Sport S over Sahara?

[m3reno]

I purchased a fully optioned Sport S with a manual transmission and am happy with my choice. The jeep went through 16 inches of unplowed snow with 0 issues. I also don't like the leather seats as its super hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. The cloth seats are the better choice. I have the tow package which comes with the larger alternator and bigger battery. Also have the Alpine stereo with the 8.4 screen which blows away the stock stereo. Lastly, I have the heated seats and steering wheel.

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[GinaC]

Those are reasons to get a Willys over a Sport S or Sahara???

By the time I decked out a Sport with all the options I wanted, the Willys was cheaper and I could keep the vehicle stock.

 

[m3reno]

The willys is 3,000 more. Just for rear lockers that he won't use and 33" tires vs 32. I'd stick for the Sport S

 

[Carguy34]

If I have no intention of off-roading, why would I get a Willys?

Why get a Wrangler at all? Why a new one? (Honest questions)

Do you plan to take the top off? It doesn’t sound like it if you’re concerned with the color. What about the doors?

The Willys looks way better than the Sport with the bigger tires and some other features (stronger axle, locker, etc) that you may not care about. We covered that looks matter above with the color of the hard top being critical. It’s also been established that having a “loaded up with leather” version matters too.

Value seems to not be the driver of this decision, so maybe a Wrangler is a good choice for you. Wranglers have traditionally held their value well and even though they’re the most expensive SUV in its size, they retained that, because of capabilities off road. Trust me, it’s not the cargo space for Costco runs. At least not in my two door. Recently, the 4xe’s have killed the value and Wranglers have become more common place. It’s not the same value world they once fell into.

So, don’t read into the cynicism from some other too hard. However, based on what’s actually been outlined for this purchase, it doesn’t sound like any Wrangler is a good match. Would you care to elaborate on why this seems like the best option? If we have more details, you’ll get better guidance. Good luck!

 

[BXFXJeep]

OP seems to be going for a "loaded up" Sport S, which usually means it kicks you up to the price of a higher trim without the benefits of the higher trim. Which is why going for the Willys was suggested.


So this leads me to the Sport S, which I would get pretty well equipped, including the Mopar Katzkin leather seats, side steps, safety group, etc.

 

[Blacksport]

I’m preparing to purchase a new Wrangler sometime in the near future.

I won’t be off-roading, so on paper the Sahara makes most sense. However, there are two things I don’t like about the Sahara:

1) it only comes with a bodymatched painted hard top, not the black freedom top. I much prefer the look of the black hard top (and no, I don’t want a soft-top nor do I want a black body).

2) you can’t get a new Sahara with a manual transmission. I know a lot of people don’t love the JL manual, but I much prefer rowing my own gears.

So this leads me to the Sport S, which I would get pretty well equipped, including the Mopar Katzkin leather seats, side steps, safety group, etc.

My sense is a loaded-up Sport S is pretty much the same as a Sahara, but am I missing anything? Am I making a mistake?

Thanks!

By that standard, a Wrangler, with all of its compromises, won't be the best use of your purchase dollars.

There are so so many issues with the manual and the ZF8 is a sweet transmission.

meshtinfreedom: I purchased a 2-door Sport S with manual & V6 for my runaround vehicle and absolutely love it! I also own a C8 Corvette and a BMW Z4M, both with (boring, IMO) auto trannys, although the C8 has a fast-shifting DCT, and the BMW has the ZF8 like the Jeeps get. Yes, there are numerous complaints about the Jeep's 6-speed manual, but why??

I've owned over 15 M/T equipped cars and can say the Japanese-built manual in my Sport S has been totally flawless over 8000 miles. I should probably be curious as to what the "complaints" are, but since mine has been perfect, and I've been driving M/Ts for 40 years, I'm not...

Heinkehr mentions "all the compromises" with the Wrangler, but I'm gonna tell you the advantages: The 4-cam, 24v, 3.6L V6 and 6-speed are a great combination...especially when compared to most SUVs with 4-cylinders & autos. You sit up high, so headlights don't blind you as much, and it's easy to spot in a parking lot. The 2-door hardtop has amazing visibility... both my C8 & Z4M have terrible rear visibility, unless the top is down. The gorilla glass windshield is chip-proof, hopefully even bulletproof, the center display is far better than the C8 or the BMW, with great phone & google-map integration. The steering is superb & the suspension is, well it's a Jeep...I was stuck in traffic a few weeks ago, drove over the curb and was out of there...love it!

