Jeep Wrangler - How is it?

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Freddie

Freddie

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My family, or rather, my dad, is looking for a seconday family vehicle, and has started to narrow down his choice to Jeep Wrangler, more specifically the YJ (86-95 (?) models). Preferably the 2.5, but considering the 4.2/4.0 as well.

Now thing is, he doesn't want a lot of trouble with it, as he thinks he might get with other alternatives on the market, pointing to the ariy engine bay and simple mechanics. Note: He is not a mechanic, and has such never really opened the hood on one of these. Neither have I, but I'm doubting his reasons. Also, are there any good alternatives that he should look into realistically?

He specified his needs as this: Ground clearance, all- or four-wheel-drive, locking differential(s). It's a plus if it's a car regular people notice.
 
I'd say his logic is flawed; the Wrangler may be reliable (I don't know either way) but his reasons for thinking it is are all wrong...

I'd suggest a 4Runner of similar vintage. They aren't fast, but they run forever.
 
Mechanically speaking, the Jeeps are damn near bullet-proof. Working on them isnt going to be too hard either, as most of the parts are readily available, and there are a gazillion people who know how to work on them throughout the world. However, they are pretty small, and can get uncomfortable to drive and ride in. The tops are leaky in the wet and in the winter, so make sure you have the hardtop.

Alternatives?
Toyota 4Runner
Chevrolet Blazer
Jeep Cherokee Sport/Classic

...Thats really all I can think of...
 
I'd say skip the Jeep, and go with the 4Runner. Looks better, drives smoother, and your back and behind will thank you in the morning. 👍
 
I say jeep. It's bulletproof, as YSSMAN said, and it would be somewhat unique in Europe. (Right?:confused: )
 
For real advice go to jeepsunlimited.com, and read their forums, all the information you could ever need

I personally hav ea 91 with the 4.0, great jeep, wouldn't want it for too much highway use, but for off road, and around town it's great.

Don't get teh 2.5, it's just too underpowered, the 6 isn't that much more and will be a much better choice, try to get a 91+ so you have fuel injection with the 4.0, and you really don't want the earlier 4.0/4.2 due to the crappy manual that was offered, and the auto was only a three speed, making it undesirable. But go read that forum, and search whatever you want over there, that should answer a lot of questions
 
While Jeeps are decent 4-wheelers, they have also been known to get old fast... Bad seating, leaky tops, and relatively small size.
I'd go for a similar-vintage 4Runner or SR5 Pickup/Hilux. The older ones in particular are somewhat-close to indestructable (Insert reference to Top Gear episode here).
 
If you need to haul more then three peopel definitally go 4 runner, But jeeps don't really wear out that fast, my 91's still great, and acctually the seats are some of the most supportive i've found, leaky tops are often just old and needing to be replaced, like any older convertable style car, and their is the option of a hard top. But from this thread i guess the saying is really true, It is a jeep thing, you wouldn't understand, Honestly it is, after you own/drive a jeep, you see it differently then most, it's something you have to experience for yourself and see if you like it. There is a reason we wave to each other on teh street and trails.
 
Jeeps make for a very uncomfortable ride, and they are cold like crap in the winter, so I would go with a 4 runner. The jeeps might have slightly better off-road capabilities, but you have to sacrifice a lot of comfort for that.
 
I'm not a big 4X4 guy, so I might not know exactly what I'm talking about, but from what I understand, the Jeep Cherokee Sport/Classic was just as capable as the Wrangler in many situations, and faired much better as a daily driver in the long run. My friend has one, and it is a pretty nice truck, but I think its a bit too small for my tastes in SUVs. Personally, if I wanted a Jeep, I'd go out and find an old Scrambler and drop in a Chevy 350 and do some other 4X4 work... But I dont like having a nine inch lift on 35" tires, so I'll stick to driving Jettas and Camaros...
 
High-Test
I say jeep. It's bulletproof, as YSSMAN said, and it would be somewhat unique in Europe. (Right?:confused: )
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Jeeps are plentyful in Europe, at least the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee are, less so the Wrangler. In Europe (the UK at least) the Wrangler has a real image problem. How can i put it... it's usually seen being driven by men who favour cutting hair as a career and have bathrooms full of grooming products - do you get what i mean?

Also, in Europe the 2.5 is a (Italian) turbo diesel engine - i presume the US version is petrol?

Has he thought of a Land Rover, a Discovery or Defender?
 
