If You Replaced your Wrangler, NOT with a Wrangler…What would you Chose?

[Steph1]

Actually, just did exactly that

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[Rad-Beach-88]

Actually, just did exactly that

Congrats, that’s THE Color on the defender! What ultimately led you to deciding on the defender over other options?

 

[JSFoster75]

What can I say, I love the combo of quirky and iconic - what Jeep owner doesn't?

And, despite a limited range, the reviews are through the roof...

Our local Honda dealer already has a used one on the lot.

 

[wibornz]

With the ZR2 you sacrifice some towing capacity compared to the other Colorado trims. Was that something that gave you pause before you made the final purchase decision?

No, because my camper weighs 3200 pounds. I have no desire to pull a big RV or anything more. My around the house trail has a load capacity of 4000 pounds, The days of big horse trailers and such are gone. I could still flat tow the JLUR if needed.

Eventually, the ZR2 will see some off roading. Like desert running and normal IFS type trails. Just not really right now. We plan on moving and building out in Arizona or Utah in a couple years. The ZR2 will be perfect for about 90% of the trails we run and by then the JLUR will have over 200,0000 miles on it.

 

[Steph1]

Congrats, that’s THE Color on the defender! What ultimately led you to deciding on the defender over other options?

Well, first of all, the Defender is one of very few that have a soul, just like the Jeep which was a must. So that ruled out the new Land cruiser or Lexus or any other for that matter.

Second, I wanted something I don’t see at every street corner and that looked at its place as much offroad as it does at valet service of a classy restaurant or hotel.

I owned a Discovery along with my TJ some 20 years ago which remained to this day the vehicle I enjoyed the most driving, but it was a reliability nightmare. But I kept looking for that great feeling. When I found out that the Defender was by far the most reliable ever made by Land Rover and in fact did very very well, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Having owned Jeep since forever, I’ve had my share of topless and doorless driving. So been there, done that…. I sundenly wanted a grown up vehicle with similar thrills as my Jeep and the Defender it was. Too bad that it’s the cost of 2 Jeeps, but hey… I’m retiring in 8 months and wanted to treat myself with a vehicle I love and that checks all my wants and needs.

It just drives like a freakin dream and makes me feel like a million bucks.

 

[Punkn89]

Well, first of all, the Defender is one of very few that have a soul, just like the Jeep which was a must. So that ruled out the new Land cruiser or Lexus or any other for that matter.

Second, I wanted something I don’t see at every street corner and that looked at its place as much offroad as it does at valet service of a classy restaurant or hotel.

I owned a Discovery along with my TJ some 20 years ago which remained to this day the vehicle I enjoyed the most driving, but it was a reliability nightmare. But I kept looking for that great feeling. When I found out that the Defender was by far the most reliable ever made by Land Rover and in fact did very very well, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Having owned Jeep since forever, I’ve had my share of topless and doorless driving. So been there, done that…. I sundenly wanted a grown up vehicle with similar thrills as my Jeep and the Defender it was. Too bad that it’s the cost of 2 Jeeps, but hey… I’m retiring in 8 months and wanted to treat myself with a vehicle I love and that checks all my wants and needs.

It just drives like a freakin dream and makes me feel like a million bucks.

Congrats! 110X?

 

[future ocean blue]

I would choose a 2 door Bronco with a painted hard top. But would probably have to get a 4 door.

 

[Heimkehr]

I would choose a 2 door Bronco with a painted hard top. But would probably have to get a 4 door.

I wonder if a 2 door Bronco would be easier to live with than would a 2 door Wrangler. The former is undeniably larger, although not excessively so.

 

[Rad-Beach-88]

Well, first of all, the Defender is one of very few that have a soul, just like the Jeep which was a must. So that ruled out the new Land cruiser or Lexus or any other for that matter.

Second, I wanted something I don’t see at every street corner and that looked at its place as much offroad as it does at valet service of a classy restaurant or hotel.

I owned a Discovery along with my TJ some 20 years ago which remained to this day the vehicle I enjoyed the most driving, but it was a reliability nightmare. But I kept looking for that great feeling. When I found out that the Defender was by far the most reliable ever made by Land Rover and in fact did very very well, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Having owned Jeep since forever, I’ve had my share of topless and doorless driving. So been there, done that…. I sundenly wanted a grown up vehicle with similar thrills as my Jeep and the Defender it was. Too bad that it’s the cost of 2 Jeeps, but hey… I’m retiring in 8 months and wanted to treat myself with a vehicle I love and that checks all my wants and needs.

It just drives like a freakin dream and makes me feel like a million bucks.

That’s all great to hear and similar things I’m reading. I passed by a Lexus Dealership tonight and turned around to sit in a GX and the packaging just seems tights for a largish SUV. The interior looked and felt nice, but it was dark, just everywhere. One of the power folding seats was having an issue folding sooo we wrapped it up and left. It didn’t really feel like it was worth the $75-80k price tag inside for its size. Defender is next on the list to checkout.

