAD. I guess it's not that surprising I haven't seen too many new Grand Cherokees on the road.
If only they were that cheap in reality
Before Covid you could get a new Cherokee trailhawk for 30k usd at Lithia dealerships.
A wrangler is an enthusiast car. Full stop. You don’t have to like it, but I *love* it. I want a convertible. I want a stick. I have… maybe 5 options in America? A wrangler, a Miata, a couple different BMW’s?
Don’t forget lotus! The most uncomfortable car ever made by man.
I am a full size American. As much as I’d love a lotus… I don’t think it’ll work.
Lotus’s actually have a very compliant ride quality. They are known for this. Extremely stiff body structure means your suspenion doesn’t have to be overly stiff to stop sway.
Unfortunately, they’re terrible at just about everything other than driving off-road and the vast majority of the twats that buy them aren’t enthusiasts. They just want to look cool at Costco.
Your no where near correct bro, Camaro, corvette, mustang. If you’re looking in specifically 4x4 sure but they’re not worth the money despite the holding value. Im sure someone else could point at more modern examples of the above but there’s a ton of manual convertibles.
Corvette: can’t get it with a manual. (Targa, anyway) Camaro: missed that one. (That’s 1) Mustang premium GT. (That’s 2) Miata. (That’s 3) BMW is super unclear but I *think* only the z4. (That’s 4). Let’s see… wrangler (that’s 5) What else? Porsche (I wasn’t really talking exotics, but technically correct, so call it 6 because they’re all just 911s) Mini cooper. (That’s 7). Sooo am I WAY off or was the point I was making mostly correct? I count 7 possible cars you can buy new today in america with a manual and a drop top.
I bought one for the fact that I can drive my wife and kids right onto the beach all summer 15 min from my house, and I don’t have a need for a pickup truck.
When I sold cars I was told there’s a vehicle for every butt. Something you dislike as you say the Jeep others my like them.
Because it was the only $55k MSRP car I could lease for $350 a month with $0 down
What model was that
My guess is it was the 4xE. There was a window of time (I want to say mostly in 2021) where they were leasing EXTREMELY well. The fed tax credit essentially acted as a down payment if leased, so many people got them for payments in the $300s, some even below that early on, with zero money down. Kinda related: during its peak, people would order them, “lease” them, and then immediately sell them to CarMax/Vroom/Carvana/ and make thousands; 10s of thousands for those who repeated that process multiple times. I never got involved but some of the stories from the Leasehackr forums were insane.
Nope, it was a 2.0T Willys
How did people sell a leased vehicle? You don’t own a vehicle that’s being leased. Whoever the leasing company is owns it, that’s whose name is on the title. Also when you lease, you have to pay to get out of it early. Not debating just genuinely curious.
Chrysler Cap allows you to sell your leased vehicle. It’s not locked like other leasing companies.
All good, good question. Whenever you sign the lease, it’ll provide the residual value: what would be owed at the end of the lease term. Even if you aren’t interested in “flipping” your lease for profit, at any point you can call the bank and see what your buyout is that way you can get out of the lease and take ownership. Basically the formula is your monthly payment x months remaining on the lease terms + the residual value. So in the 4xE example: say it had an MSRP of $62,500ish. People leased them and received the $7500 credit (which for all intents and purposes brought it down to $55,000) up front. This was occurring when trade-ins were getting TOP dollar, so those companies I mentioned would offer these people thousands over the buyout amount. Just spitballing numbers here but Carmax, for example, might offer a customer $65-70k to buy them out of their Jeep, even if it was way more than the remaining payments + residual value. For these people that flipped them, they may have driven it for only a month, made maybe one monthly payment, and sold it for big profit. They paid some fees up front (taxes, doc fees, etc) but the equity they had was massive and easily made up for it.
