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Mall Crawlers: Any Regrets Choosing JKU over an SUV or Crossover?

13K views 117 replies 56 participants last post by  BushWrangler 
#1 ·
Does anyone have any regrets going for a JKU as a 2nd family vehicle? For us it's primarily going to be used as a mall crawler and taxi for the kids (10/12 year olds). I've only had SUVs/Crossovers in the past and know they're more practical (e.g. safety, comfort, gas mileage, reliability, quality, etc.). But, I fell in love with the JKU and wondering how I might feel after the honeymoon is over.
 
#2 ·
If you can afford it why not? Great looking jeep the JKU. Have and love one myself, got it for my wife so she can have a 4 door for our boys car seat. So it's purely a family car. But yeah the jeep wasn't cheap and its expensive to drive around, but w.e. I'd rather drive a jeep than a car ;)
 
#4 ·
Safety specs are pretty good. Better than most other vehicles. You can even add a third row. Reliability and quality are good too. Gas mileage is subjective. My wife's Hyundai gets good mileage but she'd rather have a Jeep
 
#5 ·
Mine is a daily driver and I also cart many dogs around. I have the backseat permanently removed because of this. While my situation isn't exactly like yours, 3500 miles later with no chance to off-road yet and I'm still 100% happy with the purchase.
 
#6 · (Edited)
A Wrangler is a super cool vehicle, but it is very expensive and "rough" compared to a relative cross-over. It also has a poor side impact rating.

If you are willing to put the money into it, and live with its shortcomings and quirks, it is awesome. But if you are thinking "cross-over", the honeymoon will be short lived.

I'm a total mall crawler, this is my 1st Wrangler, and I don't have any regrets....but I also spent over a year on this forum alone gathering information.

The backseat of a Wrangler is pure torture. The door is narrow, the step up is high, the bench is flat, and the seatback is way to upright.

The lack of things like door detents, or homelink, or a roof rack may bug you when you consider how much you will fork over.

Remember, this is a RWD/4WD vehicle on solid axles, not an AWD vehicle on independent suspension at each corner.

I'll say this much, the 2011 and 2013 interior upgrades made them much more user friendly.
 
#7 ·
I sold a 2011 Lexus RX450H to buy a 2013 JKU Rubicon. (actually got money back) It took a bit of adjustment but 4500 miles later I'm still happy. It is kind of like car vs. truck when comparing these two vehicles. I like to fresh and salt water fish and I felt like I was destroying the Lexus every time I pulled a boat or threw the kayak on the roof. The Jeep seems way tougher and like it's made for that kind of use.
 
#8 ·
I've owned 5 Wranglers
Presently a 1995 Sahara for mudding, 2007 Sahara for show and fun . But for top down doors off fun on 4 wheels there's nothing better. And nothing gets more Attention than my 07 Sahara, recently run in the Memorial Day parade and voted best in show Wrangler.
I also own a Rare 2 door Tahoe for colder weather fun, and a 2008 Saturn Outlook for everyday general purpose, a 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit motorcycle for the ultimate open air freedom.
I have owned many vehicles but nothing more loved than my Wranglers. They are so easy to customize and the resale value has always been good. I buy what I like and I believe everyone should. Be an informed buyer. Wranglers get horrible gas mileage and have a rough ride but I know that and its just what I wanted. If I want to drive a truck I drive the Tahoe, if I need a car I drive the Saturn. If you need to save money don't get a Wrangler they are more a toy that an everyday driver

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tire Tire
 
#10 ·
As a toy (that can serve as an SUV), it is outstanding....provided you are willing to put some work and cash into it.

Just do your research FIRST. Figure out what you want, what you need, and how you plan to use it.
 
#14 ·
I think a lot of the talk about Wranglers being overly rugged, uncomfortable, rough, etc. is a little exaggerated. My wife drives a Volvo XC90 with 20,000 miles on it and it's actually a lot less comfortable than my wrangler in a lot of ways. You could describe the XC90 as "smoother," but I prefer to call it "looser." I don't even really find the interior or seat comfort of the XC90 to be that remarkable compared to my JKU Sport S- certainly not enough to justify the extreme price difference between them. The jeep is tighter on turns, more controllable on downhills, and even feels a little better than the Volvo on the highway in my opinion.

