Considering a Jeep. Do I need help?

muddier

New Member
While toddling around at the weekend I visited a local Jeep dealer. Haven't driven a Jeep except for a post-war Willy's example which was lovely but just a teensy bit on the bare bones side of things, and a '00 Cherokee, which had the worst auto tranny I've ever experienced (note that I don't care for autos so for me to rate it as bad meant that it was very bad indeed).

Anyway, nice Mr Jeep dealer says that he can do me a very nice deal on a 4 door Wrangler Unlimited with a 2.4l Diesel (or petrol, but that's out due to the fuel consumption issue) and the hard top package.

410nm of torque and the fun factor of such a car is hard to resist, and the four doors means that I would be able to sneak it past SWMBO as a practical kid (who would love it) and dog (who would pass out from excitement at going anywhere with anyone) hauling vehicle in addition to anything else I might want it for. That I'd be getting this vehicle while fully into the mid-life crisis zone would just be an added bonus :)

I'm seriously tempted. I'm not into big fourbys and this would barely squeeze into midsize. Would I be making a monumental mistake of the 'my, a first generation Freelander with a k series four 1.8l four banger looks like a decent vehicle that won't ever break down' kind, or are these things as fun, solid and reliable as the dealer would have me believe?
 

Pure Yobbo

Moderator
They are very capable cars. I have seen a few off road and the places they can go is bloody awsome. Can you get the Rubicon in that model? They are the sh!t ;)
 

goldrush

Moderator
Do you need help? Short answer......YES. :p:p:p:p:p:p:p

Seriously, not a bad rig. Some people like them. Must be " A Jeep Thing."
 

pajero NH 92

New Member
little toyota rav 4s go hard

parts are not cheap and are hard 2 get so i've heard take a pajero or land cruiser 4 a test drive or the new toyota rav 4 a great little 4x4 that goes hard with 200kw power and there great on fuel 6.5lt per 100km just needs a 2inch lift kit and 31inch mud tyres and u would have a very capable rig that would go any where and pull any thing cheers bigrevkev
 
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muddier

New Member
They are very capable cars. I have seen a few off road and the places they can go is bloody awsome. Can you get the Rubicon in that model? They are the sh!t ;)

Nah, it's the plain unlimited - Renegade, I think. The sticker is on the bonnet, and removing it would be the first mod were I to buy it.
 

muddier

New Member
parts are not cheap and are hard 2 get so i've heard take a pajero or land cruiser 4 a test drive

Have a lot of respect for both of those, but they're a bit too big for my tastes.

or the new toyota rav 4 a great little 4x4 that goes hard with 200kw power and there great on fuel 6.5lt per 100km just needs a 2inch lift kit and 31inch mud tyres and u would have a very capable rig that would go any where and pull any thing cheers bigrevkev

I like the Rav, especially with the V6 because it goes like the proverbial off a stick. I've had one on a beach and it did well. What worries me about them is the soft-roader style 4wd system that switches off at speeds over 40kph (or 30, I forget). Now, if they just did one with the 4wd system out of my Zook you'd have the best of both worlds - Toyota's build quality and nice V6, and a really nice, bullet proof permanent 4wd system with low range. Of course, the Toy's excellent fuel economy would take a hit driving all wheels all the time.
 

muddier

New Member
Do you need help? Short answer......YES. :p:p:p:p:p:p:p

Seriously, not a bad rig. Some people like them. Must be " A Jeep Thing."

Heh. I'm a major LR fan. That's a pretty niche perversion downunder from what I understand, so I'm not unused to being the odd one out :)

I used to have a 'It's a Jeep thing, I don't understand' sticker of a Defender. If I do get the Jeep I'll have to get another copy of it :)
 

cloughcarib

Well-Known Member
It is 'a Jeep thing', but when you buy one you'll understand. Ausjeepoffroad.com may have some answers for you. Spare parts are expensive(not hard to get), however, when I've needed something desperately I've found the jeep community to be very helpful.

