[Clyde45]

Jeeps may not like 85mph, but on a trip from NYC to LA, you would only save 5 hours if you could cruise at that speed the whole way. So speed isn’t really a factor other than the fact that the Porsche is comfortable at that speed, and the wrangler isn’t. If you are an open top guy and need the towing capacity, buy the gladiator, slow down, and enjoy the drive.
If speed is important, a Mercedes E class convertible is an excellent long distance tourer, capable of hours of comfortable high speed driving with the top down. although luggage capacity is limited with it down.
BMW 4 series is good too, although windier at highway speeds.

 

[mjposner]

"85 mph is over the speed limit anywhere I've ever been. Know why? It's not a safe speed in any vehicle.....period. Unless you're on a race track, there's no reason to do that speed. " Really? Have you ever driven on a large modern highway? The safest speed is the speed of the traffic. And most highways (especially out west) are 70 - 80 mph and every driver (except you) is going faster. '

"I think you need to ask yourself why you want a Wrangler/Gladiator over other types of vehicles " As I stated I am a convertible guy and park top down 90% of the time, hot or cold (thoughcold is relative I live in SW Florida). My current car is a BMW Z4:

I also had a 2020 Macan (Cayenne before that) and now that is gone (D) and the Z4, while blast to drive is not practical. I have two dogs:

If the dogs are in the car I cannot have a passenger....(which defeats post D living as I take my girls everywhere I can).

I also do kayaking and biking and that just don't fit!

So the only vehicles that would work are wrangler and bronco. Only reason I would even consider a gladiator over a wrangler is I am interested in the rv life and I haven't decided (i) if its for me; (ii) whether I would trailer or go class c. If I go Class C then wrangler all the way.

I like driving off road, but few opportunities here. I would not lift Jeep or modify suspension and would want bet on road tires.

 

[aldo90731]

If you are used to Porsches and BMW dealers, you are going to absolutely HATE how Jeep —and Ford— dealers treat you.

Heck, I’m used to Jeep dealers and I even HATE them...!

 

[Clyde45]

My $0.02, get a Mojave. Change the tires to some 285/70 pirelli scorpions and have a blast. It’s the best stock suspension on a jeep.

 

[aldo90731]

The guys on the other Wrangler forum are right now swearing that 392 has the best stock suspension on a Jeep...

 

[Clyde45]

If you are used to Porsches and BMW dealers, you are going to absolutely HATE how Jeep —and Ford— dealers treat you.

Heck, I’m used to Jeep dealers and I even HATE them...!

I found BMW dealers extremely annoying. Rather than talk to any available service counter person, I had an assigned service rep, who was usually a good looking 20 something person waiting for the next available sales position. No service knowledge, and always busy.

mercedes service is better. Jeep service is solid, if a little… “rustic”.

 

[vanhalo]

I CAN’T DRIVE 85!!

 

[HK_Runner]

I'm sort of going through this now. Once my JKUR was lifted with 35s, I did not like going much over 70, ever. I'm fine with that since I don't like to drive much faster anymore. I'll do 75 in the other vehicles but except to pass, rarely over that for any extended period. I think the JKUR was fine on 4-6 hour highway trips but I had a hardtop and sound-deadening panels on the hardtop and sides. It had MTRs which are quieter than most MTs. With ATs, it would have been even quieter. It was not really quiet like other vehicle I own but acceptable and fine for conversation in cab or on phone/speaker. Nobody ever complained or mentioned anything negative. My buddy with his soft top- different story...quite a bit louder. The STOCK JKUR was quieter and since it was lower with stock suspension, was smoother and handled speed better than the lifted version.

The Bronco is quieter and better to drive on the highway. I only like the Broco Raptor though, and struggle with its extra 8-10 inches or so of width. However, it may be the one for me after all my thinking is done. I just have to maybe not do Elephant Hill at Moab. Sad. So the Gladiator tows more and that is likely due to a much longer wheelbase, which makes towing safer. I THINK it is a smoother drive on the highway (I have not driven one) like any longer wheelbase vehicle should be. The Gladiator is not for me due to lack of interior space. If I did that, I'd just get a full-size F-150 and put a tent on the back for camping/exploring with my toddler (my wife is not into camping at all).

 

[Clyde45]

The guys on the other Wrangler forum are right now swearing that 392 has the best stock suspension on a Jeep...

Mojave is built for high speed desert driving, while Rubicon is built for articulation. I would choose the Mojave over the rubicon for a highway vehicle. Plus 392 isn’t available in gladiator is it?

 

[aldo90731]

Mojave is built for high speed desert driving, while Rubicon is built for articulation. I would choose the Mojave over the rubicon for a highway vehicle. Plus 392 isn’t available in gladiator is it?

No. And Mojave isn’t available in Wrangler either.