Short answer: Just compare vehicles via test drives. If you like the feel of the JKU better than crossovers or other SUVs, go for it!
 
#17 ·
I definitely plan on taking the top off! I planned on building a hoist in the garage to remove the hardtop. No major concerns about overnight security. I planned on most of the things on your list except for the wheel locks and new headlights. Will have to do some research on those.

As I think about it, it's really the "grin" factor. I saw a few JKUs today and was green with envy. I saw a lots of MDXs and thought just another SUV.
 
#50 ·
My friend has an MDX and they are real nice, but there is no other vehicle like the Jeep. If you can put up with a vehicle being louder, slower, worse mpg, handle poorly, will rattle, etc. then get the Jeep because it is the most fun in a vehicle you can have. I have had many cars and SUV's since I sold my Rubicon in '09. I ended up coming back to JKU. A few things I hate, but the looks and fun of the top off or going to places no other vehicle can get to makes up for the negatives of the Jeep. Handling on the highway and in cross winds or driving into the wind sucks for the most part, but on an 80* day with top and doors off there is no competition for that. If you like bells and whistles and comfort then don't buy the Wrangler.
 
#19 ·
We just traded off my wifes very fancy 2012 cross-over for a 2013 jkur and her and I both agree that the jeep rides better, it has more room, and its way more fun to drive. Its her dd and she couldn't be happier. We already had my jeep so we really didn't need another one but I'm still glad we bought it.
 
#20 ·
This 2013 Jeep Sahara is completely impractical as I still have 2 kids at home. One drives and the other in 7th grade.

It was a total toy for ME. My wife hated it at first because it was loud, rough and didn't have lights on the vanity mirror. Can you believe that??

The jeep was freaking cheap compared to other vehicles. I have sunk thousands into a soft top, new wheels, new bumpers, and two new sound systems already (already upgraded again).

Funny thing is once the weather changed, I put on an Off Road Heros soft top and we have at least one of the panels off all the time making it even louder. Now we take it everywhere with her riding shotgun and loving it.

My favorite vehicle I've ever had including my bitchin Mustang GT in High School and a string of German and Japanese cars. I don't care if it rains in it, if I run over a curb and through the mud. Half the time I wash it in the driveway I do it with the top still off and just whipe it down. I used to spend hours detailing my cars, now it's a 30 minute process.

I'll probably buy another one of these in 3 years and hand this down to my kids to drive. Just fun.
 
#21 ·
After reading all of these responses I think we can sum it up:

Buying a mall-crawler wrangler is a result of this combination: The feeling of wanting something and the ability to say "too bad" to everyone else in your life. If you lack either of these things then go buy an appropriate crossover.

:thumb:
 
#25 ·
I really have got to disagree with a lot of the stuff about wranglers being really uncomfortable, unpractical and not an off-roader. My 13 JKUR is probably one of the more comfortable vehicles I have owned besides a lexus sc 430. Its way more comfortable than my old WJ and my Evo. It is my daily driver and it is great for that I like being in it as much as possible. The seats in the 13 are very comfortable they are the same that are in the grand Cherokee for 13 which I don't think many would call uncomfortable. As far as it not being an off-roader I could not disagree with you more it is great offroad, it is stable has great approach and departure angles breakover is not as good as the 2 door but still better than my WJ and some XJ's I have driven and I don't think many would call XJ's grocery getters. What it really comes down to when choosing what do you want out of it are you looking to have an experience that swaddles you on your way home from the outside world or do you want to be immersed in the outdoors? I know you are not interested in off-roading yet but you might be surprised if you get the jeep, they have a habit of making you wonder what is beyond those trees! and you get to go to places like this on a whim!

and this will get you there no problem

this probably won't
 
#31 ·
...I know you are not interested in off-roading yet but you might be surprised if you get the jeep, they have a habit of making you wonder what is beyond those trees!...
Well, he could just get out and walk...

But still OP, have you considered a grand cherokee? What about the new cherokee that debuts this summer? They both will put a smile on your face while being Mr-Mom approved.
 
