CD Article: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The problem in the old one is that it was so friggen narrow. You get in, close the super thin door, and your shoulder was jammed against the door or frame of it. Anyone taller or bigger built would feel like they were against the window steering the thing. I have to test the new one, I'm sure it's vastly improved.

Really like it too.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

However, the $19,995 base two door is a STEAL!  It's got the new V-6, a six cog manny, and for a lousy $495 you can order the locking diff.  Hello Toyota, the FJ needs a $495 locking diff option, not a thousands of dollars package!  For about $21,000 I can get into a new two-door Jeep.  I think they've got it right.

My brother bought a base one a few weeks ago. Loves it. MUCH better vehicle than my 1992 YJ. I could only put up with that POS until 1994. Held its value quite well though.

[safristi]

Sir EH!! ya were wearin the skin tight WRANGLER!!!!


  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCpMw6R-rvE

[johngenx]

I went and tested a Wrangler Unlimited X with the "freedom top" (dumb name) and a few other goodies today.  LOVE IT!  The longer wheelbase compromises the off-road capability slightly compared to the two door, but the room inside is terrific.  It handles shockingly well, rides much nicer than you would ever think, and despite being a metal and plastic box on wheels, is more civilized than I figured.  The six speed shifted well and the feel of the contrls was petty good.  The steering is a little disconnected, but not any worse than our Subaru.  I'm spoiled by the Mercedes!

I tell ya, if it had a small turbo diesel offering good economy, I would have bought it today.  One thing that is nagging away at me is the lack of a good economical driveline choice.  Sure, the old four was a dog and thanks to having to mash the pedal all the time meant it used nearly as much gas as the six, but I will have a very difficult time buying something that uses more than 10L/100km in all city driving.  C'mon Jeep, steal the 2.7L five pot turbo diesel from MB, or something.  I want one!

[Giant Dwarf]

John, thanks for the mini-report.  Considering the illustrious collection of vehicles you've had over the years, this glowing review of the Wrangler comes as high praise indeed.  Maybe it is worthy of further consideration for the future. 

[Julie]

Thanks for the review John.

[johngenx]

Wifey saw the brochure, and I cringed.  She shocked me when she saw the four doors and exclaimed "wow, we should go look at one of those this weekend."

So, tomorrow we're going to go and retest and have my much-better-half drive it.

Stay tuned, as I am seriously considering buying one...

(completely breaking my no-new car rules)

Have to really hammer out the fuel economy problem.

[ovr50]

Rules are made to be broken, Johm.....

[Julie]

Wifey saw the brochure, and I cringed.  She shocked me when she saw the four doors and exclaimed "wow, we should go look at one of those this weekend."

So, tomorrow we're going to go and retest and have my much-better-half drive it.

Stay tuned, as I am seriously considering buying one...

(completely breaking my no-new car rules)

Have to really hammer out the fuel economy problem.

If the fuel economy isn't really that much over 10L/100 km, it wouldn't be that bad, would it?

John, it's not a very expensive vehicle (even if you splurge a little on trim/options), and if you're going to keep it a looong time (which I suspect you will), there's really no significant difference between buying new and used... (At least that's how I felt when I finally let my 12 year old Sentra go after owning her for 9 years.)

And if a vehicle makes you do this  , it's hard to place a money value on that as well.  

Plus, you've got a nice vehicle to trade in or sell, would make it even less expensive to buy (Forester I guess?)

John, I'm curious, how does the Subaru compare?

[airbalancer]

The design does not do much for me but I am glad you like it
Would it be worth it to wait a year or two to see if DC puts a diesel in it?

[UmroAyyar]

(At least that's how I felt when I finally let my 12 year old Sentra go after owning her for 9 years.)

Hey Julie  Guess what I got for this week's rental? something you let go, hint hint. 

[roamer]

and despite being a metal and plastic box on wheels, is more civilized than I figured. 

     What vehicle isn't? It's just the shape of the box that differs. The new Wrangler is a quantum leap improvement over the old one. I wish that it had an engine with more oomph but it can be bought for $30000 fully equipped so one can't complain too much.
I hear that there's a backlog of 60000 orders for this truck. Despite getting the thumbs down from Consumers Report it just shows that the domestic manufacturers can build desireable vehicles if they really try.

[Benhaze]

The design does not do much for me but I am glad you like it
Would it be worth it to wait a year or two to see if DC puts a diesel in it?

There is already a diesel in it for the export markets. The US diesel emission regulations makes it very difficult for anyone to offer a diesel engine in that market and it is not economically feasible to have two different diesel engines in the same vehicle. Might have to wait more than 1-2 years...

[johngenx]

Julie, you're on the wrong path.  The Forester would remain in the death-grip of my darling wife, and the Jeep would replace the Mercedes.

I have some stumbling blocks, but we'll see how I feel after driving it again tomorrow.  They are...

