Set my expectations: Downsides to Jeep ownership

[JLRyder]

Ok downsides:

1. Windy conditions/interstate driving requires focus
2. Fuel economy (forget about it)
3. Little space for a family and their crap (even jlu)
4. Service departments not trustworthy, avoid at all cost
5. Driver fatigue, you have to drive this Jeep (focus x2)

Sum it all up, in my opinion, it’s not a long commute/family/economy car; if that’s your goal you are square peg round hole’ ing this.

Lastly, Quality. Many on the forums can scare you with their issues and have the right to inform the masses, but my experience is that the JL is no different than any other vehicle, just take care of it and it will take care of you (like follow the mx schedule)

I hope you get one,this is my 4th, and when I sold each I missed it 4 months later.

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[Nitehawk92]

After wanting a Jeep all my life, I have been driving them for the last 20+ years. 2001 TJ that I had until 2020, and three JLU's. If you can afford it, by all means follow your dreams. I have never had any unexpected problems in my 20+ years. I did have to put a new starter, water pump, and radiator on my TJ, but it was well into the teens before I had any problem like the problems listed above. I am very happy with my Jeeps and wish I would have bought one 20 years earlier. Nothing like driving the Jeep with the doors and top off on a warm summer day. You will love it...

 

[Chief_Dan]

Lots of good advice here & it is easy to spot. For me my JLUR is a lot more comfortable than my 1990 Toyota 4x4, about the same as my wife's 2007 Highlander & about the same as my daughter's 2015 Toyota Sienna. So, unless you are coming from a real luxurious minivan, I think you will be fine.

As mentioned, it is a solid front axle, so when it comes to steering it is different. Just try not to over correct & get in a fight with it. Hold your line & anticipate & evenly correct the steering.

So, when you pick up your Sahara, very first thing, make sure ALL the fuses under the hood are pushed in nice & solid. Don't go by looks, push them in, you will be surprised that some will actually click in place. Then let air out of the tires to 37 psi, they will probably be around 45+psi for transportation, this will make steering easier & the ride more comfortable.

When you get home...
If you or spouse, or family member or good friend knows how to wrench, make sure ALL the suspension components are good & tight, nothing loose.

Do this & you shouldn't really have any problems. Plus it will make it easier to diagnose any problems you may have down the road.

Lastly, the bug to modify is an evil one. Once you start though it is hard to stop. It is easy to make it your own & there are a ton of aftermarket parts available. From neat interior items to lifts, tires, & everything in between.

Have fun, as you will now have the COOL ride. My kids & grandkids love my Jeep.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Some downsides of owning a Jeep are:

• You could overpay for one if you aren’t careful and don’t do your research. They aren’t getting any cheaper.
• Don’t expect a Cadillac-smooth, easy handling ride. Wranglers are designed as off-road capable vehicles that can be street driven, not the other way around. Don’t get me wrong - lots of ways to make them handle better, but definitely test drive the heck out of one before you buy.
• Not the best choice if you have a duck allergy. Just sayin’.

That’s about all I got. ? Really, most fun vehicle ever. ?

 

[MayThe4x4BWU]

My short experience (coming up on 6 months ownership, first Wrangler ever for me) with my Jeep so far, I've only encountered a handful of downsides/negatives. Many of which have already been mentioned by others (loose feel to steering at higher speeds, lots of input required to keep her from wandering around in lane, windy days, etc)

The only one I can add...which might be funny, but isn't at the time it happens, is getting into it at night and forgetting to step up and knocking your shin into the step/rail, etc. ?

I dunno if my brain just forgets that I don't have a low profile vehicle anymore and would've just brushed it off if it was a one-time occurrence...but I've hit my damn shin on my step/rail several times...always at night (and no, was not drinking at the time lol)

But yeah, I consider it a negative, because it f'ing hurts!!! ?

Hopefully it's just another thing my brain/body needs more time to adjust to with her. If I keep doing this, I'm pretty sure eventually I'm going to break a bone ?

