|
usmc_2tothetop
Jan 29, 2004, 7:11 PM
Post #1 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 661
|
Hi........I am in the "market" for a vehicle right now. I want to find something that I can take on some trails to get to certain places to climb hike or camp. Not any serious off roading but I would like to feel secure when off the pavement. I have always wanted a Jeep Wrangler. Has anyone had one and what are your reviews (likes/dislikes problems/benefits). Thanx in advance for feedback.
Nathan.
|
|
|
|
|
onbelay_osu
Jan 29, 2004, 10:04 PM
Post #2 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 5, 2002
Posts: 1087
|
if you enjoy riding down the road with the windows down (that is what it sounds like) than yea go for it...one of my climbing partners has one...and we never have had any trouble with it!
|
|
|
|
|
pornstarr
Jan 29, 2004, 11:50 PM
Post #3 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 824
|
noisy, bumpy ride. i wouldn't own one. get a cherokee if you want a jeep.
or if you want a real ragtop jeep, get an old CJ. Wranglers are built on the legacy that once was Jeep, but they do not perform like a Jeep once did.
|
|
|
|
|
robscate
Jan 29, 2004, 11:56 PM
Post #4 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 16, 2000
Posts: 348
|
Yep I have a Jeep and love it... (110000 miles and still kicking)
just few problems that jeeps are notorious for:
electrical gremlins, everthing from the speedo not working to a bad oil pressure sender
Stiff bumpy ride, well it was designed for offroad...
bad catalytic converters, after two factory replacements I put in a dynomax after market
cracked exhaust manifolds: more common on the v6 models.
Just remember, if you wheel it hard it will break, be prepared to fix it.
Rob
|
|
|
|
|
jono
Jan 30, 2004, 12:21 AM
Post #5 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 6, 2002
Posts: 2067
|
go for the cherokee. wranglers are kind of dangerous if they roll.
|
|
|
|
|
beyond_gravity
Jan 30, 2004, 12:33 AM
Post #6 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 2, 2002
Posts: 5078
|
The only offroad the wrangler is designed for is low clearance sand crawling. Get into anything more then slightly rocky or muddy and you'll be grabbing the tow strap or high lift jack. some people to get skid plates and a winch, and just drag themselfs over or threw anything...not recomended.
Being Canadian, i'd say either get a lift kit, or go with a 4 Runner (although alot bigger and worse on gas) or else a 4x4 truck.
If you're just looking for peace of mind on logging type roads, any 4x4 will do.
|
|
|
|
|
strongbad
Jan 30, 2004, 12:36 AM
Post #7 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 13, 2003
Posts: 802
|
just make sure you're not driving around on no teenage wheels.
|
|
|
|
|
robscate
Jan 30, 2004, 12:37 AM
Post #8 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 16, 2000
Posts: 348
|
HMM I have a tendancy to disagree... I have had my "almost" stock wrangler in some pretty knarly situations... (off camber side hill w/ large loose shale rock... :shock: ) the compentance of the vehicle off road has more to do with the water bag behind the wheel than the vehicle itself.
|
|
|
|
|
usmc_2tothetop
Jan 30, 2004, 12:45 AM
Post #9 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 661
|
word to the teenage wheels......that would ruin the concept of the jeep. I won't be doing any serious crazy offroading. just get to maybe a good boulder off the pavement. I love there look and the fact that you can take the top and doors off. Best sun roof ever for a sun worshiper.
|
|
|
|
|
beyond_gravity
Jan 30, 2004, 12:52 AM
Post #10 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 2, 2002
Posts: 5078
|
In reply to: HMM I have a tendancy to disagree... I have had my "almost" stock wrangler in some pretty knarly situations... (off camber side hill w/ large loose shale rock... :shock: ) the compentance of the vehicle off road has more to do with the water bag behind the wheel than the vehicle itself.
I totally agree. I've seen a little stock Suzuki with chains get up a 60º hill with 2 foot deep ruts, that turned about 30º off stright up halfway up. But for stuff such and mud holes, thats mostly all about your rig.
|
|
|
|
|
usmc_2tothetop
Jan 30, 2004, 12:54 AM
Post #11 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 661
|
I am actually looking right now at a list of Wranglers that I have found. It could be possible that I make a deal this weekend. So I really appreciate all the info or advice. I would not want to make a bad finacial decision. Thanx guys.
|
|
|
|
|
robscate
Jan 30, 2004, 1:00 AM
Post #12 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 16, 2000
Posts: 348
|
In reply to: In reply to: HMM I have a tendancy to disagree... I have had my "almost" stock wrangler in some pretty knarly situations... (off camber side hill w/ large loose shale rock... :shock: ) the compentance of the vehicle off road has more to do with the water bag behind the wheel than the vehicle itself. I totally agree. I've seen a little stock Suzuki with chains get up a 60º hill with 2 foot deep ruts, that turned about 30º off stright up halfway up. But for stuff such and mud holes, thats mostly all about your rig.
