Talk me back into it.

[Ruby Jack]

So I’ve been researching and waiting to buy my Wrangler next month. I’ve been very excited about finally getting one. Not that I’m a few weeks away I’m becoming hesitant on pulling he trigger. It doesn’t get the greatest gas mileage. It doesn’t have a ton of storage. It’s probably not as safe as most cars out there. And I’ve been hearing horror story after horror story about some people and their new JL. There’s no doubt it’d be fun but do I really want to drop 45k on fun? I have a 3 year old son. Is it gonna be an ok choice for him? I know there’s no logical reason to pay 45k on an off-road vehicle when it’ll probably only go off-road 5% of the time. HELP ME!!! Lol!
I’ve been starting to lean towards the new 2019 Ram 1500.

If you're worried about the QC "horror stories" then I'd hold off for a 2019 model where they'll get some of the kinks out. The 2018s are the first models of a completely new platform and small issues are to be expected from those. I personally got an extended 10 year warranty, so I'm not worried about it. Also keep in mind there there are probably over 90k JLs on the street, so if even if 1 in 1000 has problems, that's still like 9k people complaining.

As for the bad fuel economy, that is to be expected with the Jeep's box design and body on frame with solid axles. It's designed with off-roading at number 1, not highway driving.

In terms of safety, it seems pretty dang safe TBH. You're basically driving an SUV TRUCK. Even though it has lass airbags than my WRX, I feel a lot safer driving my Jeep. It feels a lot more solid. Throw on some steel bumpers and you could drive through a brick wall.



To be honest though, we shouldn't have to convince you of anything. Look at the JL and see what it offers. If you don't think the off roadiness is worth all the compromises, then don't get it. A Grand Cherokee is also a great choice if you want to do some off roading but still have better daily driving feel.

Sponsored

 

[mwilk012]

Every time I get in my jeep, it makes me happy. Can a reasonable vehicle do the same for you?

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Ok, look at it this way!

You have a three year old son!

In another 12-14 years he will be starting to drive!

Which would he prefer to drive around in when he gets his license, on old dodge pickup truck are a really cool lifted Jeep!

Enough said!

Being a Daddy done right.. I expect no less from a fellow Louisianan

 

[DivingPyrate]

If you have to be talked into it, don do it
People love them or hate them, there is no luke warm.

Personally by this post, I would recommend you not buy one

 

[BlackRook]

Jeeps are inherently illogical purchases. It's an archaic body on frame on two sticks platform, that is a dinosaur by modern standards. All posts here are correct, there is no way to talk somebody into (or back into) a Wrangler. It has to... I dunno, call to you, if that makes sense.

That said, I've got a 5 year old and a 2 year old, and Wrangler is the only vehicle I'm considering. I know there are safer cars. I drive a modern Explorer, which is such a car. It drives like a mom-mobile. It's killing me slowly. My wife's Camry is dependable and fuel efficient. It's sapping my soul. Life is too short for such misery.

Further, Going back to the first line of this post, if you ask a kid if they want a nice dependable car or an "illogical dinosaur on sticks," which will they choose? Sometimes, you gotta unleash the inner 3 year old. Your real kids will appreciate it.

 

[Hagie]

I am 1 year out from my purchase and after I took a quick research test drive I was pretty much dead set. A year or 2 ago if you would have asked me what I would have looked at I would have said Tacoma or Tundra, and right now they just don't fit the mold anymore. I am 1 year out, and I am kind of glad about that so they 1st year can get some of the kinks out. I am just not excited about the prices etching up more and more. Hopeful by this time next year to have $10k in hand and walk out with what I want for the price I want. I am actually ready for the dealer process.

Yesterday we my 5 year old son and I were sitting next to a guy that had a '15 Willy's while my wife was in Lowe's and when he came out I asked if how he liked the Jeep...knowing what the answer was 90% going to be. Then I asked my son if I should get a car that we could take the top off and doors off and he beamed. Something about being the coolest ever to your kid at this age is so redeeming, knowing that in another 5-7 I will be considered a monster that doesn't let him do anything or leave him alone.

