NGC - Questions re Jeep Wrangler 4 dr

[ohiorider]

I'm closing in on a new lease car.  I've generally owned or leased Mazdas over the past 25+ years, and am currently looking at the replacement for my 2018 Mazda6, since the lease is up in less than 2 months.  My current Mazda 6 has a responsive 2.5L turbo, but I'd like a small SUV, ie, the Mazda CX30 Turbo AWD, instead of another 4 dr sedan.

Before finalizing the Mazda, thought I'd ask if any of you own or lease a Jeep Wrangler.  Looks like a fun vehicle, and their residual appears to keep the monthly lease low(er.)

- Overall opinion of the Wrangler, with either automatic or 6spd manual.
- Ride, handling.

Would you do another one?

Thanks for your opinions.

Bob

[Dirk_S]

I’m gonna be that guy who brings in another vehicle you didn’t ask about, but any thoughts on the new Bronco? Half my attraction for Wranglers left when the engine became Italian <crickets*>, and vast remainder of interest hopped over to the new Ford product when I compared the specs.

[John Ulrich]

Have you driven one?  Go drive both vehicles and your choice will be obvious to YOU.

[bigbikerrick]

I have a friend who bought a brand new white one, called Willys edition, or at least thats what it states on the hood. It took my friend 3 months to hate it. Fit and finish as well as the quality of the plastics is rough, and the Arizona sun just eats them up. Lots have to coat those fender flares in truck bed liner stuff. His has the V 6 automatic, and he said the mileage wasnt too good, and he felt it was underpowered. I guess it depends how you plan to use it, he mostly commutes on the interstate between Tucson and Phoenix, and local, taking the kids to activities, etc. . I personally could think of  many better vehicles for that duty, than a Jeep!
Rick.

[Kev m]

I'm closing in on a new lease car.  I've generally owned or leased Mazdas over the past 25+ years, and am currently looking at the replacement for my 2018 Mazda6, since the lease is up in less than 2 months.  My current Mazda 6 has a responsive 2.5L turbo, but I'd like a small SUV, ie, the Mazda CX30 Turbo AWD, instead of another 4 dr sedan.

Before finalizing the Mazda, thought I'd ask if any of you own or lease a Jeep Wrangler.  Looks like a fun vehicle, and their residual appears to keep the monthly lease low(er.)

- Overall opinion of the Wrangler, with either automatic or 6spd manual.
- Ride, handling.

Would you do another one?

Thanks for your opinions.

Bob

YOU RANG?

Ordered a 2016 JKU and had it built to my spec back at the end of 2016. Only 45k miles on it so far, but absolutely love it and was recently offered 80% of the original MSRP on a trade-in (which I'm not taking).

The JLU that debuted part way through 2018 is improved over mine in a number of little ways, and to some extent the ride and handling, but who are we fooling it's a double-live axle throwback frame on body truckette at heart.

In stock trim I could eek out maybe 20-22 mpg at slightly below highway speeds on flatlands. Now that mine is raised a couple inches it's work to get 20 under those circumstances, but I can do it.

I have the 6-speed, it's truly a horrible gearbox and I KNEW THAT going into it, but I like rowing so I'm not disappointed. But if I'm being honest if I were to buy a new one I'd probably go AT cause the auto is a very good gearbox.

I had mine built similar to the Willy's in that I got the Trac-Lok (LSD) rear and I'm glad I did, though I'm not sure most would need it.

I have heated leather, premium sound, OEM NAV etc.

The JLUs changed the game a little. They are even more expensive and they have a ton of options now including some stuff I don't have like LED lights, homelink garage door opener, heated steering wheel, push button keyless ignition, and maybe MOST importantly if you care for it an optional Select-Trac 4wd system that also includes a full-time setting in addition to 4Hi/4Lo.

If I were to order one tomorrow I'd probably go with the Willys and most of the things I just mentioned.

One great thing about the Jeep is that it's a Tonka Toy - you can literally buy anything you can conceive of for it.

But at the end of the day, it is never going to ride like a modern SUV or truck with IFS front and rear suspensions. Hell even a modern truck with just an IFS front is going to be an improvement. But I don't care.

I would buy another in a heartbeat.

I’m gonna be that guy who brings in another vehicle you didn’t ask about, but any thoughts on the new Bronco? Half my attraction for Wranglers left when the engine became Italian <crickets*>, and vast remainder of interest hopped over to the new Ford product when I compared the specs.

The Bronco is probably going to be a great option, but if you haven't already put down money on one it is not likely an option in 2021 as I think they took enough pre-orders to fill the whole model year. Though I'm sure some will be available at a premium.

