A 180 in the SUV department

[blassy]

So wife's X5 goes back soon. It's our family hauler and she drives it 90% of the time. Chatting about our new vehicle and she throws a curve ball.
Seems she has a friend that just picked up a new 4 door Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Have to admit it's pretty cool. Soft and hard top and the soft top has a one touch panoramic open feature that basically opens the entire top of the truck.
Seems they've made some improvements on the interior too. I realize it's nowhere close to the X5 in almost every way, but what it does bring to the table is the fun factor. Our girls are 4 and 7 and they thought it was the coolest thing they've ever seen. Been a long time Jeep lover and have owned many....just thought my next Jeep was gonna' be the SRT.
Anyone here drive or been in one lately? Still snow on the ground here but plan on taking one out when we get back from Florida in a few weeks.

[superdog]

That are awesome. Great updates.

Very well done. A buddy just got one and I went for a ride. It’s really a great vehicle.

[blassy]

Not gonna' lie....it's a pretty good looking truck.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by blassy

Not gonna' lie....it's a pretty good looking truck.

Unless this is just a stock photo you grabbed, that is a Rubicon not a Sahara.

I would not put my wife that is used to driving a X5 in a Rubicon to save my life. The Sahara is the way to go. The mud terrain tires on the Rubicon will be mind numbingly loud in a short time and the Dana 44 front axle will ride like a dump truck especially compared to what she is used to.

They are loud, ride horribly, driving dynamics suck and they break, frequently.

But the resale is awesome, it’s a convertible (without doors if you wish) in the summer, a 4wd in the winter (with a really kick ads heater) the accessory market is second to none (buy it, don’t lease it because you will want to accessorize). The aftermarket is coming on slowly for the JL but will be awesome soon. We will always own at least one.

That all being said I would prefer not to buy a JL right now (first year of new model) but you don’t really have a choice. If you are buying, a JK may be an option, but isn’t near as “updated” which is a positive for me. The JK was the same for the better part of the last 12 years. The kinks are worked out. The auto stop/start on the JL is a pita and the aftermarket doesn’t have a way to permanently disable it, yet, from what I have seen. I wouldn’t touch that power roof with a 10 foot pole. My wife is a not a “girly girl” but she has zero issues throwing the soft top down and getting it situated. And $1900 is a rip off for something that will probably break quickly. Especially if you get a hard top for the winter and take it on and off.

I would get the nicer radio. Money well spent. LED/HID lights are a must if they are not standard in the new Sahara.

They are a great time.




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[DLRIDES]

Something no one else has mentioned ....................... any lady that would want a Wrangler over some soccer mom hipster fu fu glamor status SUV is a winner and deserves it without question !

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by blassy

So wife's X5 goes back soon. It's our family hauler and she drives it 90% of the time. Chatting about our new vehicle and she throws a curve ball.
Seems she has a friend that just picked up a new 4 door Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Have to admit it's pretty cool. Soft and hard top and the soft top has a one touch panoramic open feature that basically opens the entire top of the truck.
Seems they've made some improvements on the interior too. I realize it's nowhere close to the X5 in almost every way, but what it does bring to the table is the fun factor. Our girls are 4 and 7 and they thought it was the coolest thing they've ever seen. Been a long time Jeep lover and have owned many....just thought my next Jeep was gonna' be the SRT.
Anyone here drive or been in one lately? Still snow on the ground here but plan on taking one out when we get back from Florida in a few weeks.

What would you like to know? I’ve owned 14 Jeep Wranglers, last two were the 2018 JLU (hard top) and I bought a 2019 JLU Sahara last Tuesday (with one touch sky top) Had it lifted 2.5 inches, 33 inch tires....I can tell you anything you need to know. Took a 1200 mile trip last month in my 18 JLU, (it was lifted as well) and I enjoyed every minute.