TheCracker
Jeeps are plentyful in Europe, at least the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee are, less so the Wrangler. In Europe (the UK at least) the Wrangler has a real image problem. How can i put it... it's usually seen being driven by men who favour cutting hair as a career and have bathrooms full of grooming products - do you get what i mean?

Also, in Europe the 2.5 is a (Italian) turbo diesel engine - i presume the US version is petrol?

Has he thought of a Land Rover, a Discovery or Defender?
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Not only is the 2.5 Petrol, it's a design which I believe dates back to Jeep's AMC days. Definitely not Italian.
 
I think Jeeps are way over rated for what they are, I'd much rather go with the Toyota or a Land Rover.

But with the Blazer, while they are a world market vehicle, I've never seen one from Europe...only South America and the Middle East, they might exsist over there but like I said I've never seen em. Also I don't know if it would be what you are look for, Blazer's are only ok off road.
 
Jim Prower
Not only is the 2.5 Petrol, it's a design which I believe dates back to Jeep's AMC days. Definitely not Italian.
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The 2.5 Diesels we get are by VM Motori - a company more used to industrial and marine engines! - the latest CRD's aren't too bad, but the older pre-commonrails had a mighty 118hp!
 
...We get the VM Motori Diesel here in the US, but I'm not sure on the size. I know the quality of the diesel is supposed to be very sub-par, and fuel economy gains are almost nil when compared to the smaller V6 petrol engines.
 
TheCracker
Jeeps are plentyful in Europe, at least the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee are, less so the Wrangler. In Europe (the UK at least) the Wrangler has a real image problem. How can i put it... it's usually seen being driven by men who favour cutting hair as a career and have bathrooms full of grooming products - do you get what i mean?

Also, in Europe the 2.5 is a (Italian) turbo diesel engine - i presume the US version is petrol?

Has he thought of a Land Rover, a Discovery or Defender?
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The Wrangler has a different image here. Besides, there'll be plenty of dirt on it. It'll be macho enough.:)

The 2.5 is as far as I'm aware a petrol unit. The newer cars do come with 2.5 to above three-litre diesels, but this is a first-gen Wrangler. It's not likely to feature a diesel at all.

I've tried telling him to take a look at other alternatives, Range Rover diesels of the same age for example, or slightly newer for the same price. How can I put it, his requirements are slightly - specialized. He wants certain features that can cope with the poor road conditions here (oh no, it's not for off-roading:scared:), but the cars that feature them are far from what he wants. The Wrangler so far is the closest match, but the fact that he also wants to drive it to work during winter (approx 1.0-1.5hr per drive), he wants some luxury in it too.

As for other alternatives:
Toyota 4Runner - These are not available here, but an old Landcruiser perhaps (gen II-III?)?
Chevrolet Blazer - Not very likely, but not out of the question either, there is one local we're actually considering, but it's been standing still for an entire year now...
Cherokee - Considering it.
 
You guys actually get Blazers in Norway? No way! Hmmm learn something new everyday.
 
BX
You guys actually get Blazers in Norway? No way! Hmmm learn something new everyday.
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Did (alongside with it's European cousing, the Frontera). The TrailBlazer has taken it's spot. The Tahoe, Suburban as well as the Escallade as available here, altough the latter two are rare. Silverados, as well as Dodge Rams are popular in their heavier versions, due to reduced taxes on trucks. Requires them to be fitted with 100km/h speed-governors, though, and almost exclusively with diesels.

I'm myself thinking of getting an older Blazer or Suburban once I have the money, but it'll be diesel, and a pre-90's. Those have presence, plus a surprising frugality acording to what I've heard from people owning similar/these cars. 9,0l/100km is not bad, this is what a normal car uses, and probably what I'll end up with anyway.:dopey:
 
Freddie
Requires them to be fitted with 100km/h speed-governors
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Wait, whaaa? The pickups are limited to 62 MPH? In America our limiters stop them at about 100 MPH (about 160 KPH), but they could probably run north of 120 MPH (193 KPH). Thats weird, but I'm sure that the Porsche Cayannes and BMW X5's can do just as much damage, even as the Cayanne weighs in at almost 6000lbs.
 
Freddie
The Wrangler so far is the closest match, but the fact that he also wants to drive it to work during winter (approx 1.0-1.5hr per drive), he wants some luxury in it too.
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Luxury in a Wrangler? - all the Wranglers i've seen over here, including the one my boss sometimes drives to work in, have thin plastic doors! - a similar level of luxury as a Caterham 7!

Oh, and by the way - those aren't cup holders in the Wrangler - they're for your hairdryer and crimping tongs :sly:
 

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