Hey guys, I just registered recently and I come to you for some advice. I currently own a 2014 Camaro and have been able to car pool to work with a friend when it snows up here in CT. Recently I came across a better job but it is in a different location and cannot carpool now. So ultimately, I have to get rid of the Camaro :rip: and get some 4x4 going on. I began looking at the Subaru WRX STI's but realized that, although its fun to go fast, I would like to have the ability to travel with people, comfortably. I am 6'5" so I thought the Jeep would be best for me. Now I would like to get the Wrangler Unlimited but am not completely deterred from the Wrangler or the Grand Cherokee. My cousin bought the ultimate when it came out and was telling me that it's really heavy and he went through tires like crazy on it, also told me about dealing with the death wobble was terrible and there was no fix for it. So I come to this community for advice. I doubt I will be doing crazy offroading but I am into modding and customization. So i'm looking for draw backs on the ultimate compared to just the wrangler and positives for both! Thanks a lot for the help!
You won't be traveling comfortably with the 2 door, and the 4 door is actually called an "unlimited", not "ultimate". Room wise you would either have to accept the 4 door(unlimited), or consider the Grand Cherokee. If you are not going off-road, or don't like having the top off, then I would suggest going with the Grand Cherokee. The WRX STi wouldn't be a bad choice either, a little tougher than the WRX, and much better winter driver on the roads than the Wrangler. Either way, hope you end up with what your want
On the Unlimited model, be advised that the second row is very uncomfortable due to the angle of the seat backs, which cannot be reclined. Also, the center seating position is uncomfortable due to no structural support in that position. It's like sitting in a hammock. Go to the dealer and look up under the second row seating and you'll see what I mean. For car pooling purposes, I wouldn't suggest the Wrangler in ANY configuration.
If I were you, I'd look into the Cherokee TrailHawk. I test drove one last weekend with the Cold Weather Package added to it, and it blew me away. AMAZING vehicle for the price.
I owned a 2012 Camaro SS Convertible 45th Anniversary Edition for 2 years (was a GREAT car) but ultimately I knew I would kill myself in it. Between the horrible traction in the weather and the 6.2L V8 taunting me to go 100mph+ I knew it was just a matter of time before something bad happened.
I then went to a 2014 Lexus IS350 AWD as a more "practical" sporty car. After less than a year with it, it was just too uncomfortable for my 6' 3" frame to squeeze into every day for my 100 miles of commuting. It handled really well but was just too damn small.
After trolling the boards here for months I pulled the trigger on a 2015 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I can tell you I don't miss any of those sports cars at all. The Wrangler Sahara all the creature comforts (Leather, Heated Seats, Remote Start, Great Stereo, Nav, etc.), it's surprisingly REALLY comfortable for a long commute, and is the ultimate all weather toy - convertible in the summer and 4x4 beast in the winter. And the space in the Unlimited in amazing even with car seats in the back. I've never experienced the death wobble at all, but I'm only 2,000 on the odometer.
I struggled with the Sahara vs Rubicon decision for a while but after reading the advice here I went Sahara. If you plan to do a lot of serious boulder crawling or want to put 35" tires on go Rubicon. For limited off-roading go Sport or Sahara and put the $5k extra you would have spent on the Rubicon into new wheels, tires, bumpers, etc. Attached is my ride (so far).
OP: I've owned several Wranglers over the span of the last six years, but I owned Jeeps before (1995 and 2001 Grand Cherokees). And I always owned some type of fast car alongside a Wrangler: 300 SRT, Challenger SRT, etc.
I recently made the decision to get rid of my Challenger 392 and own two Wranglers: a JKR and a JKUS. No regrets whatsoever.
But first, I got out my system the need to drive fast. Wranglers may be many things, but they are NOT fast.
Second: I really enjoy offroading, overland travel and driving up to the mountains in the snow.
Third: the 2-door and 4-door have the exact same space in the front, so that makes absolutely no difference from a driver comfort perspective.
I do not see in your reasoning two necessary requirements: that you have gotten over your need to drive fast, and that you have some sort of interest, however remotely, in offroading or overland adventure.
No offense, but it sounds like you are looking for the "next cool thing" when, in fact, you need a really good commuter.
Wrangler is one of the most unique vehicles in the market, and can bring you a lot of fun and joy, but only if you are genuinely interested in what they have to offer. Otherwise, a Wrangler can be the worst decision you ever made.
From the little you've told us, I'd recommend you look into a Grand Cherokee.
If you decide on a Wrangler, but you miss going fast, you can always make the Wrangler fast. I haven't done any 0-60 or 1/4 mile tests yet, but I'm pretty sure my jeep is about as quick as a stock WRX STi now (in a straight line):
I have the Prodigy Performance turbo kit. There's also different types of supercharger kits from RIPP, Sprintex and Magnuson. STS Turbo supposedly has a kit for the wrangler. They have a blog post about it, but I've never seen details about it. Lots of options for different torque curve shapes, power delivery characteristics, etc.
