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2007 Jeep Wrangler
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Comments
I ran up to the dealer to check in out... I was impressed with the look of the vehicle... Much larger and good cargo space... reminded me of my old cherokee sport 4 door...
what I didn't like was the gas mileage... I would have thought since it was being a bit more road refined Jeep would have bumped up the fuel economy... It still is only getting 19 miles highway... That is less than the grand cherokee or liberty... No need for an SUV tht size to get such dismal mileage
That being said.. I think Jeep has a winner with the look, function and overall concept...
I'm gong to test drive it tonight... but I think the fuel economy will keep me from buying one
Knickerbocker
It was a soft top, X model, and the only options were Automatic, front floor mats, and rear trak-lock or something differential. It had AC listed as standard on the X. MSRP was just a tic over $23k, which I thought was pretty good for what you get.
I couldn't drive it since they hadn't even prepped it yet, but was all over and inside it.
The truck looks really good, but the base wheel/tire combo on the X looks way too small, or the travel is really big in the wheelwells, take your pic.
The interior and seats seemed comfortable, but what's with the shifter? It's the same old crappy center console shifter, and for God's sake, PUT THE O/D OFF BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER LIKE MY COMPANY XTERRA HAS! I want to know who the ergonomics genius was that thought the button should go on the shifter base plate at about 2 o'clock from the shifter.
Anywho, the vents and interior door locks are cool, but the door locks are way too easy to mistakenly lock in my opinion, only take a slight flick to lock.
I lifted the hood and the V6 is set so far back in the engine bay that it actually looks tiny. I wanted to drive it, but the tools wouldn't let me until they prepper it.
I wanted to get a feel for the ride on the new one. I would really like to have a look at the new hardtop, and would also like to see one with the half doors, but I heard those won't be out until after January.
All in all, I would say that as long as the new V6 proves itself, like the 3.7 has in the Liberty, then the truck should do well.
I would get one now, but for some reason, DCX still refuses to put a diesel in the Wrangler for sale in the United States. They do outside the U.S., and I *think* in Canada, but not here, and in fact, the perfect engine, the Liberty's diesel, won't be back for 2007 because they said it was too expensive to redesign it to get it to meet emmisions.If they would drop a 4-cylinder diesel in the new Wrangler, you would make the hard-core Jeepers giddy, and you would boost the fuel mileage easily into the mid-20s, which is the one thing this truck needs.
One guy in this thread mentioned he didn't understand that the truck got suck poor mileage. It boils down to three things: 1)Even with the new truck, it's still like trying to push a phone-booth through the air. 2) The truck has a bit of weight on it, with a full frame, solid axles, full roll cage, etc. 3) DCX vehicles have *NEVER* gotten good mileage, even before the merger.
Later.
- TJ
Oh, you're right. I'm just now (summer 2006) finally seeing them (very few) on the road for the first time.
Are they going to continue to build the 2-door Unlimited along side the new 4-door?
Living in the Atlanta area jeeps are very popular SUV - used ones hold there value extermely well and I think overall they are very popular. Look at the incentive DCX didn't give on the wranglers - that says a lot - I think the old platform is awesome. Not a whole lot to go wrong and a ton of aftermarket parts to fix it if it did go wrong -
I noticed that the torque peak on the 4.0 is in a lower RPM band than the V6 so that may mean that the 4.0 engine feels more powerful even though the max output numbers are similar between the two engines.
But they really do need to put a good V8 in the Wrangler.
For the 2007's, specifying this option invokes a mandatory selection of the side air bags at $490.00 plus the side windows are some form of plastic material. How do you scrape ice off those?
Hopefully this will be straightened out later in the year or for 2008.
Diesel V6
Glass windows in framelss doors
Spray out interior (how will that DC stereo do with a water hose?)
Rear seats that fold flat with trunk space to create sleep-able interior.
That will be when they finish this Jeep.
I have had the same question all along. Why the nonsense of Full metal door vs half door? How hard is it to have a frameless door with real glass window anyway?
