Hi all, Been tyre kicking with the missus and she has a interest for jeep wrangler but don't know if its what she really want so she asked me to ask you jeep owner.... what's your pro and con on buying a brand new 2 door or 4 door wrangler diesel turbo jeep and how good are they in the long run. what'd you expect if something goes wrong, that sort of things.
Hope to hear back from you guys.
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Jeep Wrangler Question
Moderator: GUtripper
Jeep Wrangler Question
"My anti-drug is 4wd"
I have one. 2dr diesel auto. My honest opinion is that theyre a 4wd for city slickers who don't actually intend on 4wding.
If you intend on 4wding then you need to be prepared to spend some money and time making it all work properly.
they're not like a cruiser or a patrol where you can shove a lift kit in it and some bigger tyres and go weekend after weekend with no problems.
heres what i wrote about them earlier today:
Although here are some quick points I found on the Jeep JK:
-They're built badly. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't had a Jap or Kraut car before.
-They're a bit skittish on rough roads and I think they always will be due to the short control arms in the arse end coupled with a lack of weight. Good suspension will go a long way to fix this but not eliminate it. Its a shorty thing.
-The 6spd manual is crap. The clutch is crap. The clutch pedal hydraulic system is crap. The dual mass flywheel on the diesel is crap. The diff ratios are crap (3.21:1 unless you get a Rubicon or an Auto). Just avoid is the safest bet.
-The 5spd auto with the CRD is dumb. It will either labour the motor or rev its guts out. However it is strong as an ox and gear changes are pretty smooth. Huge oil capacity. It is normally found attached to the back of V8s over in the USA so the 4cyl CRD won't stress it.
-The 4spd auto with the petrols will overheat and set fire to the vehicle.
-The petrol has no torque under 2000rpm whatsoever. Clutch life and starter motor life will be poor. It also has a healthy thirst for Unleaded.
There's heaps more I really dislike about the vehicle coming from Patrols but at the same time its not so bad. Nothing is perfect and there's plenty of ways to fix alot of the problems.
If you intend on 4wding then you need to be prepared to spend some money and time making it all work properly.
they're not like a cruiser or a patrol where you can shove a lift kit in it and some bigger tyres and go weekend after weekend with no problems.
heres what i wrote about them earlier today:
Although here are some quick points I found on the Jeep JK:
-They're built badly. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't had a Jap or Kraut car before.
-They're a bit skittish on rough roads and I think they always will be due to the short control arms in the arse end coupled with a lack of weight. Good suspension will go a long way to fix this but not eliminate it. Its a shorty thing.
-The 6spd manual is crap. The clutch is crap. The clutch pedal hydraulic system is crap. The dual mass flywheel on the diesel is crap. The diff ratios are crap (3.21:1 unless you get a Rubicon or an Auto). Just avoid is the safest bet.
-The 5spd auto with the CRD is dumb. It will either labour the motor or rev its guts out. However it is strong as an ox and gear changes are pretty smooth. Huge oil capacity. It is normally found attached to the back of V8s over in the USA so the 4cyl CRD won't stress it.
-The 4spd auto with the petrols will overheat and set fire to the vehicle.
-The petrol has no torque under 2000rpm whatsoever. Clutch life and starter motor life will be poor. It also has a healthy thirst for Unleaded.
There's heaps more I really dislike about the vehicle coming from Patrols but at the same time its not so bad. Nothing is perfect and there's plenty of ways to fix alot of the problems.
I'm a bit more positive than YOM.....
Yes they aren't built to the same quality as a Jap car and do miss out on some of the "nice little details" - a shame, but no big thing.
The petrol engine is low tech by todays standards but on trips doesn't do any worse on the economy front than others ( generally older - modified Patrols ). Could be better ( quad cam etc etc.... ) but its not.
IMHO they aren't an expensive vehicle out of the dealer compared with others - and for better or worse the number of live axle vehicle options are shrinking by the minute.
Depending on what you want to do with it then extra work ( read $$ ) is required - medium serious then around 25% of its purchase cost.
However whats unique about that - look at the mods and $$ people throw at Patrols etc - they aren't perfect either and do require serious work and $$ as well.
