Pull the trigger on a JL Wrangler or avoid them?

[Bullwinkle]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

I love mine...I could go on, but we'd end up back here, lol...peace

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[Glovetown]

Since I wasn't able to fire up a 2 door vs 4 door debate I'll try to be useful and share my thoughts.

We had a Grand Cherokee and a Ram 2500. On a whim we stopped to look at Wranglers. I knew zero about them but have always liked the way they looked. Because of that, I didn't think twice about the 2.0T. It had plenty of pep, handled about like I'd expect for a short wheelbase solid front axle vehicle, and it had the features we wanted.

Only a month later we took it from Dallas to Colorado. We had an amazing adventure, and made great memories. Over the next year, I joined the forum, installed a lift, and learned there was a steering TSB. The steering was acceptable, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to have the TSB performed. I went for it and was pleased to benefit from a modest improvement in handling.

I love diesels so I decided to trade in my forever truck to order a diesel Wrangler. After reading multiple comments describing problems with that engine, I almost cancelled my order. Fortunately, I did not because I LOVE the diesel. It really is a bummer it isn't offered in a 2 door.

If you are realistic about your expectations for handling, reliability, and fit/finish, you'll be satisfied with a Wrangler. if you enjoy being outdoors to exploring roads less travelled there isn't a better choice in my opinion.

A Wrangler isn't a luxury sports car, but on the other hand, a Wrangler isn't a luxury sports car.

Go rent one for the weekend and then decide.

 

[Retrograde]

The fact that you're looking at a 2 door makes me question your judgment.
Everybody knows 4 doors are better.

That's what your wife told you to say.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Perhaps, I think it could be said... People get a wrangler because they want a wrangler, specifically.

I know I did. Very few people ever go into a dealership / car retailer and say "I'm in the market for a new SUV," test drive a few different models, and settle on a wrangler. Maybe that's true with a Cherokee, Explorer, Subaru, or the like SUV's... but usually not a Jeep Wrangler. It's just such a different type of vehicle both in the way it handles and the different things people use it for. It's kinda what sets "jeep wrangler" people apart from other SUV owners. And I think the inverse is also true - If you test drive a wrangler vs. other SUV's, and you like the wrangler the best... then you are definitely a Jeep person, no doubt.

 

[Shibadog]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

A Jeep is a horse of a different color. Most here love them which is why we buy them. They ride/ drive “different“ than the typical soccer mom mobile, they are “crude” compared to modern SUV’s. With that said, those of us who love them wouldn’t want anything else. My Wranglers have been as reliable as anything else I’ve owned, and I’ve owned a Bunch of vehicles. Take a long test ride (or better yet, rent one for a week or so. Drive the way you’ll normally drive it. If it speaks to you, buy it. If you have doubts, don’t as you’ll likely be disappointed. Good luck!

 

[dsgrey]

I have a 2019 that hasn't seen a dealership since I bought it 3 years ago. Except this week, to get the steering gear upgrade before the warranty runs out.

We bought a 2022 Honda in October. Within a week and at 400 miles the entire infotainment system died which includes all climate controls, etc. It took them a week to find another one and replace it.

Every manufacturer has vehicles with issues. Join a forum for any X brand vehicle and you will see the complaints. People complain more than they praise. One of the positives of a forum like this is to identify potential problems versus a dealership just saying "it's a jeep thang". Same goes for the X brand vehic

 

[old mike]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

No, no, absolutely not, if you have to agonize over the decision, then you don't really have the syndrome and won't want it if you get it.

A JL, especially a 2 door, is just not for you and you won't like it. They cost a lot to buy and even more to fix and they break down a lot. They're just a lot of trouble and not worth it, no fun at all. The folks on this forum who are encouraging you to get one are just pulling your leg and, if you get one, you'll even need to pay more to install a dead pedal to support that leg.

Besides, you buying what you're not going to like is just going to reduce the supply and drive up the prices for the poor fools who can't help themselves.

 

[Av8Chuck]

We have had both the two door Sport and the four door Rubicon. The Sport was a great grocery getter, easy to park, fun to drive locally around town and off road, we had no problems with steering but it only had 33's, and my wife loved (So I loved it..). But we rarely took it on long trips because it rode so badly. I replaced the shocks but nothing made it any better. The problem is the wheelbase, its very short and depending on the road it bounced along, especially on concrete roads where the frequency of the cement joints really made the jeep oscillate. Ram short bed trucks suffered from the same problem.

Our JL is much newer, the ride is way better and it's very stable. The creature comforts are much better and it's a very capable off roader and pleasant daily driver. My wife has a Porsche Cayenne, obviously on road performance is very different, it's amazing how locked in the Cayenne is, although the JL is not as responsive it's still comparably stable. We take the JL everywhere.

