Jeep Wrangler

mac24

Why a dealer would like you to buy an 'in stock' Jeep:

1: Dealer gets the deal done quicker and so gets the profit quicker.

2: The vehicles in stock incur a variety of daily costs including, interest (after 90 days), insurance, security, cleaning, etc., etc.

So, the longer the vehicle remains in stock, the greater its cost to the dealer in terms of profit not yet made, and daily accumulating costs.

Why a dealer would like you to order a vehicle:

1: It's easy money! No outlay, guaranteed sale, and an additional unit to add to volume numbers.

It's quite understandable that a dealer will try to sell you something he already has in stock. However, I can't think of any reason why he wouldn't order you one, rather than lose you as a customer to another dealer, unless you can't agree on price.

mtngal

I've been thinking that LA traffic got worse quite a while ago. I've seen fewer accidents recently on my commute on I405, but I've seen more accidents on the Grapevine. Go figure - the Sepulveda Pass is always slow-n-go while the Grapevine is always high speed (well, as fast as people can go steeply uphill). I do think that more drivers are going faster and don't seem to know how long their vehicles are. I don't know how many times I've had someone change lanes right in front of me when they aren't really beyond my front bumper. Don't know if they do it out of ignorance or they just don't care.

Paul - Sounds like a big addition. Are you going to add photos of them to your Wrangler album? If so, I'll check them out when I get back on Thursday (in Vegas at the moment with another slow connection).

erickpl

I can add some. I was going to do shots showing the wiring, but my digi's batteries were dead and I wasn't going to wait for them to charge.

I'll get some pics of the wiring and switches now that it is done and of the lights themselves. I kind of need to rearrange the ground wires a bit - it is messy where I ended up putting them.

Taking pictures of the brightness is kinda pointless now since the factories are out.

Needless to say, the difference in lighting, as well as the appearance, are dramatically improved.

-Paul

jamesfletcher2

embeeduece,

I have done a number of deals with Fleet Departments but I have never heard the term "house sale" before. What does it mean?

Thanks,

Jim F

chasingerica

Well Amy has a body and boy it she pretty. I have to take the downpayment and title to my trade over tomorrow and then I'll pick her up I had to clean a lot of stuff out of my car, including the stereo.

Don't yell at me Tom but I made a few sacrifices. She's a Patriot Blue Rubi and has the full doors with a black soft top. Yeah I know I was looking at Sports but when I was offered a "Friends and Family discount" a few % off invoice I kind of jumped on it. The deal wouldn't have been good when a factory order got in.

I paid just under $26,000 after taxes, tags, and title. Since this dealership is giving me $1000 for my trade vs nothing from the other dealer that helped to offset the cost. After that $1000 it was only $700 more then the Sport I was looking at.

Her only options are A/C, the upgraded stereo, and the full doors, since halves are standard on Rubi's. Damn I really didn't expect to get this but at that price I just couldn't pass it up

I know I only have to wait until tomorrow afternoon but I'm having a hard time waiting.

I'll post some pictures as soon as I get her and have some decent light, it'll be dark here by the time I get her home tomorrow. Does anyone know where I can host some pics? I don't have a web site. Thanks.

Tony

embeeduece

House Sale is a term I picked up in a Motley Fool's finance book, which is where I found the idea of faxing the fleet managers.

Although nowhere in the actual transaction did the term ever come up.

-Mike

mtngal

Congrats! Sounds great - I love that blue. I've been using webshots recently for my photos and like it. I've also used imagestation, which I also like, but you have to register to view photos. The site is owned by Sony Corp. and they don't spam, so it isn't any big deal to register. Both are free. There are lots of other sites that host photos for free.

tsjay

WAY TO GO! A RUBI!!!!!!!!!!

Man, you didn't mess around, did ya? COOL!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!

You can post some pics on itsajeep.org. Gill allows hot links, so you can actually make your pics show up on other websites instead of just making them appear as links.

Let's see that puppy!

Congratulations, Old Boy!