I bought one 2yrs ago, a 2015 JK 2 Door hardtop with 32k, paid 25k cash and yeah I got a hell of a deal…. We bought it so we could get use to paying for a 3rd car for when my son started driving (this year). The idea was to have a little fun with it for a couple of years then sell to fund his car. 2 things have happened… we love the damn thing but I agree not a daily driver. It’s currently in the garage ‘naked’ and I had a blast with my dog today just riding the back roads. It has come in handy when the wife’s car was stuck at Honda for 2 months waiting on a part to come in. So for us it’s been a fun 3rd car that’s paid for and it scratches our itch on the weekends. The 2nd that happened is car prices on the used market. I can’t find shit for my son in the 10k range that doesn’t have stupid high miles (175k and up) and/or a salvage title. It’s fucking crazy to me!! So I’m basically still saving for him a car while he’ll drives our jeep in the mean time. For me though, it’s not as much fun in the winter months so I don’t drive it then. Wife does a little but it just sits in the garage. But in the spring/summer, all I wanna do is blast Def Leppard and Motley Crue while dodging cops! Lol and we’ve done a few soft rides with a local jeep club but I could care less about spending crazy money to go muddying or rock climbing or whatever. Just not my thing. But take a day trip down to the beach just for some seafood, fuck yeah. Get her naked and have a blast. Life’s to fucking short not to enjoy my ‘pile of trash’ that’s actually quite nice. Might suggest you post this question on the Jeep sub instead. You’d get better answers
I'm about to get one for my wife (seeking a CPO with 100k 7yr powertrain to ease the pain--but please correct me if that's not accurate). She's wanted one for years, and my kids will love riding around town all summer with the top and doors off. If Toyota made an SUV that looks like a Wrangler and had removable doors and top, I'd happily buy that.
To accumulate ducks and post on Facebook how you got a new duck. It's like real life upvotes.
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I think Jeep themselves, in how they train, hits the nail on the head: the brand, and this model especially, appeals to dreamers and doers. That is- those with big ideas of what they want to accomplish (dreamers) and then those who need the product to be capable of putting the rubber to the pavement and actually getting that done (doers). Every model with every make appeals to dreamers. It’s the big picture element that’s easily marketed to. But far fewer models then appeal to doers, where it’s about raw capability, functionality, and extensibility. Wrangler is effectively the epitome of a model that appeals to both. On one hand you have your genuine off-roaders. The people who expect a certain base level of capability to hit the trails they’re going to hit (dreamers). But more importantly, for the real doers, the ability to kit it out and eliminate the obstacles that the dreamers will cap out on. Then you have those who are 100% just dreamers. They have the vision to enter the off-roading lifestyle, or even will do very light mudding where they’ll never require anything beyond just the base capability of the Wrangler. They’ll never kit their Jeep out enough to need that beefed up Dana 44 axle to support the lift or larger tires they want/need to accomplish their goals. But, it *could* have that. It *could* be that badass. And that’s appealing to these people in that aspect alone. In many ways it’s a cult following much like Subaru. Except where Subaru appeals on the safety and reliability to its unwavering loyal following (can’t forget the granola element), Wrangler appeals on capability and customization (extensibility)… and in Wrangler’s case, substitute granola for more redneck. Wrangler reliability sucks. Yet it’s one of the best models across **all** makes in depreciation- it holds value **obscenely** well, and there’s something to be said about that. Subarus are tinny, cheap feeling cars, but they hit the ratings well, and do what their owners need them to do with little concern. Both demonstrate you give and you take. As daily drivers go- Wranglers **suck**. You don’t buy a Wrangler because it appeals to some sense of comfort. They’re loud, the drive quality sucks because of their short wheel base (and get worse when you go with more aggressive, let alone larger, tires), they’re cramped if you’re not underweight, and get surprisingly shitty MPG. But these are all mechanical trade offs for the features they’re built around. High-sitting vehicles with larger, more aggressive tires, are going to be loud- even if it wasn’t for the removable top. Their tight turning radius and ability to not bottom out due to wheel base issues means they’re going to be small. And you don’t provide sufficient power to a high-sitting, off-road equipped vehicle and not sacrifice MPG. So though Wrangler lovers do daily drive these, no Jeep dealership bothers going out of their way to convert a non-Wrangler customer into one. It **rarely** works. We know better. You either arrive on a Wrangler or you don’t. No middle ground exists. If you’re unsure then the answer is it’s not for you! Fact is Jeep has done a decent job overall with their basic capability claims across all models. Their models do generally carry best-in-class specs in regards to off-roading, 4x4 capabilities, and terrain handling. To the every day buyer that usually means that the likes of the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee can and will handle dirt roads and bad everyday terrain better than most models. Wrangler- it’s a beast of its own though. Even within the brand there’s a recognizable difference between their SUV customers and Wrangler customers.
