Whats so great about Jeeps?
- Thread starter The motor guy
- Start date
Actually solid rear AND front axles in "normal" size/duty vehicles is the ONLY thing that makes them special. You pretty much have to go back to the 80s/early 90s or Super duty/2500+ size in other makes to get that (and price a solid axle Toyota Land cruiser, you can buy 3 or 4 XJs). Of current models only Wranglers/Gladiators are "special". Cherokees were special up until 2001 and Grand Cherokees were special up until 2004 (all solid axles. There were also older Comanches, older grand wagoneers etc). Past 2004 besides Wranglers/Gladiators they are anything but special. Of course the Wrangler has a huge following with a continual run and roots going all the way back to WWII Willy's (I'm talking basic layout. I understand there were multiple manufacturers). Also keep in mind that solid front axle is only beneficial for rock crawling, obstacles and conceptually strength (some axles are much stronger than others) which means for 90% of people 90% of the time there is a better option out there. Hell 75% of them probably never go off road at all.
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Out of curiosity, have you owned one?0 + 0 = 0
The folding windshield is pretty cool. I´ve done it a number of times with my 2018 JL. Just be prepared to pick bugs out of your teeth and don´t go too fast or get behind other vehicles. Oh...wear some motorcycle glasses/goggles, too. LOL.
They are extremely fun to drive. They are not practical in any way other than to get from point A-B without a doubt. If we all drove practical vehicles, there would be nothing but hybrid minivans on the road. My Jeep Wrangler has been a DD for work, had over 100K miles and gets along just fine.
Another astute observation.0 + 0 = 0
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Remember that to be considered a marque expert on BITOG you cannot own, drive, or sit in the vehicle you are critiquing.
My Sahara 4xe ticks all the boxes for me; I prefer driving it to 95% of new vehicles under $50,000. Exceptions would include the BRZ, Elantra N, GTI, Type R and WRX.
But if your buddies cousins ex girlfriends sister in law 3x removed half father said it it MUST be true!
I had several 4x4 for driving on the beach for fishing and fun. My Cherokee was better than all the non-Jeeps. Driving on the beach felt effortless in the Jeep. The Jeep was very utilitarian. Nothing special about the interior and it wasn't very comfortable. My lifestyle changed and I had a long commute to work for a special assignment that paid me mileage. The Jeep started to leak oil out of a lot of seals that I repaired but drew the line at the RMS. Plus the Jeep's top end speed was 80-85 before it felt unsafe with a lot of rattling and that wasn't cutting it on my commute.
Had a Jeep salesman tell me Jeeps are durable but not reliable. He said his customers loved them, but they were in the dealership for repairs quite a bit. My neighbor has a Jeep Wrangler with mods. Looks like her boyfriend has one, too.
Had a Jeep salesman tell me Jeeps are durable but not reliable. He said his customers loved them, but they were in the dealership for repairs quite a bit. My neighbor has a Jeep Wrangler with mods. Looks like her boyfriend has one, too.
Yes
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Which one? I've owned 3x Grand Cherokee SRT's...
Can't drive a sxs on the roads here. Gotta trailer it to a spot to ride. Then while riding someone breaks the windows out of your truck and steals your trailer.
I am still daily driving the 02 wrangler I bought brand new june 02.
It's had some issues but nothing terminal. It's never been on a tow truck. Can't say that for many other brands with over 200k on them.
This, and driving in the snow are the only use cases that might ever be applicable to me.
More evidence that they're fun! What's more fun than using your winch and banging up skid plates!
Having driven our JL Sport as DD over the past weeks and then a few of the toys had me thinking about this:
Wranglers are probably closest to 911's of any mainstream vehicle available today. How? Both have long lineages that they have stayed as true as they can to in light of modern vehicle requirements and have narrow but deep enthusiast followings and aftermarket support. Both have archaic basic designs and features (recirc ball steering & live axles, rear engines) that have carried through to the current and are both probably at the pinnacle and practical end of their development, allowing them to excel at their focused purpose while forcing compromises outside of that; ergonomics, etc. Either can be used as a daily driver, but neither excel at that role beyond the short term. Lastly, a said both have dedicated followings and are not appreciated by those outside of that....it is a Jeep thing.
Wranglers are probably closest to 911's of any mainstream vehicle available today. How? Both have long lineages that they have stayed as true as they can to in light of modern vehicle requirements and have narrow but deep enthusiast followings and aftermarket support. Both have archaic basic designs and features (recirc ball steering & live axles, rear engines) that have carried through to the current and are both probably at the pinnacle and practical end of their development, allowing them to excel at their focused purpose while forcing compromises outside of that; ergonomics, etc. Either can be used as a daily driver, but neither excel at that role beyond the short term. Lastly, a said both have dedicated followings and are not appreciated by those outside of that....it is a Jeep thing.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Most people in my neighborhood get them bcs: 1. Cool. 2. Snow. However, they are absolutely horrid vehicles in snow. When I see one in the rearview mirror during slick conditions, I downshift and run away.
Very few, I see, have scars from off-roading. When one goes to Durango or similar places, one sees a bunch of them that actually do what they are made for.
Very few, I see, have scars from off-roading. When one goes to Durango or similar places, one sees a bunch of them that actually do what they are made for.
Is that the vehicle or some of the drivers that these appeal to?? My first one, a manual TJ, was truly excellent in the snow however I had appropriate tires and (mostly) know what I am doing driving wise.
I haven't had the current one in the snow and probably won't, but I cannot see them being any worse than the older ones vehicle wise.
