Talk to me about Jeep Wranglers...
Discussion
Wow - my TJ feels totally different to yours.
I guess that's the thing with older cars, they age differently, especially with regards to bushes and shocks.
Mine is regeared, has upgraded callipers and a few new bits though.
But we're talking about TJ's, the OP is looking at JK's.
They are very different cars.
Your best option, op, is to test drive one.
Your local Jeep dealership should be able to arrange a test drive.
I guess that's the thing with older cars, they age differently, especially with regards to bushes and shocks.
Mine is regeared, has upgraded callipers and a few new bits though.
But we're talking about TJ's, the OP is looking at JK's.
They are very different cars.
Your best option, op, is to test drive one.
Your local Jeep dealership should be able to arrange a test drive.
my last sentence should be taken seperately to the rest. mine does not have very good road manners in that it is stiffly sprung, has poly engine and trans mounts, 4" lift and 33"x12" tyres. you have to be in the mood for road driving but it goes like stink though the desert.
my main points stand in that the engine and box are far from legendary or sporty!
as you say the jk should be much improved, the v6 certainly is a huge improvement.
my main points stand in that the engine and box are far from legendary or sporty!
as you say the jk should be much improved, the v6 certainly is a huge improvement.
Hanslow said:
Thanks 300bhp for the very informative post!
I was looking at JKs, certainly not new but possibly up to, or around, the 20k mark. It'll be my daily runner, I currently drive a 61 plate MX5, not the most spacious of cars but fun. So this would be a world apart, but entertaining in a different way. All being well, the missus would have my MX5 to replace her current one, and then funds on top for whatever I end up with.
£20k should give you a lot of choice. In fact I'm amazed at how well the JK's have held onto their money. If anything they seem to have gone up in price, which is odd.I was looking at JKs, certainly not new but possibly up to, or around, the 20k mark. It'll be my daily runner, I currently drive a 61 plate MX5, not the most spacious of cars but fun. So this would be a world apart, but entertaining in a different way. All being well, the missus would have my MX5 to replace her current one, and then funds on top for whatever I end up with.
A couple of years ago they'd dropped down to £10-11k with a bit of looking. When I checked Autotrader yesterday the cheapest was just under £13k. And I believe at some point dealers where knocking out new ones for £17-19k, so depreciation has been very low on them.
But I agree, they are very fun. Just a different kind of fun to a sports car.
Hanslow said:
I didn't realise manual gearbox and air con were an either/or option 
You may want to double check this, and I was thinking mostly of the 2006 vehicles. So Jeep might have updated this. But I do know that Jeep UK seem to pick some very odd combo's, almost as if they want to try and convince people not to buy and go elsewhere.Hanslow said:
I also didn't realise the 4 door JKs were longer than a 110 Defender.
There really isn't much in it. Side by side I bet you'd struggle to see a difference.And for reference, they are both shorter than a Ford Mondeo.
Hanslow said:
There's not a lot on the market that floats my boat style wise, hence why I find it so difficult whenever I change cars, and am looking for something that's special in its own way. Doesn't have to be an out and out performance vehicle by any means, I'd just like one that makes me smile to see it or drive it.
I have no idea how this relates to others. But I can assure you I'm a complete speed freak and love fast cars. And I've owned a good number of different ones.But I find the most pleasing and fun vehicles to drive are proper 4x4's. I've had way more fun and smiled more in a 4x4 than any of the sports cars I've owned.
If you are wanting something a little different, the Wrangler fits the bill perfectly while also ticking the boxes of being available and actually very good.
If you do want to look at alternatives then these are the ones I'd say consider:
-Defender obviously. Really make sure you drive one as a comparison to a JK.
-Toyota FJ Cruiser. LHD and import only. But looks fantastic.
-Hummer H3. LHD and import only, but actually a good vehicle. Unlike the H2 which was more style over substance, the H3 is actually a worthy 4x4 and capable in it's own right, it's also about the same size as a Discovery 3 or FJ Cruiser.
-something like an Ibex http://www.ibexvehicles.com/
An Ibex is very largely based on a Land Rover. But it is more rugged and off road orientated.
