Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
The only reason I don't have it, is that ABS is a higher priority for me.
Thats awful.
Was noisy. I drove the soft top. No hard tops were available. How much quieter is the hard top?
Engine felt more powerful than I expected. One thing I did notice a lot though was because of the gearing, I guess, you have to shift through first and second, all the gears really, very quickly. Was a lot of work getting it up to speed when pulling into traffic, etc. Do you just get used to that over time? Initially it seems to take away from the performance aspect.
I never notice how often I shift gears in my Jeep until I drive someone else's stick-shift car. I sometimes start my Jeep in 2nd gear, the 6-cylinder is plenty strong enough to do that.
1. Stereo Security:
Which is generally more "secure" in a Jeep: A factory CD or aftermarket CD with removable faceplate? Reason I ask, is I assumed faceplate CD, but ran into someone who had them stolen twice, both times with the faceplate off. I guess the thief assumed the faceplate might still be in the car. So wondering if it would be more of a deterrent to just get the factory CD. Any thoughts/experience?
2. Dual tops:
Really want them both, but trying to reduce cost and storage in the short run. Are aftermarket hard tops similar in cost/quality? Will the new quieter soft-top suffice? Anyone in winter climates get by on a soft-top only?
3. ABS/Axle:
Although second car, I have 2 kids and have to drive in snow/ice. So I really want the ABS. But that takes out the Dana 44. I plan to do off-roading, but light duty. Getting to a fishing hole/stream, recreational camping, and occasional jeep event. Can I get by without the Dana 44 for my usage? Can I still upgrade the stock tires to say maybe 30" with no problems later? Is it a re-sale issue?
That's it. Thanks in advance for helping me get my options straight. I really look forward to owning a jeep!
Kevin
2)if you have to make a choice between tops, absolutely positively get the factory hard top now and an aftermarket soft top. Aftermarket hard tops are inferior to the factory hard top, which has a rear wiper and will be already wired to go. There are lots of good aftermarket soft tops, especially from Bestop.
3)the Dana 35 is fine for light off-roading. get it with the limited-slip differential and ABS. I have this set-up and it works well.
The vehicle feels very solid. There is some wind noise, but I expected that. I got it up to 80 and it handled fine, though because this sucker eats gas, I won't be doing that too often! I find that I am driving a lot slower in general than I used to... that's a good thing.
It took less than 3 weeks to get the vehicle after I ordered it. It probably helps that I'm in Detroit which is less than an hour from Toledo...
I don't know about soft tops in winter climates.
The Dana 44 is a tough call. Maybe the dealership can give you some more info. They won't sell a jeep with the 30 inch tire group without the D44. Almost seems like some Dana 35's hold up better than others. I know people that are running 33's and 35's on Dana 35 with no problems yet. I personally don't care for ABS, but I don't ever drive in snow or ice either
Check it out
www.hometown.aol.com/dpage35925
The web site is very basic, I'm not an expert
But it works... Let me know what you think
Dennis
If you try again it will work. You will actually see pictures of my Jeep. (Sorry about that)
www.hometown.aol.com/dpage35925
The Destination charge can go up or down at any time I think. Either way you just pay whatever it is.
Hope that helps
With a regular axle the wheel with the least traction will get the power, so that if one wheel is in the mud and one wheel is on solid ground, the wheel in the mud will be spinning and the wheel on solid ground won't move.
If you have track lock the wheel on solid ground will get the power and you'll probably move.
You can also buy it after market. There's all kind of lockers. There's too much to say about lockers and the different types.
I think the ultimate locker is ARB Air locker which you can activate off road and de-activate on highway.
Seach the internet for "ARB AIR LOCKERS"
Dennis
1.) The owner's manual & video says that one of the tops should be removed immediately due to potential friction from the hard top wearing down the soft top. The whole process seems rather complicated, do I need to do this right away or can I wait until next spring?
2.) I've seen several online catalogs with hoists for the hard top. Can anyone recommend a hoist that they like, or alternatively, those to stay away from?
