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I also am in the process of negotiating for a Wrangler Sport. As a matter of fact, I am selling my Ferrari (and trading UP...ha ha). Actually, the Ferraris are so tempermental that a Jeep would be like getting a good night sleep after a hard day. I'm also getting rid of my Pathfinder (my foul weather vehicle) and deciding that all I really need is one versatile vehicle...enter, 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport (p.s. why does everyone refer to it as a "TJ").
OK...the crux of my questions: I am undecided among a couple options and features.
A lot of people have the 30" wheels -- the trade-off being ABS. I was going to go with the ABS and the Grizzlys. What size are the Grizzlys? How important is ABS? And is it worth the tradeoff?
As for color, I test drove the yellow. It made me dizzy. My Ferrari is yellow...and it should be the only car that boast that color. Therefore, I'm inclined to go with a Silverstone Jeep. Black only looks good when it's just washed...and boy does it look good then. And white is too common.
Question #2. Does the new 4-ply soft top really make that much of a difference? I'm only getting the soft top...I live is the terperate Washington DC area. Neither the Winters nor the Summers are [too] extreme. Any input?
Lastly, how do you experienced Jeeps feel about the automatic versus manual. I've always had stick shift vehicles and find them very fun to drive -- although my automatic Pathfinder is a dream in DC's rush hour traffic. What's the reliability of the transmissions?
Your input is, as always, greatly appreciated.
-Gil-
-Gil-
I still haven't fully made up my mind about the white, but I would say that I am around 95% certain that that's what it will be. You said they were common, but not really around here. I hardly ever see a white one. There's all kinds of red ones, black ones, and even a lot of the yellow ones around here.
I like your silverstone idea. It is a very close second in my book, and the steel blue is gorgeous also.
The reason I'm so hung up on white is because I saw I white one at a dealership I had to drive past every week, and I almost always stopped and drooled over it. She was beautiful. The black top and deep tinted windows really set off the white sheet metal.
I will let others answer your questions about options- I just plain don't know about that stuff.
Catch you later
tsjay
It's called a home equity loan. I am borrowing a few thousand to take care of most of the deficit on the GP between the trade-in allowance and the payoff.
People, this Jeep is going to have to be mine for a long, long time. I hope I will finally be satisfied (I'll HAVE to be).
I still have the opportunity to sell my Grand Prix before the Jeep comes in, and I will have an ad in the paper starting tomorrow. If I can get a thousand or fifteen hundred more than the trade-in allowance, so much the better.
tsjay
Though a little late... I have 2 cars - one my jeep, the other a honda civic. Since i got my jeep my honda's been sitting in the drive, but i don't want to get rid of it. I kept it for a couple reasons - gas mileage, quieter, was an auto (learning manual still...), _very_ reliable, jeep will be worked on for days on end, and i can luckly afford both. Even though my jeeps a manual i still drive it everywhere. I took it on a 2 hour trip (2 hours there, 2 hours back) a couple weeks back and didn't have any problems. Noise wasn't bad at all (much better then 2000), mileage sucked but it was funner. As i said, i currently use the jeep as my commuter car (about 10-15 miles each way) and don't have any problems. I'll pry switch to my civic once i really become comfortable with manual, just to save somewhat on gas (ya, ya...could save more by selling civic ...)
Anyways, you'll enjoy your jeep!
Bob
Congratulations. Glad to hear you going through with it.
I have heard real good things about selling in autotrader. You may want to consider it.
You should of asked for more on your trade-in. It never hurts to ask. Who cares though, your getting a JEEP!
2001wrangler
I have heard the pro comp is rough on the pavement. I would look at Rubicon and Teraflex.
gilbus
I have heard the advertising fee can be negotiated.
TJ is the model name for 97'-01', YJ 86.5'-95'
I don't know much about ABS. I don't have it and don't want it. I can stop my Jeep without any problems. I would consider it if I had to drive on that white stuff northerners talk about.
Silverstone sounds good. Mine is black and love it.
The new soft tops make a big difference from what I hear. I only have the soft top and like it.