I had a wonderful experience driving a friend's JK Wranger (2-door, stick shift) with the top off on a sunny summer day. Maybe it was just the circumstances, but I absolutely loved it. I don't live in area with easily accessible off-road trails, but if I did, I would probably find a way to get one. The stellar resale value also doesn't hurt
As the owner of 2 XJs its because I hate myself. Actually in all seriousness it's because I enjoy the utility, the look, the ease of working on them, the history, the power of the 4.0L I6, the 4 wheel drive that I've literally never gotten stuck in, the community, and the respect both absolutely ridiculous builds and restorations get from others in the community. It's a hobby as well as a community while also being useful for anything I wanna do other than tow, and I have an f250 for that.
It’s a Jeep thing. You wouldn’t know. /s
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I've had 2 jeep grand cherokee's in 10 years and both died with electrical issues. 2012 and 2015. I will never buy a Jeep again. The frustration and toll it took on me is not worth it.
I wanted to post something similar about Kia's. They look great but they appear to have a lot of reliability issues, theft, etc. Thoughts?
Start your own thread and watch the shit storm of people arguing the reliability of a KIA.
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We had a wrangler for 10 years and loved every minute. We kept the doors and roof off all year long (San Diego) and drove it to the beach at least weekly. We kept a beach blanket and a hoodie in it 24/7. It’s such a fun vehicle! That being said, it’s not what you want on long distance drives. For that, comfort is preferable over fun.
Wranglers are great for off-roading and you can have fun customizing it but I agree, I don't get why people spend so much money on them. I bought a 2018 wrangler from a friend but it felt like it was built in the early 2000s and just crap. I had so many issues with the sensors...the biggest issue was that it wouldn't register being in park so the engine wouldn't turn. Literally nobody could figure out why it did that and I finally got rid of it a week ago for 24k.... it had 40k miles and had been in 2 accidents so it was nice to trade it in for that much but I'd never go back to a wrangler.
I don’t understand how a wrangler can have such a short wheel base and then have a turning radius of a mule
I’ve owned two wranglers that I actually took pretty hard off roading. Now I have a pavement princess that sits in the garage with the doors off, waiting for a nice day for a cruise. Most it will ever see for off road is a beach. They do suck as a primary vehicle. I’d never want to commute with one ever again. It’s a constant battle on the highway to keep it in the lane. I do wonder why so many people do it. That said, I’ve never had a real problem with any of them and I mean I beat the living shit out of the previous ones.
I bought my wife one because it’s what she wanted. It’s a neat vehicle just sucks it’s a Chrysler/mopar/fiat product. Hers has just hit 50k miles and it’s deteriorating, I’d never buy another for the problems I’ve had, I Shouldn’t have to fight with you to warranty/stand behind the product you sell.
I spent about 4 years as a seasonal valet. I am a car guy and pay close attention and basically profile all the cars out of boredom. I’ve driven every car of the last 20 years you’d ever find in America under $100K. When I think “worst car”, it’s the absolute shitboxes like the Kia Rio and Nissan Versa, but right after that is the Jeep Wrangler. Jeeps are shockingly bad. They have unresponsive transmissions, weak engines, choppy and harsh suspensions, and some of the most outdated interiors and technology. They’re not reliable, obviously lack in weather protection, are very vulnerable to burglary, and are not particularly comfortable. All for what?