Hanslow said:
This is completely outside my normal sphere of vehicle types, I've oft overlooked cars of this ilk for being too heavy and us not needing the practicality. I wouldn't want this to be a project car, I have a 7 for that, so it would need to be generally reliable, hence me considering newer more expensive vehicles.
I recall seeing at most three Wranglers this year, and each made me turn and look, so I've started to see what they offer...
I recall seeing at most three Wranglers this year, and each made me turn and look, so I've started to see what they offer...
shirt said:
my last sentence should be taken seperately to the rest. mine does not have very good road manners in that it is stiffly sprung, has poly engine and trans mounts, 4" lift and 33"x12" tyres. you have to be in the mood for road driving but it goes like stink though the desert.
my main points stand in that the engine and box are far from legendary or sporty!
as you say the jk should be much improved, the v6 certainly is a huge improvement.
Mine has 29" wheels with a 4:11(ish) ratio.my main points stand in that the engine and box are far from legendary or sporty!
as you say the jk should be much improved, the v6 certainly is a huge improvement.
The top speed is rubbish, but the acceleration up to 60mph is absurdly quick.
I agree that I wouldn't particularly call the engine sporty when compared with modern sports cars
But, as 4l straight six engines go it's got a hint of legend about it.
Edit. 15" wheels, 29" tyres.
Edited by Snowboy on Thursday 17th October 13:15
ah, see i have 15's so a lot of bouncy rubber coupled with the stiff suspension. i can throw it around a lot better than i can a defender and the low end shove is fun when playing with the local numpties in traffic.
what mpg do you see on a good day? i only calculated my first tank, was 14mpg but at 16p a litre i decided i wasn't fussed.
just had the old girl geo aligned and tyres balanced, steam cleaned and just about to get the kit out to prep and polish to put it up for sale. i'll stick a pic up when all shiny with all the lights back on. must admit it looks the business but a z3m coupe is calling me!
what mpg do you see on a good day? i only calculated my first tank, was 14mpg but at 16p a litre i decided i wasn't fussed.
just had the old girl geo aligned and tyres balanced, steam cleaned and just about to get the kit out to prep and polish to put it up for sale. i'll stick a pic up when all shiny with all the lights back on. must admit it looks the business but a z3m coupe is calling me!
Sorry, it was supposed to say 29" wheels.
(And by that I mean tyres).
I have no idea about my mpg.
It's pretty bad though - but I don't really drive in an economic fashion.
I was planning poly bushes as the ride was poor.
But, I got a new panhard rod, new rear shocks and replaced a sticky caliper and the ride is awesome now.
I also go the whole bottom waxoyled, which probably helped lubricate the existing bushes.
It is probably my keep-for-life car, because it's just fun.
(And by that I mean tyres).
I have no idea about my mpg.
It's pretty bad though - but I don't really drive in an economic fashion.
I was planning poly bushes as the ride was poor.
But, I got a new panhard rod, new rear shocks and replaced a sticky caliper and the ride is awesome now.
I also go the whole bottom waxoyled, which probably helped lubricate the existing bushes.
It is probably my keep-for-life car, because it's just fun.
Personally I think most Defender's handle fine and it's amazing how you can throw them about on country lanes.
The Wrangler is no worse, although my only gripe is you can't run in AWD on the road with them due to no centre diff.
The steering is crazy light, but once you get used to it, I found it was direct enough and did actually have quite a bit of feel to it.
The 4.0 litre might be old fashioned today, but it makes a nice noise and out guns and out mpgs a Rover V8 and IMO has a nicer power delivery and torque curve too.
My XJ Cherokee ran very well. On stock tyres it'd easily do 21-22mpg (imperial) on a run at 70mph+
Big tyres and pottering about it won't be very good I admit. But then my 200Tdi Disco on 33's with a 5 speed manual could get down to 19-21mpg while making quite a bit less power.
The Wrangler maybe doesn't handle as well as the XJ, but I really liked how the XJ drove. On country lanes it was quite a stealthy weapon tbh.
I entered a rally like event with it. We were the only 4x4 in the even (50+ competitors) and we were running mid table stage times and beating things like Mazda Miata/MX-5's.