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

chasingerica

I really can't say I messed around at all. Then again when you walk into a dealership and ask to talk to the owner and he tells the sales girl that walks in with you that she is going to sell you the Jeep you want at sub invoice there wasn't any need to play the price game. I have to agree though now that I've been to a few dealers and talked to more then a few sales people that most don't know much about Wranglers. At least Jen, the sales girl, told me that she didn't know too much about them and said if I ever had any questions I could call and ask for her or better yet Chris who knew more. I thought it was nice that she was honest though there weren't many questions to ask, you guys have clear just about every one I had up.

Well hopefully my class wont take too long and I'll be able to get her home and get some pictures before it gets dark tomorrow. It's going to be so nice to walk out of my last undergraduate class and go strait to the dealer to pick up Amy What a nice present to myself.

Tony

tsjay

Welcome! Man, I'm really happy that you're getting your Wrangler, even though it's late in coming.

As far as the tranny, it's just personal preference. I prefer the five speed, but there are lots of folks that like the auto.

I have heard of some problems with the new four speed auto, but I think there was a cut off date in March of this year when they put in some kind of fix. So, any 04 model should have the benefit of the fix. Hey, you'll have the warranty to protect you, right? If you would really rather have the auto, then go for it.

There may be something like one mile per gallon difference in gas mileage, but that sure isn't enough to worry about. I guess you already know how poor the gas mileage is on a Wrangler. They sure aren't the vehicles you would buy if gas mileage is a big consideration.

Well, good luck in your Jeep shopping, and keep us posted! When you get that baby, get some pics for us.

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tsjay

People, I traded cars so often before getting Thelma Jane that I am buried in debt. At the time I signed the dotted line on Thelma Jane's deal, I was buying my THIRD brand new vehicle in 21 months! I bought a brand new 99 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4 x 4 in February of 1999, traded for a 2000 Grand Prix GT in May of 2000, and placed the order for Thelma Jane in Novemeber 2000. I was $8000 upside down on trade in vs. pay off on that Grand Prix that I traded in on Thelma Jane, and I had to take out a home equity loan to cover most of that deficit.

Now, after all those years of trading so often and going deeper in the hole, they come out with these killer rebates!

Our family car is a 1989 Olds 88 Royale with about 130K miles on it. It is way past time to get a new family car.

The problem is that I can't afford another payment, but it's a shame that I can't take advantage of that $3000 rebate on the Impala, which is what I would buy to replace the Olds.

I have always bought cars for ME to drive, not for the wife to drive. That Olds was given to us by my mom and dad when dad quit driving several years ago.

So, the only way to get a new family car is for me to trade in Thelma Jane. We would actually see the payment go down by about $100 per month, if I trade in Thelma Jane for a new Imapala.

I have been selfish in the past, buying what I wanted and letting the wife drive whatever. I am going to make amends now, and trade in Thelma Jane on a new car for the wife.

NOT!

Had ya going, didn't I?

Seriously, it is a shame that after all those car trades that I made before getting Thelma Jane, I am too far in debt to take advantage of the rebates they have now. Oh well.

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

drosketer

Congratulations on the purchase - and you get the added benefit of not having to wait for Amy to arrive!

Andrew

drosketer

My personal preference is also on the manual. As long as you know what you're doing you will get more control with it. Depending on the gear ratios you will also have better compression breaking with a manual than an auto - that plays more of a factor in off-road situations though (so it'll make more of a difference depending on what sort of use you are planning for it).

Not sure if there are any major mechanical problems with the auto anymore (haven't heard much about them lately). As Tom mentioned, the auto trans. also tends to take a minor hit on fuel economy.

Andrew

drosketer

For a second there I thought the sky was falling... Turns out it ain't the end of the world yet. Still, maybe throw a lift onto the Impala, shave off the roof, get some oversized meats... you never know. ;-)

Andrew

01r1

I knew you had Wrangler fever, but for a second there I thought you'd lost your marbles!!! Nice try.

-Pete

01r1

Congrats on the new Rubi! That's a great color for a great Jeep - you will have fun.