There are some complaints on the manual. Sticky shifting, noisy in neutral, and pops out of gear. My manual was a little noisy at first but not anymore, Shifting is still sticky but not bad. Has never popped out of gear. I have not heard anything bad about automatics. The auto may lack power depending on how you drive. I would test drive both and go with the one you think is best.
The Dana 44 rear end is a stronger axle. I think it is worth the money.
I really don't think I'll be going topless very much, and I can still take the hard top off once in a while if I want to. I just think for my purposes the hard top makes more sense.
Catch you later
tsjay
I guess I should have haggled, but I was in a state of shock after what the other dealers had offered and the attitude they demonstrated.
Thanks for the tip on Autotrader. I'm not going to aggressively try to sell the GP. If I can't get at least a thousand or fifteen hundred more than the good trade-in offer, it isn't worth the hassle of selling it and then renting a vehicle until the Wrangler comes in.
In about four or five weeks, you can go drink a few in celebration. It looks like we will get to have that party after all. I sure hope she gets here by Christmas.
tsjay
Is there a lot of wind noise with the 2001 soft top (with the full doors)?
Any strong feelings about ABS?
-Gil-
Check out this green one (mine)
www.angelfire.com/geek/jeep/
Also Dana is the manufacturer of many axles. All Jeep vehicles use Dana products. Except for the not so great AMC 20 in 82-86 CJ's. The Dana 44 now offered in the Wrangler is a good axle and you will have to work at breaking it. Many people run them in Chevy 350 powered Jeeps with lockers and they hold up fine.
On another note I've heard good things about the a 4" lift from a company called Full Traction. They run 33" tires on there Jeep. The excellent Magazine JP did a article on it and it impressed them. They claim it gives the most wheel travel on the market with the sway bar disconected right out of the box. When I finally Get my TJ I'm slapping one on. Keep on Jeepin'
Brendon Cooper
-Gil-
the floor matts are a rip off ....
make sure that you get the HD electrical.
i know that you will enjoy it.
Gil --- if you are not going to get bigger tires then get the 30"
if going bigger get the cheaper ones now
My allowance hinders me from buying any major mods.
Just to avoid being called a spoiled brat. I don't get allowance from parental units, my wife controls my allowance from my own check, married guys know about this arrangement.
In other news, I have heard two different stories as to where the "Jeep" name came from. The GP theory sounds the most plausible, but I am sure you guys remember the little cartoon character that hassled popeye long ago.
Well, he was Eugene the jeep. Named "jeep" because of the only sound he uttered. He first came out in 1936, I think that was a few years before the Army got the vehicles we love today. 4 years to be exact. To back this up, I heard that them army guys didn't call them General purpose vehicles back then. I like to think this is the correct origin. Just because I love cartoons. See website, Eugene is standing next to me!
www.angelfire.com/geek/jeep/
If anyone has proof, please post it here. I really would like to know the correct story.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000310.html
http://www.centralpaoffroadpark.com/humor/Eugene_the_Jeep.html
so if anyone has real proof, please post.
tsjay
steepjeep
ps- gilbus what is a Silverstone Jeep?!?
Just wondering
I test drove a soft top and took it up to 75 mph. The top noise was not bad at all in my opinion, and the one I was driving had the half metal doors. I would expect the noise to have been even less with full metal doors.
I am getting a hard top because I am almost sure that I would want the top off very rarely. I will be using the Jeep as my only transportation, and I like the idea of being able to lock the doors and have a little security when I am traveling.
The hard tops come off too, so on those rare occasions that I really want to do so, I can still take the top off.
They had a silverstone Sport in the showroom when I was at the dealership Tuesday evening to make the deal on my Jeep. It was beautiful! I have seen a couple of them on the road too, and they are definitely sharp. That was a very, very close second color choice in my opinion. I could have almost flipped a coin between white and silverstone.
tsjay
steepjeep
-Gil-
Handle's great, love the nimble size. Great around the city streets and parking.
Noisy inside, but not too bad with hardtop. I don't mind it at all. Can still hear stereo.
Sensitive steering. Overcorrected too much at first, getting used to it, but doesn't wander.
Hops, skips, and jumps. The 30" package is great, but it makes for a jumpy and jarring ride on rough pavement. This to me takes more getting used to then the noise.