The list of "improvements" looks pretty similar to me between a Jeep and anything else - and the bits you can get seem almost endless.
If however its just to drive around town - why would you buy ANY 4WD ?
My thougts anyway......
Yes they aren't built to the same quality as a Jap car and do miss out on some of the "nice little details" - a shame, but no big thing.
The petrol engine is low tech by todays standards but on trips doesn't do any worse on the economy front than others ( generally older - modified Patrols ). Could be better ( quad cam etc etc.... ) but its not.
IMHO they aren't an expensive vehicle out of the dealer compared with others - and for better or worse the number of live axle vehicle options are shrinking by the minute.
Depending on what you want to do with it then extra work ( read $$ ) is required - medium serious then around 25% of its purchase cost.
However whats unique about that - look at the mods and $$ people throw at Patrols etc - they aren't perfect either and do require serious work and $$ as well.
The list of "improvements" looks pretty similar to me between a Jeep and anything else - and the bits you can get seem almost endless.
If however its just to drive around town - why would you buy ANY 4WD ?
My thougts anyway......
( usual disclaimers )
It seemed like a much better idea when I started it than it does now.
It seemed like a much better idea when I started it than it does now.
YOM,
Seriously, why did you buy one?
You've only owned it since morning tea time, and no way would you have had the time to see what it's capable of off road.
If you're going to compare 4x4's, at least compare apples with apples.
For the price you paid, the only nissan you could have bought would be an X-Trail.
It's a shame that the JK is getting such a bad name, but I guess thats what you get when 95% of JK owners are yuppie wankers with no idea.
Seriously, why did you buy one?
You've only owned it since morning tea time, and no way would you have had the time to see what it's capable of off road.
If you're going to compare 4x4's, at least compare apples with apples.
For the price you paid, the only nissan you could have bought would be an X-Trail.
It's a shame that the JK is getting such a bad name, but I guess thats what you get when 95% of JK owners are yuppie wankers with no idea.
Okay... what's your opinion on wrangler for long distance driving?? I usually head out west for 3 or 4 hours most time but sometimes goes further whenever something on.
How well would it go for long distance? Not only for camping or trip but long way to visit the In Laws and so forth.
One thing i know is... the further out west from brisbane.. the less dealers there are for jeep part in case of break down.
I know the jap cars are great to own and look after even if it gonna cost you heaps in the long run. I"m just asking around and see what everyone's opinion would be.
Yom...... you can tell a lot in a short time????
How well would it go for long distance? Not only for camping or trip but long way to visit the In Laws and so forth.
One thing i know is... the further out west from brisbane.. the less dealers there are for jeep part in case of break down.
I know the jap cars are great to own and look after even if it gonna cost you heaps in the long run. I"m just asking around and see what everyone's opinion would be.
Yom...... you can tell a lot in a short time????
"My anti-drug is 4wd"
Seems my pessimistic views get taken the wrong way.
Can I just say that I knew what I was getting myself into with a JK. So far its done nothing I haven't expected (and as a result I'm still pleased with it).
In stock form, despite being quite capable, I still reckon they're mainly aimed at the city slickers who want a 4wd for the look. And the way they're built tends to confirm that...but as you pointed out...what do you expect for under $40,000. You pay another $15,000 for a pootrol or cruiser because you're getting alot more metal. And my point with comparing them with the more common vehicles was not in relation to ability but to their longevity with offroad and modified use which we KNOW for a fact wears things out much faster than normal road use with factory tyres!
I know for a fact that there's a really capable vehicle hiding under the retro panels and plastic flares. I can't wait to unlock what is hiding under the glossy panels on mine! And so far there's not a single build "issue" which I can't resolve with relative ease. I don't regret the purchase.
Mudsierra: I've taken over 12 months to make sure I bought the right model...I can only say it the way I see it. My opinions are just that - mine. They may not suit you as your requirements could be different And yep I've done enough KM in mine already to decide what i do and don't like about it and what i want to achieve from the money I am about to spend on it.
PS: I got a sore neck driving for 4hrs on the weekend (the drivers seat isnt too crash hot but it wasnt like I got a numb arse or legs so its hard to have a genuine complaint about it) and the standard suspension is not up to touring.
