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Thinking of buying a Jeep...but

3K views 34 replies 23 participants last post by  Bonecollector 
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

As you can see, brand new to the forums and with questions already! (yay)
I am seriously considering purchasing a Jeep. In fact there is a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara I am looking at in Toronto.
Comes with Procomp 315/70R/17 tires (with full-size spare wheel and tire) and the KMs and the price seems right. However, I keep getting mixed reviews about the car. Some say it's an amazing car, never any problems, a friend said his brother had one and constantly had to take it in, etc. The internet is more or less split on the reviews as well. Now, I realize that just like with any car (or anything for that matter) opinions will vary....but what do current owners say?
I also read about a hard-top leak issue...how common is that?
But primarily I was wondering: How do you rate this car? I am coming from an 2012 Audi S4 (a toy I had for a year now and no I won't miss the "luxury") so want to know what to expect reliability wise, the noise, etc.
What should I look for or ask the dealer?
They are supposedly offering a 30 day/2500km exchange warranty and I am trying to find out about the factory from them as well. ANY help, guidance and suggestions would be enormously appreciated. :worthy:
 
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#3 ·
If you're just looking for a reliable suv, I'm sure there are better choices.

If you're looking for something you can take the top off and perhaps try going off-road, you'll love it.

But, on that size tires, and from a dealer, I'd make an educated guess that's it's either overpriced or it has a sub par lift on it and you could find something better.

If you're sincerely interested in it, post the price here and the name brand of what lift is installed (find out from dealer or take pics) and you'll get some great opinions.
 
#5 ·
My jeep (2012 JKU Sahara) is my DD and to my amazement has been quite reliable. I didn't expect it to be as reliable as the Hondas and Nissan vehicles I owned previously. I special ordered it and picked it up with 3 miles on the odometer in the spring of 2012 and is currently around 76k. The few issues it's had have been very minor and easily fixed by me or under warranty. No leaks with hard or soft top.

There are a few givens you have to come to accept with jeep ownership.

-Wind noise with the soft top can be high.
-Bugs will splat on every flat surface and the windshield will need daily cleaning.
-stock headlights suck and need immediate replacement.
-your friends will be jealous.
-your wallet will be lighter
 
#6 ·
Thank you for the quick replies everyone.
Not sure what the lift kit is (will find out from dealer) but it has Fox shocks and it's listed for 37k Canadian.
I see that overall it seems to be a toy vehicle then and not as reliable as one would hope…dang it.
Been doing some reading on that an apparently QC improved over the last few years but still, makes one wonder.
I am definitely planning to use it as a DD and for trips going up north, winter and a very seldom road trip. I can see that it can do it all but yeah reliability is my biggest worry.
I mean I will barely drive it to work as much (It's literally like a 15-20 minute max commute) so I won't be putting a lot of miles on it but certainly wouldn’t want a car that spends a lot of time in the shop….
 
#7 ·
I have a 2015 JKUS with 49k miles on it (built 8/4/2014) and have yet to have an issue from the previous owner or myself.
 
#8 ·
Mine is a daily driver, grocery getter and child transporter----and the best damn vehicle around.
Its noisy, bumpy flashy and expensive - and I LOVE IT.

If you are looking for creature comforts and little cash outlay this is not your choice.
You want a light wallet with the reward of a simple "Jeep wave" and pride in your Jeep---this is your darlin.
 
#11 ·
I had a 2010 that was basially problem free up to 109k miles when I traded it in. I bought a 2015 last year, had it 14 months and it just went over 28K miles this weekend with no issues so far.

Most hard tops will leak some, you can make them stop with some effort usually.mine leaks right at the front of the joint between the 2 freedom panels, not enough to bother me, but I will likely take it to the dealer before the warranty expires and see if they can do anything about it.

I built a hoist and door hangers in my garage, on a nice day, I can back in and have all 4 doors and the top off in about 10 minutes with very little effort and can put it back on just as quick.

Love off roading with this thing, love driving it on the beach, the highway or just to the store and back. I don't see me ever being without a wrangler in the future.
 
#10 ·
Well...first of all a jeep isn't a car...its a jeep. There is no comparison to any other vehicle. My vehicle prior to my '14 JK Sport was a '08 BMW 535i. FANTASTIC car...but not a jeep. Like comparing apples and oranges. If you want a family SUV stick to something else...if you have spare cash and want to do it right ...buy a wrangler and mod mod mod.
 
