Comments: 1-15, 16-18
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.
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.
I wrote the first comment, and on giving it more consideration, you should have purchased a Liberty.
It would have the creature comforts you are looking for.
The Wrangler is meant to be just what it is. Come on! Power windows??? Would you want to disconnect everything a carry those doors, when you take them off??? Besides, it wouldn't be a Wrangler!
The 4.0L is bullet proof. It's vastly known for it's reliability and it's power, if you think it's underpowered, you need to take a second look, but as you said, that's your opinion, and you are certainly entitled to it.
As for power locks and key FOB's for a Wrangler, I agree with the previous comment, how would you like to disconnect all that stuff when you want to take the doors off? Also, that's one more electrical component to brreak on your Jeep. As for the FOB, whats the point of having remote keyless on a SOFT TOP VEHICLE??? Remots keyless is not going to stop a thief from taking a simple car key and slicing through the top to get to what they want in the Jeep. That's why people who have Wranglers lock their possessions in the lockable glove box. And there is a locking gas cap that you can get from Chrysler, I've seen many of them on Jeeps, and I do agree it should be standard.
I would love to have a Wrangler. But I needed a little more room and safety, and went with a Liberty instead. Wranglers are still awesome Jeeps.
Probably right. Wanted the convertible top though. Maybe they need a soft top Liberty... :-)
As for the power, I came from a 5.2L Dodge V8, so I think it just takes getting used to. Just 10-15 Horsepower would definitely make a big difference though.
Everything is a compromise, and in the end you have to decide what features are most important to you.
If having a soft-top is more important than the creature comforts such as power lock and windows etc. then the Wrangler is the way to go.
If you want Jeep 4x4 ruggedness, but are looking for a bit more power, space, refinement and all of the bells and whistles. A Liberty might be just right for you.
I have owned both, and I love the Wrangler's character and the fact that it is a convertible, however with the kind of driving I do and my need for more cargo space, a Liberty currently better suits my needs. The doesn't mean that I don't miss my Wranglers. I certainly do. But since I am not independently wealthy, I had to choose which vehicle was more practical for me at this time.
As far as engines go. The 4 liter is a great engine, good for 200,000 miles or more! The 3.7 is a bit unproven, having only been out since 2002. However it is based on the 4.7 liter 8, so that might be a good thing. It is very powerful and a bit smoother than the straight six.
Look for the 3.7 to be replacing the 4 liter in the Wrangler's soon- as soon as next year, maybe. (At least that's what has been rumored.)
It will be kind of sad to see the 4 liter go away. It actually traces its roots to a Nash design from the 1920's.
But I guess Jeep doesn't feel it is cost effective to produce the 4 liter for only one model line (Wrangler).
I am also sorry to see Jeep discontinue the Wrangler Sahara. I hope that this is only a temporary thing, and that Jeep will re-introduce this model when they realize the error of their ways.
I think that Jeep is looking at putting all of their eggs into the Rubicon basket. At least as far as the top of the line Wrangler goes. But the Rubicon is much better suited to off-road use than highway driving. (Expect only about 13mpg with the Rubicon's gearing. They have made air conditioning standard on the Sport for '05 (as it was on the Sahara). But I feel that the Sahara was perhaps the best Wrangler model even though it was a bit expensive.
I think we will see a return of the Sahara at some point in the future. At least I hope so.
I have a 2002 Wrangler X and it is the best off road vehicle I've ever had. The 4 liter engine is perfectly strong and does just what I need it to and then some. As far as key-less entry and power windows go they are very unpractical applications for a Jeep. It would'nt be a Jeep if it had those things. So why don't you go get yourself a nice minivan and enjoy your so-called creature comforts.
The original post actually makes valid points. Why does Jeep not put the minimal things in the vehicle. A fine example of this is the wiring harness for the hard top. I bought my 03 Rubicon with only the soft top, and have since bought a hard top. Because it didn't come with one, I had to buy and install a wiring harness, no big deal, I'm fairly proficient at that sort of thing, but, it was not just an add in plug and play device, it was actually part of the factory harness that was not added at the time of install. That just seemed silly to me, because is it really saving Jeep that much money to not add those 10 wires at the factory? You would think it would be more effective to manufacture only one wiring harness configuration. Still, they have there reasons. Problems started with the fact the wiring is so tight under the dash you can barely even move it. Second, the instructions that were actually wrong. They had me removing the wrong pin from the factory plug and installing the male spade into a female jack. It was all worked out in the end, but not with help from the instructions.
