Takes some getting used to...

[dcmdon]

When I bought my Jeep I had concerns about whether I could live with every day. I asked on this board and the Gladiator forum and got a bunch of responses from hard core Jeeper guys.

Eventually I realized that their opinions were pretty much worthless to me. If you have been driving a Jeep for 10 years and consider the JL to be a huge step up from the JK and are happy about that, then you have no real reference for an opinion that was valuable to me.

If your previous car was a . . . car. Then I was interested in your opinion.

The reality is that the current Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator are more civilized and livable than they have ever been.

But the reality is also that they are far far bouncier, louder, and cruder than 95% of the street going vehicles out there, including other 4wd trucks with some off road capabilities.

In the end, I determined that this was fine. I was driving my car too fast and needed my new car to not be something that would reward fast driving.

My gladiator has an "old timey" feel that really doesn't encourage spirited driving. It's not like my wife's Miata, which is also slow, but when you push it a bit whispers in your ear "faster".

The jeep shouts in your ear "slow down".

I did get a Mojave which after driving almost every model I felt. gave me the best compromise between on road manners and off road capabilities.

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[txj2go]

Eventually I realized that their opinions were pretty much worthless to me. If you have been driving a Jeep for 10 years and consider the JL to be a huge step up from the JK and are happy about that, then you have no real reference for an opinion that was valuable to me.

If your previous car was a . . . car. Then I was interested in your opinion.

The reality is that the current Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator are more civilized and livable than they have ever been.

But the reality is also that they are far far bouncier, louder, and cruder than 95% of the street going vehicles out there, including other 4wd trucks with some off road capabilities.

I went through exactly the same thing. I had no experience in Wranglers but did have quite a bit of driving in a Grand Cherokee WJ. I rented a JLU from a local car rental and drove it around a little bit. The rental didn't go like I planned and I didn't drive very many miles but it was enough for me to feel what it was like and make a decision.

After I bought my JLU my neighbor was jealous. I suggested that he rent one and drive it around for awhile. He did and decided that the driver's seat wasn't roomy enough for him.

 

[Austin23]

The Jeep driving experience is definitely different than a car or truck. Just wait till you are driving 75-80 mph through the open country with a 30 mph cross wind. That's when the real fun begins! As you mentioned in your helicopter analogy, it does require constant driver input and you almost have to "crab" into it. All part of the Jeep experience. Enjoy!

 

[txj2go]

I think noise is a consideration for many people. This is the biggest downside to me. I had considered Hotheads liners so far I've just been living with it. I found this video that might interest people:

 

[rstoomanyhobbies]

Lots of good threads on the forum just search "wander caster" and stand back. My '23 2dr Rubi (hardtop) has been checked twice and it's 5.0deg caster on the dot. I hate the Wander and Steering play so someday I'll do the longer or adjustable LCA's to get 6+deg. then go from there. This is my 4th 2dr wrangler, first Rubi and I swear it takes more attention to drive than any other. One step at a time. Posts #13-14 are great info: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/mopar-fixed-lca-vs-adjustable-lca-for-rubi-xr.103501/

 

[keithcroshaw]

Yea as some have said I had a JKU for 10 years, after trading it in for a Gladiator I'm shocked how much smoother that extra wheelbase makes it (I assume, haven't driven a JL, I know blasphemous, I'm just watchin to see what'chall are up to). It is by no means a fast machine but I drive my wife's Subaru like an old man so it suits me.

 

[Opus]

I think noise is a consideration for many people. This is the biggest downside to me. I had considered Hotheads liners so far I've just been living with it. I found this video that might interest people:

It's odd. I have a two-door soft-top and the noise isn't that bad to me. I think it might be because before this I drove a Renegade with a roof rack that was noisy as hell. By comparison, the Wrangler doesn't seem that bad.

As for the wandering, again, it's a little relative to me. When I went to place my order in July, my dealer had a two-door Willys on the lot and suggested I take it for a drive. I hadn't driven a Wrangler in a while and I did feel that I was constantly having to correct the steering to keep in the middle of the lane. But by the time my Sport S with A/T tires arrived in November, it handled much better...

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