Here is the question... To me the extra cost of going Rubicon over Sahara isn't very much. If I keep the Jeep 4 years, that is less than $100 a month.
The sales guy at the dealership indicated that I should not get the Rubicon because it is really meant for serious, and not once-in-a-while off-roading. In fact, he suggested that he Rubicon would develop problems (tire cupping was his example) if it is used mostly for around town. He also blasted the 4.10 of the Rubicon and praised the 2.77 of the Sahara, and said I would be much happier on highway trips.
Since I need the tow package and my wife wants the automatic, I think I am getting the 4.10 either way.
That seemed stupid to me.
I like the idea of beefier 44 axles, and the rock-scrape guards armoring over the Jeep's more delicate bits and pieces offered by the Rubicon. If it saves me once, it has paid for the delta in costs.
But the sales guy's comment about how the Sahara is much more streetable and the Rubicon would have problems being a mostly street machine scared me.
What do you think? Any help would be appreciated.
paris show
More Powerful and Fuel-efficient Engines
Available for the first time in a civilian model is a diesel engine for Jeep Wrangler, and this engine is also offered for the Wrangler Unlimited. Built by VM Motori, this all-new 2.8-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine is a 2766cc (169 cu. in.) four-cylinder, in-line engine, with belt-driven double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.
The iron cylinder block is an open block design with a ladder frame bed plate and integral liners. The aluminium cylinder head features a side-entry swirl intake port and a directed intake port. A Bosch EDC 16 common-rail direct-injection fuel system is incorporated along with an electronically controlled EGR valve and variable geometry turbocharger.
The 2.8-litre diesel engine is available with a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic transmission. Maximum power is estimated at 130 kW (177 hp DIN), and peak torque is estimated at 410 Nm (302 lb.-ft.) between 1800-2400 rpm
The Rubicon is not any less streetable than the Sahara. Yeah, the transfer case has a lower ratio, but onroad, that is irrelevant, unless in 4wd in snow.
The Rubicon shocks may be a bit beefier. If the tires on the Rubicon are going to cup, then they'd do it on the Sahara too as their suspension is apparantly the SAME. The new Rubicons are going to come with BFG tires if I've read the information about them correctly. NOT a bad tire and better than pretty much anything that has come stock on a Wrangler to date.
As for gearing 2.77 would scare me - that is VERY high! It may be great for highway cruising and mileage, but overall, it isn't going to save you THAT much in gas. I'd rather have the lower 4.10 gearing for better acceleration and torque to the wheels, which you'd want for towing anyway.
I have 4.88 gearing in my 4 cyl, and while the RPM's are higher, it has better highway manners than if I had left it at the 4.10's when I put on my larger tires. 4.10 is VERY nice for on the highway. I know several Rubicon owners and they LOVE it on the highway. I'm sure the JK will be even quieter (albeit a bit slower than its 2 door version due to weight). That added weight of the 4 door helps tell me 4.10 is the way to go.
If you maintain your vehicle properly, the Rubicon will last as long (longer) than a regular Jeep IMO. Stronger parts, armor, etc all help it last longer. Just remember if you wheel it, TREAD LIGHTLY! and make sure to clean off the undercarriage and above the armor when done to help prevent rust or potential debris buildup.
-Paul
I understand this may be sacrilegious to some but which of the four door versions (Sahara, X, Rubicon) would offer the most comfort and fuel economy?
Thanks so much.
-Paul
Now, the next question is how long until the 2007's have the 7/70 that the 06's have or the 5/100,000 that the GM's have?
It looks like a good product....I wish Chrysler had the same confidence in their work that I do.
Good luck with whatever purchase you choose (I'd personally go for the Rubicon if given a choice).
-Paul
Despite the flaws, we ordered an 07' Rubicon Unlimited yesterday with the dual tops, power convenience group, 6-speed, mats, trailering package, front side air bags, dark tinted windows, but we did NOT order the smokers package, nor an upgrade to the radio. I plan to install a Pioneer Axim-Z1 when I get it to access XM radio instead of Sirius, as well as use/charge my iPod, and navigate. It also has cool Vehicle performance monitoring such as off-camber angle, Gs of acceleration, voltmeter and a host of other things, I strongly recommend checking it out. It looks as though it should fit into the dash space cleanly.
