Comments on: Chrysler prices new Jeep Wrangler

By: Dodge

Dodge — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 17:53:23 +0000

Got a chance to test drive the Unlimited 4 door at a local dealership. First one showed up and I was just tire kickin and noticed it. Opened the door and set off the alarm, it was activated apparently. Dealer had to get the keys to shut off alarm, and I said while he had the keys, might as well go for a spin. I have driven jeeps before, and this was nothing like I remembered. Very smooth, nice manners and excellent quality. It didn’t pitch and roll nor bounce on the road like I remember the two doors for. Very stable and pleasant to drive. I made mention to the dealer that it was like “a minivan for guys” and he said that was a very good slogan. I think I’ve found my next vehicle, and not cause it’s like a minivan, but because it is a jeep that has room for stuff inside, rides nice and maybe do some light towing. I also really liked the open engine bay. I popped the hood while the dealer was in returning the keys and you can get at everything. Serpentine belt is exposed and will be easy to monitor and replace. All necessary maintenance surfaces are exposed and easy to access. It’s a real joy to find a vehicle like this, especially since I wasn’t looking for it and didn’t know it existed. Can’t wait to see them hit the floors and start seeing them around town on the road.

By: jay01th

jay01th — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 17:58:56 +0000

Listen Guys— The 2 Door Wrangler is going to be a Mail Truck, don’t you remember the old Mail trucks of the 1970′s…. They were 2WD Jeeps!!!

By: Jon Luc

Jon Luc — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:50:07 +0000

I like the new 2dr. Rubicon. 2wd Jeeps are pointless, unless you like a cheap urban convertible.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 01:33:03 +0000

This Wrangler (specifically the 4-door version) is making me seriously consider buying it. I’d like to know more about the diesel version, though. :-/

By: tppp

tppp — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 14:09:24 +0000

Rover..I think Rod is refering to Petersons 4wd magazine award which the previous generations of Grand Cherokee’s did win more awards than any other vehicle in that publication but you are correct that the current generation WK Grand Cherokee is not the off roader the old ones were with the solid axles. Don’t get me wrong though.. No disrespect to the Discover or Range Rover though for they have won several awards worldwide and are known for they off road performance everywhere. Rovers and Jeeps are about the only SUVs that has real off road capabilty in my opinion.

By: hal

hal — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 05:45:27 +0000

Um please don’t share anymore details of your fantasies Haifa

By: Haifa Heiffer

Haifa Heiffer — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 23:59:25 +0000

Whenever I see a Wrangler I think of West Hollywood in the early 80s and all those gay men into the Marlboro Man look

By: British_Rover

British_Rover — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 23:30:38 +0000

Rod in what publication??? The current Jeep Grand cherokee is not going to be that great off road. No solid axle up front means no good off-road unless you spend a ton of money and then develop a cross-linked air suspension set up. DCX did not spend a ton of money and do that.

The discovery has probably won more awards world wide for off road capablity then any other vehicle on earth.

The Range Rover might be a close second. Being sold in nearly every country in the world will do that you know.

By: rod

rod — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 21:17:31 +0000

the jeep grand cherokee has been awarded more times than any other vehicle for it’s off road ability….

By: JC Whitless

JC Whitless — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 21:06:51 +0000

I already have customers wanting lift kits for the four-door Unlimited…

/yeah, nobody can do it yet

By: tppp

tppp — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 21:02:36 +0000

no he was one of the other guys. He has a new band now

By: pppt

pppt — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:29:02 +0000

I think I know your brother, wasn’t he the construction worker in the Village People?

By: tppp

tppp — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:50:51 +0000

The price is pretty impressive on the 07 model Wranglers. My brother just ordered a 2Dr Rubicon with a list price of $28,800 which is roughly the same list price as his 2004 Rubicon was and it is equipped with Satellite Radio, Trailer Hitch, Side Airbags, and the infinity stereo system… all features his 2004 didn’t have.

By: Ryan H

Ryan H — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:41:00 +0000

1950s Jeepster was 2wd too…

By: 1952 MG TD

1952 MG TD — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:19:16 +0000

Both TJ and YJ were available as 2wd. Government services used them for mail, ticket maids, and several other services.

They were also offered to the general public, but were delivered almost exclusively to southern states.

They DO exist, albeit on a relatively small scale.

By: tppp

tppp — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:16:14 +0000

Rover..as far as i’m aware the last generation TJ Wranglers were not built in a 2wd configuration. I think you are right about that. I’m not sure if the older YJ square headlight Wranglers were ever built in 2wd or not. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one either.