4.0 Litre Auto SE, circa 190bhp.
Reasonably speedy to 60mph and would quite readily shoot upto 95-100mph.
I later fitted it with some 31.10.50R15 Mud Tyres and a 2" budget boost lift. I thought this would affect how it handled on the road, but to be honest there was almost no change. You could still throw it and really upset some of the local hot hatch brigade on the country lanes - ask me how I know
I'm a huge Land Rover fan, but I'd have another Jeep in a heartbeat.
The Wrangler is no worse, although my only gripe is you can't run in AWD on the road with them due to no centre diff.
The steering is crazy light, but once you get used to it, I found it was direct enough and did actually have quite a bit of feel to it.
The 4.0 litre might be old fashioned today, but it makes a nice noise and out guns and out mpgs a Rover V8 and IMO has a nicer power delivery and torque curve too.
My XJ Cherokee ran very well. On stock tyres it'd easily do 21-22mpg (imperial) on a run at 70mph+
Big tyres and pottering about it won't be very good I admit. But then my 200Tdi Disco on 33's with a 5 speed manual could get down to 19-21mpg while making quite a bit less power.
The Wrangler maybe doesn't handle as well as the XJ, but I really liked how the XJ drove. On country lanes it was quite a stealthy weapon tbh.
I entered a rally like event with it. We were the only 4x4 in the even (50+ competitors) and we were running mid table stage times and beating things like Mazda Miata/MX-5's.
4.0 Litre Auto SE, circa 190bhp.
Reasonably speedy to 60mph and would quite readily shoot upto 95-100mph.
I later fitted it with some 31.10.50R15 Mud Tyres and a 2" budget boost lift. I thought this would affect how it handled on the road, but to be honest there was almost no change. You could still throw it and really upset some of the local hot hatch brigade on the country lanes - ask me how I know
I'm a huge Land Rover fan, but I'd have another Jeep in a heartbeat.
i have only ever touched 100mph once on a long drag down past abu dhabi. i near shat myself! 120kph is decent manageable cruise though and not too noisy at that.
i wouldn't recommend polybushing if you can avoid it. if you do then leave the engine and diff to flouro rubber, really wish i'd left the trans mount alone!
biggest difference for me was new spicer ball joints and u joints. i have bilstein 5100 series all round which i would recommend, night and day compared to the old ones. corners pretty flat although i have been known to round corners on 3 wheels when pushing on.
i wouldn't recommend polybushing if you can avoid it. if you do then leave the engine and diff to flouro rubber, really wish i'd left the trans mount alone!
biggest difference for me was new spicer ball joints and u joints. i have bilstein 5100 series all round which i would recommend, night and day compared to the old ones. corners pretty flat although i have been known to round corners on 3 wheels when pushing on.
Have a few mates with JK's, 2 and 4 door. Not heard anything bad about them. The diesels can be re-programmed, and apparently that's a good idea for the 4 door as its a bit underpowered in its stock programming.
The lack of AWD is a little annoying, i used to love having it available in my XJ on snowy/icy roads. But the Wranglers still handle fine without it.
Mines a bit older (91 YJ).
The lack of AWD is a little annoying, i used to love having it available in my XJ on snowy/icy roads. But the Wranglers still handle fine without it.
Mines a bit older (91 YJ).
I had a LWB JK Sahara manual 09. Great car wish I had never sold it and it and I sold it for more than a bought it for. It 4 months old and 4 k miles. Main issue was the tailgate as it has no damper or return system so it can be a chopping device. I had also used the old 4.0 version which was good.
Had many 4x4 Suzuki's Landies and Shogun at present, I also have a Nitro base model which I have to say is much better than folk would imagine. Yeah it probably not the ultimate offroad like the Jk, but they are so cheap and under valued. It also has the same 2.8 as the JK and lighter so it goes very well.
Got it from the main dealers 2008...26k miles..mint 4 new tyres 6.9K...as said very good value.
Had many 4x4 Suzuki's Landies and Shogun at present, I also have a Nitro base model which I have to say is much better than folk would imagine. Yeah it probably not the ultimate offroad like the Jk, but they are so cheap and under valued. It also has the same 2.8 as the JK and lighter so it goes very well.
