Buying my first Jeep Wrangler, how are they?

Question

I have always wanted a Jeep Wrangler. I am graduating college soon and I'll be able to afford a good used Wrangler in about a year.

I've always driven old SUV's and Farm Trucks, so I am not expecting the smoothest or quietest ride, nor the best mileage (I am expecting around 18-20 Hwy).

I will definitely want a stick, I think it would be weird (if not sinful) not to have a 4x4 but I can go places in a 2wd F-150 that others with 4x4's cant go, so 4wd is preferable but not important.

Now the questions. If maintained well, what is the lifespan of the engine and transmission? I eventually want the new 4door, but buying used I will probably get the I4 or I6, how are these engines? Are they easy to work on yourself compared to Fords and Chevys? How does the new V6 compare? Are there any years to stay away from? How does it do on the highway @ 70mph?

Thanks Jeep Wrangler Owners. If you have never owned one I don't want your opinion.

Answer 1

I don't know about newer Jeeps, but I had a '75 CJ5 that soured me on Jeeps for all time. I can't bring myself to give a $#!+ about anything they've made since, but I've heard other people say they love them. Mine was very easy to work on, but then, I got a lot of practice. If I got one today, I'd find one with a puked motor and drop a 4.3 Chevy in it. People will probably give me thumbs down for the Chevy comment, but they're idiots if they do.

Answer 2

i love jeeps, personally i perfer cherokees. but, wranglers are very capable off road vehicles(even stock). if your planning on lifting it i'd go with the I6 (177-190 hp and 220-225 ft. lbs) if your looking for more of a daily driver and don't plan on taking it off road, the I4 should be fine      (about 130 hp and 130-140 ft. lbs). the I6 is very durable and reliable. my 2000 cherokee w/ I6 has 90000 miles on it and hasn't given me any mechanical problems. i've read of reports of 400,000 miles before a rebuild. the transmissions are also reliable. i haven't looked into the jk wranglers w/ the v6 but i'm sure they are up to par. if you are looking for a fuel injected engine then anything from 87 to present. in 91 jeep went with multi port fuel injection so there is a small boost in hp with that year. also, with the I6 the high output badge just means that the engine is equiped with multi port fuel injection (91 and up). as fuel economy you'd get your 18-20 mpg (highway) my cherokee is lifted 6.5" and has 33's. with a flowmaster exaust, throttle body spacer and cold air intake i'm getting 18 mpg highway. highway speeds are no problem although the wrangler was built more for off road, rather than driving interstate speeds, but none the less it wouldn't give you any trouble. as far as doing engine work yourself the engines are very easy to work on, i've done all of my own work, just purchase a haynes or chilton book and you'd be set. i'd compare it to say....working on a mid 90's v8. if you looking for a rubicon, i'd say it was worth the money for off roading. the dana 44's and np/nv 241 transfer case is enough to justify the price increase. i think that's about all the advice i can give you. i hope this helped a little. congrats on becoming a jeeper.

Answer 3

The I4 and I6 are both stout, reliable engines, though the I4 will be a little anemic for highway use. The 4.0L I6 is a d**n legend in its own right, survives even ridiculous abuse, and is very easy to work on yourself. It'll also move you down the highway comfortably.

The new V6 is also a good engine, though a little harder to work on yourself. Being a newer design adapted from the rest of Chrysler's line, the power band isn't the same as the older AMC/Jeep engines—the torque comes at a higher RPM. Not a problem as much as something to be aware of.

Answer 4

I have owned and driven five Jeep Wranglers over the years. A 1973 CJ5 V8, a 1990 Wrangler Sport 6, a 1994 Wrangler Sahara, a 1998 Wrangler Sport automatic 6,a 2002 Wrangler Sahara. I had my share of problems with them, but everyone who converted them to modified engines had more trouble than I did.

The best Jeep I have ever owned was the 1975 CJ. Awesome power, short wheel base,go anywhere, tricky on the highway at speed. The worst was my 1998 Sport which would go crazy in the rain with the computer and sensors. My 2002 Sahara was a nice vehicle both on the road and off the road. My biggest gripe was the fiberglass fenders and running boards.