Can I just say that I knew what I was getting myself into with a JK. So far its done nothing I haven't expected (and as a result I'm still pleased with it).
In stock form, despite being quite capable, I still reckon they're mainly aimed at the city slickers who want a 4wd for the look. And the way they're built tends to confirm that...but as you pointed out...what do you expect for under $40,000. You pay another $15,000 for a pootrol or cruiser because you're getting alot more metal. And my point with comparing them with the more common vehicles was not in relation to ability but to their longevity with offroad and modified use which we KNOW for a fact wears things out much faster than normal road use with factory tyres!
I know for a fact that there's a really capable vehicle hiding under the retro panels and plastic flares. I can't wait to unlock what is hiding under the glossy panels on mine! And so far there's not a single build "issue" which I can't resolve with relative ease. I don't regret the purchase.
Mudsierra: I've taken over 12 months to make sure I bought the right model...I can only say it the way I see it. My opinions are just that - mine. They may not suit you as your requirements could be different And yep I've done enough KM in mine already to decide what i do and don't like about it and what i want to achieve from the money I am about to spend on it.
PS: I got a sore neck driving for 4hrs on the weekend (the drivers seat isnt too crash hot but it wasnt like I got a numb arse or legs so its hard to have a genuine complaint about it) and the standard suspension is not up to touring.
In reply to the long distance question .. all shorties aren't very nice long haul .. as they are bouncy. It's not a jeep thing .. rather a shorty thing.
In regards to the JK .. I think they are pretty decent.. I wheel a dual locked 2 & 2 TJ with 33 muds regularly with a mate in an unlocked 2 inch lifted JK on 35's ... It goes every where I go .. and then some .. flex's REALLY well. It's the automatic turbo deisel ... and goes very hard .. easily spins the KM2's on the black top... and even loaded to the roof with gear (a recent trip to fraser) ripped up the highway no probs.
Whilst they do have some problems... I think bang for buck .. they are an awesome truck .. and nothing like belting down a beach with the windscreen folded down.. it's like a big go-kart... so much fun.
C
In regards to the JK .. I think they are pretty decent.. I wheel a dual locked 2 & 2 TJ with 33 muds regularly with a mate in an unlocked 2 inch lifted JK on 35's ... It goes every where I go .. and then some .. flex's REALLY well. It's the automatic turbo deisel ... and goes very hard .. easily spins the KM2's on the black top... and even loaded to the roof with gear (a recent trip to fraser) ripped up the highway no probs.
Whilst they do have some problems... I think bang for buck .. they are an awesome truck .. and nothing like belting down a beach with the windscreen folded down.. it's like a big go-kart... so much fun.
C
Patriot Blue 2000 TJ - Lifted - Locked - Mudded
I bought a brand new Gu in 04 which i traded for my jk 4door td auto.
I belive the jeep to be superior offroad to my Patrol, can be modded way easier and to have a 4 door soft top is awesome.
My Patrols seats were leather, I then bought the Arb Paratus, my JK seats shit all over both of them. Your size would play a major role here though.
As for long distance touring, ive taken my Jeep to the outback, high country and beaches all over the Eastern seaboard and it hasnt let me down. It has down 80000kms by the way.
My Patrol had quality issues and the motor was a time bomb. People talk about bullet proof Patrol diffs but both mine and my mates gu's had diff probs.
Value for money they cant be beaten, nothing comes close.
And if your going offroad, every vehicle needs some form of modification.
I belive the jeep to be superior offroad to my Patrol, can be modded way easier and to have a 4 door soft top is awesome.
My Patrols seats were leather, I then bought the Arb Paratus, my JK seats shit all over both of them. Your size would play a major role here though.
As for long distance touring, ive taken my Jeep to the outback, high country and beaches all over the Eastern seaboard and it hasnt let me down. It has down 80000kms by the way.
My Patrol had quality issues and the motor was a time bomb. People talk about bullet proof Patrol diffs but both mine and my mates gu's had diff probs.
Value for money they cant be beaten, nothing comes close.
And if your going offroad, every vehicle needs some form of modification.
you know you want one
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