My quest for a new car

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
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I'm going to go test drive a 2007 Jeep Wrangler this week. I'm interested in the X model with a 3 piece removable hard top. Oh, if I like the Jeep and want to purchase one, Im going with an automatic. One thing I like is that all wranglers now come with the 202HP V6 standard.

What are the general feelings here regarding Jeep Wranglers?

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Update 03/28/07

I test drove an 07 Wrangler soft top X model today. It was an automatic. Sticker price was $21,480. I told the salesman that id be interested in it for $20K, and he told me that was feasible. Anyways, the ride was just how I expected it to be, very bumpy. But I like bumpy rides; I used to own a 92 Jeep Cherokee sport and I loved that ride. The Wrangler handled very well surprisingly. I was disappointed with the power though. All of the new 2007 models come standard with the v6, but I felt that it lacked power at highway speeds of 60+. The other thing that turned me off was the interior. I definetly wasn't expecting luxury. I was expecting more of a rugged feel. My old 92 Cherokee felt like a real SUV and it looked like on the inside as well. But this 07 Wrangler felt more like an economy sedan on the inside. Everything felt cheap and soft. Aside from the elevated position sitting in the wrangler and aside from the bumpy ride and the looks of the vehicle, it was like driving a cheap rental sedan.

Likes: Exterior looks, 4WD, removable top, r4emoveable windshield, removable doors, bumpy ride.

Dislikes: Cheap and soft feeling interior, didn't feel the way I thought the wrangler would feel, felt underpowered at highway speeds.

I'm going to go to another dealership in a couple weeks and test drive a wrangler again. This time, I'll say I'd be interested in it for $18,500 and see what the sales person says.

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Update 04/16/07

I test drove a Hyundai Sonata V6 this weekend. I was prepared to buy it also if the price was right. I had rented a new Sonata V6 last year and I loved it. Unfortunatly, I could not get it at the price I wanted, so I didn't buy it.

Pros: Great power, spacious, good looks.

Cons: The model I was looking at had cloth seats and no sunroof.


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Update 05/04/07

I will be looking at a used 2002 Jeep Wrangler that a private party is selling. From the pictures and the descriptions, it's in great conidition. It's a one owner (wife, husband, and 2 kids.) It was their "fun" car, but they are selling it now to get a 4 door wrangler because they have another kid on the way. It has only 25K miles. It's a red wrangler with a tan soft top with a/c, 5 speed, soundbar, and some other little extras including a transferable extended warranty. Oh, it's also a v6. I checked out the VIN and it came out clean....1 owner, 4.5 years owned, and barely driven. They were asking $13,900 for it but I talked them down to $12,750. Im going to go take a look at it tomorrow, and if all looks good, I just might purchase it.

I test drove a 2007 Wrangler a little while ago and I wasnt feeling it; well, not enough to pay $21K for one. I've been told though that this model (2002) has more of a rugged feel to it though.
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
The new V6 lacks low end torque according to people who have bought it. Search for JK Forums and also read Jeepsunlimited.com forums and jeepforums.com
 

amish

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
4,295
6
81
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The new V6 lacks low end torque according to people who have bought it. Search for JK Forums and also read Jeepsunlimited.com forums and jeepforums.com

thanks for the sites. i might be in the market for a used one.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
0
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
By the way, remember that JEEP stands for "just empty every pocket".

What's your first hand experience with a Jeep?

I had a 94 Wrangler that I drove for 2 years with no problems, then sold it for more than I bought it for. The only thing I had to change was the clutch, which was a whopping 150 dollars for parts.
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
The "new" 3.8L V6 isn't that bad for low-end torque and you're getting overall better power and efficiency than the 4.0L I6.

OP, if you have any questions about the vehicle, feel free to PM me...I'm the dude that's usually talking about it at the auto shows, so I've heard all sorts of stories. :p
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Well, a dealer contacted me after I inquired about a Jeep. IM going to go out and test drive an 07 automatic next week.
 

MixMasterTang

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
3,167
176
106
I had a 98 Wrangler for 5 and a half years, but it was basically the lowest end model with no options except chrome wheels, bumpers and nerf bars. The only things I didn't like about it were the lack of power (it was a 4 cyl), no A/C (driving in traffic wearing work clothes on 100+ degree days were awful) and people constantly breaking into it (it was a soft top only). Even though I never even locked the doors, I guess people felt like it was easier to cut through the plastic windows than try to open the doors first.

With all that said, I will be buying a Wrangler again sometime down the road, but not for a daily driver. Having the v6, hardtop and A/C would be tons better than I had, but I still prefer driving around in a normal car for the day to day driving.

PS - I would never get an automatic jeep either.

edit: part of the reason I would never have it as a daily driver is I'm 28 now and have 2 kids so I'm out of my wilder and crazy stage. If I were to go back and have the choice again there is no way that I would of wanted any other vehicle because I had so many great times in the Jeep (I'm lucky I didn't get arrested for some of them).
 

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
I don't know about wranglers, but my 1947 Willy's runs great. Still has the original F-head and everything.
 

amish

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
4,295
6
81
Originally posted by: adairusmc
I don't know about wranglers, but my 1947 Willy's runs great. Still has the original F-head and everything.

the top speed of 45 mph sucks though. my neighbor had one. it was a blast to dick around in.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
I had a 98 Wrangler for 5 and a half years, but it was basically the lowest end model with no options except chrome wheels, bumpers and nerf bars. The only things I didn't like about it were the lack of power (it was a 4 cyl), no A/C (driving in traffic wearing work clothes on 100+ degree days were awful) and people constantly breaking into it (it was a soft top only). Even though I never even locked the doors, I guess people felt like it was easier to cut through the plastic windows than try to open the doors first.