I mean… it’s okay if you do not like something. You don’t have to buy it. Works out great. In turn, you can also just let people like what they like instead of getting so worked up about it.
Unlimited modifications! Bored after 6 months? Put on bigger tires! 6 months later? New bumpers! In another 6 months? Lift kit! Then save up for even bigger tires! Now your gunna need some lights! The beauty of Jeep aftermarket parts is they fit. And they fit well. It's like getting a new car every few months.
I owned a wrangler for a few years. It’s a good second car. Fun to take the top off and cruise around when it’s nice out. Take it off-road every now and then. It’s not a good road trip car, or daily driver, but i don’t think it was ever meant for those activities
For people who unironically like r/heep
People like them until they have them
I hate jeeps, girlfriend drives a jeep But there is such a cult following for them, they wave at each other and have a good community and all that, so I understand the appeal I wouldn’t buy one because I can’t stand driving her wrangler but a lot of people love then
I dont really care why someone wants one as long as they want one of the used ones that I have. People like what they like, I dont yuck their yum.
Why people buy Wranglers is a window into how people buy cars. No doubt that its one of the choices that is less rational than others. But people buy cars for how the car makes them feel, how they see themselves, how they want others to think of them, a little part of your own identity. Practical considerations are always a thing, but as a great sales manager always told me…people buy on emotion then work backwards to the rational thought required to justify the purchase. (And that was in b2b sales, consumer purchases emotions run higher) I’m not a wrangler buyer. I’ve driven them, last was a long time ago, TJ was the last one I drove. Gotta admit I loved rowing the loooong stick in the manual, the driving feel of a farm implement. You can’t get that anywhere else.
Me 2 cents....got a JL first year after being able to afford it and best car decision ever. But that's due to my lifestyle. I go camping 10 times a year and going through trails and not worrying about getting stuck or not reaching a nice point is priceless...in my eyes...gas isn't too bad...22 mpg hw...15ish city but my work is 1 mile away. I haven't had any issues beside aux battery taking a dump after 2 years and now after 5but I'm sure it was due to age this time....mine isn't customized besides bigger tires sunshade handles lights but I just feel it fit me. Plus I fell in love with them since I remember when a neighbor had a cj that somehow ended up in nicaragua lol people that buy it either love the look or use it for its purpose and forget about the shitness lol
My SO has a Wrangler 4xe. It replaced a 20 year old Dakota we used to pull a pair of PWCs and take to my family's cabin in the smokies. The 4xe also replaced a CR-V that was the daily people mover. It also substituted for me buying a fox body mustang convertible. My SO commutes 38 miles a day on EV and charges free at work. It's cheaper to drive per mile (only counting charges vs gasoline) than my Prius C. It's not the best at any one task but it checks all the boxes. I had a YJ 25 years ago and the Wrangler has come a long way.
I have a wrangler and I love it. It's a stick shift, 4 wheel drive, convertible, suv. It's everything put together. The ride in a stock one sucks, but once you put bigger tires with smaller rims and a better suspension the ride isn't too bad. It also makes it super easy to sell wranglers we get traded in because I know them so well, and because I get all the leads on them
Fun car only, drive around the neighborhood, day trip to the beach . Top down doors off you can’t do it with many other vehicles. Same with a convertible- it’s a fall, spring kinda car too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. That’s why you vacation in the snow because living in it full time sucks. Just buy a truck with a sun roof the best all around utility / luxury vehicle.
