So, I also traded in a BMW 3 series for a Wrangler. The Bimmer was getting on the older side, and I always wanted a Wrangler so figured now or never.
I got the 2012 JKU Altitude, which is basically a Sahara with some additional appearance items.
As was said before, these vehicles are pretty much polar opposites, from the performance to the intended use to the dealership experience. That being said:
1.) Glad to have a JK?
Absolutely! There were many reasons why I didn't get one earlier, chief among them the old engine. Then there was the poor interior and the lack of room in the 2 door. I test drove them every couple of years and no matter how much I was in love with the Wrangler concept, I just couldn't get over the down sides. With the 2012 model year, you can finally get a a package that makes it passable as a daily driver. And if I was being honest with myself, it was going to be used as such 99% of the time.
2.)How is the ride?
I like it! I wanted a Jeep and got a Jeep. I was never expecting it to be comparable to the Bimmer. The Bimmer truly is a driver's car and has superb handling. But I can honestly say I've never had more fun than in the Jeep. I think you either get it or you don't. If you're asking about the ride...
3.) How was fit/finish?
Pretty damn good. What else can you ask for in a vehicle at this price? Especially a vehicle with offroad capabilities. It's a surprisingly pleasant place to be.
4.) Were controls easy?
Ridiculously easy. Easier than my other vehicles.
5.) Any options I wish I had?
The Altitude comes with pretty much every option you can get. That being said, there are two options that mine didn't come with (I got it off the lot for a good deal rather than buying it factory with my selected options): 1. Side air bags; and 2. 3.73 gear ratio. The latter really gave me heart ache for a long time (mine came with 3.21) as I read all the forums and dreamed of 35s. I didn't want to have to spend the money on regearing, etc. I ended up with 33s and didn't need to regear or strengthen anything - couldn't be happier.
6.) Disappointments?
The black 18" Altitude rims look nice and i would loved to have kept them but I couldn't get a good set of 33s or 35s to fit on them, so it feels like money wasted. I took them off right away and replaced with AEV Savegres, in black.
When I replace the bumpers, I'll lose the colour-matched inserts. :facepalm:
The stock headlights are pretty poor and I will be replacing with Cibie from Daniel Stern, though the JW Speakers look badass.
The horn is pathetic. I have a man's vehicle. I want a man's horn. And unfortunately most of the aftermarket stuff is just louder but still sounds like a shrieking teenage girl.
I'm also disappointed that all the cool stuff I want to add costs so much...
7.)Would I have gotten another model?
Ah, now THAT is the million dollar question.
I agonized over the Rubicon vs. Sahara decision. And even after I bought the Sahara I agonized over not getting the Rubicon. And then two months later they released the 10th Anniversary Edition and I agonized over that.
If money were no object, I'd get the 10A and be done with it. Anvil with black leather...
As money IS an object, I had to do the Base Rubicon vs. Loaded Sahara trade-off. While I love the idea of the Rubicon (and forums like these only make you want it more
), the arguments for a Rubicon appear to fall into one of two camps: 1. You really need one because you're rock-crawling regularly; or 2. You really want one just because.
Again, being honest with myself, I wasn't going to be using it for rock-crawling (at least not deliberately :whistling
particularly when brand new. So, I fell into the "just because I really want one" camp. No question I really REALLY wanted one. But after a ridiculous amount of research, I realized that for all the things I wanted to do, the Sahara is actually better. So, it was a better decision and got me the interior and look that I wanted.
8.) Will I buy the next Wrangler?
Only if it's a diesel...