Anyways, congrats on the order. You'll have more fun with it than not! ?

 

[Smoke Showing]

33 years ago I took my drivers test in a Jeep, 33 years from now (if I’m still here) I’ll be driving a Jeep. Is it the best all around vehicle? no. Does it make life more enjoyable? absolutely.

 

[Joe98]

The drivers seat is designed so you can see well off road. Therefore on the highway, on a long drive the seat is not comfy. Experiment a bit with different supports till you find the right one.

It has 2 solid axles so on the highway be very careful.
- I set my cruise control to 10kph below the speed limit.
- If a big truck is coming the other way I slow down as the wind can be a problem.
- With potholes or a sudden rough surface slow down again
- Better late than dead.

 

[blackthought_]

I love my Jeep JL and have own a few wranglers over the years. A few things that I wish it did better
-Better steering. Lots of flop in the steering and it feels loose
-Even with a good headliner and a hardtop, tons of road noise above 50mph
-Slow as a turtle. I mean, the JL is MUCH better than the old JK but still, I floor it and I don’t get very far. A 392 maybe fix that!

 

[LOBBS]

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 ?

Consumer Reports is irrelevant to anyone who views their cars as anything more than an appliance. Pretty much any vehicle than has an ounce of excitement is poorly rated.

 

[Reinen]

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 usually respond "Well, where did you drive it?" (The answer is always on-road)
Followed up by "Oh, Jeeps aren't made for that. They can do it but that's not what they're designed for. You have to go someplace that will destroy a car to find out how good the riding and steering is. Otherwise it's the wrong tool for the job."

 

[A-Dog]

33 years ago I took my drivers test in a Jeep, 33 years from now (if I’m still here) I’ll be driving a Jeep. Is it the best all around vehicle? no. Does it make life more enjoyable? absolutely.

So funny! 31 years ago for me. I inherited a 1982 CJ-7 after 3 older brothers moved on to something more reliable. I was 16. When it rained, I got wet. When it was cold, I could see my breath inside the vehicle. Most of the time I had to park on a hill so I could pop the clutch to start it; but man, nothing was better than country cruising in it after bailing hay all day, or taking a date to the drive in theater with the top off. I ended up rolling it in a cornfield when I lost steering control on a loose gravel road and hit the ditch. That was when I was 18. I just bought a $60k+ Rubicon with features I could never have dreamed of....but I still miss my my first Jeep

 

[J.Ferreira]

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).

I've wanted one for 26 or 27 years. I'm 35 now. I haven't regretted a single day. Fuel can be a bit of a pain, but I have a 70 mile round trip commute. It was already a pain.
I enjoy driving it, I enjoy it offroad, I love being able to take any part of the top off at a moments whim, I love washing it. Being brand new it hasn't seen a carwash yet, I take it to a local spray and wash and have like 30 microfiber towels. I wash, dry, and use a spray wax once a week. (That will probably lessen with nice summer weather and top down more often)

I really, truly hope you get to have a similar experience.

 

[J.Ferreira]

@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.
Look for negative, you'll find negative."
Beachcomber72, 2023

 

[Shark01]

I read the Nissan sentra is now the cheapest new vehicle at $25k for a base model.

Nope, no better than 7th place. We bought #4 for our 16 year old daughter last year, and it is a GREAT little car that is fun to drive with its manual transmission. Honestly, it's amazing how well equipped it is for the money.


1. 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage ES: $17,600

2. 2023 Kia Rio LX: $17,645

3. 2022 Hyundai Accent SE: $17,740

4. 2023 Nissan Versa S: $18,425

5. 2023 Kia Forte LX: $20,585

6. 2023 Hyundai Venue SE: $20,795

7. 2022 Nissan Sentra S: $21,045

 

[Billkowski]

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

Exactly, of almost all new vehicles out there, it is more likely to be worth what you pay for it...or at least it's closer when it's time to sell it.

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