Would getting a 2 Door be stupid?

[Go4Low]

I had a couple 2 Doors: I couldn't deal with pushing the seat forward to get anything in the back, especially a car seat.

Personally, I prefer the 4 door.

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[Catdom]

Only if you value your sanity. Not every wife wants to be regulated to soccer mom and taxi service. Also, they tend to be incredibly vindictive if it ever appears that you are having fun and enjoying life when they are not.

@Yolobaggins Buying a two door vehicle when you have a large family is short-sighted. That's three children that are going to have different schedules, appointments, emergencies, friends and activities; to say nothing of your own and your wife's. That's a lot to expect from one vehicle, which will undoubtedly not always be available either. You want a two-door, but you know that a four-door is the more flexible and practical decision. Part of being a parent and an adult is putting your wants on the back burner to satisfy the needs of the family. My suggestion would be to get the four-door and, the second they are old enough to justify it, trade it in for the two-door of your dreams.

For the love of God, it was a joke Dr. Phil. Most everyone else seemingly realized this by their reactions after my comment. The original poster suggests that he knew there were pros and cons. He even thanked us and admitted there were good arguments on both sides, even coming to the conclusion he'd not prefer to jam 3 kids in the back. Then you come along and in your admonishing me simultaneously denounced everyone who sees both side's pros and cons, declaring yourself the final arbiter.
"Soccer mom and taxi service"??? Who suggested that the husband couldn't and she must be the person to do this in their other vehicle? You just did. Are you saying she's not allowed to drive the jeep while he chauffeurs the tots? Sounds like projected chauvinism to me.
Explain to the cop that pulls you over how those 2 extra doors make it legal to jam 3 kids in the back, one without a seat belt. Easier entry does not equal safe and legal. Then tell him what being a husband, parent and adult in this same condescending manner, as he writes your ticket. 4 doors accomodate "large families"?
EXTRA DOORS DO NOT GIVE YOU EXTRA SEATS FFS!

 

[ChuckMalone]

I was in a similar situation. I only have 2 kids, but they are older and larger (13 and 11). Wife has an Acura MDX, I had no vehicle (my job provided me with one). It was time to get a second vehicle. It had always been my dream to own a Jeep, and I decided that's what I was going to get. I went so far as to test drive the 4 door. I hated it. I felt like I was driving a less refined version of my wife's SUV. Bought the 2 door and have NEVER regretted it. Is it tight for my kids to fit in the back? Sure. Do my adult friends give me crap because I can't drive a group somewhere? Sure. Do I care? No.

It's perfect for me and 1 other person. Maybe 2. If I'm taking both of my kids to school, we're fine. It's usually myself and 1 kid or just me and the wife going somewhere. We do just fine. Any long trip or when the 4 of us go somewhere, we take the MDX. The most important thing is to have good communication with your wife. If you need to larger vehicle, she can take the Jeep. If you need a larger vehicle and she needs it too? Rent a car or borrow one from a friend. This is how I do it, and it's great. What I really enjoy is spending time with just one kid or my wife. It's a good way to have some 1 on 1 time with them.

Anyway, that's my opinion on it. To me, the 4 door just isn't a Jeep. Yes I know that they are fully capable and all that, and I have friends that love them, but to me it's just not the same thing.

 

[The Chubbernaut]

Thanks for all the amazing replies so far! You all have given great opinions

I see both sides pretty easily.

I use to have a 4 door JL and agreeing with some of the people here, even if I had a 4 door, getting 3 kids in the backseat would be VERY tight, like very tight and almost uncomfortable for me.

So if I were to do that, I would go straight bigger than a 4 door, at least that is my train of thought? I am unsure though

There is a third alternative. If you have the room you can buy a cheap beater as a third vehicle and use that as a 'daily driver' when situations require it. Insurance generally doesn't cost much to add an older vehicle, though the yearly property tax and registration renewals can add up. On the plus side you can give the car to the oldest kid when they reach driving age, therefore making them the designated taxi. You also don't have to buy a brand new JL. I bought a JLU Sahara for a daily driver which will see some modifications but will probably never become a rock crawler. I'm going to start looking for a CJ or TJ in May for to satisfy those jeeping needs.