I found a company out in Montana that installs 5.7L Hemi engines in Wranglers as a turn-key operation. Anyone look into this? http://www.aev-conversions.com/
Tom
Bryson CIty, NC
Fun stuff anyways!
AEV has been producting Brutes and doing 5.7 Hemi conversions for a while. I'd LOVE one of their Brutes, but not willing to pay that price (Price of a new Rubicon + all the upgrades) = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
-Paul
It rode like a Jeep but was more comfortable. It did not feel like a KJ but it did feel lighter in some respects.
Note - the front grill is very cheap plastic but they have improved the interior from the TJ in a big way. Small/thin door rockers (very car like) - I wonder how water proof that is going to be?
The metal is much thinner and very Samurai/car like.
I liked the rubber like fenders and moving the turning signals back to the grille. I wonder if they fade ... I hope not!
Fender hugging tail lights were really cool looking and still box shaped.
Tiny but deep engine compartment - only a short block V8 will fit in there if it is ever offered.
I was really surprised 2WD was an option and I do not see that many selling unless they really start jacking the prices up for the 4WD option.
Loved the 4 door model I drove but I am in sort of a wait and see mode at this point.
You see I am going to wait 2 or 3 years from now. I will read relibility stats and wait for more options. I was burned when the Unlimited came out a year or so after I bought my Sport.
I do not know if this is going to be the sucessor to the TJ in spirit or not - the jury is still out. I will probably keep my TJ and not trade it in any case. I'd never get what I invested in it back.
I am waiting on the V8 or a Hemi Jeep to solve the power problems that Wrangler owners have been begging fixed since the YJ.
If I am going to get bad MPG I might as well do it in an EIGHT!
mark
No Rubicons even seen on eBay yet, ours is now in production, and should be finished within the next 7-10 days. I was told it takes about 2 weeks to build one.
I've already decided to lift it 3 inches, and replace the 32" tires with 35" x 17 BF Goodrich Mud TA tires on 17" Mickey Thompson Classic Beadlock rims, and to replace both the gear sets with 4.88:1 gears. If I replace the 4.10s with 4.56s, that would keep the ratio about stock, but the 4.88 gears should also help with power, and acceleration, though it MAY drop the highway MPG 1-2.
Tom
Bryson City, NC
As a Former Jeep Salesman and owner of a 1986 Cherokee, 1998 Wrangler, and a 2003 Liberty. The salesman is right and wrong. The Sahara will give you a slightly more comfortable "ride". The Rubicon was originally created for those Wrangler Fanatics who buy a base to mid model and spend another 10-15 K in offroad mods. It was also designed to refresh the Wrnagler youth market. That being said I think if you were to take it off road on the beaches and woods you would be much happier in the Rubicon. I have not driven the new "Unlimited" 4 door but have sat in it and think it will sell and perform well. It is not really a 1st year production b/c it is based on the stretched "Unlimited" that has been produced for a few years now. I would love to have gotten one of these, but I needed more space for comfort so I now drive a 2007 Tahoe. Just felt in all fairness I should let you know what I drive.
They drove about the way I expected, the stick was clunky and I didn't realize until later that it was a 6 speed, so I never put it in 6th on the highway.
The automatic seemed to drive much more smoothly.
They were both quite noisy with tire and wind noise and the stick model was very stripped of options. It didn't even have power windows or cruise. Between the sun glare and the black on black interior, it took a few minutes for us to find the window cranks that blended into the black door panels almost as if hidden. We were trying to find the power window switches and later felt the crank and realized it didn't have power windows.
One of the test drives was in a Wrangler that had not been prepped and still had plastic on the steering wheel. After making a U-turn the plastic wrap got caught in the wiper stalk, almost breaking off the stalk and causing the vehicle to veer dangerously into the median. After ripping off the plastic wrap, we continued the test drive.