I hate taking it through mud... That stuff is murder on mechanical components...
(...edit for spelling)
|
|
|
|
|
beyond_gravity
Jan 30, 2004, 1:00 AM
Post #13 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 2, 2002
Posts: 5078
|
you are buying used, correct?
|
|
|
|
|
usmc_2tothetop
Jan 30, 2004, 1:01 AM
Post #14 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 661
|
Yea used
|
|
|
|
|
beyond_gravity
Jan 30, 2004, 1:09 AM
Post #15 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 2, 2002
Posts: 5078
|
I'd look for skid plates and tow hooks. If you ever get into something rockey or you get stuck, you will be very glad you have them. If you're like me, you'll start using tow hooks for everything (pulling trees back to camp for firewood, pulling apart your shed, top rope anchor)
Make sure you don't buy from some yuppy like me. as said above, offroading is very hard on the vehicle. Don't buy if it sounds like it's been offroad more then a few times a year.
|
|
|
|
|
atg200
Jan 30, 2004, 2:45 AM
Post #16 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 27, 2001
Posts: 4317
|
if you are only going to do a small amount of relatively mild offroading, you are way better off in a subaru. my old outback sport clawed up some terrible 4WD roads near moab. does it perform offroad as well as a wrangler? definitely not. on the other hand, you will get 15 mpg more than the wrangler, it will be safer if you crash, it will not have nearly the number of mechanical/electrical problems a wrangler will have, you will be able to put lots more stuff in it, it'll be more pleasant to ride in, and it will last longer.
is a wrangler a wise financial decision? definitely not. are they fun? definitely.
|
|
|
|
|
charrock
Jan 30, 2004, 3:14 AM
Post #17 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 14, 2001
Posts: 364
|
Hey Are you a marine? Your sig implies. My son is looking to buy a jeep and is also joining the marines. I wonder if this is a marine thing. He wants to get a Cherokee because it's not as noisy and much warmer, similar engines to the Wrangler (V6, 4.0L high output is the one to get). My brother use to own a CJ 7 many years ago. It was a great car but tough to drive on the interstates, exit ramps really suck. It was made for the dirt. Also you can't store anything in 'em cuz it will get ripped off. Can't lock them. My brother use to find bums sleeping in the jeep on some mornings. Enjoy it if you get it. Charlie
|
|
|
|
|
ancrtz_climber
Jan 30, 2004, 4:50 AM
Post #18 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 27, 2003
Posts: 41
|
I just want to put my good word in for the Cherokee. I've been driving a 92' for a couple years now and the onlything i've had to replace was the starter (this car has 221k miles on it - origionaly everything). Anyway mine has held up really well and I love it. Oh and to clarify, the jeep 6 is an inline 6 4.0L high output 180hp 220ft/lb of torque stock- much much better engine than a v6.
|
|
|
|
|
pornstarr
Jan 30, 2004, 5:42 AM
Post #19 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 824
|
yes, inline 6 kicks major azz over a V6. The Jeep 6 is a strong motor.
|
|
|
|
|
overlord
Jan 30, 2004, 1:04 PM
Post #20 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 14120
|
toyota landcruiser. or landrover defender. or cherokee
|
|
|
|
|
marshall84
Jan 30, 2004, 2:58 PM
Post #21 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 9, 2002
Posts: 2842
|
135,000 miles and still running strong. The only thing I've ever replaced is the water pump after 10 years.
|
|
|
|
|
dookie
Jan 30, 2004, 3:07 PM
Post #22 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 25, 2003
Posts: 3528
|
In reply to: Hey Are you a marine? Your sig implies. My son is looking to buy a jeep and is also joining the marines. I wonder if this is a marine thing.
It's a marine thing.
|
|
|
|
|
usmc_2tothetop
Jan 30, 2004, 4:47 PM
Post #23 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 661
|
Well I think all in all, I'll check out the Cherokees. It seems better finacially. I'll get a jeep sometime down the road. I'll have to do some research on the Cherokees. See which are good years. Kind of like Nissan. From some feedbacks, I have gathered that there 95' v6 models have a few problems.
|
|
|
|
|
tucsonalex
Jan 30, 2004, 4:55 PM
Post #24 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 11, 2002
Posts: 1689
|
In reply to: 135,000 miles and still running strong. The only thing I've ever replaced is the water pump after 10 years.
I just put a water pump in my friends 90 Jeep Cherokee with the inline 6. It has about 120k miles on it. Sounds like you should plan on having to replace the water pump.
|
|
|
|
|
pornstarr
Jan 30, 2004, 5:14 PM
Post #25 of 33
(1319 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 824
|
In reply to: In reply to: 135,000 miles and still running strong. The only thing I've ever replaced is the water pump after 10 years. I just put a water pump in my friends 90 Jeep Cherokee with the inline 6. It has about 120k miles on it. Sounds like you should plan on having to replace the water pump.
yes, i had to do that too. it's easy though. just hope that it happens around town....
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