-Pete

tsjay

No way I would really part with Thelma Jane!

I still say it's a shame that I can't take advantage of the rebates they have now. All those trades that I made with no rebates at all going for me, and now that they have these huge rebates, I am not in a position to take advantage of them!

I guess you people can thank me for these rebates. I single handedly kept the auto industry in a profitable mode all those years. See what happened when I stopped trading so often? They had to come out with these rebates!

Oh well, Thelma Jane will be paid off in two years, and then we can get a new family car.

OR, I COULD get a big lift, 35" tires, new rear bumper with tire carrier for the big tires, SYE and CV driveshaft, tera-low t-case conversion, new gears, ARB lockers front and back, etc.

Just kidding. Or, am I????

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

colorado1974

At the GM factory auctions, I can pick up a 2003 Impala LS with 10,000 miles of around $12,000. Still in perfect shape and with the remainder of the factory warranty intact. Just a thought but I sell a ton of them to people who are buried in thier current car because it is a new car but for half the money.

DCX just announced that dealership employees can buy thier cars at the DCX employee rate so I pulled the trigger on a Khaki Rubi. Manual, no AC, hard top for $23,349. Love it. Traded in my 97 TJ Sahara and got $12,000 on trade to much of my surprise.

Last night I installed the air locker overide toggle switch and adjusted the fog light relay for high beam/fog light driving.

erickpl

Congrats on the Rubi!

I have a Patriot Blue Jeep Grand Cherokee and LOVE the color. It's a pain to keep clean though. Tough life for a Blue Rubi, eh?

Did you go with manual or auto? You could probably make an option for the dual roof before you pick it up, that way you'd have both tops available. You're in Chicago right? You'd probably love the hard top so it could hold all the snow you get.

That is the only option you may want to rethink before picking it up. When I got my used 97 TJ, I was wishing it had a hard top. I replaced the factory 1 ply softtop with a sailcloth replace a top and love it, but sometimes that hard top would be nice on the REALLY cold mornings. You can't scrape soft windows.

-Paul

tsjay

Didn't know you were a car salesman! That's cool.

So, you just bought a new Rubi, huh? CONGRATS! I hope some pics will be coming????

You sell cars at a DC dealership? Man, I couldn't handle that job! I would be off "test driving" every Wrangler that came in! I would be parking them off site somewhere, so no one would come along and buy them.

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

colorado1974

Someone has to do it. My job is odd, I see so many people make so many aweful decisions when it comes to cars. Most of the time I just shake my head.

The toughest part for me is keeping my fingers out of the mopar accessory "wish book." My wife swears that if bring that home one more time that she is going to demand a new car. She keeps eyeing the new TDI Liberty coming next fall. How convienent that our 02 Liberty will be paid off then.

In central Washington State there are so many places to use the Rubi that I can't wait for spring. What amazed me the most is that with the axles locked, 4Lo, 1st gear I can apply as much brake pressure as I want but it will not bring it to a stop. There is that much power at a mere idle that the brakes will not stop the thing! That is why I got the manual.

tsjay

Well, would my deal when I got Thelma Jane rank among the dumbest deals you've seen? You know, $8000 upside down on trade in and all???

I know it was stupid, but that's how bad I had to have a Wrangler, and I would do it again!

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

colorado1974

That's not a dumb purchase because you got what you want. I am talking about the person who still owes $23000 on a 2000 Impala because they got the full gap insurance and a $4000 extended warranty from some off-shore provider. Then they need to lower their $600/month payments so they get a Dodge Neon even though they have a family of 5 because it lowered thier payments to $500/month for the next 72 months.

That is what I shake my head at.

Sacrificing a payment or a trade in to get something that makes your blood flow and your adrenaline rise is the smart thing to do because at least you have something to show for it. Anyway, that is what I did to get my Rubi. Just installed the Tomb Raider grill guard hoop. I like the look of it.

tsjay

Many people prefer auto's for offroading, especially people who do rock crawling. So, I don't think you are giving up much, if anything, by getting an auto. Just remember to put that puppy in 1st gear and be sure you are in low range with the T-case when you are going down a very steep inlcine.

