Set my expectations: Downsides to Jeep ownership

[m.cami]

I’ve wanted a Jeep since I was a teenager and last week I ordered my first Jeep. My twins are about to graduate high school this year so I’m trading in the sweet ass minivan for a sweet ass 4xe Sahara - after all, I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.

Consumer Reports has historically rated them super low, which is why we’ve never bought one before, but I figured YOLO and all that. Time for fun.

Despite the excitement for having a fun new car, I’d like to know what to expect negatively so I’m not surprised.


I saw a tiktok the other day that basically was like:

what’s the best part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep! ?

What’s the worst part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep ?

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[Retrograde]

Well, beyond being swindled by a Manufacturer/Dealer crime syndicate into paying twice what the thing is worth, I can't think of any.

 

[Beachcomber72]

I’ve wanted a Jeep since I was a teenager and last week I ordered my first Jeep. My twins are about to graduate high school this year so I’m trading in the sweet ass minivan for a sweet ass 4xe Sahara - after all, I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.

Consumer Reports has historically rated them super low, which is why we’ve never bought one before, but I figured YOLO and all that. Time for fun.

Despite the excitement for having a fun new car, I’d like to know what to expect negatively so I’m not surprised.


I saw a tiktok the other day that basically was like:

what’s the best part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep! ?

What’s the worst part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep ?

Expect to have fun driving it and enjoy its many potentials, period!!!

Look for positive, you’ll find positive. You look for negative, you’ll find negative. Let’s not look for negative…

Welcome to the Wrangler family.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I’ve wanted a Jeep since I was a teenager and last week I ordered my first Jeep. My twins are about to graduate high school this year so I’m trading in the sweet ass minivan for a sweet ass 4xe Sahara - after all, I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.

Consumer Reports has historically rated them super low, which is why we’ve never bought one before, but I figured YOLO and all that. Time for fun.

Despite the excitement for having a fun new car, I’d like to know what to expect negatively so I’m not surprised.


I saw a tiktok the other day that basically was like:

what’s the best part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep! ?

What’s the worst part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep ?

CR has hated Jeeps for as long as they have been publishing. I was reading their hate back in the 70s.

They are NOT smart people there? what ZACTLY would you compare a Jeep 2 droor Wrangler to...ahhh I know, wheelbase is the same so compare them to Corvettes. Fact is nothing goes heads up with a Jeep 2 or even 4 door. Maybe the Bronco of late but that is a maybe.

So before the haters pipe up I will give are Jeep owner's experience over: 18 new Jeeps since 1984 and untold miles, 2 of those 18 had over 100k miles, one had 136k miles. Most upon trade-in had 25-45k miles. In this timeframe, I went to dealers in many states and had 5 warranty issues. All but 1 was minor and some were fixed in the Service lane before it went into the shop. The one major issue was a 1 week old 2003 Rubicon that snapped a drivers side rear axle. It was examined and ruled a flaw was in the axle itself and it was replaced under warranty.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Simply put. It is a 4WD vehicle with straight axles. If you are used to cars and independent front suspension you will not be used to how it steers or tracks. 99.99% of Jeep ownership complaints are based on that. People expect it to be like any other “car” from 2023… it isn’t and it won’t be. If you expect it to drive like something designed 75 years ago, well you will be pleasantly surprised….

it is designed the way it is for a reason, and that reason is not for tracking straight or feeling planted on the corners. If you expect it to drive as good on the highway as your minivan, it won’t. If you expect it to be as cheap to maintain as your minivan, it won’t. If you think you can just drive it without knowing something about a Jeep, you won’t Be able to. You will have to know about tire psi and caster and diff fluid and gearing.

Good luck with the new Jeep.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Its the same as owning any other new car these days. Nothing different besides Wrangler being one of the cooler and enjoyable ones on the market.

CR has never been something I read or use to make decisions.

I owned a new 2019 Silverado Trailboss, total POS. Are all of them that way? Of course not.

Just to add I have owned 8 jeeps over last couple decades and never had one break down on me. 3 Wranglers in that mix. I had a Jeep CJ7, they were total garbage but cool factor could not be beat!