Like all cars, it really depends on what kind of driving and what you want your Jeep to do.

 

[ChargingBuffalo]

We have had both the two door Sport and the four door Rubicon. The Sport was a great grocery getter, easy to park, fun to drive locally around town and off road, we had no problems with steering but it only had 33's, and my wife loved (So I loved it..). But we rarely took it on long trips because it rode so badly. I replaced the shocks but nothing made it any better. The problem is the wheelbase, its very short and depending on the road it bounced along, especially on concrete roads where the frequency of the cement joints really made the jeep oscillate. Ram short bed trucks suffered from the same problem.

Our JL is much newer, the ride is way better and it's very stable. The creature comforts are much better and it's a very capable off roader and pleasant daily driver. My wife has a Porsche Cayenne, obviously on road performance is very different, it's amazing how locked in the Cayenne is, although the JL is not as responsive it's still comparably stable. We take the JL everywhere.

Like all cars, it really depends on what kind of driving and what you want your Jeep to do.

I had a few trucks that had problems in the rear and would get wheel hop where the back end would be all over on washboard roads, wasn't a big deal unless we had a drop off on the side of us.

 

[rlmlive]

I am kind of like you. I am 51 and have always wanted a Jeep. My car got totaled last year. I was looking for a new vehicle for a daily driver. I had heard the stories of the bad ride, so I went on Turo and rented a two-door wrangler for the weekend. And I loved it! I didn’t care that it didn’t ride as good as my car. It was fun. The most fun I’ve ever had in a car.

Now I should caution you that owning a Jeep is like joining a cult. The waves, ducks, random conversations with fellow jeep owners at oddball places. Not to mention all of the extra $$$ you will spend on mods. Get a Jeep. The only regret you will have is that you didn’t get one sooner.

 

[hoag4147]

Hello, I been debating on a purchasing a JL 2 door Wrangler Sport. I love how they look and like many, always wanted to own one. I get on these forums and read all the issues people have after not even 6 months of owning them and horror stories about how they ride on the highway. I'm 52 years old and my mom owned a 1988 Wrangler back in the early 90s and loved it. Is it like other vehicles and just luck of the draw for quality issues or is it really that bad on trips to the dealer for service? Also on the ride, I thought the JL was fine on the highway then see people talking about service bulletins and ripping the way their JL drives over 45mph. What's your experience and opinion on this? I'm at a loss on if I should pull the trigger and just get one or will I regret it and have issue after issue. Thanks.

Tons of good feedback in this thread so far. However, IMO you should test drive both 2 and 4dr models over the next 2-3 months and then make your way down to DFW area and buy my low mileage 2018 when my new one arrives ?

 

[Chile1]

bro you are not gonna get a NO on a Jeep JL forum....lol All kidding aside yes, get one. You wont regret it. i purchased mine as my weekend toy and this is what my daily driver is doing these days....

 

[Dan M.]

I have a 2019 that hasn't seen a dealership since I bought it 3 years ago. Except this week, to get the steering gear upgrade before the warranty runs out.

We bought a 2022 Honda in October. Within a week and at 400 miles the entire infotainment system died which includes all climate controls, etc. It took them a week to find another one and replace it.

Every manufacturer has vehicles with issues. Join a forum for any X brand vehicle and you will see the complaints. People complain more than they praise. One of the positives of a forum like this is to identify potential problems versus a dealership just saying "it's a jeep thang". Same goes for the X brand vehic

Totally agree. Toyota's are supposed to be super reliable, but if you check out a Tacoma forum you would think they were made out of papier mache.

 

[ChargingBuffalo]

Totally agree. Toyota's are supposed to be super reliable, but if you check out a Tacoma forum you would think they were made out of papier mache.

Good point!

 

[The Beef]

Got a 2022 JLU WIllys (soft top) in January. It's my daily, and I'm on the highway stuck in Miami traffic every day commuting (30 miles each way).

Is it loud at first? Sure, you get use to it. no big deal. When you're actually on the highway and not bumper to bumper? It's great to drive, but you do need a bit of a heavy foot to maintain speed on the slightest of inclines. If you don't mind cruising under 65 it's no big deal, and if you give 0 f's about gas mileage, than nail it down 75 and keep it moving.

Handling overall is fine. I honestly think after the first 1,000 miles the steering seems to tighten up, or you just get use to the "looser" steering.

The main issue is if you're tall. I'm 6'4 and the seat itself is fine enough, but the actual length to the steering wheel is awkward . Absolutely not able not fully extend my arm like in any other vehicle ever and nds up with my wrist on top of the steering wheel. The leather wrapped steering wheel has 0 forgiveness, it's simply uncomfortable. However, when the window is down it's perfectly comfortable to rest my elbow on the door at an angle.

The plot twist is that the passenger seat is actually fantastic for 6'4 passengers.

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