I have no personal experience with Jeep Warehouse, but I have heard nothing but good things about them.

Good luck.

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

erickpl

I have to concur with Tom on that auto/manual question.

As for JW, I haven't dealt with them either.

For service though, there is a LOT of the basic maintenance that is VERY easy on a TJ. I'm doing almost all of mine out (wheels, brakes, hoses, cooling, etc). Short of a serious problem, you could probably do well by getting a Factory Service Manual and a Haynes/Chilton manual and doing a lot of it yourself. I have both and they are working quite well.

I've learned a lot and gotten a lot of confidence (and pride) in doing the maintenance and upgrades myself. I'm no mac24, but the basics I can handle (just need my toolbox a bit bigger ).

-Paul

redkey1

You would want to kill yourself if you had to drive bumper to bumper on a daily basis in a manual TJ. I have to do it once and a while and it makes for one bumpy ride. I'd go w/ the auto if I were you.

chasingerica

Well I just brought her home for the first time. Didn't have too much trouble with the 5spd (it's the only way a Jeep should be). I say I didn't have much trouble with it b/c it's been at least 5 years since I drove one and then it was only a few times, this is the first real driving with one.

Tom you're right I like the "active driving".

Well I'll write more about her later and get you all up to date.

Gman, welcome. I haven't been here long but everyone is extremely friendly. Great info here just have to find it.

Tony

I'm off to have some more fun

tsjay

Once again, CONGRATS on that new Jeep! I know you gotta be in hog heaven right now!

The Jeeps are easy to drive with manual transmissions, because of the clutch being a little forgiving, and because the good low end torque of the I-6 lets you get away with coming out with the clutch without having to keep the RPM up to much. Heck, if you are REAL slow with the clutch, you can start off in first gear without giving it any gas at all.

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

barresa62

I have to chime in on the traffic thing (bumper to bumper) and the manual tranny. The 1st gear ratio is so low that it's very easy to crawl in bumper to bumper traffic when in 1st gear. In fact, the Wrangler is by far the easiest manual tranny vehicle I've ever driven in heavy traffic. Depending on who you talk to, Seattle is in the top 5 of worst rush hour traffic in the nation (oh yeah...and mix in the winter constant drizzle....you get the picture). :-) I personally would not sacrifice performance for the sake of a heavy commute by going w/the automatic. The best thing one can do before making the decision is to drive Wranglers w/both transmissions. Another thing to consider is that the Rubi is over 3700 lbs vs the Sport at about 3300 lbs.

Stephen

drosketer

Colorado - congrats on the purchase!

Well, it seems it was time for another update. I am now in KZ status. Released by plant... My dealer is now thinking that, at worst, it may be as late as the middle of January before she arrives. That would really blow.

Hi ho, hi ho, back to mind-numbing waiting I go.

Andrew

colorado1974

Don't bet on it. KZ means that it has left the plant and basically in the hands of a higher power. I have had cars arrive 3 days after going KZ. I would say the average is 10-14 days for delivery once it is KZ.

Can the host tell me why Jeep isn't on the Townhall homepage? There are more Jeep postings than Infinity, Acura or Volvo. Can you please put Jeep back on the front Townhall page?

twylie

Congrats on the new Rubi; it sounds great! I noticed you're in MD. Be sure to check out http://www.4x4icon.com. He's a fellow MD'er and has some great writeups on the trails closest to you. Most everything in GWNF is stocker friendly and you should have no problems in the Rubi. Paul is also a member of OCC (Off Camber Crawlers), an offroad "club" with many members in your area. They are very much family oriented vs. the "huge Jeeps and damage" crowd. Day trips and overnight camping out to enjoy the scenery and trails.

Congrats again and if you have trouble hosting pictures, drop me an email and I'll be glad to put them on my site for you.