 

[jmccorm]

It's think it's great that it holds it's value very well, and there's a ton of aftermarket customizations for it. (Does Consumer Reports mention these factors?)

I think what I dislike most is fuel economy, and that's something I went into with my eyes wide open. Second to that, personal preference here, I actually dislike how low-tech it is for the price. Pre-Bronco, Jeep seems to have sat on it's laurels and didn't feel very motivated to keep on the refinement and improvement treadmill.

 

[Punkn89]

Make sure to enjoy the Jeep as is, don’t rush to add aftermarket mods - that can turn into a money pit which in turn can make you feel not so happy. There’s a lot a stock Jeep can do.

Take advantage of every warm, sunny day with the top down and doors off.

Make sure you keep up with general maintenance and keep an eye on those batteries.

 

[Jmos4]

Hi,

As others have said, don't expect smooth ride, low road noise, or fuel economy.

Do expect a very capable offroad vehicle, that doesn't mind deep snow, muddy roads, that gives you a sense/feedback of the terrain you're going over. Also get glass coverage as you will replace more than 1 windshield, even with gorilla glass.

Good luck with the wait and enjoy it when it arrives.

Regards,
Jim

 

[Packnbeer]

I’ve wanted a Jeep since I was a teenager and last week I ordered my first Jeep. My twins are about to graduate high school this year so I’m trading in the sweet ass minivan for a sweet ass 4xe Sahara - after all, I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.

Consumer Reports has historically rated them super low, which is why we’ve never bought one before, but I figured YOLO and all that. Time for fun.

Despite the excitement for having a fun new car, I’d like to know what to expect negatively so I’m not surprised.


I saw a tiktok the other day that basically was like:

what’s the best part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep! ?

What’s the worst part of owning a jeep?

It’s a Jeep ?

You will absolutely love it! Dont buy into the negative bullshit. I too had wanted a Wrangler my entire life and just bought my first one at the end of 2020. I have had zero issues except the start/stop aux battery and that will be covered under warranty when I get around to it. You will find most of the issues that people experience are after they do some type of modification and it wasnt up to their expectations. I am not saying dont do any mods, that the fun of having a Wrangler. I recomend driving it as is for a while after you get it to see what you really want to do to it vs what others say you should do to it. Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy going topless and occasionally take the top off the Jeep too

 

[Rodinator1234]

My best advice is to use as Wrangler as it is intended to be used. Go places you would not ordinarily go. Go do some Badge Of Honor Trails, go get out. Go have lunch in some places people don't usually go. Explore, get out of your comfort zone, let your hair get messy. Embrace the outside, that's when you will realize what a Jeep is really for. if you drive it like a Ford Explorer or a Toyota Camry disappointment will be what you will have, because it's not intended for that.

There is just something about driving down a bad dirt road in a beautiful place and saying wow, how did I find my self here. I find myself longing for my next adventure looking out over the hood of a Jeep. Planning, thinking....

 

[ATMO]

Random people will wave at you, and if this behavior isn't reciprocated, shun or shame will be bestowed upon you.

 

[kubicon]

I had a friend text me the other day "Hey test driving a new wrangler and it has the worst riding and steering I have ever felt"

I replied "not everyone should buy a Jeep, you need to look at something else"

I think you will get tons of opinions on quality, not only with Jeep but most brands, Look at Ford they are a mess.

If you go in wanting something that can go anywhere, as said above take the top off, and is fun to drive, then the Jeep may be for you. I have tried to not own a Jeep and keep coming back, its an addiction at this point.

 

[jmccorm]

Oh, one more thing. And this is more of a personal one that doesn't get mentioned that often:

Sensitivity to tire pressure. You really want to keep it around 37 (cold) assuming stock wheel and tires. Once the weather starts warming up and tire pressures rise, steering can become too loose if you've got too much air.

 

[blnewt]

@m.cami hopefully you've driven one prior to jumping in the deep end. It's quite a bit different than most anything else on the road. I love it, especially the go-cart factor of a 2door. Like most others have mentioned, it's a different beast on the road, simple for those that have driven live axle vehicles prior but can be a bit unnerving for many that have not.

But have no fear, just get acclimated to the overall driving characteristics over a short time and you'll feel right at home if you know going in that it's NOT what you've been used to in your pre-Jeep life

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