By: 1952 MG TD

1952 MG TD — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:40:05 +0000

same beam axle as the XJ and ZJ, just with leaf pads instead. Same t-case as well, with the welded full case with only rear output.

By: British_Rover

British_Rover — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:34:25 +0000

I wasn’t sure when they changed the designation to the new non solid axle design If you are going to do an IFS design and have any hope for using it off-road you better have an IRS out back to match the IFS and you better have some kind of cross link valve design like the current Land Rovers have.
. I have worked on 2wd XJs and ZJs but have never seen a 2wd wrangler. They must have been very rare birds if I have never seen one.

By: 1952 MG TD

1952 MG TD — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:31:21 +0000

The wrangler has been available in 2wd configuration as far back as 1987… the 1st year of the YJ.

XJ and ZJ were also both available in 2wd.

Rover: the WJ is also all over the trails, and very capable out-of the box. you are thinking of the WK, which is the current body-style.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:30:03 +0000

No, there were 2wd Wranglers before. They just have horrid resale value, and you find them at crap car lots.

By: Denver Bronchials

Denver Bronchials — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:13:14 +0000

I agree British_Rover Jeep lost it with the Grand Cherokee redesign, and Commander is pointless

By: British_Rover

British_Rover — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:10:03 +0000

The ZJ Grand Cherokee and XJ Cherokee are actually very capable vehicles off-road. You see a lot of them on the trail. The new Grand Cherokee WJ I think it is sucks though.

By: Village People

Village People — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:53:42 +0000

Compass and Patriot have The Worst front end styling, makes them both look goofy, after such awesome concept cars too. Though Compass has better styling aft the A pillar than the Caliber.

By: JC2

JC2 — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:49:30 +0000

and no I believe it never came with 2wd before… they are offering this for better fuel economy and of course for those that will never take it off road, which most of them aren’t going to take them on trails. Also by making it also 2wd, they can reduce the price, and therefore the price drop you see now (including a few other things). Jeep is moving away from their older image, which the Wrangler and army GP created. But after the introduction of the Liberty, and some will go as far as to say the Grand Cheroke their off road image was dissolved. I believe the Liberty really started the end of their “rugged, capable” image since the Cheroke, although no longer capable, at the time it was created was a more rugged looking vehicle. Now they have made the design less timid (it was never timid in the first place). The Liberty was probably the beginning of Jeeps “evolution” to a less rugged brand. They more-so changed it to Chryslers SUV department with the Grand Cheroke. You can see an ongoing trend, SUVS for Jeep, Chrysler for families and Dodge mostly for trucks and aggressive budget cars. They each have their own department, and the only way that Jeep will fit in there is if it makes more appealing SUVS. Therefore the image was dissolved, watered down if you will. One reason why they didn’t go with the Jeep truck I think was it would hurt Dodges mid-sized truck sales, and as I said that’s what it focuses on.

By: Timtoolman

Timtoolman — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:44:29 +0000

Agreed. They want to grow the brand, but are doing it at the risk of destroying what Jeep is. The YJ (the original “Wrangler” with the rectangular headlights) should be proof enough that making them chick cars is a big mistake.

I had a CJ-7 and my wife hated the ride. I loved it. The only way I’ll buy one of these is 4WD and, likely, a Rubicon edition.

The Compass is another issue altogether. They just don’t need to badge-engineer EVERY vehicle they make.

By: Go West

Go West — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:43:33 +0000

its lose and not loose for a start. the mark up on all cars is large, so DCx has cut its margins to sell more cars or the new one is cheaper to make than the old one. A car retailing at 20k costs less than 10k to build so there is plenty of room for maneuver

By: JC2

JC2 — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:36:44 +0000

wait… I have been noticing that throughout the board, car prices are dropping. Yet the manufacturers were already loosing profit off of them. So now they’re loosing less money? Or is the Wrangler, Explorer and Expedition already making profit?

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:36:20 +0000

Agreed, 2WD Wrangler is like an F-22 without missiles. Still, the prices are pretty affordable for such a capable 4×4 vehicle.

By: British_Rover

British_Rover — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:29:28 +0000

Yeah I noticed that too. I have never seen a 2wd wrangler before did they make them before now?

That is just stupid.

By: Observation

Observation — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:27:10 +0000

A 2 wheel drive Wrangler? This fits with the Compass. Nice move dcx. You should stick to your roots. BMW will always be The Ultimate Driving Machine and Jeep should always be known as the off road brand. It’s a Jeep thing….If we give you 2 wheel drive sissy vehicles maybe you’ll understand!!!

By: Hobie Cat Buchanan

Hobie Cat Buchanan — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:15:47 +0000

Make mine the “Queer as Folk” Special Edition