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Should I pull the trigger?

CPA

CPA

Elite Member
Looking at getting the wife a 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon for her birthday. I'm not too familiar with Jeep products, though I have owned a Dodge before. This one, while expensive, seems to be slightly under KBB value given the mileage and year. These Wranglers are expensive, as is, but this looks like a good dead. Will be trading in a 2009 Mazda5.

Now, setting aside that it's for my wife and for her birthday, what's the general consensus on Jeep and/or Wrangler products?
 
2011 was the last year of the old 3.8L V6 (the minivan engine) if I recall correctly. This along with the related AT were known to be very sluggish in this configuration. Relatively reliable... But gas hog and slow. I personally would try to get a 2012 or higher (check...it may have not been till model year 2013 that the 3.6L Pentastar was introduced).
 
Are you sure she wants a Jeep? I know they aren't as rugged as they used to be, but they're still a rougher experience than the normal modern ride.
 
I wanted one when I used to do alot of off - roading, especially that Rubicon. Crazy how much used ones are going for though. Lots of mods available iirc if for some reason the rubicon can't cut it.

I believe 4wheelparts.com has just a section totally devoted to jeep wrangler. And then there is everything else
 
twinrider1 said:
Are you sure she wants a Jeep? I know they aren't as rugged as they used to be, but they're still a rougher experience than the normal modern ride.
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Yes, she had indicated that she would like one. But she also likes the vw Beetle and Chevy Camaro, so go figure. Neither one of those vehicles is s family car though and we have 3 teens to cart around.
 
PricklyPete said:
2011 was the last year of the old 3.8L V6 (the minivan engine) if I recall correctly. This along with the related AT were known to be very sluggish in this configuration. Relatively reliable... But gas hog and slow. I personally would try to get a 2012 or higher (check...it may have not been till model year 2013 that the 3.6L Pentastar was introduced).
Click to expand...

All of the models seem to get 15-20 mpg, regardless of year. Are you saying the 2011 models may be worse?
 
The engine in 2011 was total garbage, its VERY underpowered and it gets slightly worse gas mileage. Fuelly shows that 2012-13 get about 8-10% better mileage than <=2011. The 2012 engine is much, much improved.

Unfortunately Wranglers do not depreciate all that much.

Has she driven a Wrangler before? It's a ton of fun to bounce around in, but as a daily driver it's very wearing.
 
You will thank yourself for getting the newer generation with the 3.6. Very much worth the money.
 
If she's not going to go offroad and is somewhat indifferent, get the Camaro 🙂

I have a friend who had always wanted a Jeep so she finally got one in her 40s...she got rid of it a couple of years later because it was just too impractical for her family.
 
CPA said:
Yes, she had indicated that she would like one. But she also likes the vw Beetle and Chevy Camaro, so go figure. Neither one of those vehicles is s family car though and we have 3 teens to cart around.
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She wants a toy. Cool. Wranglers are great offroad and suck at most everything else. I've had a few, done a fair amount of off-roading, and still probably won't get another one. Fun for a little while, even a bit insane with how capable they are off-road. Mine usually sat parked though.
 
You have to go 2012+ on the Wrangler's.

Huge improvements on the Interior and the Motor upgrade. Go to your local Jeep dealer and have a look at the interior and test drive both back to back. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a great engine with improved performance and fuel economy 2-3mpg better.
 
I don't like the 4 door Wrangler Unlimited, almost as much as most people don't like the new Cherokee. I've ridden in the back seat of one and it's unbearably cramped, loud, and uncomfortable. Throw in the shitty gas mileage and I just don't see the appeal.
 
o.o 4392lb with an engine that does 202hp @5200, 237lbft @4000, 4 speed auto (chrysler ultradrive 42RLE)
the 2009 mazda5 is 3475lb, 153hp @6500, 148lbft @4500, 5 speed auto

equivalent models with the 3.6 pentastar produce 285hp, 260lbft, use a 5 speed auto (Mercedes-Benz W5A580), and are ~4150lbs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Wrangler#JK_.282007.E2.80.93present.29

the 42rle seems like a meh transmission from what I can find.
 
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Get the Camaro, live a little. You can even let the teens drive it as a reward. Or, if you have girls, the Beetle could be done too. Unless you're into offroading, the Wrangler is pointless.

<- Not a GM guy, have a Ranger FX4 Level II and can never go offroading.
 
The 3.6L version is about 4 seconds faster to 60 than the 3.8L version, to give you an idea.

As Car and Driver put it, you could run an M3 to 60, jump into the newer Wrangler, run it to 60, and the 3.8L Wrangler would just be getting to 60. :biggrin:
 
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okay, okay, I give in. No 2011 model. Glad I posted here or I wouldn't have had a clue about the 2011 v 2012 engine difference.

I'm down to a 2011 Camaro Convertible, a VW Bug Convertible and possibly a MINI Countrymen. The Mini is a little bit of a drive, so it depends on how much time I have Thursday.
 
Gah! Just did a Carfax on the Camaro. 1) It was a rental at one time, 2) 4,000 miles put on in 4 months between the time it was at one dealership, then sold to another. Was Manager driving this car?
 
Bring the hate -

If your wife wants a convertible -

Chrysler 200 - S or Limited model has all the goodies - available hard top or soft top convertible, 3.6L Pentastar V6, redesigned suspensions, and redesigned interior. 2011+ models only.
Biggest back seat and trunk space of any convertible.
S-model gives you 18" wheels and blacked out headlights plus a sportier interior.

These sold for $35K new, should be able to find something in the $21-$23K range with low mileage for a 2012. Rental fleets did not get the S or Limited models.
 
So, I brought up the issue of the Camaro being a rental to the internet salesperson. Here is his response:

I can understand your concern about rental cars.. However my experience around our rental agency is a great one. For years I have watched change the oil too soon.. wash it too much and vacuum it way more than an individual would...There is a chance that people who did rent it were in awe of the car and treated it better than a malibu.
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I laughed.
 
Fmr12B said:
Bring the hate -

If your wife wants a convertible -

Chrysler 200 - S or Limited model has all the goodies - available hard top or soft top convertible, 3.6L Pentastar V6, redesigned suspensions, and redesigned interior. 2011+ models only.
Biggest back seat and trunk space of any convertible.
S-model gives you 18" wheels and blacked out headlights plus a sportier interior.

These sold for $35K new, should be able to find something in the $21-$23K range with low mileage for a 2012. Rental fleets did not get the S or Limited models.
Click to expand...

The new 2013.5 models are amazing in S form. Pure sex convertible. Got to drive one as a loner while the Dart was getting the recall gas door put on. Sexy vehicle and a lot of power.

CPA said:
So, I brought up the issue of the Camaro being a rental to the internet salesperson. Here is his response:



I laughed.
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D:
 
She likes the jeep? Are 4 door necessary?
The FJ is an option is she likes that type of rig and can live with the suicide doors.
I was torn between the FJ and a jeep when i was shopping. I will tell the road manners on an FJ are FAR superior to that of the jeep and it gets better gas mileage and i would argue has far better reliability.
 
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