Posted on 12/06/2016 5:18:25 PM PST by Chickensoup
Jeep Fans?
Freeper Husbands!
I am Thinking of Buying a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I like the vehicle, it is big for me, I am moving from my Golf Diesel. Although I have had Xterras and Mazda MPV (Before they ruined its design) previously.
I looked at many new cars and SUV crosses and they all are poorly designed, have lousy visibility and have metal that is so thin it needs to be serviced every few months. I also discovered I need a more butch looking vehicle. All the Suv crossovers look like they were made for Oprah. Teardrop shapes and curves.
I liked the used Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. It looks durable, I have found a couple of them. Seems as though I am having a difficult time getting the price down below 30K
I cannot quite figure out the Jeep Wrangler choices. Is there a Jeep Wrangler as high and tall as the unlimited but only with 2 doors? All the Wranglers I see with 2 doors are short and look like they belong in a suburb.
Any advice from Freeper Jeep owners appreciated.
Am I making another dumb move here?
I’ve understood that the Wrangler automatic can’t be flat towed. I’ll have to check, but I think the weight is an issue, too.
The Samurai is even harder to find, at least one that hasn’t been modified within an inch of it’s life and/or abused. I don’t think the automatic is flat towable either, but I will check.
Is there any truth to the high center of gravity rollover thing with the Samurai, or is it more Naderite crap?
Rent one for a week while you get your current car detailed and serviced prior to sale.
You will know a lot more from that experience. I got to drive the Unlimited that way and thus knew what it was like on the Interstate. (This year I drove 13,000 miles just seeing grandkids.)
Yes, I’m a jeep fan, as having driven the MB & M151 in the Army. But those are the only two I’d ever want to own.
We’ve had about 10 4WD’s. One of the best is our 2011 Ford F150. This Ford is an excellent off road vehicle. Great ground clearance, hauls our camper with zero effort, pulls good, great gas mileage, & reasonably comfortable. While hauling a camper and pulling a pontoon in Canada last summer, we quickly past a truck going up a steep grade with power to spare.
I’d take it over a jeep simply because with a pickup you can do so much more besides 4 wheeling.
I loved my 2000 Tacoma, shouldn’t have ever sold it but i got nervous when it hit 175K miles. Not a squeak or a rattle and everything worked just fine, too. Not the smartest move I’ve ever made.
I just pretended I was sitting in a recliner with the foot rest up as far as the seats, lol. They really are low to the floor.
I will say something else that has not been mentioned. If you buy a one or two year old Wrangler it will hold its resale value better than most vehicles discussed.
I like to get a car or truck I LOVE at the time. I will put up with a lot for vehicles I love. Vehicles I don’t care for, every problem or complaint is like a nag from someone I don’t like.
I spun that Suzuki on black ice a full 360 degrees at 45 mph merging on an interstate and did not flip it or hit anything.
About had heart failure.
I think referring to on-line copies of exact models involved is the best thing and then discuss this with the tranny mechanic at the dealer that carries the actual brand. There are countless people that flat tow Wranglers out here in Phoenix. Snowbirds are all over the place.
Mine has the six way seat with lumbar support... I’m 6’ 2” and have no problems. It’s an ‘07 Sport that came with 17” wheels, currently sporting some M+S Michelins... rides like a limo, corners like an X2 (xreas suspension). Climbs like a goat, and goes like a bat -V-8. Gets 19 in the city, 22 on vacation. Never have had a failure, but did replace the timing belt as maintenance. Good for another 100k.
Every morning he would drive by me waiting for my bus. It sounded SO cool! There are several other good videos on it. Here's Jay Leno's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUP_VOcvlYw
I found a copy of the brochure for this baby. Click on numbers 1 through 11
http://www.tocmp.com/brochures/Chrysler/1963/Turbine/pages/Turbine%20a_jpg.htm
OK, good to know. I spent a few minutes looking around and found the weight, just under 4,000 lbs for a two door soft top, so it’s over the rated towing capacity. Not sure where I got that the auto trans Wrangler couldn’t be flat towed, though. Sounds as if a lot of people do so, as you say.
I have not actually owned a Tacoma or a 4Runner but I do appreciate that they are bulletproof. I rented one and spent hours in blizzards during a four day trip to Tahoe in 2009. The seat killed me.
I haven’t sat in one because reviews have continued to comment on the seating position. I guess I will have to look at a dealership as I will need another car in two to three years. When I get out of my 60s I won’t want a car breaking down on me. I am however developing a bit of lust for the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor — the second version just coming out now. What a truck and what a gas hog.
OK, good to know. I spent a few minutes looking around and found the weight, just under 4,000 lbs for a two door soft top, so it’s over the rated towing capacity. Not sure where I got that the auto trans Wrangler couldn’t be flat towed, though. Sounds as if a lot of people do so, as you say.
I’ve always loved those Chrysler Turbines. Beautiful. If you’ve ever noticed the similarity between those and the ‘61 - ‘63 Thunderbirds, there’s a reason. Elwood Engel, former head stylist at Ford, went to Chrysler. There’s an interesting story behind that, he wasn’t treated especially well by Ford.
The Wrangler is the 2-door model; Wrangler Unlimited is the 4-dr. Jeeps start with the Sport model which is the “entry-level”. It has 17 inch wheels and black fender flairs. The Sahara is a trim package which offers power windows, door locks, air conditioning, body matched fender flairs, fog lamps, and 18-inch wheels. The Rubicon has a more aggressive tire/wheel combination and is a “tougher” looking vehicle. There is also the 75th Anniversary addition and a couple of other trim levels that escape me.
All jeeps have the 6-cyl engine now. The 4 cyl is no longer available. Soft-top is standard, hard top (on the 4-dr) is a $995 option. Auto trans adds about $1400 to the price and if you look at the Sport, just know that air is a $395 option.
Just drove a 2017 today, it was reasonably quiet and it rode well. We had an old CJ-5 when we first got married this on was much better overall. Thinking about buying one as a toad, but the thing is pretty pricey when you add all the goodies. Expect to pay between 30 and 40K for a tricked out Sahara.
good luck on your decision. Just consider it an expensive toy
As I mentioned, in Arizona we see big RVs pulling almost anything. Can-Am 3 Wheelers, UTVs, VWs, jeeps, small sports cars.
Towing long mileage is a booger. I used to transfer people for construction jobs all the time and it is really fairly reasonable to trailer ship a vehicle and have it there waiting for you. Had a 150k on an old Jimmy and left it in Chicago for two years because I was there instead of home about 65% of the days out of the year. Just left it there in the airport long term lot at Midway every Friday — had it when I flew back in on Monday.
Not going full time or even part time just yet. Had an opportunity land in my lap, have always found the idea appealing so here goes, giving it a try, we’ll see.
I used to have a Ford Freestyle. It’s amazing how much stuff, people and cargo you can stuff into it. I’ve moved on to a Chrysler Town & Country now, on account of having 3 kids (sliding doors are awesome).
I still miss the Freestyle though. I actually liked the CVT transmission on it. I have thought about getting its successor, the Taurus X though.
I had several Dodge and Plymouth minivans back in the day. My favorite had child seats built-in to the back seats which were great.
All manual, nothing electric is how I ordered my 2002 Sahara. Everything still works :) at 176,000 miles.
Kick starter diesel, carbide headlights, manual wipers.
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