Finally test drive a 392

[No IFS]

Funny, I had the exact same experience when test driving the 2.0. It felt slow and sluggish. The jeep felt way too heavy for the little four-cylinder motor and the exhaust note was horrible.

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[BEACHED WHALE]

It’s obviously objective. Way too much hype on it though. Way overpriced. I think that’s why there are so many used ones for sale. I don’t think the really rich guys on this forum buy them to sell them for a few xtra thousand.. it’s was thrown together to compete with ford as they focus on the new wrangler 6 cylinder probably 24/25

 

[balucipher]

So I've had a 3.6 Gladiator, a 4xe Rubicon, and now my 392

3.6 is a workhorse. Got decent mileage, never exciting but never really left me wanting. Perfectly good engine and no surprise FCA uses it in everything

the 4xe was also great. In hybrid mode it SCOOTED, passing power was basically as good as the 392 and electric power meant no lag. Best driving on the 3 because of the batteries sitting down low. Once the battery was <1% and it was 2.0T only, whew was it slow. 2.0 felt like it was struggling with the weight. I have a 60ish mile commute so half the time I was out of battery if I didn't charge at work so it wasn't great. For most people, I think the 4xe is a great option, especially with gas prices continuing to rise.

The 392 at first didn't impress me. Felt heavy, yes the exhaust is hilarious and the power constantly there, but I felt like it could be faster. Then I found offroad plus mode. Basically like sport mode. Very happy with it in this mode, engine is very responsive and all the go I want all the time.

 

[Frostbyte]

I test drive my 392XR all the time. And I agree...it absolutely sucks. It's not loud enough, slow, handles like crap, not enough shit-n-git, can't brake worth a damn, way too heavy, looks stupid with such big tires, and turns my wife's panties dryer than an Arizona desert. You should NOT get one!!! The less of them out there the better! Everyone should just get the 4-banger and call it a day.

 

[No IFS]

Ram trucks should ditch that stupid heavy big V-8 392 and put the 2.0 4 cylinder in all the three-quarter and 1 ton trucks. That will definitely show up Fords 7.3 L big block Godzilla.

 

[aldo98229]

It’s obviously objective. Way too much hype on it though. Way overpriced. I think that’s why there are so many used ones for sale. I don’t think the really rich guys on this forum buy them to sell them for a few xtra thousand.. it’s was thrown together to compete with ford as they focus on the new wrangler 6 cylinder probably 24/25

I wouldn't be surprised if current fuel prices are making some owners get rid of their 392. That, and the usual Wrangler compromises.

People who spend $80,000 on a new vehicle are rarely in it for the long haul anyway.

 

[bohnster]

It’s obviously objective.

Subjective...

 

[BEACHED WHALE]

Funny, I had the exact same experience when test driving the 2.0. It felt slow and sluggish. The jeep felt way too heavy for the little four-cylinder motor and the exhaust note was horrible.

Was that when you were rock crawling the rubicon or mall dragging?

 

[pablo_max3045]

My buddy has a Mercedes AMG wagon with like 600hp.. That thing is crazy fun with that huge engine and the noise it makes.
On the other hand, a work colleague of mine has a Ford escort RS with a 2.0l with about the same power and half the weight. (race car) That thing it is violently fast and puts a huge smile on your face.
I would prefer to have one thing thing designed around going fast and another designed for off roading.
I don't begrudge anyone else for it though. If I'm not making your payments, it's not my business.

 

[JustinB]

So a slightly used beautiful 392 @ a great price. I figure why not. Took my new JLUR 2.0 over to the dealer got an almost sticker trade in and took the 392 out for a spin. Not for me. First, took out my stop watch. Didnt meet the under 5 seconds from a stop just by pressing on the gas. 2nd,the theatrics we see online about getting thrown back into your seat is complete BS. Not the thrill they claim. 3rd, its VERY HEAVY with a deep brake and lots of play in steering. Would I buy it? Yes but not nearly what they are asking. The hemi even feels old compard to the 2.0. I leave with saying that the 2.0 technology is awesome (much more so than the 3.6) and Im really looking for to the inline 6 twin turbo

Maybe that's why it has a great price. There is clearly something wrong with the 392 you test drove. Everything you mentioned that it didn't do for you mine does for me consistently.
I'm at 4.4 seconds 0 to 60 (w/93 octane).
My GF about throws up when I nail the gas. I've mastered my breathing technique so I'm good .
It is def heavy, like 5,200 lbs., but the power to weight ratio in conjunction with the gearing make it extremely quick. I eat mustangs & Camaros all day long (from 0 to 80 I gotcha).
The steering stability feel isn't like what it is on a car, but again, there's a lot of tire sidewall. Still, I feel completely in control at 80. When I'm up near 95 then yes, I'm more on edge.

If given a chance I'd suggest you test drive a different 392. Don't let that one skew your perception or you may skip out on true great deal down the road.

 

[JRudi392]

Surprised nobody mentioned the OP's location (if that is correct). Salt Lake City is 4500' above sea level. Aren't you supposed to take 1 second off 0-60 times at that high an elevation?

 

[BEACHED WHALE]

I’ll close it out and say IMO that it’s a different animal then what most jeepers are accustomed to for better or worse.

 

[Heimkehr]

this is why I always custom order.
Once it touches the lot it can get aggressive treatment on test drives.
Sometimes (usually?) without warming up the oil at all.

Agreed.

When I was ready to write a check for a new Ural, I refused a good deal on a very well-kitted Sahara (functionally, the top-line model). It was a demonstrator, and I wanted no part of the clumsy treatment that it suffered from test riders that treated it in a manner equivalent to what we've seen discussed in this thread. It would've been worse, actually, since piloting a sidecar rig requires some measure of skill. There's more involved than just sitting down and pressing one's right foot to the floor. Any rube can do that.

And so mine was fresh out of the crate. The only ass on the seat is mine. Ahem.

 

[BijanF]

So a slightly used beautiful 392 @ a great price. I figure why not. Took my new JLUR 2.0 over to the dealer got an almost sticker trade in and took the 392 out for a spin. Not for me. First, took out my stop watch. Didnt meet the under 5 seconds from a stop just by pressing on the gas. 2nd,the theatrics we see online about getting thrown back into your seat is complete BS. Not the thrill they claim. 3rd, its VERY HEAVY with a deep brake and lots of play in steering. Would I buy it? Yes but not nearly what they are asking. The hemi even feels old compard to the 2.0. I leave with saying that the 2.0 technology is awesome (much more so than the 3.6) and Im really looking for to the inline 6 twin turbo

I literally just test drove on yesterday and you couldn’t be more wrong!!! Absolutely ridiculous statements from beginning to end my friend.

 

[rickinAZ]

Surprised nobody mentioned the OP's location (if that is correct). Salt Lake City is 4500' above sea level. Aren't you supposed to take 1 second off 0-60 times at that high an elevation?

You lose 3% of horsepower per 1,000', but I've never heard that translate into 0-60 impact.

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