Originally Posted by superdog

based on most reviews and comments the Wrangler was redesigned to make it much more of a comfortable ride. from what i can tell, the main focus of the redesign was to ensure many of the rough ride complaints were removed.

will it be as comfortable as a Grand Cherokee. No, certainly not.

however, I do believe that it is likely far superior to what some of you guys are thinking.

You’re exactly right with this statement, and I’ve had 0 reliability issues with anything past 2007

[encarter13]

I have owned lots of Wranglers over the years. I like to outfit mine, so I would not have one for a daily driver, but the newer ones have so many creature comforts. You really can go wrong.

If you don't like it, the resale is crazy!

[blassy]

Yah - resale is an issue. I would lease it ideally as it would be our "company car" and then I wouldn't have to worry. Just know lease rates on domestic cars aren't that great. Sadly rates are better from BMW and no chance I pay almost the same per month for this as a new 19 X5. We shall see - gonna talk to my buddy that sells them around here and see if it makes sense.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by blassy

Yah - resale is an issue. I would lease it ideally as it would be our "company car" and then I wouldn't have to worry. Just know lease rates on domestic cars aren't that great. Sadly rates are better from BMW and no chance I pay almost the same per month for this as a new 19 X5. We shall see - gonna talk to my buddy that sells them around here and see if it makes sense.

Most automotive publications claim that the Jeep Wrangler has one of the highest resale values, as a percentage of purchase price, in North America. One can’t get hurt purchasing a Wrangler instead of leasing.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by blassy

Yah - resale is an issue. I would lease it ideally as it would be our "company car" and then I wouldn't have to worry. Just know lease rates on domestic cars aren't that great. Sadly rates are better from BMW and no chance I pay almost the same per month for this as a new 19 X5. We shall see - gonna talk to my buddy that sells them around here and see if it makes sense.

It’s a super vehicle for resale.

[blassy]

Well that's great news then! Perhaps my first purchased hauler in many years. Convertible roof might get the kids and booster seats out of my 997 too which is a parallel bonus. Interior looks really nice too with some actual added tech.

[Blansky]

I sat in one a couple of days with the sliding soft top and they're pretty cool. I drive a 2005 Wrangler and my issue with any jeep is they need to be customized a bit to be cool.

Namely, lifted a few inches, different wheels and tires etc and "toughened up" a bit.

Otherwise they look like a soccer mom mall crawler.

[JMtimes5]

The Wrangler has a cult like following. It has the highest retained value among SUVs so you can’t go wrong selling it later. Be prepared for high noise on the highway and a bouncy ride. If you’re looking for a plush ride, this is not the SUV for you.
Coolness factor is to the roof however. There are a lot of aftermarket parts to make one unique to your taste just like the white example above.
Good luck.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by JMtimes5

The Wrangler has a cult like following. It has the highest retain value among SUVs so you can’t go wrong selling it later. Be prepared for high noise on the highway and a bouncy ride. If you’re looking for a plush ride, this is not the SUV for you.
Coolness factor is to the roof however. There are a lot of aftermarket parts to make one unique to your taste just like the white example above.
Good luck.

Totally there is nothing plush about them at all. I have owned a few of them in the past since my family are Jeep lovers, but the last few iterations have had way to many issues for me to continue supporting them.

[Keadog]

My accountant drives one as a daily. He loves it. And he can afford to drive whatever he wants.
He does say it's noisy but that doesn't deter him at all.

[RW16610]

Excellent choice! The family will create and cherish many memories with this vehicle. I'm also always happy to hear people getting away from BMW lol. Congrats on the Jeep

[GB-man]

I think they are pretty cool but prefer the 4runner for better comfort as a daily.

[Laszlo]

I had looked at these in the past, I think the Wrangler AEV and it was an absolutely SICK vehicle. A truly dreamy man’s truck. Has a super hard time selling the idea to my wife.

[The Libertine]

Love the Wrangler; dislike the questionable reliability.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Love the Wrangler; dislike the questionable reliability.

