Thinking the unthinkable

[2nd 392]

Yes. Downsizing to a 2-door Wrangler has crossed my mind!

I did enjoy watching Tommy’s Willys 2-door series very much.

There was something about going back to Jeep’s rugged simplicity tradition that I found very appealing.

What would really piss me off is if I order a Wrangler 2-door and then Jeep announces a longer version...

Yes. Both of you are right.

I just need to take a break and a deep breath, and all the things that I love about owning a Jeep will come right back.

Yes. Resistance is futile.

I’m hooked. Jeep has me by the balls...

“My name is Aldo and I am a Jeep-oholic.”

So I guess swapping out the Mopar LCAs with an adjustable set sounds like the next logical thing to try.

Your addiction is too severe to quit cold turkey. Suggest a two step plan. 1– make the small changes to improve satisfaction now and keep it. 2– in time the T-6 should hopefully make it to the 2 dr. 400 hp small Jeeps are FUN. (Perhaps stretched) Your addiction can not be cured, but it can be controlled. Consider this wellness therapy. ? BTW— my wife was a manager at a rehab hospital, the repeat percentage was very high and invariably back to the drug of choice. Very expensive- each withdrawal. Getting a Taco etc, then needing a Jeep fix, would be much more expensive.

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[dcmdon]

Oh, yeah, I wasn’t thinking of the Corolla GR. It’s supposed to be an incredible car, but it’s not my cup of tea.

When the warranty on my Spider runs out, I may look into stuffing a larger turbo. An increase of only 20-30 HP would go a long way in a car that only weighs 2,300 lbs.

We put a supercharger kit on my wife's 2001 Miata. I set it up to run only 5 ish psi and it really woke it up. We considered a Flyin' Miata turbo kit but it was major surgery on the car and a lot more money. In the end, we were very happy.

I always wanted a red Mazdaspeed Miata. As it came from the factory it was pretty mild, but the plumbing and electronics were already all there to bump up the size of the turbo. That's the biggest benefit of the Alfa over the Mazda in current day stuff. The alfa is already plumbed for a turbo.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I had to do an emergency brake/lane change at 45 MPH a couple months ago. I have a lot of high performance and track driving experience, so training and experience took over before I could think about what was happening. My 2 stock door and MTs handled it shockingly well, even with the tires at near lockup.

Good on ya. I went to Robert E Lee HS.

 

[Bswen]

Audi A6 is my daily. Fast, nimble, good gas as long as Im not into the supercharger. May tune it as well to go from 340 to 430HP for less than $600. Very fun car to drive.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Been watching this thread because I am in a similar situation. While I don't have my wrangler anymore, I may be looking to get back into one. I've owned a golden eagle TJ, JKR, JKU, and recently a JLU. I loved each one and also fell out of love of each one. I loved the looks of all of them and the capability. I loved being able to drop the top, pop the panels off, or pushing a button with the SOT. I love not having to shovel the driveway or dig my car out of the city streets. I also loved that it was rugged that I could beat up on it. I love the aftermarket support, and the community. Out of the batch I've owned my worst one was my 07 JKU sahara because it had electrical gremlins.

Now while I did love them, there were things I absolutely hated that come with the territory of owning a Jeep. I hated not being able to hold a conversation at higher speeds, the rough ride wearing down on me when driving daily, lack of modern touches that the JL sort of addressed. Can't really change the MPG problem either.

I'd have a hard time picking my favorite because I love the space, and ability to carry people of the 4dr, but love the maneuverability of the 2dr. Looks were a moot point for me as I think each has their own distinctive characteristics. Part of why I sold my wranglers was because I was not doing wrangler things with them. The last 2 jeeps I owned didn't leave the pavement and they were probably the most capable ones. Thinking of planning a family has me locked into getting a 4dr again, but I think I'd pick a 2dr over a 4dr if it were just me and the wife.

Part of me wants to make a move into one now, but given the interest rates and crazy high pricing of wranglers now I may hold off. 60k for a similar trim JLUR that I owned back in 2019 is insane!! I can't see myself dropping that kind of cash for a wrangler. I also want to see what the refresh may bring along with trying the Bronco out. Also curious what the next gen 4runner will bring. Part of me is also looking back into the JK generation - one that I'm very familiar with but it's kind of hard to take a step back in tech and comforts when coming from the JL generation. As you can see I'm all over the place because I'm trying to find that perfect vehicle that combines practicality, reliability, fun, affordability, and utility... haha it's a lot to ask.