3.) Putting up & taking down the soft top seems a lot more complicated than taking off & putting on the hard top. It seems to me that it would probably be easier just to take off the hard top when the weather is nice and to put it back on when it's cold or rainy. I would be interested to hear the opinions of people who have used both tops.
Thanks for your help.
Anyone else have an opinion, preferably based on personal experience? I probably can't even afford an SE anyway right now due to the high pay-off on my current car, but I sure don't want to rush into a situation and be sorry later. I sort of think I would be better off to wait until I can swing a deal for a Sport.
I wish I had bought a Wrangler the last time I traded, back in late March, but I didn't have the "fever" for one then.
Thanks for your response, texasjeep. Anyone else, please feel free to put your two cents worth in.
tsjay
As far your current car goes, don't envy Wrangler owners too much right now. Consider what we're paying for gas at the moment.
I have also looked for a good Dodge web site to ask questions and technical advice, opinions, etc. The best site I have found is www.moparchat.com This site is clearly the best in quality, with over 60,000 posts! Good luck either way Trevor!
if you have a picture of your Jeep E-mail it to me dpage35925@aol.com
No Jeeps are alike and that makes it a lot of fun
Dennis
How close to the beach do you live? Do you ever get any hassle because you drive without side mirrors? That is the only reason I don't take off my hard doors.
Al
Yes I did receive your picture last time. Looks good!
I never got hassle for driving without doors and mirrors. I think the cops in South Florida have better things to do than to pull over someone driving a Jeep without mirrors.
I live 10 miles from the beach. Those pictures were taken in the Keys. I drove down to Key West for the weekend with my wife.
It was really cool
Dennis
Man, it must be hard living that close to such a beautiful place. I live in Texas, so I guess I can drive to Galveston, but why would I?
Does the salt water do anything to cars down there?
Later, Jeep on.
Al
I think taking the hard top off on nice days rather than using the soft top would work better. You just can't put the top up when you are away from your home. For example, if a rain shower blows in you could get caught in it.
You could also sell your soft top if you decide your not going to use it.
It's pretty cool driving without the doors. After you remove the doors don't forget to remove fuse #4 behind your glove box, otherwise your dome light won't shut off.
Be careful not to bang into a wall when you walk around with them, they're pretty big and you wouln't want to end up with an additional scratch or dent.
I don't have a problem with the salt because I live 10 miles from the beach. Beside I wash and wax my Jeep pretty often.
Have fun - Don't forget your seat belt :-)
Dennis
Doesn't it look kind of "dorky" to leave the metal doors on and just take off the top part of the doors when you have the top off?
Just asking.
tsjay
Sean.
I even test drove a Ford SportTrak yesterday. I guess I could use some encouraging words that the Wrangler will be practical and will not grow old fast.
Thanks!
But it won't look old, since Jeeps have kept the same basic form for 55 years. It just looks like a Jeep, a classic and unique form. I like this, like I like Levi's 501s. It is fun to drive around town and with the top down. The hard top makes it tolerable in the winter. You can take it anywhere. As I drove through the bank drive-thru yesterday, the same bank that has the title until I finish paying it off next year, I thought how happy I have been with the purchase. Plus it's still worth a bundle. Can't beat that.
As for the Sport-Trac, it has the "Explorer" name on it (which screams soccer mom to me), looks dorky (as do all 4-door pickups IMHO), and isn't practical since you can't put a shell over the bed and camp in it (a necessity for any real pickup). Plus I've had bad luck with Fords. Stick with the Jeep.
New Jeep Owner,
Alee
What is the reason that people get the half metal doors? I can't believe it is to save $125 compared to the full metal doors.
With the top on, it looks like you would be better off with the full metal doors. With the top off, I would want the doors off too. I don't think a Jeep would look good with the top off and the lower part of the half metal doors still on.
What am I missing. There must be some reason for the half metal doors- you sure see a lot of them.
tsjay
Half doors offer more security then no doors, give a lot more freedom then full doors, and as i mentioned look a ton better then full doors. Half doors just gives you a lot more options then full doors. If you want glass windows you can always get aftermarket upper halves with sliding glass.
Also, i live in Texas so i didn't get a hardtop, and have no desire to get one, which makes the only reason i would get full doors not a reason.