Cheers.
Clough
 

bmurray2250

4x4 Earth Contributer
Jeep and especially Land Rover parts make Toyota look cheep. I know Jeep had a bad run with some model but I believe that is fixed. www.ausjeepoffroad.com should have all the answers for you. If you are looking to do many country trips, Nissan and Toyota's are the way to go as parts are everywhere. Last time I was drinking at the Birdsville Hotel, the owners tool shed had head gasket and parts for a cruiser on the wall.
 

billolga

4x4 Earth Contributer
They are very capable cars. I have seen a few off road and the places they can go is bloody awsome. Can you get the Rubicon in that model? They are the sh!t ;)

VERY CAPABLE VEHICLE - For touring the problem is FUEL! Where do you put it? - If that is not your scene there great.
 
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Split pin

Active Member
not to mention there is nowhere to place a second battery in the engine compartment. or a reserve fuel tank
 

Brisey

Member
Go with your heart I doubt if you would be dissapointed. I would love a 4 door wrangler but I can't justify it yet. I have a 97 TJ wrangler wich has done 208000 km & still going great & we bought a new KJ cherokee 2 years ago so the new wrangler will have to wait. With the free 3 year Jeep assist if you have a problem anywhere they will get you home and / or get it fixed where it is. Ausjeepoffroad.com forum is the place to visit for all the info you could want.

I would suggest if the budget could stand a couple of extra thousand get the offroad pack which gives you diff locks & disconnecting sway bar which would make it unstoppable.

Parts aren't a problem as there is more aftermarket gear available for jeeps than most other makes.

Cheers

Bri
 

Blue Dog

New Member
Went through this decision last year and the 4 door Rubicon was the one I was tossing up on but just lost out in my pick.
If you like it and the other half is ok with it then go for it as you will get that many fors and against it will end up as your decision anyway.
And as for fuel there is always a roof rack to hold some jerry's.
 

Split pin

Active Member
Buddy being totally serious I have a mate who has one and he goes everywhere we go. The Jeep traction control is brilliant. As much as I pay out on him I have never had to snatch or winch him. Its a great vehicle to drive and comfy. A little small for my liking but he and his wife love it.

So if its in your heart go get it and enjoy.
 
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muddier

New Member
Thanks for all the replies guys. Some food for thought. I'll also be visiting the Jeep site.

A question to the Jeepers here. We're a two car family and both have to pull their weight - no room for toys or else I'd have an Elise taking up room in the garage!

The Jeep would replace a 2006 GV, which is a practical, super reliable and effective little vehicle for hauling kids, dog and sports gear (such as bikes) around, as well as getting me to the places a sedan won't.

Would the Jeep be a sufficiently useable vehicle to take over the GV's role? I'm thinking in terms of comfort on the occasional commute (I get a parking space at work in the city twice a week), as well as longer trips on the black stuff as well as increasingly offroad, or would it be too biased for off road work in its stock form?

The lack of long range tanks isn't an issue at the moment - I've two kids, one just a little over 1, the other just four. I won't be going on a long distance drive out of petrol station range for quite a few years yet. Even if I did I have access to a stack of old steel jerry cans.

Which brings me to another question - Jeep's website seems to be suspiciously quiet on fuel economy. Can't find a thing about the Diesel or the petrol units, although I might be looking in the wrong places. can anyone point me in the right direction?
 

croozza

Active Member
Have a lot of respect for both of those, but they're a bit too big for my tastes.



I like the Rav, especially with the V6 because it goes like the proverbial off a stick. I've had one on a beach and it did well. What worries me about them is the soft-roader style 4wd system that switches off at speeds over 40kph (or 30, I forget). Now, if they just did one with the 4wd system out of my Zook you'd have the best of both worlds - Toyota's build quality and nice V6, and a really nice, bullet proof permanent 4wd system with low range. Of course, the Toy's excellent fuel economy would take a hit driving all wheels all the time.

The current model Rav4 is a front wheel drive vehicle, the rear only comes in when needed.
 

Skywolf101

New Member
Thanks for all the replies guys. Some food for thought. I'll also be visiting the Jeep site.

A question to the Jeepers here. We're a two car family and both have to pull their weight - no room for toys or else I'd have an Elise taking up room in the garage!

The Jeep would replace a 2006 GV, which is a practical, super reliable and effective little vehicle for hauling kids, dog and sports gear (such as bikes) around, as well as getting me to the places a sedan won't.