#15 ·
I swapped a 2013 BMW X6 and a 2005 Wrangler TJ for my new 2016 JKU Rubicon. Its my Jeep, the family car and the grocery cart all in one.
Drive one and see if you like it. If you like it, buy one. If it doesn't work for you, sell it and get something else. Worst case you might lose a bit of money on the transactions.
 
#18 ·
My experiences from a quality standpoint haven't been great. But until somebody else starts making a vehicle available with front and rear solid axles, four doors, removable top and doors, and available lockers, I am going to keep buying Wranglers.

I saw an interesting article once that compared current Wranglers to 1960's European sports cars. The point of the article was that, in both cases, the quality and maintenance issues were significant but people still just loved them and kept buying them anyway. That's how I see it.

At least now the Pentastar gives you decent pep and the interior is upgraded, so I think it is a fantastic daily driver. My only issues concern reliability which has been meh, but nothing catastrophic.
 
#19 ·
I think it all really boils down to what do you want. Do you want a super reliable car that really good on gas (Jeeps aren't the best). I suggest a nice Prius or maybe a 4Runner.

Can they be work (mine hasn't but yes they can), can they potentially leak....Yes, you'll potentially have to learn how to fix but you get that with the ability to go topless in 10 minutes

NOW, if you want a vehicle that's going to make you feel alive & put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel....welcome to the Jeep family. Yes, there's alot of good trucks/SUV's/cars that can do some things better. But for a DD, offroader, kid hauler, a$$kicker....nothing beats a Jeep. I wouldn't exchange any of those features for the ability to drop the top, remove the doors and go rolling down the road when it's 85 degrees with the sun is shining on your face and your leg is hanging outside.
 
#22 ·
Test drive it. Being in Canada, they're all 4x4, so great in snow with the right tires. They're not modern in anyway really. Yet Jeep sells basically every single one. Tons of reasons that people love them. You'll just have to decide if those reasons apply to you.
 
#27 ·
Not so much downgrade- but different expectations. I sold a 5-series, and an e93 335i convertible - my Wrangler has replaced both.

The Jeep doesn't accelerate or brake nearly as quickly as the BMWs, but I couldn't drive them through 24" of snow like it was a nice summer day. I couldn't drive over curbs, across rough cottage roads, haul bikes or kayaks, etc. The ONLY thing I miss about the BMWs is being able to go from a hardtop coupe to a convertible in 22 seconds.

OP, I DD my Jeep (first one was a '14 JKUS, currently have a '16 75th), and have had no major issues at all. Had an oil pressure sensor issue with the '14 that was promptly taken care of under warranty by the dealer.

Other than regular fluid changes and five tire rotations, mine have been great.
 
#24 ·
Actually I was never one for luxury and had/drove SUV's Vans, trucks, etc. I am not too big on features either so I do not really care.
My only concern would be electrical and mechanical problems. If it's something silly like a light bulb going out, a little leak, etc, etc it does not bother me at all as I pretty hands on.....my only concern is reading and hearing about people taking it in and was wondering if that happens often or something that will drive you crazy.
Plus the insurance on Jeeps is cheaper :p
 
#30 ·
Actually I was never one for luxury and had/drove SUV's Vans, trucks, etc. I am not too big on features either so I do not really care. My only concern would be electrical and mechanical problems. If it's something silly like a light bulb going out, a little leak, etc, etc it does not bother me at all as I pretty hands on.....my only concern is reading and hearing about people taking it in and was wondering if that happens often or something that will drive you crazy. Plus the insurance on Jeeps is cheaper :p
It will leak. It's not very refined. It's no where as slick as your S4, but it won't break down as much as an Audi (my dad has had them). If it does, the aftermarket support is arguably the best, period. You can basically rebuild the thing with parts ordered from your Quadratec or Extreme Terrain catalogs! Get it mine. You will love it more than any other vehicle, hands down.
 
#25 ·
OP:
you will be better served to understand the necessity to disabuse yourself of the notion you repeated state; understand that "Jeep" is NOT a "car".

Care & feeding may be similar; performance and the opening of whole new dimensions of motorized adventure are beyond and apart from whatever a 'car' may have to offer.
 
#26 ·
Have you looked at buying a new one? When I was shopping not to long ago it wasn't much more money to buy a new wrangler which is what I did, ordered a 16 rubicon hard rock, 13,000 trouble free miles and counting.

