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2K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  Danger_us 
#1 ·
Hello. I've wanted a wrangler for years but everyone I know (non-jeep owners) has told me to stay away...too many mechanical problems.

1) I will not be doin any of my own maintenance and am afraid a wrangler will cost a small fortune in repairs. true?
2) this will be my daily driver and I will use it on the interstate; will I totally regret getting a 4 cyl? I will only consider a manual trans. I will never use the car for off road.

Any ladies out there? I'm barely 5'2...will it be a pain in the ass getting in &out?

Ill be getting out of a manual Honda prelude That's been abs fabulous: fun, hot, easy and inexpensive to maintain....
Any and all tips/ suggestions are appreciated!

I've been looking at this for a few weeks:

2006 Jeep Wrangler - Call (985) 641-9595 - Slidell, LA - Lakeshore Chrysler Dodge Jeep
 
#2 ·
Eh, I'm not a fan of a 4cyl, and especially if you are using it on the interstate, I would look for a 6cyl. As for mechanical problems, I don't know of anything out of the ordinary that is a major concern. Have you test drove a jeep at all yet? Going from your car to a jeep will be a big difference.

1. false - I don't think it will cost much at all, as long as you do normal stuff like oil changes, etc -- they are just like any other vehilce on the road. Now buying a modified used one, yeah I could see issues, if it was used and abused.

2. Yes I think you'ld regret a 4cyl on the interstate, though I haven't driven a newer TJ 4cyl.

Price don't seem too, too bad for the year and miles, but again I'm biased towards a 6cyl.
 
#3 ·
Be prepared with the fuel mileage or lack thereof. Even with the 4cyl, mpg is bad. You might have some fuel shock going from a fuel miser 4cyl honda car to any jeep. Honestly, you can expect your fuel bill to double. I hope you are prepared for that. If you get a newer one in any halfway decent shape, you won't have any worse maintenance or repair issues than any other vehicles. And you will be well off with the stick shift. A stock tire, non-lifted jeep isn't that high, I don't think you'll have any trouble getting in/out. But go test drive one and decide for yourself if it's something you want to drive. Some vehicles are better to see driving around that to actually own so it depends on what kind of person you are.
 
#4 ·
If you are that concerned about any repairs you may have, you could always buy an extended warranty. I have always had them and they have come in handy, especially on my 98TJ I had. I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Just something to think about.
 
#5 ·
Test drive many before you make a purchase. I'm 5'1" and do not have trouble getting in and out, but my jeep is stock height and tires. Daily driving on the interstate is no problem, but mine is 6 cyl. Gas mileage on or off interstate is 16 mpg, just so you know. If you could keep your honda for the mpg and buy a jeep, now that would be sweet.
 
#6 ·
I can't testify to 4 cyl, mine's a 2008 6 cyl w/ manual transmission & I have no problems driving it. I'm 5'5" and I have no problems getting in & out of mine (stock, with stock tires--till later).
 
#7 ·
Alright, so I am a 4cyl owner with a manual trans. I guarentee half of these 4cyl haters have never driven one. It not bad. It is just as quick as a 6cyl auto with the 3.07 axle ratio if not quicker. I've tested it before FYI. The 4 cyl with the 5spd comes with 4.10 axle ratio. This will make your car peppy enough for a jeep and get you around 20-24 MPG. I have also tested that and my cars lifted with 31 inch mud tires.

If you go with the 6cyl stick it will be much faster than the 4cyl obviously. But remember the 4cyl isn't as bad as everyone says. give both a try and see what you like.
 
#8 ·
Hello. I've wanted a wrangler for years but everyone I know (non-jeep owners) has told me to stay away...too many mechanical problems.

1) I will not be doin any of my own maintenance and am afraid a wrangler will cost a small fortune in repairs. true?
2) this will be my daily driver and I will use it on the interstate; will I totally regret getting a 4 cyl? I will only consider a manual trans. I will never use the car for off road.

Any ladies out there? I'm barely 5'2...will it be a pain in the ass getting in &out?

Ill be getting out of a manual Honda prelude That's been abs fabulous: fun, hot, easy and inexpensive to maintain....
Any and all tips/ suggestions are appreciated!

I've been looking at this for a few weeks:

2006 Jeep Wrangler - Call (985) 641-9595 - Slidell, LA - Lakeshore Chrysler Dodge Jeep
Hmm sounds like you need to talk to smart car people.. Also It's a Jeep not a Car.. So with that said,


1. False, Standard maintence will limit what breaks as can be said for any vehlicle on the road.. Only speaking to the 4.0 I6 your looking at if properly taken care of 300k plus easy..

2. I can't speak to the I4 on the interstate from personal experience, So I will leave that to those who can.. However from just reading and talking to those with it, The highway and hill climbs are the two places where the advantage of the I6 shows itself..


I personally have a thing for the 00-02 sahara's so I will throw a recomendation at looking at those in your search.. Good luck and Look forward to seeing what you end up.. WELCOME TO WF
 
#10 ·
So, I just sold my 4 cylinder for a 6 cylinder. That being said, it's a night and day difference. I drove my YJ with stock tires when I first had it, and it was still anemic. It held 65 MPH if there wasn't much wind, and barely kept speed if I hit a hill. If I wanted to keep 65 MPH up hill, I'd have to keep my foot mashed to the floor. Most of the time, I would drop to 55-60 MPH on a hill. I was okay with this at the time because I didn't have to take it on the highway all that often. I lifted it and put 33 inch tires on it, but that was okay at the time too. Like I said, I wasn't on the highway all that much.

Now, I'm driving on the highway several times a week. I got a deal on a 4.0L TJ, and it's great. I can keep speed up hills, pass cars, and even drive in the fast lane. I could not do any of that with ease in the 4 cylinder. It was always a struggle. The 6 Cylinder is the perfect size engine for a Wrangler.

Honestly, I think you'll regret a 4 cylinder Wrangler if you're a highway driver. The 4 cylinder is fine around town, and great on the trail. Anything past that, it's a terribly anemic engine. I wish I wouldn't have wasted my money on my 4 cylinder, and just went for the 6 cylinder.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the warm welcome and the advice. I'm excited to test drive both the 4 cyl and I6 on thurs.

6inarowmakesitgo, I thought it was priced well for an 06....thanks for advice though. But It's been sitting for weeks.

Patience is something I don't have.....but I'll keep looking!
 
#15 ·
fireball said:
One more thought about being short and driving a jeep. You may need a seat riser of some sort. Take a pillow with you for the test drive.
Good advise. I am 5'11 and I couldn't see the end of the hood while driving my LJ. I drive roads without lines and it was annoying. I installed permanent seat risers and now I can see the hood and it's much easier to judge the lanes. I can't remember why they lowered the seats in the later models. It may have had something to do with keeping taller drivers at a lower CG and their head further away from the rollbar incase of an accident.
Take a thin pillow 1-2" thick and if you buy the Jeep, the seat risers are made by Rough Country and cost $30.
 
#16 ·
Thanks for the advice. I'm test driving the 4& 6 on Thursday.
I have driven an i6 around a parking lot but I want to take it on the interstate.
I'll be sure to bring a pillow:)

I have a feeling I'm going to really want the i6 but Im having troublem finding one in my price range without 100k+ miles. I'd like to spend around $12k.

Wish me luck! And thanks again for the help:)
 
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