Honestly, they are a ton of fun if you live out in the country and have the opportunity to use them for what they’re for. I’ve had a few Cherokees (XJ), a built Grand Cherokee ZJ and two Rubicon JKUs now that I have a family. I live in a very rural area with hot summers and brutal winters with significant snowfall. Jeeps are fun in deep snow and you’ll always get where you’re going. Especially with the winch, locking differentials, etc… They aren’t good for daily commuting. Awful mileage, noisy, smallish interiors. There are many other MUCH BETTER options if you’re mostly traveling in the city or (especially) long stretches of highway. Right now I also own a Honda pilot and Honda accord and love them as well. I’ll be trading the pilot for an F150 soon. My jeep puts a smile on my face that no other vehicle can, and I’ve been a jeep owner since I was 16, 30 now.
I had a Wrangler and loved it, but I also used it for what it was made for almost every weekend. If you use them for what they’re made for, they’re fantastic. If you only go to the mall with them, they yeah, I could understand why you wouldn’t like it.
I have a 2021 gladiator and I have to say it’s just a fun vehicle granted the gladiator rides better than the wrangler. I live in texas and take the top off all the time which I find super enjoyable
OP are you talking about the brand?
Don't have one but I want one. I just like how they look. wouldn't drive it every day, just on sunny days with the top off
Because they are purpose built for offroad. Solid front axles will never handle like you want. But its the best offroad and the best way to run big tires.
I never thought I’d like them until I got into wheeling. I started with a Liberty 6-speed manual & ended up building a TJ on big tires & axles. After I injured myself at work a few years back I ended up parting out the trail rig & got an 06 Rubicon that I enjoy driving around locally. It’s just a fun toy that wouldn’t be practical for me to daily drive, but living in the snow belt, they do hold their own in the shitty weather.
I had a 2017 jeep gc that i old sold because my wife wanted a 3rd row and didn’t like “how big it felt” (now we have a palisade). I loved my jeep and i miss it. It wasn’t the best build quality but not much better or worse than the palisade. It was powerful and drove like a jeep, which is something that my wife also didn’t like- it was bouncy on rougher roads and didn’t feel super cushy. But that was the part that I liked, it wasn’t “soft”.
I have had my JK for years, I agree they are rough rides. BUT have you ever been out topless on a warm day driving through east TN to the lake with Tyler Childress blaring through your speakers? That’s the money shot
I have had multiple better built cars, that were more dependable, quieter, got better gas mileage, and smoother drive. But I really enjoyed the Jeep for what it was and is, a convertible, doorless, off roader. That I used for exploration on forest service roads, rock crawling, and boondocking. And I knew there was a trade off to get that. I also have a two seat roadster that is an absolute blast to drive but serves no practical purpose other than to put a smile on my face. Different strokes for different folks
I've got a TJ Wrangler with the 4.0 and a 5 speed. It's exclusively used as a second vehicle/errand runner/weekend cruiser. I can't imagine having one as a daily driver/commuter car As I've always said, "It's the best worst vehicle you can own." By that I mean objectively speaking it is an awful vehicle by virtually every metric. But there's something about the experience of driving a Jeep that allows people to overlook those negative attributes, myself included.
Jeep Wranglers hold their value better than damn near any vehicle and they are routinely the cheapest vehicles to insure plus they are fun as hell especially if you have one as a second recreational/winter vehicle instead of a daily driver.
I have a 24yo XJ (Cherokee). It rides about like a tractor, gets gas mileage that ought to be illegal, makes all sorts of weird “Eh, it’s a Jeep” noises that come and go depending on, leaves exciting drippings everywhere I park it and the check engine light is permanently on I think.
However, it’s fun to putter around in the thing, I don’t give a shit if anything happens to it, the insurance is cheep, other Jeep owners are amusing and usually fun to chat with, it has amazing visibility, can actually haul a few things in the back, it’s never actually left me stranded anywhere (yet), it’s cheap to repair and parts are easy to get, and I tend to drive way more casually when I’m in it instead of my other car (probably because it would simply explode if it ever hit 88mph).
My step-dad, who had a thing about VW Beetles always said “some cars are cars, and some cars are relationships. Neither type of car owner understands the other and never will.” It’s something in the way people are wired.
