Set my expectations: Downsides to Jeep ownership

[aldo98229]

I’ve been buying Jeeps for 25+ years, including nine Wranglers.

I’d say the Top 3 drawbacks of owning a Jeep are:

1. Terrible dealers. Jeep dealers were never great, but they have gotten worse in the past 7 years or so. My local Jeep dealer takes the meaning of the words “incompetent” and “dishonest” to new lows.
2. Inconsistent quality. You can get a completely trouble-free Jeep or a total lemon. It’s just the luck of the draw. Overall, your chances of having a trouble-free experience are greater than not. Still, the chances of getting a lemon are significant. If you have a little patience you can exorcise your Jeep’s issues and enjoy many years with a solid, rugged Jeep.
3. Shitty fuel economy. If you hate spending $100 a week in gas, buy something else.

Having said that, the moment you take your Jeep to explore a dirt road, on a moderate trail, or through a really bad blizzard, an entire new world opens up.

I keep coming back to Jeep because there’s nothing else like it. Not even Bronco. Not even close.

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[Chocolate Thunder]

Plenty of upside if the Jeep is the right fit - you. I’d strongly suggest renting one for a long weekend at least, and driving it in different scenarios including maybe a road trip of several hours.

Realistically there’s a number of downsides as well if you’re not one of the Kool-Aid drinking cult members that often populates forums. Most of these are objective, some have subjectivity
- it’s overpriced for what it is.
- the ride and drive is fairly bad on the road. Offroad it is supreme.
- the fit/finish build quality is lacking compared to other vehicles that are not Jeep Wranglers.
- the dealer service network is fair to poor.
- it’s noisy. Especially with a soft top and/or offroad tires.
- the steering may scare you, especially if it’s windy.
- if you get into modifying it, it gets really expensive really fast. And can make it less reliable.
- fuel economy is bad, particularly if modded for off-roading.

Good luck!

 

[rickinAZ]

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.

How the heck do you remember the warranty issues? - I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday. My wife also has (seemingly) total recall on past vehicle repairs - frustrates the crap out of me.

 

[Shark01]

I'm like the OP, been wanting one for 15+ years but never owned one.

I look at it like this, I'll buy it, and if I don't like it after a year, it will be on a CarMax lot somewhere. If I end up $20k down, at least the desire will never be there again, and I can go from Jeep envy to pointing and going Ha-Ha (insert Simpson character voice).

 

[Deleted member 59498]

I'm like the OP, been wanting one for 15+ years but never owned one.

I look at it like this, I'll buy it, and if I don't like it after a year, it will be on a CarMax lot somewhere. If I end up $20k down, at least the desire will never be there again, and I can go from Jeep envy to pointing and going Ha-Ha (insert Simpson character voice).

Well you are in luck resale is the best of all SUVs out there if you have to go that route.

 

[Sparty]

2 pieces of advice:

1) Don't ever listen to consumer reports. It's all a scam

2) Get the hell off tiktok


Go out and enjoy your Jeep. Don't overthink it. Unfortunately, they are overpriced nowadays, but so is everything else.

If you're still unsure, read reviews from people and go out and test drive as many as you can

 

[Old Jeeper]

How the heck do you remember the warranty issues? - I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday. My wife also has (seemingly) total recall on past vehicle repairs - frustrates the crap out of me.

When you have only had 5, its easy to remember made more so by the folks on forums that seem to live with nothing but problems...

 

[Heimkehr]

@m.cami
Welcome to sweet ass Jeep ownership.

Peruse the 4xe subforum as time permits. Lots of good intel on the issues du jour.

Enthusiast forums have a tendency to magnify whatever problem(s) are being discussed. Keep that in mind if you're chasing one of your own. That said, follow this cogent advice and the world will be your oyster.

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

 

[Roky]

What to expect…?
Everything that’s been said is great advice….one of the most important things is…there’ll be no more putting on makeup while driving, no more looking at your girls in the rear view mirror carrying on a conversation, no looking down for something you may have dropped, all of these things will result in you being in the ditch…..in other words, it’s not gonna be as easy of a drive to the market as it was in the minivan…..BUT……if you thought you were a cool mom before, just wait, you’re gonna be off the charts in your new rig……

 

[Bocephus]

Welcome to the experience. Lots of fun to be had ahead. I’m in northern Va too, great jeep community here with lots of trail rides and gatherings. Look for Nova Jeepers or LoCo Jeepers (if you’re in Loudoun) on Facebook.

 

[Shibadog]

Lots of good advice given. As stated, a Jeep's NOT like any conventional “modern” vehicle. Ride is rough, they are noisy, handling is a touch wonky, fuel economy is poor and build quality is “meh”. Folks either love them or hate them. Obviously most here love ‘em, BUT they are most definitely NOT for everyone. Do yourself an enormous favor and rent one for at least a week, driving it as you actually WILL be driving. If you like it, great, you’re a jeeper. If you don’t or aren’t certain, don’t sign on the dotted line ‘cause you’ll regret it. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Zandcwhite]

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

Everything costs twice what it's worth these days. I read the Nissan sentra is now the cheapest new vehicle at $25k for a base model. At that point, comparatively my $60k Jeep was a deal and I definitely wouldn't trade it for 2 shitty Sentras.

 

[SaintNick]

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 ?

The worst part is they ride like crap and are somewhat loud.

Best part is they can be modified more than any other vehicle that I can think of.

 

[Shelly_16_86]

I made the move from a 2019 Mustang to my 2023 Willy's XR. Certainly 2 different vehicles and many others nailed it. Two solid axles and body on Frame build have a uniqueness about them that I have really only found in older pickups. I can't help but love it. I'm down here in the SWVA area and it really seems to be Jeep country down here.

 

[Bulletbill]

You’re looking at a vehicle that is often heavily modified, probably more than any other production vehicle out today. Likely half of those lifting or modifying it are doing it for looks and image which results in substandard modifications that they then bitch about to consumer reports.

If you buy it for what it is, an extremely capable off-road vehicle that is a suitable to drive on the street, take your time with mods, and use quality parts then you shouldn’t have any issues.

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