#26 ·
to appeal to your emotional side - an Acura won't make you smile EVERY time you pull out of the drive way....and NO ONE has ever walked up to someone in an MDX and said "Cool Jeep man"....

and to appeal to your practicle side - the JKU has ONE HELL of a resale value if you ever decide to get rid of your "toy"

p.s. good luck with the Jeep ;)
 
#28 ·
to appeal to your emotional side - an Acura won't make you smile EVERY time you pull out of the drive way....and NO ONE has ever walked up to someone in an MDX and said "Cool Jeep man"....

and to appeal to your practicle side - the JKU has ONE HELL of a resale value if you ever decide to get rid of your "toy"

p.s. good luck with the Jeep ;)
And no one will confuse you with the old lady down the street
 
#27 ·
If you want a Jeep get it. Drive it for a while if you dont like the resale value on Wranglers is one of the best. I have a 2012 JKU and it sees some trails but spends most (99%) of its time on the road. My kids are 15,12 and 10 and they would rather ride around in the Jeep than in my wifes 09 Traverse with seating for 8 and a DVD player. My kids love it when I take them to school with the top and doors off of the Jeep. Get the Jeep you'll love it.
 
#29 ·
My advice is to take an extended test drive (over night) and see how the family likes it for every day use. It's not a cushy vehicle by any stretch of the imagination and if you're buying it for practicality I'd recommend choosing something else. But if you want a vehicle that feels different than any other vehicle on the road and makes you want to stare at it in the driveway, then go for the JKU.
 
#30 ·
I just bought a loaded 2013 JKUR and my wife and I love it. It is my daily driver and since I live in the city, it will see little off-road adventure. With leather, Uconnect and one of the higher end radios, I think it's a very nice SUV. I find it very comfortable, but then again I like a stiffer ride rather than a cushy one. I was concerned that my wife wouldn't like it, but she's in love like I am. All of the comments about the back seat are right unfortunately. The seats are very upright and shallow. Let your kids try it and see what they think. My guess is that the Acura will have better reliability. Gas mileage isn't great, but since it uses regular and I'm guessing the MDX uses Premium it could be close to a wash. I would suggest seeing if the dealer will allow an extended test drive and keep it overnight. See what it's like to live with. Bottom line, you may trade some small amount of practicality for a huge amount of fun. If you want to smile every time you get behind the wheel, get the Jeep.
 
#33 ·
Love my mall crawler. Can make it look like an off road beast if you want and still take it to the mall.

Always have the choice to take it off road if the need comes up.
 
#34 ·
I'm a mall crawler with intentions to go offroad at some point possibly. I have a wife, a dog, no children and a home renovations habit, so practicality and fun were equal considerations. I traded in a Lincoln MKX for my '13 JKU and couldn't be happier. In many ways it's more practical than the vast majority of SUVs - the only SUV on the market that will take a 4x8 sheet of drywall is a Suburban, I believe, but with the JKU I can just drop the roof and tie it to the roll bar. A couple of weeks ago I brought home a pair of 6' tall trees, I stood them in the back with the roof down and lashed them to the roll cage. Try doing that with a Suburban, or any other SUV.
 
#39 ·
I love my new JKU. I have a wife and 3 kids, so it's my DD, my convertible and my winter car all in one. What can be better. Loving every minute I'm driving it with the top down, tunes on and a huge smile on my face. Come the winter I'm sure I wont be getting stuck..
 
#41 ·
'91 explorer
'94 grand cheerokee
'97 grand cheerokee
'00 yukon
'04 yukon
'08 trailblazer SS
'11 wrangler sahara jku(totaled)
and two days ago my new '13 billet silver jku and the wrangler has been my favorite suv/truck of all the above w/ the tbss(amazing sports car like ride, sucked gas like a sewer drain). The wrangler is the only 4 door production convertable in the world, as well as great family transport and amazing off road ability. with the new interior of the '13 and drop top and the pentastar the wrangler has only got better, the only thing i wish the wrangler had was a homelink transmitter
 
#43 ·
I use mine as a day to day. It's a 3.21 geared stock as hell JKU Sport in Commando Green. I've had it out on the trails 3 times since I've bought it, but I drive it 30 miles round trip to work and collect the kids from school ever single day. I only burn a half a tank of gas a week. But when I have the top and doors off, it looks bad ass.
 
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