-twylie

jamesfletcher2

Up until a redo of the site a few months ago Jeep was a direct link from the Town Hall home page. Just like Colorado1974 when I look at the high volume of postings on the Jeep Wrangler page I can't help but wonder what "Jeep Hater" bumped Jeep to the secondary list.

jamesfletcher2

Here is a link that stated that a new Wrangler will be in 2006 -- most likely in October 2006 as a 2007 model (my opinion). Also, stated what we have already heard about the Wrangler Unlimited being available in April 2004.

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=7300

drosketer

... would be soooo sweet. Here's hoping to that!
In a couple of days I think I'll go and see if I can get the VIN as well as the information needed to track it as per the information on Twylie's site.

Andrew

tsjay

Your profile says your name is Denver. Is that for real? If so, I think that is SO COOL! I guess Denver Pyle is the only person I have ever heard of with that first name. I really like it.

Hey, are you from Colorado originally? How come you go by Colorado1974? Born in 1974? Just a youngster of 29 years of age?

Tom

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

geepers

Get the Jeep with a manual tranny and then a motorcycle for splitting lanes on your commute. That was my So Cal traffic answer.

I hate automatic trannys (just a personal thing) but if I had to sit in that traffic five days a week I'd have to give one serious thought.

chasingerica

Thanks for all of the Congradulations. It's definately a good day. Leaving my last class and getting a new Jeep, nothing beats that feeling.

Andrew: I'm glad I didn't have to wait for Amy to get here, I think I might have had a heart attack if I had to wait. I could barely sleep last night, I was up until 4:30 in the morning just thinking about driving her off the lot. Now I'm not sure I'm going to be able to sleep tonight since it's my first night with her. When you final get that jeep you will love her, is it a her?

I've been in heaven all day driving her. I think I might be like Tom and give it a little while before I go wheeling, but I'm sure it will only take time. Some guys at the dealer go and I might hook up with them some time when it gets a little warmer.

Tom: I haven't tried letting off the clutch in first without any gas. Around here it's a lot of counrty style back roads and I haven't really had to drop her passed second unless I get stuck at a light. I have noticed that reverse is a "gas free" gear. I went up the hill in front of my house in reverse just to check the power, damn was it strong.

I hope to get some pictures up tomorrow for you all. Have to wait for the batteries to charge up on the digital and I couldn't find it last night.

Tony

tidester

Can the host tell me why Jeep isn't on the Townhall homepage?

My theory was that the particular choice of which get "posted" on the front page was based on sales volume but then Acura, e.g., isn't even near the "top 18 list" in sales.

There are more Jeep postings than Infinity, Acura or Volvo.

That is a compelling argument since this IS the Town Hall!

Can you please put Jeep back on the front Townhall page?

Better yet, fill out the Feedback Form - the editors love to hear from users!

tidester, host

mtngal

I drive a 5 speed on the LA freeways every day (at least, when I'm not visiting family in Lost Wages like I am now). Our normal daily driver is a 2000 Tacoma that I dislike intensely. The clutch is car like, but the gears are such that I find myself going between 1st and 2nd when I'm doing the old slow-n-go on I405 through the Sepulveda and Newhall Passes.

We drive the Wrangler whenever it looks like snow at the house (we live in the mountains and work in West LA). Road blocks usually pass people through without chains if they are driving 4x4s. The Wrangler's clutch is heavier - more truck-like - than the Taco, but I love the gearing. 2nd gear is very low so I just put it in 2nd and crawl along. Almost as good as an automatic. However, that heavy clutch would get old if your commute had tons of traffic lights on it.

So unless you have a ton of traffic lights to contend with, the tranny is just a personal decision. Good luck with making your decision.

bcmalibu99ls

It drove me just totally nuts! It didn't matter workday or weekend, accident ahead or no accident ahead, rain/shine/or snow, two lane highway or twelve lane highway - it was ALWAYS packed beyond belief. Isn't California the only state allowing motorcycles to split the lanes?