Would the Jeep be a sufficiently useable vehicle to take over the GV's role? I'm thinking in terms of comfort on the occasional commute (I get a parking space at work in the city twice a week), as well as longer trips on the black stuff as well as increasingly offroad, or would it be too biased for off road work in its stock form?

The lack of long range tanks isn't an issue at the moment - I've two kids, one just a little over 1, the other just four. I won't be going on a long distance drive out of petrol station range for quite a few years yet. Even if I did I have access to a stack of old steel jerry cans.

Which brings me to another question - Jeep's website seems to be suspiciously quiet on fuel economy. Can't find a thing about the Diesel or the petrol units, although I might be looking in the wrong places. can anyone point me in the right direction?


I was a Landcruiser man all my life. As life turned out I have a Jeep not through design, but thats what I've got so thats what I use.

Not knowing a great deal about them, other than every other type 4wd owner likes to put shit on. I joined a local Jeep club about 3 months ago & have been out a couple of times since. I am nothing but surprised at the capability of them especially the Wranglers.

As for carrying extra fuel there are heaps of Rear Bars with options to carry spare wheels with one or two jerry cans.

Also if you can't find the info you are looking for then post up your consumption question & you will soon get a flood of answers(just like you have here).

I do believe you will never look back.
 

Walkabout

Moderator
Have a close look at what you would want the vehicle to do and how many requirement box's does it tick? be realistic as to use and your expectations of the vehicle, if you choose your new car with this in mind it's hard to go wrong.
The Rubicon is a very capable off roader but like most true 4x4's is a little truck like on road be it mid size or not. Steer clear of the wanna be jeeps in the range ( softroaders ) as they have resale that will make you cry 3 or so years down the track.
Same goes for early model freelanders + they have a bad habbit of shreading rear tyres which was never treated as the factory warranty it should have been and are pretty average off road - your GV would leave it for dead.
 

Brisey

Member
The petrol models are a bit thirsty, I believe they get somewhere around 13 - 15 l/100km around town & about 12 - 13 country, with a 70 litre tank that isn't much of a range. The diesels get about 10 l/100 & have a range of about 700km. My cherokee is diesel & gets 9.8 l/100 consistantly around town & 13 l/100 towing the caravan. As I said earlier if you are expecting to do serious offraod then the offroad pack would be the go especially if you want the diesel as the rubicon is only petrol.

Cheers

Bri
 

Tats

New Member
While toddling around at the weekend I visited a local Jeep dealer. Haven't driven a Jeep except for a post-war Willy's example which was lovely but just a teensy bit on the bare bones side of things, and a '00 Cherokee, which had the worst auto tranny I've ever experienced (note that I don't care for autos so for me to rate it as bad meant that it was very bad indeed).

Anyway, nice Mr Jeep dealer says that he can do me a very nice deal on a 4 door Wrangler Unlimited with a 2.4l Diesel (or petrol, but that's out due to the fuel consumption issue) and the hard top package.

410nm of torque and the fun factor of such a car is hard to resist, and the four doors means that I would be able to sneak it past SWMBO as a practical kid (who would love it) and dog (who would pass out from excitement at going anywhere with anyone) hauling vehicle in addition to anything else I might want it for. That I'd be getting this vehicle while fully into the mid-life crisis zone would just be an added bonus :)


I'm seriously tempted. I'm not into big fourbys and this would barely squeeze into midsize. Would I be making a monumental mistake of the 'my, a first generation Freelander with a k series four 1.8l four banger looks like a decent vehicle that won't ever break down' kind, or are these things as fun, solid and reliable as the dealer would have me believe?

Hey Muddier, I've owned and driven a Jeep Cherokee Sports 2.8 diesel for almost three years, and it has been great. Mind you it's not a Wrangler, and to some the more rugged vehicle has kudos. With my Cherokee I pull an 18 ft caravan, go offroad (although I'm past doing the very hard stuff, after about 30 or so years of 4wding I've settled down). It's a reasonable 5-seater, good luggage hold (easily takes 2 sets of golf clubs and 2 electric buggies, shoes, etc.), and returns 7 litres per 100 klm if driven at the speed limits (even with the van in tow). I love it! But I guess it's horses for courses, and depends on what you wish to do with it.:cool::cool::cool:

Tats
 
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