Of course, as i constantly mentioned, this is my humble opinion.
Bob
I'm in the market for a used Wrangler. Someone I know is selling a '94 S for a decent price (compared to what I've seen). What's the word on the '94's? Have there been problems with certain years?
Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.
Regarding your statement about wind:
I too found the wind buffeting a problem. I have the hardtop on currently and even with the passenger window rolled down, the wind in my left ear was too forceful and became uncomfortable after a while at 60 MPH. The Quadratec Windguard is larger and much more effective than either Ventvisor or MacNiels offering. I
bought it at Quadratec (#11063). It really helps.
Glad to hear your enjoying your new Jeep.
Hard doors are more convenient when you need to roll your window up and down at fast food place or ATM. I think they also make a big difference with wind noise reduction.
Seeing a lot of half doors: You probably won't see them as much. Full doors were not sold on soft tops until 97 (I think). Almost all you see at dealers now is full metal doors.
spike66
stay away from steel horse if you don't like rust.
Try jcwhitney.com and quadratec.com
In my view, I NEVER want plastic windows, ever. I think they are worthless.
I would rather have the top off with the full doors, or no doors at all.
For the summer I am planning on just leaving the full doors on and using a bikini top. For winter, the hard top with REAL windows.
Plus, the full doors are great wind blockers when it gets chilly in the summer.....
-Alee
A lot might have to with the fact i'm just driving a stock TJ around though. Waiting for that monthly paycheck in 1 week to get 31" tires. First jeep so gonna take it nice and slow till i know what i need...
Bob
When I got home I turned my baby off and decided to turn it back on to see if it had fixed itself, and it had. I still have no idea what it could have been and it has worked fine and dandy since. It could have been because it was Friday the 13th..
Who knows?!
Any clues?? or am I just a dork?
It was a yellow one with a black soft top and had an automatic transmission. Now that one is not the Jeep that I want, but I hadn't even test driven one until today. I would want a five speed and I want either a white one with a black soft top or a black one with a black soft top.
I was really surprised at how little noise the top was making at 75 mph, after having many people tell me how noisy soft tops are. I know they improved the tops in the 2001's, but I still thought the noise would be much worse than it turned out to be. I was pretty sure I wanted a hard top until I test drove that Jeep today. It had the half metal doors, and it was still not very noisy. I want the full metal doors, and I guess that would make it even more quiet, right?
I don't think they will be able to offer me a deal that I can handle, so my decision might be very easy. I just bought a 2000 Grand Prix GT in March, so I am really big time upside down on trade-in. They appraised my car and are going to locate me a Jeep like I want and call me with an offer tomorrow.
The salesman said that it is easier to handle an upside down trade-in by leasing the new vehicle instead of buying. Well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow about that. I drive about 22,000 to 25,000 miles per year, so there will be a big mileage premium to pay in the lease.
I am afraid this is just one of my "fads" and that I will miss my Grand Prix after the "new" wears off the Jeep. The Jeep will have to be my only vehicle, and I do have to travel occasionally on business. Will I miss the room and comfort of my Grand Prix?
The seats seemed very comfortable in the Jeep I test drove today, and it seemed to handle very well at highway speeds (took it up to 75 mph, and she seemed to hold the road just fine), so maybe a Jeep isn't too bad for long trips, but the lack of cargo room could be a problem.
I NEED ADVICE! Is there anyone in the group who was nervous about going from a car to a Wrangler, and how did it turn out for you? Were you eventually sorry you did it, or did it turn out to be a good decision?
I know it depends on what you want to do with the vehicle, and I must admit that I probably won't be off road very much. I just think that a Wrangler would be a fun vehicle to drive.
Oh, yeah, what can I realistically expect for gas mileage with the 4.0L engine and 5-speed tranny (with the 30" wheels) on a mix of city and highway driving, with most of the miles on the highway?
What do I do?
tsjay
I wish more people would post photos as I really liked looking at the Jeeps posted here. I just put up a page at http://www.bikeworld.com/jeep.htm that has a picture of my 97' that was hi-jacked by a family member. Ill post my new Wrangler after I pick it up.
Weatherdog