I think splitting is allowed as long as your speed is not more than 10 MPH above the rest of the traffic (ie, poor souls in everything from Yugo to Bentley). Obviously, you cannot drive above the speed limit

For those familiar with LA, I had the misfortune of living right by the intersection of I-405 and I-10, the busiest intersection in North America. I hope my departure alleviated the congestion?

drosketer

Not totally sure if it's a her yet, but suspect so. I have some ideas for a name, in the end it will probably take a few drives to find out her character and come up with a name at that point!

Andrew

colorado1974

YOU GUYS SEE WHAT THE HOST SAID? CLICK ON THE LINK AND LET'S GET JEEP BACK ON THE TOWN HALL HOME PAGE!!!!!!

THE THREAD WAS 11241.

colorado1974

Yep, my name is Denver and actually I am from central Washington State.

I have a question for everyone. To what extent is everybody's TJ modified? Most of the people I sell Jeeps to keep them bone stock except for maybe floor mats and bug deflectors.

I've got a 1" body lift, warn tranny skid plate, air locker bypass switch so I can lock my axles in 2wd and 4hi, tomb raider rubicon grill guard hoop, cool blue cone filter installed directly on my air intake tube. That's pretty much it for now. Anybody install a Tummy Tucker skid plate or have any experience with them?

stever

Just a little lull for y'all. Wrangler was back up to #6 this morning in the Top Ten most active list.

Greetings from Boise :-)

Steve, Host

erickpl

My 97 TJ has:

New Carpet
New soft top
New Bikini top
New seat covers
New lights (IPF 920 and Magic Bulbs)
New Fog lamps (IPF 968)
Soundbar / Stereo
New wheels and tires

Planned
Nothing anytime soon, but a lift might be in order depending on whether my daughter takes it to college or not.

-Paul

barresa62

I live in WA State as well (Mill Creek, just north of Lynnwood off of I-5). I have a black 5psd 03'Sport w/30"whl pkg (Dana 44, gas shocks), Trac-lok, 4whl discs, AC, cruise, dual tops. The only things I've done to it so far are cosmetic. I removed the dorky (IMHO) bumper caps, put black mesh light guards on the rear lights, put in an Alpine CD/stereo. When the 30" tires get ready for replacement, I will replace w/31" BFG ATs. Eventually I will probably do a 2" lift. Next spring I plan on getting a spare tire mounted bike rack. Also thinking about a safari top for the summer. It's dangerous in the ole pocket book to look at Wrangler accessories for me! :-)

Stephen

texasjeep

I will buy an auto next. I prefer it on road and off-road. Sometimes I like a manual better in traffic. When you can cruise along and not have to stop, with the compression braking you don't ever have to touch your brakes. Just hit the gas every now and then. The stop and go at lights and when there is a wreck wears me out.
If you get in to some tough trails the 3 pedals and 2 feet just don't add up with a manual. I don't have a hand trottle yet and my gearing could be better but I am not swapping trannys or Jeeps anytime soon. I guess it was the tranny skid for the new 4speed auto that hangs done lower though and hurts your ground clearance.

dewars

My mods include
2002 X 5 speed
Replaced Dana 35 w/ Dana 44
456 gears w/ARB lockers F/R
Tera Flex 3" lift w/lower arms
1" body lift, Tera Belly Up skid plate
Durango Front/Rear bumpers w/ rear swing out tire carrier
Warn 9000I winch
33X1250X15 BFG M/T on 15x8 American Racing 5 Stics chrome wheels
Warn skid plates
Four X Doctor Rock Sliders
Empty Wallet

Coming soon
Fog Lights, CB radio, 35x1250x15 BFG M/T, more skid plates,

dewars

mac24

You'll find when you get your auto that the compression braking in traffic is much better than you think.

The Wrangler torque converter is much firmer than that of a luxury sedan and has a lot less slip. I take pride in driving briskly but smoothly and you'll only see my brake lights if someone does something stupid, or when I finally come to a halt. I drive the older three speed, but I understand the the t/c characteristics are similar on the new transmissions.