 

[jjvincent]

In your situation I could never imagine owning a 2 dr. Those kids are going to get bigger and all the stuff you need to carry for them would make it very difficult to fit all of that in a 2 dr. Plus Jeep did a bad job on the seat trolly (which broke on mine) and then look at the number of seat handle failures there are. No fun in both situations. Plus, it gets really old getting those kids in and out of those seats for a 2 dr. Plus, if you happen to be parked uphill, those front seats just keep rolling back to the rear when folded forward.

 

[Chief Toby]

I know a lot of people love their 2 Door but I wanted to hear from people about their experience with them and see if my situation a 2 Door makes sense

Currently have a 2 year old and found out having twins in 6 months (woohoo). Because we are now a family of 5, my wife sold her vehicle and got a 3 row SUV to be able to fit 5 people and 3 car seats. This will be our long term family vehicle because I’m not

a) switching car seats back and forth all the time and
b) getting a 3 row SUV myself

Currently I have no vehicle myself but will need one. Had a 19 4 door in the past a loved it but now I’m wondering, would a 2 door work for me in this situation?

This will be just my fun vehicle really but also utility for errands, emergencies, short trips for whatever, etc. I work from home so this will not be my daily driver

I was thinking of removing the rear seats for more storage for bigger items that would be needed

Thoughts/opinions from people where would be great!

I have a 2021 Firecracker Red Willys 2-door rag top with the 4 cylinder turbo; I love this Jeep! It will literally go pretty much anywhere, turns on a dime, its fun to drive, and I could not be happier! I did take the back seat out - have to make more room for Toby the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I had a 4 door willys with the 6 cylinder and 6 speed manual, this this 2 door 4 cylinder is lights out so so much better in every way! Buy the 2-door with the 2.0L Turbo and you won't regret it!

 

[OhioJeeper]

Done most of this. Have 3 girls, that includes twins. They are grown up.

Congrats, twins are awesome. Get your sleep now, btw.

Moving car seats around is somewhat of a waste of time, so have a set in the primary kid-mover, and get an additional set.

Anything 2 door with car seats in the back isn't easy. You need a four door for that.

If you have space and funds, get a 2 door for the many times one travels by yourself or with a spouse. As mentioned, pull the rear seats.

We have 2 doors and 4 door wranglers, the 2 dr is the most fun.

 

[five9dak]

If you are going to get a 2 door as a toy and it won't be your daily, get a TJ and you wont be hesitant to drag it through the woods.

No need to spend $40k for an offroad toy if that's all it is.

 

[yokramer]

I was in a similar situation. I only have 2 kids, but they are older and larger (13 and 11). Wife has an Acura MDX, I had no vehicle (my job provided me with one). It was time to get a second vehicle. It had always been my dream to own a Jeep, and I decided that's what I was going to get. I went so far as to test drive the 4 door. I hated it. I felt like I was driving a less refined version of my wife's SUV. Bought the 2 door and have NEVER regretted it. Is it tight for my kids to fit in the back? Sure. Do my adult friends give me crap because I can't drive a group somewhere? Sure. Do I care? No.

It's perfect for me and 1 other person. Maybe 2. If I'm taking both of my kids to school, we're fine. It's usually myself and 1 kid or just me and the wife going somewhere. We do just fine. Any long trip or when the 4 of us go somewhere, we take the MDX. The most important thing is to have good communication with your wife. If you need to larger vehicle, she can take the Jeep. If you need a larger vehicle and she needs it too? Rent a car or borrow one from a friend. This is how I do it, and it's great. What I really enjoy is spending time with just one kid or my wife. It's a good way to have some 1 on 1 time with them.

Anyway, that's my opinion on it. To me, the 4 door just isn't a Jeep. Yes I know that they are fully capable and all that, and I have friends that love them, but to me it's just not the same thing.

lol I go to lunch Fridays with 2 guys from the shop and Ive already warned them come spring when the rear seat comes out they are gonna have to pick up the slack driving. Only thing I have going for me is my wife works from home so I technically can drive her car on a Friday here and there.