 

[aldo90731]

I found BMW dealers extremely annoying. Rather than talk to any available service counter person, I had an assigned service rep, who was usually a good looking 20 something person waiting for the next available sales position. No service knowledge, and always busy.

mercedes service is better. Jeep service is solid, if a little… “rustic”.

I wish my Jeep dealer service was “rustic.” I could live with that.

It is incompetent, crooked and unprofessional.

 

[RonTexas]

I found BMW dealers extremely annoying. Rather than talk to any available service counter person, I had an assigned service rep, who was usually a good looking 20 something person waiting for the next available sales position. No service knowledge, and always busy.

mercedes service is better. Jeep service is solid, if a little… “rustic”.

I found BMW service to be very good. Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[roaniecowpony]

"85 mph is over the speed limit anywhere I've ever been. Know why? It's not a safe speed in any vehicle.....period. Unless you're on a race track, there's no reason to do that speed. " Really? Have you ever driven on a large modern highway? The safest speed is the speed of the traffic. And most highways (especially out west) are 70 - 80 mph and every driver (except you) is going faster. '

"I think you need to ask yourself why you want a Wrangler/Gladiator over other types of vehicles " As I stated I am a convertible guy and park top down 90% of the time, hot or cold (thoughcold is relative I live in SW Florida). My current car is a BMW Z4:


View attachment 4583524

I also had a 2020 Macan (Cayenne before that) and now that is gone (D) and the Z4, while blast to drive is not practical. I have two dogs:

View attachment 4583525

If the dogs are in the car I cannot have a passenger....(which defeats post D living as I take my girls everywhere I can).

I also do kayaking and biking and that just don't fit!

So the only vehicles that would work are wrangler and bronco. Only reason I would even consider a gladiator over a wrangler is I am interested in the rv life and I haven't decided (i) if its for me; (ii) whether I would trailer or go class c. If I go Class C then wrangler all the way.

I like driving off road, but few opportunities here. I would not lift Jeep or modify suspension and would want bet on road tires.

I can't overstate the difference in quality of what you've been driving vs a Chrysler product. My wife calls my Jeep a lemon. I've been frustrated to the point of selling it many times. But, I have a specific use for my Jeep, and it's not driving on the highway. Again, the only reason to put up with Jeep's low quality is the inherent off-road capabilities.

 

[mjposner]

As for dealerships its always hit or miss. Also, I am handy and can deal with minor issues. I have owned wranglers but always as a second car that never went on any long trips, but around town was fine. Except for the towing issue, I much prefer the look of the wrangler.

 

[pismo61]

I can't overstate the difference in quality of what you've been driving vs a Chrysler product. My wife calls my Jeep a lemon. I've been frustrated to the point of selling it many times. But, I have a specific use for my Jeep, and it's not driving on the highway. Again, the only reason to put up with Jeep's low quality is the inherent off-road capabilities.

I can agree with that.

 

[aldo90731]

I can't overstate the difference in quality of what you've been driving vs a Chrysler product. My wife calls my Jeep a lemon. I've been frustrated to the point of selling it many times. But, I have a specific use for my Jeep, and it's not driving on the highway. Again, the only reason to put up with Jeep's low quality is the inherent off-road capabilities.

You make an excellent point. If you buy a Jeep just to drive on the freeway at 85 MPH, you are stuck with Jeep’s shitty freeway dynamics, Jeep’s shitty quality and Jeep’s shitty service. There’s no upside.

 

[vanhalo]

Mojave is built for high speed desert driving, while Rubicon is built for articulation. I would choose the Mojave over the rubicon for a highway vehicle. Plus 392 isn’t available in gladiator is it?

I have purchased my last 2 vehicles from a BMW dealership. Sonic Automotive owned.
I have had very good experiences with them.

of course I wasn’t buying a Bimmer.

 

[aldo90731]

...

 

[JTPhoto JK]

I can't overstate the difference in quality of what you've been driving vs a Chrysler product. My wife calls my Jeep a lemon. I've been frustrated to the point of selling it many times. But, I have a specific use for my Jeep, and it's not driving on the highway. Again, the only reason to put up with Jeep's low quality is the inherent off-road capabilities.

I’ve had my share of vehicles over the last 47 years. I spend lots of time on road everyday and I have no problem stating that dollar for dollar Jeep/Chrysler is no worse then any of the rest of them. You get a good one or you get a lemon. Ford, GM, Toyota, Hyundai etc you pick it they all have their issues.
The defining factor will be the dealers you have to work with when you have an issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[aldo90731]

The defining factor will be the dealers you have to work with when you have an issue.

^^^ this! As vehicles become increasingly complex, dealers become a key part of the puzzle.

Unfortunately, Jeep dealers lag behind the rest of the industry.