Performance was "OK."
Back seat was barely adequate even on the 4-doors, so the 2-doors must not have a useful rear seat at all.
Fuel economy ratings are poor. That was the main reason I didn't bother talking the dealer about price and just left.
If I really loved, it I might have considered it a little.
Maybe there will be a diesel with better mileage in future years.
I think many people will like the looks and price if you don't put many options on it. So, it should sell well to people looking for this type of vehicle.
The 4-door manual kind of looked like a Hummer H3, but the sticker was around $23K.
The prepped models had a bunch of dealer junk add-ons like giant chrome rims priced at about $5000, plus another $5000 in additional dealer markup. This brought their asking prices into a laughable range well over $35K despite having very few factory options.
Thanks
TEST DRIVE Key points:
- Soft top is really not much louder inside
- Definitely hear/feel a difference in the ride between the Rubicon and Sahar...Sahara was much better
- The engine is definitely not a HEMI but it gets the job done
- Don't expect your dealer to know how to work the different tops
- They said they are selling these as fast as they get them in, which is true as I pass their dealer and they are always missing one on the lot. They say that they come in often though
- I'd recommend buying one
-Paul
I own a 06 H3 and Really like it but, I must say I really like the looks of the unlimited and from the articles I've read it sounds like a pretty good off road rig as well.
I think I need to go to the dealer to check it out for myself. Who knows maybe I'll get one but, it has to be pretty comfortable and well built like my H3 or I won't give it the time of day!
Instead of the Rubicon Unlimited or the Sahara Unlimited I got a Pontiac G6 Convertible.
How can you go from a Jeep to a econo-coupe-convertible????? I wanted a convertible. She demanded room for the kids. The Wrangler was a logical choice, until I drove it.
1) There is no place for my left arm
2) The dealer doesn't have hardly any inventory to choose from, and certainly no 07 Rubicon Unlimiteds
3) GM has a 100k mile warrantee, DC has about a third of that
4) I have a Tomcar for off roading, and next year Polaris will come out with a Ranger that will fit my kids.
5) Putting the roof up and down was a royal pain in the butt. Even the sales people were cursing while struggling with the cloth top. The hard plastic freedom top is a cool idea, but you either go topless or covered. You can't take the top with you on a trip other than in place.
To the Jeep people out there, I feel like I betrayed you. But, to be fair, here in Arizona, the only time for convertibles is winter, and to wait a year for the Jeep would have been too long.
Maybe a used one on Ebay next year?
Now, as for the vehicle, I put 1400+ miles on it coming home to Colorado and it handled and move like a dream--Jeep. It is a Jeep and everyone, including the auto reviewers, should remember that. But it's the best riding, handling and power-balanced Jeep I've ever owned or driven. I'm absolutely satisfied. More power would have made it dangerous. It passed well on the highway and cruised comfortably at 75+mph. Averaged about 16 to 19 MPG on the break-in trip and seem to be doing better now. Only problem I've noticed is that the MPG calculations in the stock Sahara computer is about 2-2.5 MPG high. I ordered the 17" wheels so that may be the problem, especially if they neglected to reset the pinion factor in the vehicle's computer before it left the factory. I'm taking it in at my earliest opportunity. Otherwise, I super satisifed. And apparently the public is excited about it as well since I've been approached everytime I buy gas or get it washed. Everyone says, "Now I'm ready to buy a Jeep!" As I went into the carwash the other day, one of the girls there held up a handwritten sign that said, "I want your Jeep!" (You young, single fellers should keep that in mind!) >;-)
COhighlander
And good point COhighlander everybody seems to want one of these!
On a new model, do you really expect things to be done in a same timeframe for every feature? DC is NOT the only one that does that. Even makers like BMW will delay certain features (like their comfort access or whatever they call it) and have it during the mid-year cycle.
This is yet another reason to wait a year on a new model.
Hope your wait isn't pushed out further. But demand, and those queued up ahead of you, may dictate you length of wait.
-Paul