Potential Newb Daily Driver Question/Concern

[GreyFox]

^This. Except for the Hummer part, nothing cool about a Hummer. Maybe: look "like a" Tool?

Nothing cool about a Hummer? My husband would disagree

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[OldGuyNewJeep]

^This. Except for the Hummer part, nothing cool about a Hummer. Maybe: look "like a" Tool?

Agree. Asked wife for hummer to look cool. All I got was a dirty look.

 

[GreyFox]

Agree. Asked wife for hummer to look cool. All I got was a dirty look.

 

[TimmH]

Hi everybody. My wife is looking at a new Sahara for her daily driver, and I was wondering what folks could offer for thoughts on the Sahara? We both like the idea of the Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System for the day to day drive come winter with snow and black ice. I drove the 4 Cyclinder a couple of months ago in a Rubicon and was pretty impressed.

A few questions come to mind:
-Realistic Fuel Economy Expectations
-How does the Wrangler handle on the highway (especially on a windy day)
-What are the pro’s and con’s a new owner should expect

I guess in short, we’re looking for current owners thoughts. I’ve watched/read multiple reviews, so I’ve got a good idea of what to expect as does my wife. I’d just like to see what others think.

It's not going to get 25+ mpg, 17-23 is more realistic depending on driving and conditions. I average mid 17's with the 3.6L.

It's not going to ride or handle like an typical SUV, but it is comfortable and handles decently. Heavy wind can push you around some, but nothing too drastic.

Pros: Smiles, lots of smiles. Very capable DD as well as exceptional off-roader. Ability to customize/personalize. Did I mention smiles?

Cons: Not sure I can think of many that aren't subjective to personal tastes. For me the biggest is lack of front seat adjust-ability, which seems to be common among the taller guys. I put in a dead pedal and it help alleviate many of my seating discomforts.

 

[Kevin’s Rubi]

If you can, rent one for a day somewhere. I don't have mine (yet) either, we rented one in Moab for a week and I'm sold, just not yet ready to drop the coin and don't really need an other car until my son has his license and some reason to drive somewhere while I need a car too. We rented a sport with - I believe - the mopar 2inch lift and larger tires and I loved it, on road (not that I'd have gone 80 but it - cough - could have) and especially off road. I drive a 16 year old Tacoma off road, felt pretty similar, but totally different from my wife's VW. I call it bouncy fun Not a fan of the VW.
Fuel economy is meh, I don't know what kind of wind you get in Montana, but it's a big brick on wheels, so not like a Subaru or other 4wd sedan/station wagon.
Pros - to me? I've never had this much fun in a car. We had a hard top with the Bestop sunrider roof that folds back in seconds, car fit my 6'3'' like a glove, but very different from a "regular" car like our VW Jetta station wagon or the Passat we had before. But not that different from my Tacoma.
Cons - well, it likes gas, but I don't have to drive much day to day so don't care. And it likes add ons and accessories that eat a hole in your wallet. But the fun is gonna be worth it to me

A regular 30 min test drive would have not convinced me, a week on and off road sold me. That being said, my wife prefers her VW, more "direct and on tracks" if you will.

Rent one or if some friends have one see if you can borrow it for a couple hours and drive where you normally drive. And open the roof while doing so if weather allows

^ YEP,

Rent one. If you don't love it... walk away. I actually walk out into the garage just to look at my JL from time to time.

 

[GreyFox]

^ YEP,

Rent one. If you don't love it... walk away. I actually walk out into the garage just to look at my JL from time to time.

Take pictures on your phone and look at them! I do

 

[Kevin’s Rubi]

Take pictures on your phone and look at them! I do

Me too!! And the Rubi is my screen saver!!

 

[Kevin’s Rubi]

Nothing cool about a Hummer? My husband would disagree

I gotta admit that when I see a Hummer I think; "Oh hell, that thing is gonna draw fire. I gotta get the hell away from it."

 

[blnewt]

Put my stock tires & wheels on for long 1k+ road trips, I figure my Patagonias will last longer, and running the smaller soccer-mom Michelins would make for a more comfortable and economical drive. Went from NM to KS a couple weeks back and got 25-26mpg running 75mph, so mission accomplished!
But didn't look very cool, lol!

 

[ThirtyOne]

I took my wife's Tahoe for a 3 day trip earlier this month.

When I got back we were both very ready to swap back.

The Tahoe was quieter, roomier, smoother, more solid on the highway, and had more power.

The Wrangler is just much more fun to drive.

The question I would ask is why you are leaning towards a Wrangler? Based on the answer to that you can decide whether it's really the right SUV for you.

 

[Lou Bunn]

We're on our first Jeep - a Sport S with tons of options, V6 and 8 speed auto, soft top. MPG is 22 according to computer, I hope it bumps up a little after the first oil change. I guess I'm "lucky" since we didn't have any problems, and this forum is mostly folks talking about problems, when hey aren't giving each other a hard time about model choice, but that's mostly in fun. The question about using it as a daily driver, I'll just say, there are better vehicles for commuting, but - and this is subjective - IF - you find yourself smiling each time you get in the Jeep, then nothing will make your day better than driving it. It'll make you forget a bad day at work for sure!

 

[530->408jeepney]

18 Sahara here 3.6 stick. I get around 20 mpg. My recommendation get the upgraded sound system coz it helps drown out the wind noise, it sounds really good, and it’s a lot of fun!

 

[GreyFox]

I gotta admit that when I see a Hummer I think; "Oh hell, that thing is gonna draw fire. I gotta get the hell away from it."

Well, I was referring to a different "hummer"

 

[TJ2018]

I guess in short, we’re looking for current owners thoughts. I’ve watched/read multiple reviews, so I’ve got a good idea of what to expect as does my wife. I’d just like to see what others think.

If you go in with realistic expectations, that's half the battle right there. The new JL is a heck of a lot more daily driver friendly than previous models, but it's a body on frame Jeep with 2 live axles and the aerodynamics of a shoe box. My $.02 worth is DEFINITELY get the upgraded sound (I didn't and regret it), LED lighting (I DID and LOVE it) and given your locale the Cold Weather Group. The 2.0T is a great engine... have it in our Rubi and love it. And the Selec-Trac is great for inclement weather. Leather would be nice too. It'll be a very capable Jeep yet suitable for daily driver duty.

Our Rubicon does daily driver duty and I have absolutely ZERO regrets about it. It's our first Jeep and we couldn't be happier with it. What I like about the 2.0 is that you can get 18-20 MPG all day long even if you're in city traffic. And driving a Wrangler gives you a feeling very few vehicles offer.

If you belong to the group of folk who've always wanted a Wrangler but never did/could/whatever.. now is a great time to take the leap. Just do it for you and don't give a flip about what anyone else thinks.

Good luck!

 

[TJ2018]

Well, I was referring to a different "hummer"

I'm SURE you're referring to an H2 vs H3...

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