Got it from the main dealers 2008...26k miles..mint 4 new tyres 6.9K...as said very good value.
Fine timing for this thread to rear it's head - I've spent the last few days pawing over Jeeps. Seriously tempted by the Wrangler Unlimited as I'm getting the itch to explore mid-west USA's off road trails. Quickly rekindled my love for them with a test drive of a new Willy's Wheeler edition that the dealer had fitted with a lift kit and 35" rubber, so provided I can make it work as a daily for a few months I'll probably go for one. Do wish they still offered the MOAB edition.
On a side note I had some time with the new Cherokee Trailhawk - it's bloody brilliant, no idea how it fares off road but I'd love to slap some 35's and a lift kit on and find out. From what I hear they're pretty handy out of the box though.
On a side note I had some time with the new Cherokee Trailhawk - it's bloody brilliant, no idea how it fares off road but I'd love to slap some 35's and a lift kit on and find out. From what I hear they're pretty handy out of the box though.
Here is a review I did on mine:.very handy thing to have in the garage.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121015/carreview...
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121015/carreview...
Have to say your road trips went some way to twisting my arm and convincing me I could live with the 'ruggedness'.
I could slap myself for not buying when the brighter colors were around. Hopefully they'll bring them back as AMP'd just doesn't cut it compared to Orange Crush or Gekko.
Curious to see what they do with the 2015 redesign, though I don't think I can wait long enough to find out.
I could slap myself for not buying when the brighter colors were around. Hopefully they'll bring them back as AMP'd just doesn't cut it compared to Orange Crush or Gekko.
Curious to see what they do with the 2015 redesign, though I don't think I can wait long enough to find out.
Sawman, I'm still looking and considering what to go for next. I always drag these things out and swing from one decision to another. I still keep looking to see what's on the market, but am erring towards petrol rather than diesel for my next set of wheels, so looking into overall costs of running a petrol variant of one of these, amongst a myriad of other completely different vehicles.
I love the bright green one just above though!
I love the bright green one just above though!
Hanslow said:
Sawman, I'm still looking and considering what to go for next. I always drag these things out and swing from one decision to another. I still keep looking to see what's on the market, but am erring towards petrol rather than diesel for my next set of wheels, so looking into overall costs of running a petrol variant of one of these, amongst a myriad of other completely different vehicles.
I love the bright green one just above though!
cheers, keep us posted on what you find, I love the bright green one just above though!
if its any help our KJ cherokee with the 3.7 petrol has averaged 15.5mpg over 40kmiles in nearly 5 years (best 23.7, worst 10.3!) and apart from some tyres and brake pads/discs has cost us nothing, and never let us down.
Have n't read the whole tale, but just my 2 pence worth
A few years ago I was looking for something to satisfy my love for the out doors.. On the list were Land Cruisers, pick ups, even Landies... Then saw a program on the Jeep YJ and look a bit further afield
Long story short, bought myself a ''05 4L Jeep Wrangler TJ.. The best ever purchase I've ever made, easy to work on, brilliant off road, even took it out 100% stock to a Salisbury Plains and I was shocked / surprised with its capibility, could easily keepup with the highly modified 4x4s... This didn't stopped me throwing a few mods
End of the day, Jeep Wrangler again got the award for the best extreme 4x4 by 4x4 mag, but have to admit, I prefer theTJ over the JK, specially as its a petrol vs diesel
A few years ago I was looking for something to satisfy my love for the out doors.. On the list were Land Cruisers, pick ups, even Landies... Then saw a program on the Jeep YJ and look a bit further afield
Long story short, bought myself a ''05 4L Jeep Wrangler TJ.. The best ever purchase I've ever made, easy to work on, brilliant off road, even took it out 100% stock to a Salisbury Plains and I was shocked / surprised with its capibility, could easily keepup with the highly modified 4x4s... This didn't stopped me throwing a few mods
End of the day, Jeep Wrangler again got the award for the best extreme 4x4 by 4x4 mag, but have to admit, I prefer theTJ over the JK, specially as its a petrol vs diesel
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