Uhh, the motor isn't Italian, if anything you can make a claim that Daimler had a hand in the design of the Pentastar (the chief powertrain, though there are others like the Turbo 4 and the EcoDiesel). That said the Pentastar is FANTASTIC. We had 100k on one in the Grand Cherokee (Benz ML chassis) that we just traded in on the Defender. It ran flawlessly its whole life with us including never burning a drop of oil on 8-10k ECM monitored oil changes. My 2016 is proving itself just as good.

I'd take a naturally aspirated V6 over an eco-boost from Ford though that's for sure.

[AJ Huff]

I have a reservation for a Bronco. EARLIEST I can convert my reservation to an order is December.
I expect that to move further out as manufacturing glitches continue to occur.
I'd say if you aren't already in the queue, you might as well wait until late  2022 to get one.

I was seriously considering the 4xe or a diesel Gladiator. Sat in the Gladiator and
Found it to small. Be sure to test drive. It looks fantastic on paper.

-AJ

[kingoffleece]

I'm on my 2nd Ram 2500 plow truck.  Had a 1995 and replaced the FWD components 2x in 3 years.  Said I'd never get another.  Now I use a 2014 2500 6.4 motor.  As many recalls as the 14 in thee M/Y!  Just replaced the FWD front end components at 26K miles.  Beast of a motor.  But never again-this time I mean it!

I'd hope the Jeeps are better with the 4WD.  The rest of the truck is great.

[Moparnut72]

"His has the V 6 automatic, and he said the mileage wasnt too good, and he felt it was underpowered."

You have been fed a fish story. The Pentastar V6 has received many awards. It is a terrific engine.  300 has and in our former Durango got over 25 mpg on the highway. I drove a 4 door Wrangler a ways back.  I was quite impressed with it and it had the 4 cylinder in it, but I would get the V6.
kk

[Solorider73]

I’m gonna be that guy who brings in another vehicle you didn’t ask about, but any thoughts on the new Bronco? Half my attraction for Wranglers left when the engine became Italian <crickets*>, and vast remainder of interest hopped over to the new Ford product when I compared the specs.

The V6 is the Pentastar engine and it’s a solid motor.  The turbo I4 is the Fiat motor and it appears to be a real stinker. I’ve read reports of them using oil from new. Must be an Italian thing.

[Canuck750]

The only new vehicle I ever bought before I hit my late 40's was a Jeep CJ7 in 1980, V8, 4 speed, easily the worst vehicle I ever owned, sold it in a year, it broke down standing still, friends told me to buy a Toyota Landcruiser but I didn't listen, the Jeep Laredo was cool. Clutch exploded on the go, threw the gear shift right off the transmission.

Fast forward to 2012 my wife wants an all year vehicle, she parked her Miata in the winter, didn't like driving the truck and wanted a Jeep Wrangler, bought a Sahara, V6 - 6 Speed (two door), pretty much fully loaded, she found it very easy to park and drive, I found the fit / finish and overall quality to be pretty low, after four years she sold it to one of our sons, he still has it, doesn't put a lot of miles on it (rides a MC all summer), its had a lot of work done on it with less than 60,000 miles, ball joints, tie rods, front calipers, rotors, front drive shaft seals, parking brake seized up - replaced cables and rear rotors / drums, heater doesn't work on the floor setting, heated seat on drivers side doesn't work, passenger side power window is jerky (when it works), charging problems, replaced the alternator, gone through two batteries, gone through a clutch at 50,000 miles. The ride is choppy and rough (to be expected I suppose), lots of wind noise even with the hardtop.

My son loves it, go figure, he likes the cool factor regardless of reliability.

As a comparison my 'go the dump' 2010 Ford Ranger extended cab 4x4 has about the same mileage, replaced the brakes and a battery, nothing breaks, always runs well, better ride, about the same mileage, we run the heck out of it and use it as a truck, hauls dirt, lumber, gravel, relatives borrow it, can't kill it.

I would look closely at the new Bronco, the Bronco Sport on the show room floors now is a unibody based on an Escape, the 'real' Bronco's are coming in 2021 and are body on frame.

[Moto Vita]

I have a friend who bought a brand new white one, called Willys edition, or at least thats what it states on the hood. It took my friend 3 months to hate it. Fit and finish as well as the quality of the plastics is rough, and the Arizona sun just eats them up. Lots have to coat those fender flares in truck bed liner stuff. His has the V 6 automatic, and he said the mileage wasnt too good, and he felt it was underpowered. I guess it depends how you plan to use it, he mostly commutes on the interstate between Tucson and Phoenix, and local, taking the kids to activities, etc. . I personally could think of  many better vehicles for that duty, than a Jeep!
Rick.

 Your friend bought a Jeep to commute on a 75mph (in the slow lane) interstate and doesn't like it, go figure.

