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How many wish they had done this

3K views 40 replies 36 participants last post by  Old Dogger 
#1 ·
Bought a 2015 2dr Willys 3 wks ago and wife and I wish we had looked at and considered a 4dr. Yea, I know it will cost me money to trade or move up. Went on a 500 mile trip last weekend and was impressed with mileage 20.7, but the back was stuffed even with seat out. Decisions, decisions. Plus would like and miss PW & DL.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I think there's plenty of room in the 2 door with the seat out. Of coarse everyone has different "needs" when traveling. But we would go camping with all our supplies for a week. And run with the top down and the half doors stuffed in the back. Then one of those bungee cord spider webs and ratchet straps securing everything under our tarp/ground cloth. I always think of packing the 2-door as similar to packing a backpack for hiking, you can't take everything, and the stuff you take should be of a hiking/space saving design.
 
#9 ·
Bought a 2015 2dr Willys 3 wks ago and wife and I wish we had looked at and considered a 4dr. Yea, I know it will cost me money to trade or move up. Went on a 500 mile trip last weekend and was impressed with mileage 20.7, but the back was stuffed even with seat out. Decisions, decisions. Plus would like and miss PW & DL.
Exact same, bought a '12 JK, did not consider the JKU, kept it for 3 years then got a JKU, so much better fit for my use, did pretty well though, my '12 did not lose much value and I sold it private party and bought a slightly used '14 JKU.
 
#10 ·
I bout a 2 door originally and instantly regretted it because it was way smaller than I had imagined for my daily activities. I traded it in for the same vehicle in 4 doors less than 3 months after ownership. I dealt with the same salesman and he really did good by me overpaying me trade in value and still deeply discounting the 4 door with tread lightly, ect. I was so impressed if I stay with Jeep I will buy my next one from him.
 
#11 ·
I've ordered a 2-door and didn't really consider a 4-door.

I like to do big tailgating and I like to travel. But I don't do those every day. I think I'll be fine between folding up or removing the rear seat. However I've already added a hitch mounted rack to my "wish list" as that would be good for a cooler or other large bulky item. And if I find I need even more room for tailgating, I'll look into a small trailer or tow behind grill/smoker as the largest things I take are a marine cooler and grill.

But I 100% agree, get what you want. IMO a jeep is an emotional purchase. A fun purchase. So get it the way you want and that makes you happy!
 
#12 ·
With a 2 door it's about efficient use of space and learning that you may not be able to haul everything you want to for a trip. It's about simplification. That's why I specifically went with a 2-door.

Coming from a Yukon it took some getting used to but I'm very happy with my decision.
 
#13 ·
I went from a 2-door to a Power Wagon to a 4-door.
The 2-door was too small for overlanding and it was a miserable tow-pig....

Much happier with the 4-door.
 
#14 ·
The couple of advantages of a 2 door JK over 4 door would be little better gas mileage and tighter turning circle, however if I had any doubts it would bug me forever. If you haven't already done a long test drive in a 4 door, then you should and if in love and can afford the loss, go for it.
 
#17 ·
Went from a TJ to a JKUR. The cable that released the latch so the seats would move forward broke, so getting the kids in the back when they were babies/toddlers was not fun. Waited till they were 7 and 10, then I got the JKUR :rolleyes:

It's nice to able to take the kids to softball practice in the Jeep without having to cram everything behind the rear seat, or in the front passenger seat.
 
#18 ·
anyone know the percentage of 2 doors sold versus 4 doors? I was just looking on the jeep.com site and its like they don't even advertise the 2 doors anymore. It's only the unlimited that is shown on the vehicle line up picture. Both are nice but with jeeps, bigger is better, in my opinion.
 
#19 ·
I don't really know, but read that JKU's were around 70%. That's about what I see. Ordered a new 08 JKUR and it took 5 months to get it. Was told they had no idea how popular they would be and the hold up was getting a hardtop. Now have a 12 JKR which I like much better, and the wife has a 15 WK2 for the extra room.
 
#20 ·
I've had CJs and other Jeeps even smaller than today's 2-door JK and trips were always a struggle but that's all you could get at that time. Off-road capability outweighed carrying capacity.

Since the JKUs came out, there's no other choice for me.... it's not a people-carrying thing for me.. I just don't like being cramped and the idea of having to use an Excel spreadsheet along with a CAD program to carefully calculate my packing strategy seems somewhat tiresome to me.

The tiny amount of off-road capability you lose with the JKU as well as the added costs are well worth it, IMHO..... OTOH, if you're OK with the space in a 2-door, that's fine too of course...

Bottom line, OP: If you're unhappy with it now, you will never be happy with it.. Trade it sooner rather than later because the longer you wait, the bigger the hit you will take.
 
#21 ·
I bought a 2dr 2 years ago and then had a child. While I CAN get her in and out of the back, I do not enjoy it. Because of this, whenever traveling as a family, we have been taking my wife's Ford Edge. But I like driving the Jeep. Solution: trading for a jku.
Point is, the value of my 2dr is good enough that my payments won't change much.
 
#22 ·
I have had one 2 door and after spinning out in the rain getting on the interstate...I sold it and have had nothing else but JKU's.
Best kept secret for me is the JKU Sahara with dual top and Max tow package and 3.73 gears.
Hauls 5 comfortably, long trips are nice, tows 3500 lbs, looks awesome with 2 doors or 4 doors off...etc. etc.

Get what you really need and want for yourself and the wife.
 
#31 ·
Exactly, it's not just about cargo space, the stability of the JKU is noticeably superior. I've owned 7 2 doors over the years and 2 4 doors and on the highway the shorter wheelbase is noticeable specially in foul weather. However, offroad things change. So just decide what matters most to you.
 
#26 ·
This was a big debate for me when I was buying my Jeep, I was pretty much 90% positive I was getting a 2 door.
Then I took the 4 door for a test drive. I fell in love with it.
No regrets on getting the 4 door at all!

Tons of room in it, and easy to grow into once my husband and I have kids.
 
#27 ·
I purchased a 2011 2-door and loved it. We decided that we needed more room because the Jeep was the main vehicle in the household, so we traded for a 2014 4-door (aka minivan edition JK). I kept the 4-door 11-months and bought another 2-door.

Yes, the 4-door rides much better, drives better on the interstate, and has a lot more room, but it's not a Jeep IMO. I like the 2-door much better for a daily driver because you can park in "compact only" spots, make U-turns anywhere, and it's perfect for one passenger and 2 dogs.

Everyone has different needs though. If we didn't have a second vehicle the 4-door would make more sense.
 
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