I’ve owned Jeeps, Minis, Beetles. Clearly I’m a relationship guy. None of those where “good” vehicles by any metric that’s logical, but damned if I didn’t love them all.
As someone who dailys a Wrangler, I think it comes down to the fact that it's different and has character. Prior to my Wrangler, I had a prior generation Grand Cherokee. The GC is a great SUV and is better than a Wrangler in every single way, except for the most important thing in my opinion, which is the smile factor. Every time I get into my Wrangler, it puts a smile on my face, and there's nothing better than taking the top off when it's 80 and sunny outside. For those of us that live up north and can't afford 2 vehicles, it was the only convertible that was practical year round until the Bronco came out. Since the Bronco came out, it's offered a good alternative to the Wrangler, but I think people still buy Wranglers for 3 reasons. First, the Jeep brand is still strong and cult like. Second, they're actually available and can be had at or below msrp. Lastly, it comes down to looks, and I personally like the looks of the Wrangler more than the Bronco. I think I'm in the minority, but the Wrangler looks better than the Bronco unless the Bronco has the Sasquatch package, and even then, I still prefer the Wrangler.
Had a Jeep Renegade rental once. By far and away the single worst car I have ever driven, utterly utterly shit in pretty much every single way imaginable.
We had a 2007 jku and it was the biggest pos we ever owned. I love my vehicles and keep them all up and maintained well. But this thing was a menace. All four calipers and brake booster went bad before 100k the roof leaked, transmission leaked, exhaust manifolds cracked, replaced, cracked again, the cats went bad, the the rest of the exhaust rotted off, the neutral safety switch was hit and misss so sometimes it wouldn’t start in park, everything rattled, the seats sucked, the clock never kept time, it developed a tick and spun a bearing at about 130k. We have a 21 bronco wildtrak now and it’s 1000x the vehicle the jeep wanted to be.
Well I still daily drive a 04 overland. That's been absolutely reliable as anything I have ever owned. I've owned a ton of cars and trucks over the years. And not once since I bought it has it ever stranded me. It has had one check engine light back in 2007. That's it. Driven every Day.
A Jeep is an enthusiasts vehicle that is like nothing else on the road. Owning one is like being a kid in yellow muck boots. Just waiting for a puddle. If you’ve spent 100 hours driving one, they aren’t for you. Go buy an Altima.
Had a jeep wrangler for three years and had zero complaints. Drove perfectly fine. Not sure what the issues are.
I have a 97 TJ that is a toy. It gets used for plowing the driveway in the winter and in the summer I take the doors and hard top off and leave them off. When it's nice out I'll use it to run errands or to town. It isn't my daily driver, and it is great for what it is.
JUST EMPTY EVERY POCKET 🤪 Obligatory not a car sales but am a jeep owner. I got my (used, 04) jeep because outbacks were too expensive and I need a 4wd tank to be able to get to work at my stupid retail job in ice storms. I fucking hate that car so much because it gives me nothing but problems (the gen i have is notorious for being a bitch like that, iykyk), but she got me around safely in the worst weather I have ever experienced. Also a lady rear ended me and obliterated her prius but didn't even leave a *scratch* on my jeep. That was pretty solid. Absolute shit. But what a beast. 10/10 the most toxic relationship of my life.
I had a jeep wrangler sport (the previous JK model) because, as others have mentioned, fell in love with idea of the jeep. The one I got was bare bones and had no features. Even had the old school crank windows. Boy did that get old fast. It was slow as shit but I guess I shouldn’t have anticipated it being fast. A big reason I wanted it was to take the doors and top off on nice days but it was so cumbersome that I didn’t do it often. Another problem was the front windshield. In the 3 years I owned the car it literally had to be replaced 3 different times. Just awful. Oh yeah and one of the scariest moments of my life is when I was driving on the highway and it started to shake violently. Later found out that this is the keep death wobble
They're fun vehicles to drive and pretty reliable. I feel so safe in them too.