 

[Steph1]

That’s all great to hear and similar things I’m reading. I passed by a Lexus Dealership tonight and turned around to sit in a GX and the packaging just seems tights for a largish SUV. The interior looked and felt nice, but it was dark, just everywhere. One of the power folding seats was having an issue folding sooo we wrapped it up and left. It didn’t really feel like it was worth the $75-80k price tag inside for its size. Defender is next on the list to checkout.

I say do yourself a favor and go try the Defender.

 

[Heimkehr]

That’s all great to hear and similar things I’m reading. I passed by a Lexus Dealership tonight and turned around to sit in a GX and the packaging just seems tight for a largish SUV.

Ever-expanding dashboards and ever-wider center consoles are to blame. The former is a natural and necessary consequence of increasing windscreen rakes in the endless quest for fractional improvements in MPG. The latter just tends to happen.

I remember feeling crowded when test-sitting a few new light trucks a couple of years ago. At 6'4", a full-size pickup should be the last refuge, an oasis, for lanky SOBs like myself. Nope. That used to be true, but not anymore.

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

I bought a 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 for a daily driver. I like that it is not a huge truck. It has a turbo 4cly that fell like a diesel engine. 310 hp. 430 lbs of torque. 350 lbs of torque at 1500 rpms.

It comes from the factory with 3 in lift and 33 inch tires and factory frame mounted rock sliders. front and rear lockers. a sweet off road suspension. We ordered the truck so there is a premo sound system and a power sunroof. pus all the other nice options. The truck looks great, handles great and honestly the only thing I can complain about is the blower fan is loud when turned up. Love 15 or so different dash layouts, Lover the info system. and the seat are nice. I tinted the side windows and bought a like new tonneau bed cover off Facebook Market Place for $75. We have put 7,000 miles on it since we bought at the end of September 2024. We avg 17.2 with it and 20 mpg on the hyw. I could have bought a gladiator, but in reality It is a much better truck. I watched a ton of videos on Youtube and there really are no bad reviews of it. The negatives were things like no sunglasses holders and no garage door openers built in. Just now that I jumped this truck with 18 miles on it in our field. I was flying across the hayfield and aired it out. I was surprised when it landed that it did not bottom out. I was doing in excess of 60 mph and it was a smooth ride. Mind you I have don 60 + in my lifted wrangler, but it is not even close for the ride quality. It is no replacement for my JLUR, but it is a better daily driver.

Note they are normally in the garage.....

love that the zr2 issues are sunglasses holders and such - high praise in my eyes!

 

[JT1]

I wonder if a 2 door Bronco would be easier to live with than would a 2 door Wrangler. The former is undeniably larger, although not excessively so.

2 door Broncos have some definite advantages over the 2 door JL. There is way more space behind the back seat (you can fit a normal size cooler and a pair of lawn chairs with the back seats up) and the rear seat is split, so if you have 3 passengers you can still haul some things.

Hope the new 2 door wrangler addresses both of those shortcomings of the JL. If they stretch the 2 door to a 105" wb and add a 50/50 rear seat and even 5" of additional behind the rear seats capacity, I'll buy another one. LJs were the perfect wrangler before they added extra doors.

 

[Goes]

I’ve replaced my Wrangler 8 times, (counting CJs, I’m on my 9th Wrangler right now). Replaced them with sports cars, family cars, trucks, but every time I end up going back to a Wrangler.

 

[Rad-Beach-88]

I say do yourself a favor and go try the Defender.

After running a few Errands today, I cracked a smile when a Land Rover dealership came into view. My passenger once again Annoyed, me delighted…we pulled in : ). Full stop, we were both impressed. With its solid feel, no creaks from the seats from the interior pieces, that’s both new and pre-owned(36k miles)units we sat in. Storage everywhere, rugged, great fit & finished. It was detail oriented even in the cargo area. The salesman casually offered a drive and Holy Shit, It Is Refined! The steering is really light, but I pulled up in a Wrangler on 35”s! I genuinely felt cocooned in its solid feel and ride. The menus were all easily accessed and was able to customize the layout quickly while on the fly. It was pouring down rain and the lack of patter on the roof was noticeable. Even my partner admitted out loud to the salesperson he hated that he liked it the most of our recent dealership adventures.

Yes, so I wanna go back to a softy for a Daily. But options abound and I think Wrangler life FOR ME, personally… is best going to be served with Warm weekends with the Roof/doors off.
I think the Debate to my O.P. Is narrowed down to the Defender or Cayenne, unless Toyota releases a V6 Land Cruiser or GR version For the U.S.

The Defender is shockingly finished all the way around, seat rails, cargo area and storage places all rubberized, textured or sealed. While my wranglers rear wiper fluid connector looks like it was attached at the factory only seconds before leaving the Line. I get the Utility part of wranglers, but it’s not to say they couldn’t clean up the overall fit and finish, while leaning more into the actual Utility part. Outside of 4 tie-downs, 60/40 split and a 12-volt it’s totally devoid of “cargo-management”. Versus the Defenders Diamond-Rubberized coating front to rear, Dog-vents, Safari windows, underfloor bins. Storage bin in rear cargo door. Just my 2-cents, loved seeing everyone’s ideas on the other side of their own proverbial fence. Subies,Raptors,bmws, and more surprising (to me) lots of Bronco answers!

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