Anyway after my long winded story, maybe you'll find a way to relate and look at your wrangler in a new light. What did/do you love about it? Are you doing Jeep things with it? Do you want to do Jeep stuff with it?

Edit: The TJ was fun to drive and super maneuverable but hate that my foot kept getting caught in the tub. My 07JKU sucked ass b/c of the electrical gremlins and the 3.8 was a dog; 10 ruby red JKR manual was awesome - supercharged it but still didn't match the 3.6 pentastar imo; 12 JKR call of duty MWR edition was possibly my favorite jeep, I just hated black after a while; 19 JLUR 3.6L was my most loaded jeep ever and tied for my fav jeep so far - loved the SOT, auto starter, sharp looks, definitely needed that dead pedal from quadratec.

Tough shot to call and you a lot of loves, likes and dislikes, makes it hard to pick thru.

Then you said wait on the refresh. I find that comical. Go back in time and look at ANY year(s) you chose and you find the Jeep of 1949 looks a LOT like the Jeep of 2023, same profile, be careful what you wish for we got burned on that one, wanted and waited on a refresh and go square headlights instead.

If you are handy and have time and coin, pick a base model at the cheapest about $39k and build it out to your choosing. Get the color you want run with it.

OR

Turn back the pages of time and go for the best Jeep and engine combo the TJ and build that. That was my goal, but just could not find the TJ I wanted time was not on my side I needed a 3rd car bad. So I ordered a 2023 JLR.

FYI out of my last 18 Jeeps since 84 my only electrical issue was my '85 which had a short in the driver's side tail light due to an unattached ground wire.

Then of course there is the Coin$. My 2023 JLR was $63k and was not maxed out on options, I did order the option I wanted and skipped on stuff I saw no use for like Cold Weather here in FL 87 F today and the next 10 days in the high 80s. Yes, my '03 TJR cost $21k and now 3x for the same Jeep 20 years later. Jeep is so optioned out today that there is very little refresh to do.

A lot to chose from, pick wisely!

 

[aldo98229]

...be careful what you wish for; we got burned on that one. Waited and waited on a refresh and got square headlights instead.

?

Then of course there is the Coin$. My 2023 JLR was $63k and was not maxed out on options, I did order the option I wanted and skipped on stuff I saw no use for like Cold Weather here in FL 87 F today and the next 10 days in the high 80s. Yes, my '03 TJR cost $21k and now 3x for the same Jeep 20 years later. Jeep is so optioned out today that there is very little refresh to do.

A lot to chose from, pick wisely!

The MSRP on the exact same Jeep I now have would be $61,000. At least that what it was last time I checked.

If I were just getting into a Wrangler right now, I doubt I would at these prices.

So, another factor I have to consider is: whenever I move on from Wranglers, I won’t be coming back.

 

[Old Jeeper]

?



The MSRP on the exact same Jeep I now have would be $61,000. At least that what it was last time I checked.

If I were just getting into a Wrangler right now, I doubt I would at these prices.

So, another factor I have to think about is: if I ever leave Wranglers, chances are I am not getting back in again.

You are dead on, you get out and hard to get back into the pipeline. My last JKR was $39k and then my JLR was $63,000 exactly. The dealer took my JK trade-in and sold it for $44k. Usually, go back is often time buying used and stepping up to new a few years later. Keep an eye on mine JLR at my age, my Jeep could turn into an Estate sale in a heartbeat or my case the lack of a heartbeat. I do know I don't have a lot of Jeeps left in me.

But if they drop in a BIG 6 in line I think I will need to make that jump. It will be on the lines of the TJ 6, the best wheeling engine ever! The only thing it was weak on the top end, not really an Interstate flier beyond about 65 mph, poor mpg, and no ability to pass a truck. I did Supercharge my TJ and world if difference.

 

[aldo98229]

You are dead on, you get out and hard to get back into the pipeline. My last JKR was $39k and then my JLR was $63,000 exactly. The dealer took my JK trade-in and sold it for $44k. Usually, go back is often time buying used and stepping up to new a few years later. Keep an eye on mine JLR at my age, my Jeep could turn into an Estate sale in a heartbeat or my case the lack of a heartbeat. I do know I don't have a lot of Jeeps left in me.

