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YACT: the Jeep Wrangler
- Thread starter Spooner
- Start date
MichaelD
Lifer
The Rubicon is outfitted from the factory (w/warranty!) w/most of the aftermarket offroading parts people put on it. Bigger M/T rated tires, locking differentials, lift kit, stiffer springs, skid plates, etc.
If you don't offroad, or "might be thinking about it" a stock Wrangler is a very capable vehicle.
That said, it's got less cargo room than your sports car, I'd bet.
What about a Cherokee?
CombatChuk
Platinum Member
The X would work out great for you. It has the inline 6, and alloy wheels. It's great for the occasional off roader
You need to do some reading over on http://www.jeepsunlimited.com
First of all, you do not need a rubicon.
Second of all, as far as pricing goes, make sure you check out www.jeepwarehouse.com to get an actual idea of what the models should REALLY cost you. (dealers will mark them up ridiculously)
Third of all - I have a wrangler, and it's an awesome vehicle. HOWEVER, it is a great SECOND car. It is a lousy ONLY car. If the wrangler is your only vehicle, you'll hate driving on the interstate, you'll hate going shopping, you'll hate trying to fit your stuff in it, hate driving in the rain... it is really one of the least practical vehicles you could own... but most people who own them think they are fantastic.
The only real requirement when buying is that you should buy the 4.0 liter 6 cyl model. Other than that, the X is a good value, the sport will have most of what you want. There is NO reason to buy a Rubicon unless you are a hard core offroader - it has $2500 worth of extra offroad additions that will do you no good whatsoever on the road. A stock wrangler is already very capable offroad, so no reason to go overboard.
There is no reason to buy a hard top wrangler. That's just senseless, since the convertible aspect is really what makes the wrangler great. The soft tops take a bit of work (5 mins) to put up and down but when it's down it's the best convertible you'll find.
PS: They are virtually unchanged from 1998-2003, so don't be afraid to look into used 4.0 wranglers.
PPS: They aren't big. Don't ask me how it works out, you'd think a big square box on wheels would have lots of interior space, but there's barely room for a duffel bag behind the rear seat, and 4 people can only fit VERY uncomfortably)
First of all, you do not need a rubicon.
Second of all, as far as pricing goes, make sure you check out www.jeepwarehouse.com to get an actual idea of what the models should REALLY cost you. (dealers will mark them up ridiculously)
Third of all - I have a wrangler, and it's an awesome vehicle. HOWEVER, it is a great SECOND car. It is a lousy ONLY car. If the wrangler is your only vehicle, you'll hate driving on the interstate, you'll hate going shopping, you'll hate trying to fit your stuff in it, hate driving in the rain... it is really one of the least practical vehicles you could own... but most people who own them think they are fantastic.
The only real requirement when buying is that you should buy the 4.0 liter 6 cyl model. Other than that, the X is a good value, the sport will have most of what you want. There is NO reason to buy a Rubicon unless you are a hard core offroader - it has $2500 worth of extra offroad additions that will do you no good whatsoever on the road. A stock wrangler is already very capable offroad, so no reason to go overboard.
There is no reason to buy a hard top wrangler. That's just senseless, since the convertible aspect is really what makes the wrangler great. The soft tops take a bit of work (5 mins) to put up and down but when it's down it's the best convertible you'll find.
PS: They are virtually unchanged from 1998-2003, so don't be afraid to look into used 4.0 wranglers.
PPS: They aren't big. Don't ask me how it works out, you'd think a big square box on wheels would have lots of interior space, but there's barely room for a duffel bag behind the rear seat, and 4 people can only fit VERY uncomfortably)
Hard tops are basically nonremovable. Well, I take that back - they CAN be removed, but it's the kind of thing you remove in the spring and replace in the fall. (I'd imagine it is about a 30-60 minute job, plus you need at least 2 people to help you lift the top)
As for the unlimited, that's the re-release of the scrambler. The unlimited likely will address some of the space issues (I haven't been in one yet) but in all honesty I think it's a little funny looking, at least in the soft top variety. If you were to buy an unlimited with the hard top, well, maybe. But then you're spending enough $$ that in all honesty you could buy something else and probably be happier with it.