 

[Rizzo44]

If it was going to be a third spare vehicle just for fun, I would say maybe. But, if it is going to be the second vehicle for you and your wife, I wouldn't. I would rather have more room than not enough. Case in point: Your wife's car is in the shop for a few days, you can't fit your family of 5 in the 2door.

 

[Robby Robot]

I know a lot of people love their 2 Door but I wanted to hear from people about their experience with them and see if my situation a 2 Door makes sense

Currently...

Four-door Jeeps are stupid if any of them are. Doubly so if they are electric.

Only you can determine your tolerance for risk, but as long as you accept that your 2D rig will not be a 100% backup in all situations to your wife's SUV, you should be fine with a 2D Jeep. I drove two-doors for most of my 20 years with Jeep and there's nothing better for scooting around town, getting into tight spaces in parking decks, and breaking over sharp hill crests. I only got the four-door Suburban Soccer Mom Jeep because I now routinely drive my two nieces around and the back doors are uber convenient. But as soon as they reach the teens I'll be back to the two-door Jeep God originally invented.

 

[west tex]

I know a lot of people love their 2 Door but I wanted to hear from people about their experience with them and see if my situation a 2 Door makes sense

Currently have a 2 year old and found out having twins in 6 months (woohoo). Because we are now a family of 5, my wife sold her vehicle and got a 3 row SUV to be able to fit 5 people and 3 car seats. This will be our long term family vehicle because I’m not

a) switching car seats back and forth all the time and
b) getting a 3 row SUV myself

Currently I have no vehicle myself but will need one. Had a 19 4 door in the past a loved it but now I’m wondering, would a 2 door work for me in this situation?

This will be just my fun vehicle really but also utility for errands, emergencies, short trips for whatever, etc. I work from home so this will not be my daily driver

I was thinking of removing the rear seats for more storage for bigger items that would be needed

Thoughts/opinions from people where would be great!

As a practical vehicle, the 2 dr doesn't make sense in your situation with a wife and 3 kids. Getting into and out of the back seat in a 2 dr is a real chore. Small kids would have plenty of seating room back there, once they're in. But again, reaching back and fumbling with car seats would be no fun at all.

Even with your wife driving a 3 row SUV, you'd find yourself at times having to haul kids with your vehicle. It's bound to happen on odd occasions.

You've mentioned that it would be your own personal fun vehicle, so the choice is clearly yours. Just be aware of what a compromise a 2 dr would be for a family man.

 

[2mnycars]

I know a lot of people love their 2 Door but I wanted to hear from people about their experience with them and see if my situation a 2 Door makes sense

Currently have a 2 year old and found out having twins in 6 months (woohoo). Because we are now a family of 5, my wife sold her vehicle and got a 3 row SUV to be able to fit 5 people and 3 car seats. This will be our long term family vehicle because I’m not

a) switching car seats back and forth all the time and
b) getting a 3 row SUV myself

Currently I have no vehicle myself but will need one. Had a 19 4 door in the past a loved it but now I’m wondering, would a 2 door work for me in this situation?

This will be just my fun vehicle really but also utility for errands, emergencies, short trips for whatever, etc. I work from home so this will not be my daily driver

I was thinking of removing the rear seats for more storage for bigger items that would be needed

Thoughts/opinions from people where would be great!

We didn't buy a 2-door.

Two reasons.

1. lack of storage space between the back seat and the tailgate
2. Back seat folded up out of the way might fall on our dogs; Like the back seat storage in the 4-door better.

Hope this helps.

DaveL
JLUR

 

[JP29]

Back seat folded up out of the way might fall on our dogs

There are preventions for that in place already - a D ring loop on each B pillar that accepts the Velcro backed straps on the back of the back seat. They loop right through and secure to themselves to lock the seat tight against the front two buckets.

 

[2mnycars]

Thanks. When we drove a sport before we bought a 2019 JLU we judged it to be a problem. The back seat wasn't secure enough.

DaveL

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