But if they drop in a BIG 6 in line I think I will need to make that jump. It will be on the lines of the TJ 6, the best wheeling engine ever! The only thing it was weak on the top end, not really an Interstate flier beyond about 65 mph, poor mpg, and no ability to pass a truck. I did Supercharge my TJ and world if difference.

I had the 4.0L I-6 on my 1995 and 2001 Grand Cherokees. It was mated to a 4-speed automatic in both cases.

The engine was indeed slow, but it was strong. It would go up the long, steep grades of Cajón and Tejón passes, outside Los Angeles, with a Jeep full of people and camping gear. I’d set the cruise control at 65 MPH, and the Jeep would keep the speed with relative ease, while passing a whole bunch of other vehicles struggling up.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Talking about prices, the recent escalations have been hard to swallow.

I bought my current Jeep for $35k and some change in May of 2020, sticker was nearly $40k. Fast forward 3 years and one equipped as close to mine as possible has an MSRP near $47K. That was well equipped Rubicon money when I bought mine. And it's not just Jeeps, it's nearly all vehicles and durable goods. 15-20% inflation in 3 years is no joke.

Something will have to give though. My local Ford dealer has a lot full of pickups with sticker prices on half ton XLTs in the mid 60s. That's just damn crazy. No one is buying. The local Ram dealer was recently advertising $12k off certain half tons. The Covid buying frenzy is over and not likely to return, as all of those who bought at ridiculous markups are stuck in their vehicles for a long time to come.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Good on ya. I went to Robert E Lee HS.

MacArthur Brahma here. My big sister went to Robert E. Lee.

 

[Opus]

Hold out for the Corvette...

 

[aldo98229]

Hold out for the Corvette...

You mean, the Blazer-ette...

 

[aldo98229]

Talking about prices, the recent escalations have been hard to swallow.

I bought my current Jeep for $35k and some change in May of 2020, sticker was nearly $40k. Fast forward 3 years and one equipped as close to mine as possible has an MSRP near $47K. That was well equipped Rubicon money when I bought mine. And it's not just Jeeps, it's nearly all vehicles and durable goods. 15-20% inflation in 3 years is no joke.

Something will have to give though. My local Ford dealer has a lot full of pickups with sticker prices on half ton XLTs in the mid 60s. That's just damn crazy. No one is buying. The local Ram dealer was recently advertising $12k off certain half tons. The Covid buying frenzy is over and not likely to return, as all of those who bought at ridiculous markups are stuck in their vehicles for a long time to come.

I agree.

Several external factors are currently at play:

1. Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers as the main buying group of automobiles. Many of them are first-time buyers, with everything that comes with that
2. Lingering effects from COVID, Fed actions and ensuing supply line issues, hindering production and distribution
3. The return to a world order of West vs East has cut manufacturers’ market in half pretty much overnight
4. Higher inflation and interest rates

But eventually new supply lines will be in place, production and demand will find equilibrium and prices will stabilize, and even drop. Millennials will have learned that 84-month loans and leasing are not all they are cocked up to be. And automakers and dealers will have to fight to earn our business, like they had to do for the prior 100 years.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

We have two Millennial daughters. One is very level headed and does well financially. The other has unrealistic ideals and has to learn the hard way, very rarely taking any sound advice. She's figuring it out though as time goes on.

I hate terms for generations anyway. Even the amount of years for each named generation fluctuates depending on who they are trying to market to or manipulate.

 

[aldo98229]

Demographics have real influence on the market.

This is the most recent Age Pyramid for the United States I was able to find; it is from 2020. You can see how Boomer and Millennial generations flare out by several million.

Baby Boomers were the most numerous group of buyers for many decades. As such, they were the engine of auto sales for the last forty years. Automakers, banks, etc., catered their products and services to them.

As Boomers are past their peak earning years, are retiring --and getting sick or dying, Millennials are now the most numerous group of buyers on the market. So companies now have to cater their products and services to them.

The median age of new-vehicle buyers has been, and still is, 40. Which means Millennials entered the car market a decade ago, just as we came out of the 2009-2010 Great Recession, and are now entering their prime buying years.

Generational shifts like this usually bring with them significant changes to the market. I believe this is why we are finally seeing such acceptance of Korean brands, the fading of Boomer brands like Honda, the demise of the car, and even the explosion in Wrangler 4Xe sales.

But I digress...

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