The big difference is between the SE and any of the other models (which all have the 6 cyl). There really is no important diff between any of the others - it is all a matter of trim and other non-critical options that won't really matter in a mostly-street jeep. Contrary to many people's opinion, there is no 2wd jeep wrangler, they all have basically the same driveline. (except the rubicon, which has bigger front and rear diffs, a different gear ratio, and I think also a different transfer case... none of which would matter for city or highway driving)
Edit: The X is probably the best value, whereas the sport may have more options you want by default. I've been watching prices over the last couple years (I have a 99, casually thinking about a newer one) and I have seen Xs new for as low as $18,000-18,500 after factory rebates etc. Not sure if those deals are still out there but you can definitely pick up a new 6 cyl wrangler for under $20k.
As for the unlimited, that's the re-release of the scrambler. The unlimited likely will address some of the space issues (I haven't been in one yet) but in all honesty I think it's a little funny looking, at least in the soft top variety. If you were to buy an unlimited with the hard top, well, maybe. But then you're spending enough $$ that in all honesty you could buy something else and probably be happier with it.
The big difference is between the SE and any of the other models (which all have the 6 cyl). There really is no important diff between any of the others - it is all a matter of trim and other non-critical options that won't really matter in a mostly-street jeep. Contrary to many people's opinion, there is no 2wd jeep wrangler, they all have basically the same driveline. (except the rubicon, which has bigger front and rear diffs, a different gear ratio, and I think also a different transfer case... none of which would matter for city or highway driving)
Edit: The X is probably the best value, whereas the sport may have more options you want by default. I've been watching prices over the last couple years (I have a 99, casually thinking about a newer one) and I have seen Xs new for as low as $18,000-18,500 after factory rebates etc. Not sure if those deals are still out there but you can definitely pick up a new 6 cyl wrangler for under $20k.
the soft top is like a tent on wheels. if you plan on doing a lot of highway driving I recommend a hard top. when I had my Jeep I had the hard top, with an aftermarket soft top. I would store the hard top for the summer and just have the easy soft top to go up and down at a moment's notice.
iamwiz82
Lifer
First off, the X is the best value BUT BUT BUT it has a Dana 35 rear axle. It is a VERY weak axle, do not plan on doing brake stands, don't light up the tire, nothing to stress the rear end. I have a friend that snapped to axle shafts on his 4cyl YJ with stock 225/65R15s.
I have a 99 TJ with a 4/5" lift and 35" tires. 😀 I have replaced just about everything on one Jeep or another, so PM me if you have any major concerns.
BTW, expect leaks. Rubicons like to pour out transfer case fluids, 4.0Ls believe in peeing out of their rear main seals, the 4cyl is a POS, dont even bother with one, and the front and rear axles will leak, maybe alittle, maybe alot. But dammit if they aren't fun. 😀
Model breakdown
SE - base, 4cyl soft top, few options (AC)
Sport - 4.0L engine, mid range, lots of options
Sahara - 4.0L Most of the Sport options are standard
Unlimited - Stretched Sport
Rubicon - Offroad machine - Dana 44's F&R, 4:1 Transfer case, 4.10 gears
X - 4.0L with few options
I have a 99 TJ with a 4/5" lift and 35" tires. 😀 I have replaced just about everything on one Jeep or another, so PM me if you have any major concerns.
BTW, expect leaks. Rubicons like to pour out transfer case fluids, 4.0Ls believe in peeing out of their rear main seals, the 4cyl is a POS, dont even bother with one, and the front and rear axles will leak, maybe alittle, maybe alot. But dammit if they aren't fun. 😀
Model breakdown
SE - base, 4cyl soft top, few options (AC)
Sport - 4.0L engine, mid range, lots of options
Sahara - 4.0L Most of the Sport options are standard
Unlimited - Stretched Sport
Rubicon - Offroad machine - Dana 44's F&R, 4:1 Transfer case, 4.10 gears
X - 4.0L with few options
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