Not well made, bad reliability as do most Jeep offerings. Really tough ride, especially if you decide to upgrade suspension parts or do a lift to it for larger tires. It's a local driver or short commuter, not a highway car and you'll bounce around with potholes and bumps. My back still aches from my wrangler test drive 3 months ago.

[CoveWatch]

Wranglers are great looking! I definitely notice them on the road

[dkg1616]

She will like it to start, then honeymoon phase will go away and she’ll want a luxury suv. They are not comfortable rides and more “kid” like

[Blansky]

We all know the history and evolution of this style of jeep and I believe the ORIGINAL SUV was actually a Jeep Wagoneer BUT Wrangler Jeeps are a specialty vehicle and not a luxury vehicle that SUVs evolved into. Perhaps the Cherokee is but not these decendants of the original.

As has been said, they are a lifestyle type vehicle not a luxury type and you have to accept the warts that come with that.

Personally I've had two Wranglers, a 1987 and a 2005 with zero issues so far, knock on wood.

[superdog]

based on most reviews and comments the Wrangler was redesigned to make it much more of a comfortable ride. from what i can tell, the main focus of the redesign was to ensure many of the rough ride complaints were removed.

will it be as comfortable as a Grand Cherokee. No, certainly not.

however, I do believe that it is likely far superior to what some of you guys are thinking.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by superdog

based on most reviews and comments the Wrangler was redesigned to make it much more of a comfortable ride. from what i can tell, the main focus of the redesign was to ensure many of the rough ride complaints were removed.

will it be as comfortable as a Grand Cherokee. No, certainly not.

however, I do believe that it is likely far superior to what some of you guys are thinking.

I haven't been in this years model, but I test drove it 6 months ago (previous years model) and I was bounced all over the place, not a comfortable ride at all.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I haven't been in this years model, but I test drove it 6 months ago (previous years model) and I was bounced all over the place, not a comfortable ride at all.

Wow. No kidding.

I was under the impression they fixed all that.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by superdog

Wow. No kidding.

I was under the impression they fixed all that.

Believe me, I wanted to like it, I really did. When I was in collage I owned a CJ7 it was literally the perfect collage car/truck, could not have been better. Have very fond memories of my jeeping days, but as an old fogey my back and kidneys would need a harness to own one LOL YMMV

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by superdog

Wow. No kidding.

I was under the impression they fixed all that.

They have.....DEPENDING, on what you’re comparing it against.
I mean, if you’re comparing it to a jeep wrangler, which is the only thing you should compare to, then yes… Many refinements in this vehicle over the years. If you’re comparing it to a luxury SUV… Well that’s apples and oranges

[blassy]

Exactly. Not expecting the same comfort as the X5. I'm giving up comfort for fun from my perspective. Changing things up and figured in a few years if we go back to the dark soccer mom side, I won't lose my shirt. Our X5 M sport with a tune is close to 400HP and a ton of fun to drive. I'm hardly expecting the same. Plus my wife likes it and she drives it 90% of the time. I work from home and happily jump in my Pcar for 3 seasons so am happy either way.
Truck we're looking at is a 19 Sahara 4 door with retractable soft top. Can't imagine the kids and wife won't love it. Worse case scenario, I'll rent a minivan for our trek to HH every summer, but think having it there will outweigh the drive.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by superdog

Wow. No kidding.

I was under the impression they fixed all that.

Nope, it is better than a regular og CJ5-7 but it is not able to compare to a road/SUV. The new Jeeps are still built so that they try and have "trail" cred. In all honestly, I would have one if they worked on the reliability aspect of it instead.

But when they sell as good as they do why fix it????

Kind of like Subaru Outbacks. They had a known issue for over 10 years of the 2.5 motor dumping headgaskets. But they did not do anything to fix that until supposedly 2015. And it is one of the top selling cars here in Colorado.