With all that said, I will be buying a Wrangler again sometime down the road, but not for a daily driver. Having the v6, hardtop and A/C would be tons better than I had, but I still prefer driving around in a normal car for the day to day driving.

PS - I would never get an automatic jeep either.

edit: part of the reason I would never have it as a daily driver is I'm 28 now and have 2 kids so I'm out of my wilder and crazy stage. If I were to go back and have the choice again there is no way that I would of wanted any other vehicle because I had so many great times in the Jeep (I'm lucky I didn't get arrested for some of them).

This will be my daily driver if I decide to buy the Wrangler. I'll definetly be getting air conditioning. I want the automatic because I'm sick of driving a manual. I've never driven a Wrangler before, so I'm a little skeptical as to whether it would be suitable as a daily driver.
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
10,621
1
0
<-- has an 05 with the I6, auto and air as more or less a daily driver.

It's fine for me as a daily driver. The only thing that sucks is the gas mileage, especially with an auto. I figure I'm getting around 14 mpg. I have about an 8 mile round trip to work though so the mileage isn't a huge issue for me. Other than that, I love mine. You'll have no problem with snow in the winter, and in the summer you can take the top and doors off and it's a lot of fun.
 

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
I bought a 99 Sahara back in December as a 2nd car to my TL. Until the end of July I'm putting about 500 miles on it every M-F traveling for work so this lets me keep miles off the TL. Anyways, I bought an automatic as well because it's too much of a PITA to deal w a manual in traffic, you lose some MPG but the convenience is worth it plus I had a remote start put in a month or so ago. Yeah, I get my balls busted about it every now and then but screw 'em. Short version of the story, the ride sucks, the gas mileage sucks, it's loud as hell on the highway but I've already taken it offroad a handful of times (got stuck once but managed to get out) which is a helluva a lot of fun, summer is coming and I'm ready to take the top off. I think one review I read a while back summed it up well....Cons: bugs in your teeth, wind in your hair...Pros: bugs in your teeth, wind in your hair. It's not for everyone but that's part of what makes it so much fun.

Once you get it definitely check out http://www.quadratec.com...you could pretty much build your own Jeep from scratch with all the stuff they sell.
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
10,621
1
0
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I bought a 99 Sahara back in December as a 2nd car to my TL. Until the end of July I'm putting about 500 miles on it every M-F traveling for work so this lets me keep miles off the TL. Anyways, I bought an automatic as well because it's too much of a PITA to deal w a manual in traffic, you lose some MPG but the convenience is worth it plus I had a remote start put in a month or so ago. Yeah, I get my balls busted about it every now and then but screw 'em. Short version of the story, the ride sucks, the gas mileage sucks, it's loud as hell on the highway but I've already taken it offroad a handful of times (got stuck once but managed to get out) which is a helluva a lot of fun, summer is coming and I'm ready to take the top off. I think one review I read a while back summed it up well....Cons: bugs in your teeth, wind in your hair...Pros: bugs in your teeth, wind in your hair. It's not for everyone but that's part of what makes it so much fun.

Once you get it definitely check out http://www.quadratec.com...you could pretty much build your own Jeep from scratch with all the stuff they sell.
If you think the ride sucks in a TJ, you should try a YJ. I had one of those too and at least the TJ won't break your @ss if you hit a bump. ;)
And yeah, the soft-tops are pretty loud on the highway, but the hardtops aren't too bad. I definitely agree that it's not for everyone though.
 

KarmaPolice

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
3,066
0
0
Never owned one but my uncle owns two(one pretty much standard and one all kinds of geared up for off road..huge tires and all....even has a air tank installed so you can deflate and relate his tires at will). I have driven both of this and my friends..I love one and if i didnt already have a car I would have bought one used...

I wouldnt but the new ones tho...go for a older model.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
A TJ (97-2005) is what you are looking for then. It's almost an exact replica of the Cherokee, except that the TJ has a "Oh Sh!t" bar on the passenger side dash. I loved my 99.

They did improve the interior to the point of modern economy car from mid-80s SUV.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
A TJ (97-2005) is what you are looking for then. It's almost an exact replica of the Cherokee, except that the TJ has a "Oh Sh!t" bar on the passenger side dash. I loved my 99.

They did improve the interior to the point of modern economy car from mid-80s SUV.

I think they improved the interior to the point of it losing it's "rugged jeep" appeal
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
As others have said I would not get a Auto. If anything it kills the fun factor and also the resale. Last time I was looking for a new ride the wrangler was on my list. Anytime I saw auto I skipped it. The auto kills the power and also lowers the gas mileage.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
As others have said I would not get a Auto. If anything it kills the fun factor and also the resale. Last time I was looking for a new ride the wrangler was on my list. Anytime I saw auto I skipped it. The auto kills the power and also lowers the gas mileage.

Your right about everything. But this is going to be my daily driver, and I have a manual now. Most of my driving is city driving, and driving a manual in bumper to bumper traffifc sucks!