 

[There’sOnlyOne]

Definitely test drive both trim levels and transmissions. That will help your decision. If the only thing stopping you from a Sahara, not including the manual, I am sure you would easily find a willing fellow Jeepr that would happily swap a painted hardtop for their ""regular" black hardtop. That would be a very easy swap.

 

[Ratbert]

The gorilla glass windshield is chip-proof, hopefully even bulletproof

You expect us to believe anything you say when you include complete bullshit like this? Both of the cracked Gorilla Glass windshields I had replaced had chips in them, along with, of course, massive cracks. They're not magic.

 

[Carguy34]

You expect us to believe anything you say when you include complete bullshit like this? Both of the cracked Gorilla Glass windshields I had replaced had chips in them, along with, of course, massive cracks. They're not magic.

I was laughing too. I haven’t replaced mine yet, but I know the day is coming.

 

[Blacksport]

You expect us to believe anything you say when you include complete bullshit like this? Both of the cracked Gorilla Glass windshields I had replaced had chips in them, along with, of course, massive cracks. They're not magic.

What are you whining about? Gorillas come with a 2-year warranty. That "bulletproof" comment was mostly a joke...sorry it went over your head.

 

[Ratbert]

What are you whining about? Gorillas come with a 2-year warranty. That "bulletproof" comment was mostly a joke...sorry it went over your head.

Today I learned that "chip-proof" and "2-year warranty" are the same thing to some people.

 

[Sportacus]

The sahara comes with slightly bigger brakes.
it also comes with 18s and usually street tires
I believe can come with full time 4wd (standard).
You could easily find someone willing to swap a black hard top for your painted one.


the sport manual comes with D44 rear standard. Maybe lsd?
Has street or off road/AT tire option depending on package you get.
*none of this really matters if you dont plan to off road.

 

[Sportacus]

If you want a manual then the answer has already been given. All thats left is to ask

 

[ag4ever]

I have a Sahara with the 20” rims. If you want a comfortable wrangler for street driving, the Sahara is the right trim. It drives very “sporty” for what it is.

If the manual is the sticking point, there are no other debatable points.

if you like the open air the SkyOneTouch is great.

 

[meshtinfreedom]

Why get a Wrangler at all? Why a new one? (Honest questions)

Do you plan to take the top off? It doesn’t sound like it if you’re concerned with the color. What about the doors?

The Willys looks way better than the Sport with the bigger tires and some other features (stronger axle, locker, etc) that you may not care about. We covered that looks matter above with the color of the hard top being critical. It’s also been established that having a “loaded up with leather” version matters too.

Value seems to not be the driver of this decision, so maybe a Wrangler is a good choice for you. Wranglers have traditionally held their value well and even though they’re the most expensive SUV in its size, they retained that, because of capabilities off road. Trust me, it’s not the cargo space for Costco runs. At least not in my two door. Recently, the 4xe’s have killed the value and Wranglers have become more common place. It’s not the same value world they once fell into.

So, don’t read into the cynicism from some other too hard. However, based on what’s actually been outlined for this purchase, it doesn’t sound like any Wrangler is a good match. Would you care to elaborate on why this seems like the best option? If we have more details, you’ll get better guidance. Good luck!

Great questions. A little background:

My first car was a TJ Wrangler, V6 manual transmission, soft top. Great car, but eventually needed something that had 4 doors and was better on the highway.

My second car is a Jeep Patriot 2.4L manual transmission. Much better on the highway than the Wrangler, but nowhere near as fun around town.

Both were unbelievably reliable and have made me a loyal Jeep fan.

I love the simplicity of the JL. Physical buttons! Naturally aspirated engine! Analog gauge cluster! Manual transmission! Not many (if any) new car today offers that.

I also have kids and kids think Jeep Wranglers are the coolest cars on the planet

As far as colors, my favorite are Firecracker Red, '41 Green, Fathom Blue.

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