[Demar]

Lot of people are excited about the Bronco and it looks great. The first new car I bought was a 1984 Jeep Cherokee. First model year. It had a lot of problems and after 10 years was pretty much done as the tranny was shot among other things. I will never buy a first model year car again. I recently had to sell my 2001 Chevy Tahoe I had from new after 257,000 miles. I really wanted a Gladiator but again, no first models for me. I bought a 2016 Jeep Wrangler JKU 4-door and I love it. It was on the used lot and really clean with only 14,500 miles when I bought it last March. As I was getting the key from the dealer I asked for the second key. He said "we only get 1 key with a repo." I bought it anyway but cost me $500 to have the dealer make two new keys.

Buy a car for a purpose. If you want to drive a lot of freeway miles buy a Lexus. If you want to haul stuff or tow a boat buy a truck with a V8. If you want a cheap car for around town buy a Honda or Toyota. If you want to do some 4x4 or explore the high country, etc. buy a Jeep. I've done a few things to it but I don't want to go full-4x4 monster. I don't think any other vehicle has as many aftermarket options available. It rides a little stiff, has wind noise abobe 60mph and doesn't get great gas mileage (I'm not sure what I get as I haven't gone many places due to -) maybe 17-18mpg on the freeway. This is my retirement vehicle and I plan to get a MOAB trailer and tour the US camping when I retire in 4 years. As others have mentioned, it's a Tonka Toy.

I've upgraded the shocks, lifted it 2". Put on steel bumpers front and back. Added a winch. Added a swing out tire carrier that has attachments for Hilift jack, two gas cans and a basket above the rear spare. I added fog lights up front and rear lights in the bumper. I also added a 4-switch module above the rear view mirror that controls the lights. I have 1 switch operate my lighted Christmas wreath. The engine is good for a small trailer. It's a proven and tested design and reported as robust. Do I wish it had more power? Yes, maybe a little but its OK. Is it comfortable? Sort of, not a smooth ride (a Grand Cherokee will be better) but it's OK. I do have leather and heated seats and a nice media center that sounds good and connects to the phone. Edit: the 2018 on JLU models have the auto engine shut-off at stop lights. I didn't want that. I hear you can get an aftermarket device for $200-$300 that overrides that but you have to activate everytime you first turn on the engine.

It is a 2016 JKU Rubicon V6 AT. Would I buy another one. Yes, absolutely.


 I'm thinking of getting the FortMX trailer so I can bring my scooter with me sometimes. Maybe I can make a Guzzi National on the East Coast.

[John Ulrich]

Your friend bought a Jeep to commute on a 75mph (in the slow lane) interstate and doesn't like it, go figure.

Ditto.

[Turin]

I had a Wrangler as a rental a few weeks ago. Drove from Salt Lake City to Rock Springs Wyoming. The seat was hard and the steering was vague. Wind noise was irritating above 75mph. I thought the fit and finish was very good, and it's a great looking beast. I prefer my company car ( Ford Escape ).

[leroy_can]

I,m a strong believer in renting any vehicle I'm considering for a few days to try it out. Far more gained from that than a test drive with a salesman along. Usually easy to get some very cheap rates with early booking

[ohiorider]

Thanks for all the responses. 

And Kev, are you going to repurpose your response by submitting it to a commercial publication?  Very nice!

Bob

[Kev m]

Thanks for all the responses. 

And Kev, are you going to repurpose your response by submitting it to a commercial publication?  Very nice!

Bob

Pay is lousy but that's life.

Hey whatever you decide, have fun. There's no reason not to have fun in life right.

[Dilliw]

We just had a Rubicon as a rental while Kim's car was getting a little body damage repaired (uh I'm still in hot water over that).  Enterprise/National has them in their fleet so I'd highly recommend you renting one for a week. 

Kim liked the Rubicon more than I did.  I found the seat to be not very comfortable and the auto transmission a little lacking.  I also don't see the value of a hardtop Jeep anything.  It was much more civilized than my 2 door JK, however. 

[Kev m]

I also don't see the value of a hardtop Jeep anything.

Ahh, best of both worlds.

Quiet, warm, and comfortable in the winter and it hangs from the garage ceiling in the summer.

In the summer the back windows stay out of the soft-top for weeks at a time.

[Dilliw]

Ahh, best of both worlds.

Quiet, warm, and comfortable in the winter and it hangs from the garage ceiling in the summer.

In the summer the back windows stay out of the soft-top for weeks at a time.

Well in Texas we had our winter last week with before and after nothing but dry and sun.  The dew point is 10 points lower than South Carolina so a mesh sun shade is pretty much it around here.  Back home I had to cover my YJ every night!