As far as being under powered, of course it is. This is my third CJ/wrangler, and they have all been under powered, but why??? Why do they use an engine that is under powered in a stock configuration? Add some 33s and some weight for the winch, suitable bumper to carry the spare (which you think would be stock since the 31 inch tire that comes stock on the Rubicon tends to shake around off road) and other off road goodies, and the wrangler, especially with an automatic transmission, becomes barely drivable at highway speeds with a head wind (no joke), and forget about going uphill.
I don't think thousands should have to be spent in addition to the $28,000 price tag to make a fun to drive off-road, yet tolerable to drive on-road vehicle. Don't get me wrong, I am and always will be a jeep guy, but an engine change has been a long time coming, why not a diesel, or the 4.7 V8. They used to put V8s why not now? I drive my jeep every day and have made a couple cross country trips in it (32,000 miles in a year and a half). Even though I use and abuse my jeep off-road, I would enjoy some of the creature comforts the rest of the time.
Keep on Jeepin' on.
To the last comment. Please get real. Go look up the horsepower rating on the old V8 that was available in the CJ's.
It was much less powerful than the 4 liter six.
If you think the 4 liter is underpowered, you have unrealistic expectations of what a Jeep is.
By the way, why didn't you save yourself the grief and buy your Jeep with the dual top option?
FYI-The 304 cu. in. V8 put out 150hp & 245 lb.-ft. of torque
The 4 liter 6 is rated at 190 hp (forty hp more than the 8)
and 235 lb.-ft. of torque (only 10 lb.-ft. less than the V8.)
So how can you say that the six is underpowered compared to the V8?
There is something you need to remember when you drive your Wrangler: It has its history in a military vehicle. People who drive Wranglers are seen as tough, hard-core, no-nonsense off-roaders. My uncle has a Wrangler with the 4.0, and it is amazing. The Wrangler isn't too short on luxury. Other SUVs are just too frilly. You have a good SUV. Stop complaining about the lack of luxury and start enjoying the off-road ability!
I owned a Land Rover from 64 to 70 and watched the Jeeps of that era with great curiosity, but did not buy one, I bought a Bronco in 70 to 78,and was moderately satisfied, but I still thought the Jeeps were intense, I Just bought a wrangler X with 6 cly,& auto trans, it is not as stable as the Rover or as powerful as the Bronco, BUT, it's a REAL neat rig, I believe thou it would not hurt the image to have them come with a lockable hood, I was amazed to discover that!! (I guess its so well known everyone thinks everyone knows it!) the locking gas cap is easily solved and I guess a locking spare holder.
My bottom line is this, is the vehicle I always thought it was,I am just sorry it took me 60 years to find out.
Why don't you try buying some kind of performance part... maybe an off-road, cold air intake set?? You can up your HP and gas mileage.
I agree that a locking gas cap and locking hood should come standard. It would make me feel better leaving it for a week in the airport parking lot, or at the trail head when I go hiking. On the other hand, I like the Wrangler precisely because it is simple, utilitarian, and does not have power locks and power windows.
I am not sure if I am correct, but I am sad to say that Chrysler won't be putting the 4cyl diesel offering from the liberty in the wrangler for 07 when the redesign hits. I can't understand how they could skip such a perfect idea. 160hp and 295ft/lb. would fit the jeep perfectly and solve some mileage issues. Chrysler ruined the Wrangler with the YJ lets hope they don't make another step backward with the new wrangler coming soon.
Let's get some facts correct:
The YJ introduced in 1986 as an early 1987 Model was an AMC design, and it's a great little Jeep. One of the best, in my opinion
Chrysler designed & built the TJ, which was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 Model.
I prefer the AMC designed YJ personally, but there are those who prefer the comfort of the TJ and it's coil spring suspension.