Jeep Wrangler?

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,494
I'm thinking about trading in my 2002 Explorer Sport for a pre 2000 Wrangler to save some cash on monthly payments. I live in MI and tow a snomobile/motorcycle trailer about a dozen times a year, and need 4 wheel drive for the snowy days.

However, this Explorer has too many bells and whistles for what I really need in a car, so I'm thinking about dumping it.

What do you guys think about the Jeep's? Mine would probably have close to 100k on the clock already for the price I'm looking at. I had a 95 Cherokee w/ 186k on the clock which ran like a champ.

Opinions?
 
Wrangler owners are a cult. Are you sure you're up for the initiation?
 
The Wrangler is an outstanding vehicle, and Consumer Reports ranks it higher than the Cherokee in reliability and customer satisfaction. Three possible negatives, though:

1.) May not be large enough to hold everything you want to carry.

2.) In cold weather a hardtop might be the better choice, but if you want to take it off in the summer you'll need a place to store it.

3.) If you'll be towing a trailer, be sure to get a 6-cylinder engine, as the 4 won't do it uphill.
 
victory said:
You really need to go with the I6 and the 5 speed to go anywhere.
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Curious - I like manual, but someone I know told me that the automatic tranny is actually an advantage on hard trails (you need to steer with two hands).

Where is 5 speed a necessity for the Wrangler?
 
5 speed manual is essential. It should have a 3000 lb towing rating. Get a hard top.
 
Ive had 2 so far, an 85 and a 99. Its a cult thing once you have one you will always want one. First off you need to take a ride in one for more than 5 min because the ride might not be for you. If from there you still like them, find a nice rust free one with the 6 cyl. Check it out just like any other used car . What i find with them is they tend to be a little high priced for what you get , even with real old ones; but the nice thing is if you ever sell it you will get your money back. But its a jeep thing if i have to explain it you wouldnt understand.:D
 
Backwoods_VT said:
What i find with them is they tend to be a little high priced for what you get , even with real old ones; but the nice thing is if you ever sell it you will get your money back. But its a jeep thing if i have to explain it you wouldnt understand.:D
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We are talking about wranglers? When did they start production? Or when did the CJ7 stop?


Paul
 
I would only look for one with the 4.0 six they are bullet proof engines.
I am thinking about going to look at the new four door Wrangler.
I had a YJ for a while and loved it, and still miss it.
 
ericb445 said:
I would only look for one with the 4.0 six they are bullet proof engines.
I am thinking about going to look at the new four door Wrangler.
I had a YJ for a while and loved it, and still miss it.
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The Cherokee I spoke of wsa the 4.0 I6, and it was a tank for sure.

Have they always used the 4.0 in the Wranglers? IE, is there a year I shouldn't be looking at?

Thanks guys.
 
honestly all the six cylinders are great-you just can't kill em-if you are looking to lift it,the 97's and on are all independent suspension.
 
had a 91 and it was great. my only problem was you can't carry much in one. I agree with the above as far as motor/tansmission {I-6 and manual}. I kept mine for over 3 years and really liked it. Of course you know that jeeps are like harleys, a cult and an addiction. Make sure and carry goat leggings to your initiation. later,ahgar
 
Wranglers with independent suspension.

I thought they were the last live axle on the market.
 
They're still solid axle. I believe Shawn Fu was referring to the switch from leaf springs to coil springs in '97.

Jamie
 
You will have better control of the rig if you drive manual. Slowing down the engine and such with gears is more reliable then brakes.
 
I've had my 95' for about 5 months now and still like it. 135,000 miles and the little four banger that could is still going, haven't needed to put a dime into it (yet).

My advice, try to find an I6 with a hard top, those are my two regrets.
 
Older automatics took power away from the engine because they weren't as efficient. The current generation of automatics do not have this problem.

That being said, the 5 speed manual will have better gearing and put more power on the ground through the tires then the automatic. Coil springs are big leap forward IMHO because the leaf suspension seems to ride harsher.

Be sure you have a vehicle that you are happy with for the majority of your use. A harsh ride and leaky soft top may not be good for 99% of your driving even though it is ideal for the 1% of the driving people sometimes focus on.
 
victory said:
because the automatic is a 3 speed. limited gearing.
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Quoting from edmunds.com:
All 2007 Wranglers come with a 3.8-liter V6 engine capable of 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. It's connected to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic.
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