Fun, tough vehicle
Check engine light kept coming on.. gas cap was not fitting properly.. small avoidable problem.
Great vehicle.. I had a older 4 cylinder soft top that drove me crazy over 50 mph and when it rained.. the 6 with hard/soft top seems to be the way to go.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 27th March, 2005
Not a vehicle for big people!
Shifting automatic transmission sometimes sounds clunky.
I love this vehicle! It is so cute yet rugged... a girl truck. Sorry guys, I had to say it! I am excited to take the top off this summer.
The transmission is the only thing that worries me so far.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd February, 2005
The comment about Jeeps not being Jeeps if they are automatics is way off base.
I've been a Jeep owner and enthusiast for well over 20 years.
I've owned Wranglers with both manuals and automatics.
I can tell you that for slow-going/off-roading (and snow-plowing) the automatic transmission is actually an excellent choice.
By the way, I currently own and drive a Wrangler with the 5 speed manual transmission.
Good, could be better
Nothing - So far.
4.0L is underpowered IMO. I can't imagine the 4 cyl.
Undercarriage starting to rust a bit from WV winters.
Although I am overall pretty happy with the Jeep purchase, I feel they could do much more to make it a better "bang for the buck" so to speak.
Bad - They are expensive, noisy, aerodynamically poor, lack creature comforts.
Good - Reliability, fun to drive, versatile.
Yes, before anybody says it, I realize it is a Jeep. BUT! I am disappointed overall in what this vehicle could be. There is no reason that Jeep could not include a hood lock, a keyless entry option, a locking gas cap and for Pete's sake, they don't even have full metal chrome lugnuts. They are wheel bolts with chrome covers!!! That is pathetic for as expensive as the Wranglers are. They need to realize that not everybody buries their Jeep in the mud on the weekend. Soooo, now I have to add power door locks, power windows, a hood lock, a locking gas cap, and get something to haul these plastic windows around in.
I simply think it could be a better "package" altogether. Hardcore Jeep fans are going to blast this review, but when somebody is stealing their battery or gas, they will think twice. I shouldn't have to go aftermarket to have a locking hood. Common sense has to enter in to the mix somewhere. A Wrangler will never be a practical vehicle, but it can be more practical than it is currently with a little more effort on Jeep's part.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th December, 2004
If you think that the 4.0 is underpowered, either there is something wrong with the engine, or you have unrealistic expectations about what a Jeep is.
The 4.0 is as quick an engine as you want in a Jeep. It's not a Corvette, nor is it meant to be.
Perhaps you should have waited until Jeep put the 210hp 3.7 in the Wrangler, but the 4.0 190hp is more than enough even with an automatic transmission.
A very fun and versatile vehicle
The transmission does not shift smoothly. The gears stick between 4th and 5th. I brought it to the dealer three times and they finally rebuilt the transmission. Now the transmission has a whine/howl in 1st-3rd and 5th gears and vibrates at 2000 RPM with neutral load on it while driving.
The front windshield hinges are rusting. The rear windshield hinges are loosing their powder coat. The rear bumper is starting to scale rust.
The HVAC controls stopped working at speed 2. Slow changeover from floor to console settings. Sometimes takes a minute.
Sway bar links in front are clicking when I drive over a pothole.
Tilt steering column has loosened up so when I drive over a pothole and it rattles the tilt lever drops and the steering wheel moves. The steering wheel also moves from side to side about a quarter of an inch.
I used to own a 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sport and I traded it in for a new 2002. I should have kept it. It had 100,000 miles on it and the only thing wrong with it was a leaky radiator. I had replaced the sway bars links and had to replace the exhaust header at 80,000 miles. These two problems were very common to this model of JEEP. I am a diehard fan of JEEP, but am very worried where the line is going. I agree with the general party line that Chrysler in ruining the line and they do not seem to be concerned about it. When I went to the dealer (repeatedly for over 30 service days) they argued with me about repairs because they said Chrysler limited what they could do. Also Chrysler has repeatedly questioned my problems with my vehicle and refused to fix other problems. The only word of advice I can give is find a great dealer and get everything they promise in writing. If they won't give it in writing walk out.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th February, 2004
7th Jun 2009, 07:54
Well a Jeep isn't a Jeep if it's an automatic, sorry to burst that bubble. Should have gone stick, wouldn't have the transmission issues.