I have always had a jeep however never really enjoyed driving them due to poor performance on the street, always been a car guy. For the last 10yrs my jeep was used for pushing snow and that it... I am totally surprised and hate to admit it but I have zero regrets selling my Saab viggen and my jeep TJ for my 16 wrangler.

What I do not like is a complete lack of power, that's by biggest frustration. It really needs 100+ HP more :)

My s wife and I also had a 08 JKU X, it was pretty reliable, 80K plus miles and also another 20k miles being towed behind the RV. Fuel tank replacement and death wobble have been its only two issue. Neighbor had a similar vintage JKU and sold it after a year due to how much time it spent in the shop.
 
#29 ·
2015 Sahara here. 18K with absolutely no mechanical problems. I think the newer models seem to be more reliable. There are people on this forum who have 200 - 400K on their vehicles.

My previous car was a Lexus RX330. I like the Jeep so much better. No comparison. Much fun to drive.

So - lets take some of these issues.
Noisy - Yep. Vertical windshield on a brick going down the road. And big tires.
What you do is put in headliners like hotheads. It reduces the noise.
Something always rattling on a Jeep it seems but nothing major on mine.

Guzzle Gas - Not really. I have 3.73 gears with Max Tow package and getting over 21 MPG regularly on city streets. If you are "under geared" with lots of heavy options and big tires then yes you will burn a lot of gas.

Leaks - Yep. Mine did. Took it in and had dealer fix under warranty. No leaking since. Was not suprised that it leaked.

Handling - I got a body boost - so there is rubber lifts under the springs. Rides like a car now. Took all of the roughness out of the ride going over bumps and holes.
Handles pretty smoothly now and is quite fast when needed.

Expensive - Only if you start modifying. Depends what you define as expensive. I will be putting a total of $5 - 6K into mine but that includes $2500 for wheels and tires. Hell the floor mats were $200.
Yes original lights suck - another $280 for Cibie H4s.
Headliner was $400. 2.5" Teraflex Body or Budget Boost w/wheel extenders was $700. Aluminum Billet Goodies another $800. Other odds and ends.
I will be getting a bumper hoop and off road lights - another $700.................
And I have not gotten tires and wheels yet as I am burning up mine now.

A Jeep is like a platform for you to do with what you want. You don't have to do a thing but I don't like to look like everyone else on the road.

Absolutely my favorite vehicle I have ever had. Fun fun fun to drive. Looks great.
Bad ass. Get lots of waves. I like it so much better than the Lexus.
 
#31 ·
re: " It really needs 100+ HP more"??? Is this a serious comment?
The associated running gear/drive train are doing well to handle what it now has.

re: "they drive like a brick, handle like crap, guzzle gas and eat tires and brakes very quickly. "
My 08 rode like a rocking horse and handled like a lawn tractor.
Didn't regard that as an issue. Rancho 9000xt made major improvements....yet it remained 'a Jeep'....not a 'car' nor a thwarted race machine, nor even a steroid version of 4x quad racer.

My replacement tires ran from 25000 to 90000 miles, and still had 11~12/32nd on them, starting with 18/32. Lotsa miles, no tire eating. OEM Front brake pads at 85000 still 3/4 original thickness; rears replaced twice due to squeaking.

The Jeep is more like a set of 'work clothes' you put on for certain tasks, not spandex racing togs for a brisk turn about the race track.

That there are so many adaptations & variations on the basic OEM design after 75 years is simply amazing. Nobody's happy yet everybody wants one, then nobody likes it yet everybody spends tons of $$$$ to make it work like they think they want it to.

Hats off to Jeep!
 
#32 ·
Since we are talking about Audi's my mom has a TT that has had to have her top replaced twice because it started leaking. I believe that she was paying 5k for a new top. Just because it's way more expensive doesn't mean it's going to much more reliable or bring you any more joy. Plus, when those Audi's break, it cost a bunch to get them back on the road.
 
#33 ·
Wow thank you very much everyone.
I read every single reply.
Pretty confident in the quality of the newer Jeeps.
I am now going to be going on a hunt for a Jeep that "speaks to me" and maybe even check out a new one. Thanks again for all your replies, I really appreciate it.
My only choice now really is whether I want a 2 door of a 4 door wrangler lol
 
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