4-Door Jeep: Good idea? Input desired.

[workinwifdakids]

I saw a 4-door modern-style jeep - a Wrangler, or Rubicon, or some such - and it looked really slick. I really want one, but I'm wondering if anyone has any input. I haven't moved beyond the "Wow, that looks sexy" stage of it. What are your impressions of these modern 4-door Jeeps?

I'd be using it for paved street / in-city driving, a little highway but not much.

[Yogimus]

Jeep are like Harleys or Mustangs. Overpriced, and under engineered. About a generation behind current technology. All the young enlisted kids round here are buying em up like crazy, and all the ones I have seen are less than impressive. A lot of break downs, and too much compromise between "off road" capability and "highway" use, making them mediocre at best in both categories. Serious off roading without aftermarket parts is not advised, and if attempted, will result in the purchase of aftermarket parts to fix shattered axles and bearings.

All in all, I REALLY can not recommend a JEEP brand vehicle, except as a toy.

[Kommander]

No personal experience but it has been repeatedly recommended to me that if I want a capable jeep to get on old Cherokee or similar vintage regular jeep.

[randy]

I have a friend that has been off-roading in jeeps for years. He seems to spend almost as much on after market parts and kits to fortify them for serious off road trails as he did for the original vehicle. Not to mention the hours upon hours of labor he puts in making the modifications and maintaining them.

[TheArmsman]

We had 2 4-door Jeep Wranglers at work, used for doing perimeter patrols. Put 112,00 miles on them in 3 and a half years. They were running on average about 20 hours a day. Minor breakdowns, plastic stuff breaking. Windshield fluid bottle, overflow bottle, stuff like that. Did have the tranny go out on one, and the radiator fans on the other. Had to wash the radiators monthly because of the dust build-up on the radiator fins. Would not recommend the soft top in hot climates, A/C could not keep up with the heat here in Tucson.

[Netpackrat]

I will say the same thing I always say... If you drive it like a car, and maintain it like a car, you can expect it to break about as often as the average car. Throw all that out the window as soon as you take it off road. If you want to play, you are going to pay.

I'm not a real fan of the JK based wranglers, which all of the 4 dor rigs are... Too wide, heavy, and the vehicle's computer is too involved in things (on the earlier TJ which I have, the computer only runs the engine). I guess they have a better engine now that doesn't suck so much as the V-6 that they started with.

[McClarkus]

No personal experience but it has been repeatedly recommended to me that if I want a capable jeep to get on old Cherokee or similar vintage regular jeep.

X2. The guy that has worked with me for the last 14 years has had the older ones, Cherokee and Comanche pick up and his maintenance has been minimal. Then again he used to do mechanic work so he treats them well.

[Steamforger]

I ended up with a '99 Cherokee after advice from a different thread. I've not regretted that other than the 9-11 mpg in town. It's mostly my own fault as I do a lot of stop and go driving and looking at the gas pedal gets you to 2000 rpm.

That being said, I love it. I've done brakes on both ends, new thermostat, thermostat housing, water pump, radiator hoses, etc. Parts are ridiculously cheap and readily available.

[skb12172]

Jeep are like Harleys or Mustangs. Overpriced, and under engineered. About a generation behind current technology. All the young enlisted kids round here are buying em up like crazy, and all the ones I have seen are less than impressive. A lot of break downs, and too much compromise between "off road" capability and "highway" use, making them mediocre at best in both categories. Serious off roading without aftermarket parts is not advised, and if attempted, will result in the purchase of aftermarket parts to fix shattered axles and bearings.

All in all, I REALLY can not recommend a JEEP brand vehicle, except as a toy.

What would you suggest instead of a Mustang?

[Yogimus]

Used BMW