But overall, it is just plain fun to drive, and the sacrifices are not overwhelming. I think the issue is it suffers in comparison as a commuter if you are coming from a luxo box like me. But once I get used to it, it will be a great overall ride, and no other vehicle can touch the perks.
BTW, tsjay, I had to take the hardtop off on Sunday to remove the softtop (dual top option). I did not find it an easy task. Hardtop is bulky and weighs a good bit. Two of us got it off and on, but I would never attempt it alone and would recommend a lift. I am planning to get one when I need to take it off again this spring. Anyone have any recommendations/tips ?
Kevin
Maybe pewter is the best way to descrive the color???
However you describe it or whatever you call it, it is really pretty. The black top goes real nicely with the silverstone sheet metal. I am sure that's what I would have gotten if I hadn't seen that white Jeep with the black top this past summer and fallen head over heels in love.
Hope this helps, but it probably doesn't.
tsjay
So, I will put you in the "undecided" column on having a Jeep for all-purpose driving. Fortunately, this will have no bearing on the outcome of the vote: it is now 6 to 1, with one undecided.
I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL MINE COMES IN!!!!!!!!
They said it would be four to five weeks, but that puts it right up to Christmas, and if there are any delays, it could be the end of January before I see my Jeep. They shut the line down for a couple weeks during the holidays.
Keep having fun with that new Jeep.
tsjay
I ordered mine the last week of october. I called Jeep and they said its not scheduled to be built till the 2nd week of December. I have heard it can take 2 to 3 more weeks from final assembly to get shipped to your destination. I hope I have mine by Xmas and I hope you have yours too..
Like I said, there is a shutdown for a couple weeks over the holidays, so if our Jeeps aren't made and shipped by the shutdown, there will be another two-week delay. Bummer!!!
My dealer said he has been getting his Jeeps within four to five weeks after the order is placed. I don't know if he was talking about Jeeps for his inventory or for individuals, if that makes any difference. He did say that if you talk to the people at Jeep, they cover their butts and give you a longer time than they actually think it will take, so maybe we will both luck out.
Good luck to both of us!
tsjay
tsjay
Well....Giddy up....
Giddy Up....
ChefRKM
What I am saying, I guess, is that sticker price means nothing. My Sahara is fully loaded and I got it way closer to 20k.
Any thoughts?
-Gil-
Someone in an earlier post said that I was too rough on the automatic tranny. For the record, I think both transmissions suck. I have a '98 5-speed and the first to second throw is frequently a struggle. Chysler "upgraded" the 5-speed in '99 and I hear the new one is worse. I still think a 3-speed automatic is completely unacceptable though. No overdrive? What is this, 1975? Consider the long-term ramifications of your engine spinning at 3500 RPMS on the highway (vs 2500 with 5th gear on the manual) and I think the choice is clear. The automatic will put more stress on the engine and get terrible mileage. Stick with the 5-speed.
-Gil-
Unless you are going to put bigger tires and wheels on your Jeep after you buy it, GO WITH THE 30" TIRES! The Wranglers look SO much better with the 30" tires!!!
Can't you still get ABS if you get the 30" tires?
If you can't, then I still say go with the 30" tires.
tsjay
I'm getting the canyon wheels and 30" tires with the Dana 44. (If I understand the options correctly.) Unless I'm mistaken you get the Dana 44 with the 30" tires and 5-speed combination for $850.00 list price, but you don't get trac lok unless you pay another $595.00. Do I have this right?
If so, should I have forked out the extra lettuce for the trac lok rear end, considering that my Jeep will be off-road only under pretty "tame" circumstances?
tsjay
Kevin
I wonder if that $595 was for the Dana 44 AND trac lok, for people who weren't already getting the Dana 44 anyway???? If so, the idiot was trying to charge me twice for the Dana 44, once as part of the canyon wheel and 30" tire option, and again as part of the trac lok option.
Can someone help us here?
tsjay
I'm sorry you had bad luck with your Jeep. Hopefully, I will get a good one.
That gas mileage doesn't sound too bad.
It will be hard to give up my Grand Prix GT. It has been an absolutely perfect car.
I just have this thing for a Wrangler. They seem like they would be such a fun vehicle to have.
Good luck with your Tahoe.
tsjay