Talk me back into it.

[Sean L]

Did you have the Hemi before? I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with a V8 for 14 years. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with a Hemi for a couple of months (was my husband's before he bought something new, and I took his Overland). I can still merge into traffic and get out of anyone's way quickly enough in my Wrangler. The stronger engine was nice for towing, but in 6 years of owning that Jeep, it was only used for that twice. There was also a lag between putting my foot on the gas and the Jeep actually accelerating (that wasn't present in the 2001 V8 version).

I know 0-60 times are not the be all, end all in terms of speed, but my 2012 Grand Cherokee Hemi had a 0-60 of 6.5 sec. The Wrangler is apparently 6.1

Now if you are using it for towing, yeah, the Grand Cherokee or Ram with a Hemi would beat out the Wrangler every time, but the reality of day to day driving styles between my Hemi and the Wrangler's V6 is really unnoticeable (to me).

I traded in a 2010 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and let me tell you that thing would move when I needed it to. It took me a little bit to get used to the difference in driving a V-6 again (reduction of 110 Hp) but the much better fuel economy of this engine and transmission is really nice and makes up for it. The 8 speed really does a good job paired with the 3.6 as well, so I still have no trouble getting into and out of highway traffic.

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[Shooting or Jeeping]

I look at it like this: if it were all about being practical- everyone would drive a KIA Sorento and that’s it. If you don’t have a passion about what you drive- you have your solution. If you do, however, then you need to find what that passion actually is. Is it comfort, speed, ruggedness, options, etc? Personally, my young kids love driving with the tops and doors off. I like the look and the options to customize. The Jeep was a perfect fit. But if I had picked it apart as “safe and practical”- I’d be driving that white Kia with a license plate that’s said “Meh”.

 

[Sean L]

I look at it like this: if it were all about being practical- everyone would drive a KIA Sorento and that’s it. If you don’t have a passion about what you drive- you have your solution. If you do, however, then you need to find what that passion actually is. Is it comfort, speed, ruggedness, options, etc? Personally, my young kids love driving with the tops and doors off. I like the look and the options to customize. The Jeep was a perfect fit. But if I had picked it apart as “safe and practical”- I’d be driving that white Kia with a license plate that’s said “Meh”.

Actually just looked at the Sorento, doesn't look quite as boring as you're making it out to be lol. I usually use the Toyota Corolla as an example of a Meh whatever type of car.

 

[Shooting or Jeeping]

Actually just looked at the Sorento, doesn't look quite as boring as you're making it out to be lol. I usually use the Toyota Corolla as an example of a Meh whatever type of car.

I was trying to find a meh suv. But I can see your point.

 

[Sean L]

I was trying to find a meh suv. But I can see your point.

lol yep, I do know what you're getting at though. The Jeep Wrangler is very unique and isn't comparable to any other vehicle in current production. The FJ Cruiser and the XTerra aren't in production anymore, and they were the closest comparable vehicles in recent memory. Pretty much any other vehicle class is full of slightly different clones of their competitors. What makes the Kia Sorento any different than a Chevy Traverse? Or a Chevy Malibu from a Toyota Camry? They all have very similar sized engines with similar power output and similar fuel economy numbers. The Jeep Wrangler is definitely and refreshingly unique.

 

[555Redhorse]

Comparing a Jeep to any other vehicle really isn't the point. Its like apples and oranges. Jeep is a lifestyle. I find it to be the (pardon the pun) 'vehicle' for my personality. The more middle-age I get, the more individualistic I find myself wanting to be. I WANT customization/uniqueness. I WANT to be different from the rest of the rat race (My Mojito! color!) and I will pay for that privilege. The Wrangler is an expression of my personality. The culture, the ability to mod our jeeps the way we want to, and the memories of open air. Open air experience cant be beat. Almost the same benefits as a motorcycle (Harley guy here) with the safety, comfort, and modern conveniences of a 4 wheeler. As an example, the horn in my soccer mom Nissan Rogue is freggin embarrassing. I'd almost rather be in an accident than actual use it! There is nothing embarrassing about being in a Jeep. I'm proud of it. It will make you smile every time you see it, whether you are in it or not. Easy to spot in the Kroger's parking lot coming out with a cart of groceries. Driving into the parking lot of my disc golf league and seeing the rest of the guys turn around to look at it...priceless. Your kids will have more memories of the Jeep than any other vehicle you can get. I promise. Try the tops/doors off while your in the Smokey Mnts. Unreal!

 

[PavementWarrior]

There is no practical reason to buy a wrangler. Get a Subaru outback to haul your family around safely or the Ram if you need to haul "stuff".

That said turn all 3 on and see which one returns the favor. :O

 

[Sean L]

There is no practical reason to buy a wrangler. Get a Subaru outback to haul your family around safely or the Ram if you need to haul "stuff".

That said turn all 3 on and see which one returns the favor. :O

lol, Having driven all three I can say that all three do return the favor. I owned a Ram 1500 for years, my current Jeep is my first Jeep and the Outback was a great car, but the wife wasn't interested an any station wagons so we didn't buy it.

 

[BillG]

lol, Having driven all three I can say that all three do return the favor. I owned a Ram 1500 for years, my current Jeep is my first Jeep and the Outback was a great car, but the wife wasn't interested an any station wagons so we didn't buy it.

Maybe some people are just nymphos and it doesn’t take much to turn them on!

 

[Sean L]

Maybe some people are just nymphos and it doesn’t take much to turn them on!

lol, also the Outback isn't a Mehmobile and is very unique in it's own right.

 

[BillG]

lol, also the Outback isn't a Mehmobile and is very unique in it's own right.

It very well may be. Just playing a little. I’m coming from a 2500 dual cab Cummins. It’s a great vehicle, just more than I need anymore. I was ready to downsize, but not downgrade. The Jeep fits my current needs perfectly.

 

[Sean L]

It very well may be. Just playing a little. I’m coming from a 2500 dual cab Cummins. It’s a great vehicle, just more than I need anymore. I was ready to downsize, but not downgrade. The Jeep fits my current needs perfectly.

Same here, except mine was a 1500 Hemi. I really am happy with my new Jeep, don't get me wrong.

 

[NavyVet1959]

Let's see you do this with a Ram 1500

There's always compromises... Let's see you do this (i.e. carry a full size motorcycle) with a JL or JLU:

Every vehicle choice is a compromise since none of them do *everything* that we might want them to do.

A JL / JLU with a utility trailer though can serve many of the tasks that a pickup would be needed for.

 

[Sean L]

There's always compromises... Let's see you do this (i.e. carry a full size motorcycle) with a JL or JLU:

Every vehicle choice is a compromise since none of them do *everything* that we might want them to do.

A JL / JLU with a utility trailer though can serve many of the tasks that a pickup would be needed for.

Carry no, tow yes (provided I actually put a tow hitch on mine). Although the tow ratings for a wrangler are limited especially compared to a pickup.

 

[NavyVet1959]

Carry no, tow yes (provided I actually put a tow hitch on mine). Although the tow ratings for a wrangler are limited especially compared to a pickup.

And comparing how easy it is to put my Harley on my utility trailer (without any help) vs trying to load it in the back of my Ram, I can say that a utility trailer is a lot better for such endeavors. But, there are always compromises... Toll roads might charge more for 3 axles vs 2 axles... Parking is easier for a pickup with a motorcycle in the back than for a JL with a utility trailer...

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