This will be my wife and I's first Jeep, but we both coveted them as teens 20 years ago.

Now the count down for the down payment begins!

 

[SWIRVN]

I just changed from a full size crew cab truck to the JLU. Granted that this is my 4th Wrangler since I have been driving so I have do have bias but will say you can’t go wrong either way. If you are looking for practically the truck will be better but the Jeep will be more enjoyable to drive. If you tow or have a regular need to haul stuff in the bed then the truck makes sense. Again, both are capable vehicles in different ways. I don’t miss parking the truck one bit!

 

[WXman]

So I’ve been researching and waiting to buy my Wrangler next month. I’ve been very excited about finally getting one. Not that I’m a few weeks away I’m becoming hesitant on pulling he trigger. It doesn’t get the greatest gas mileage. It doesn’t have a ton of storage. It’s probably not as safe as most cars out there. And I’ve been hearing horror story after horror story about some people and their new JL. There’s no doubt it’d be fun but do I really want to drop 45k on fun? I have a 3 year old son. Is it gonna be an ok choice for him? I know there’s no logical reason to pay 45k on an off-road vehicle when it’ll probably only go off-road 5% of the time. HELP ME!!! Lol!
I’ve been starting to lean towards the new 2019 Ram 1500.

My life motto is this: "When in doubt, don't."

If you're not 100% in love with the JL Wrangler, then it's not for you. However, I disagree with your points. I was seeing 22 MPGs in combined city/highway driving with my JL when it was stock, which is phenomenal for a 4x4. It has more storage than a Ram unless you put a bed cover on the truck. It's plenty safe...I've seen many horrendous accidents involving Jeeps where the occupants walked away on their own power.

Life is uncertain. The Wrangler is for the person who doesn't want to drive the same thing everybody else is driving. It's built different because it is meant to appeal to that niche market. You do make some sacrificies to drive a Wrangler, but "Jeepers" consider those things a hallmark.

 

[SOON]

Thanks guys.

It was a moment of weakness. I’m back onboard. Lol!

It’s my first Wrangler so I don’t “get it” yet. But I’m sure I will once I have it.

 

[sacourtney07]

Only reason I bought a Wrangler was to take it where others vehicles couldn’t go, cheaply and reliably. If I didn’t want to do that, you’d never see me in one.

 

[LeaN69]

You know there’s a reason we wave to each other.

My soon to be 6 year old loves my JLUR, he doesn’t care for my wife’s Infiniti, or his grand parents Porsche suv, or E63amg, or 335 convertible or Lexus ISFsport. He even liked my Ram1500 and was happy I got rid of it for the Jeep. Every time we drive a different car he’s disappointed that we’re not taking the Jeep out.

So deny your kid happiness, don’t get one, save some Benjamins.

 

[AwCrimety]

You know there’s a reason we wave to each other.

My soon to be 6 year old loves my JLUR, he doesn’t care for my wife’s Infiniti, or his grand parents Porsche suv, or E63amg, or 335 convertible or Lexus ISFsport. He even liked my Ram1500 and was happy I got rid of it for the Jeep. Every time we drive a different car he’s disappointed that we’re not taking the Jeep out.

So deny your kid happiness, don’t get one, save some Benjamins.

My six year old is the same! He himself waves to every jeep he sees,...even when he's in my wife's ford.

 

[NavyVet1959]

Also keep in mind there there are probably over 90k JLs on the street, so if even if 1 in 1000 has problems, that's still like 9k people complaining.

You might want to recalculate that...

Those who are bad at math probably should always use a calculator...

 

[hubble]

My life motto is this: "When in doubt, don't."

My motto is "when in doubt, gas it"

 

[BillG]

All I can say is that I’ve gone full circle. From my first vehicle I traded my uncle out of, to my latest.

Sponsored