I do Enjoy Driving fast. That's why I was looking at the WRX STI along with the Wrangler. However, it's not a must. My buddy has a TJ Wrangler and everytime we go for a ride I love it more and more. I love the idea of having it be naked and open and at the same time be able to conquer crazy terrain. I would much rather have something that is enjoyable for my significant other and I rather than just me. Believe me I would love to go off the roads a little here and there but it's not going to be my main goal. I live in CT and since I don't know this community that well, I am not sure how much off road driving / trails there are here to do, and on top of that, ones that don't require a rock crawler set up. I currently own a 01 Grand Cherokee that's falling apart on me and everytime it snows up here in CT I am out and about driving around enjoying it, even with road bans lol. So it's not something I want to get because it's cool, yeah that helps, but I would enjoy I think I would enjoy it. The STI has just been a car that's always been in the back of my head and the chances of me getting it are slim as i'm reading up on it currently. I think I am leaning more toward a jeep. What I am stuck on is between the 4DR and the 2DR. I would like the Grand Cherokee but I don't see the need for an SUV like that as I am still in the mood to have some fun. The other thing I notice that's got me worried are the various leak issues I am reading up on. Is there anything I should look for in particular when I go to the dealer and look at these?
I appreciate everyone's responses.
In that case maybe this helps: two of my co-workers who own a 2014 WRX and a 2010 STi have been eyeing my green JK with lust.
Like I said: the 2-door vs 4-door makes no difference to the fact that you are 6'5; however, the fact that you want to carry people pretty much says 4-door. If you want more on-road comfort that Offroad prowess, then a Sahara Unlimited may be your ticked.
Get it in Tank color, and you will get more attention right off the lot than you ever dreamed of.
Yeah I just remember him going to the dealership for the Death Wobble almost every week and they kept telling him it was fixed, I sat in it with him and that was scary as hell. He eventually traded it in for a Grand Cherokee. Sorry to be a bother but, I don't know much about tops. If I go to the dealer, and get a Sahara 4DR, I'm assuming if it's new I get it with the hard top already? I don't wanna get cheated out of something because I didn't know if I should have asked or not, Thanks
You need to specify if you want a hardtop; the soft top is standard.
These are the top options:
Base soft top --vinyl
Premium soft top --nice, thick canvass
Black Freedom hardtop
Color painted Freedom hardtop
Dual top --Premium soft top and Freedom hardtop
Also, you may want to get the 3.73 rear with the Trac-Loc LSD. This will let you play in mild-to-moderate trails.
Everything else, leather, navi, etc., is up to your desires.
You may want to play with the configurator on jeep.com to get a feel for your options.
If you do go 4DR unlimited, there are fixes for the rear seat recline uncomfortableness and the lack of support in the center position. I bought and installed the recliner kit myself. It was very easy and quick. As for the dip in the center seat, there is a metal plate you can purchase and stuff under there to get the support you need.
I'll tell you, as someone who is 6'3", the 2015 WRX's are quite comfortable. I have no problem with room or comfort at all. They are quite a bit roomier inside than the previous generation WRX's.
So, I see you mention the 3.73 Gearing. This will be my DD and how much of an effect will that really have as my DD. I'll be most likely getting a standard BTW.
Depending on the mods you want to do...bigger tires could require a lift. I've also read that the Dana 44s on the Rubicon are better than the 30s for bigger tires. I'm not a mod expert though. By any stretch of the imagination. I thought this post was pretty funny though.
So many decisions when buying....2dr vs 4dr, Sport? Sahara? Rubicon? Then there's the creature comfort options to choose from...premium audio? Leather? Nav? etc. Just depends on how much you want to spend.
Trust me, it was the first thing I went to when I went to build and price, but 64k Is a bit out of my price range :atomic:
Yeah I was planning on getting the touch screen, leather seats and 7 speakers. How hard is that stuff to steal? I mean in the summer if I go to the beach, I don't wanna have to put the top and doors on at the beach lol. I'm assuming the glove compartment and center console locks. What about the speaker in the back and the touch screen?
Anything can be stolen if someone wants it bad enough, however, I've never really worried about it too much, and never had anyone mess with it. Just don't leave valuables in it and lock the console and glove box and enjoy the beach!
The heat can fade the interior for sure. I don't know that I've hear do plastic melting and warping, but it's not out of the question. Something like the Barricade FullShade Top will keep some of the sun off the interior and also your head when you're driving topless.
Thieves can steal anything if they have the incentive and the opportunity.
Yes, the console and glovebox have locks. Here in California at least, as long as you use common sense, do not leave loose items that invite them, and lock your Jeep, you should be fine, even with the top down.
Sun will damage ANY interior if left exposed for long periods of time. You can get a shade to cover the top of the Jeep: it will make it more comfortable to drive with the top off and will protect the interior from UV Rays.
I haven't...but I'm in the midwest, so that's different than leaving it parked naked in Arizona in the summer for a full day. There's spiderweb shades that add a layer of protection for both you and your Jeep if the heat gets to be too much.
Let's decide already. Order a loaded rubicon, sell the stock wheels and tires back to dealer to offset cost of your new wheels and 35" tires. While they are at it have them throw a 2.5 inch lift on it for you.
That was simple, right? Ok post pics when finished.
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