1. I don't like buying something when I don't need it.  The MB is a fine car, paid for for many, many years, and has many years of reliable cheap motoring left.  At nine years old, I don't feel like I've milked my money out of it. 
2. I loathe the idea of replacing one vehicle with another that does not improve the fuel economy.  Not just for the pocketbook (the extra fuel cost won't kill us) but philisophically.  I hate the idea of consuming more than I need.
3. The dealers SUCK (gawdaful typical sales-houses with 500 salespeople and a crowded lot) and I'm a little concerned about build quality and owning it out of warranty.  I will buy only on the premise that it will live with me for 10+ years, as I really want to get my money out of it, especially if I bought it new.
4. We have an AWD wagon that serves us well.  Why the hell am I thinking of buying ANOTHER one?  Huh?  I just can't justify how this thing would fit into our "fleet plan."  I should be buying an S2000!!  (yeah, I did look at a cherry used one not too long ago...)

BUT...

The four door model is COOL!  WOW!  It's way better in the tin than in the pics.  The Hummer looks like an overweight bloated poseur in comparision.  The Wrangler Unlimited is "lean" and looks like the real off-roader it really is.  It could easily get into the Bugaboos, the logging roads in the Monashees, and other places it would go in no time.

The real problem might be getting the keys.  Wifey was thinking aloud "hhhm, you could have the Forester now, and I'd drive the new cool Jeep."  Hey!

[Wolfe]

The design does not do much for me but I am glad you like it
Would it be worth it to wait a year or two to see if DC puts a diesel in it?

There is already a diesel in it for the export markets. The US diesel emission regulations makes it very difficult for anyone to offer a diesel engine in that market and it is not economically feasible to have two different diesel engines in the same vehicle. Might have to wait more than 1-2 years...

Honda has announced they're bringing 4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines to North America by 2010. Toyota is reported to be working on developing a new generation of small and medium sized diesel engines in partnership with Isuzu.

If the Japanese bring these to market here before anyone else they will end up dividing up the uncontested segment between themselves. Their image of consistently building quality products with up to date technology will likely help widen the acceptance of diesel engines too. It's pretty easy to imagine Honda and Toyota scooping up the lion's share of the next big growth segment of the North American car market. Honda and Toyota are announcing their new engines and rollout plans while the competition don't seem to be even considering the possibility that an opportunity exists. It's ironic considering DCX, or at least Mercedes-Benz, has been building and selling diesel engines for longer than Honda has been building cars.


I agree that a diesel Wrangler would be sweet.

[Julie]

(At least that's how I felt when I finally let my 12 year old Sentra go after owning her for 9 years.)

Hey Julie  Guess what I got for this week's rental? something you let go, hint hint. 

The car that still tugs at my heart, the Corolla? 

*****************************************************************

John, those are awfully good reasons for not letting go of the Mercedes. I know, I know, I'm not doing a good job encouraging you to buy so that all us other CTC members can have the pleasure of living through your car purchase. 

You've got a rare breed in that Mercedes being so solid (reliability, driving dynamics, and build quality-wise - no rattles!), and looking and feeling luxurious with a timeless look.

I hope to keep my Acura (if it holds up well) for 12-15 years. It's not because I don't fancy other cars (man, that BMW 335i coupe makes me waver...), and, like anyone, I'd prefer not to "lose" money changing cars every 3-4 years... But I think the strongest reason I'd like to keep her is because of the pleasure I know I'd get out of having a high quality, satisfying car in my possession.... and saving money as I take care of her....

I don't know if I'm expressing my thoughts well enough. It's about the feeling of value and quality for your hard earned money.

Who knows though. I'm weak when it comes to cars. 

[UmroAyyar]

(At least that's how I felt when I finally let my 12 year old Sentra go after owning her for 9 years.)

Hey Julie  Guess what I got for this week's rental? something you let go, hint hint. 

The car that still tugs at my heart, the Corolla? 

You didn't read the hint. 2007 Nissan Sentra.

[Julie]

(At least that's how I felt when I finally let my 12 year old Sentra go after owning her for 9 years.)

Hey Julie  Guess what I got for this week's rental? something you let go, hint hint. 

The car that still tugs at my heart, the Corolla? 

You didn't read the hint. 2007 Nissan Sentra.

Oh, right, I had let go of the Corolla too, but I had mentioned the Sentra in the previous post. I just read your other thread. Let us know how you find the new Sentra. I can understand though you missing your Camry...

**********************************************

So John, how was the test drive with wifey?

[airbalancer]

they have the Wrangler on Driving TV

[Snowman]

Julie, you're on the wrong path.  The Forester would remain in the death-grip of my darling wife, and the Jeep would replace the Mercedes.

I have some stumbling blocks, but we'll see how I feel after driving it again tomorrow.  They are...

1. I don't like buying something when I don't need it.  The MB is a fine car, paid for for many, many years, and has many years of reliable cheap motoring left.  At nine years old, I don't feel like I've milked my money out of it. 
2. I loathe the idea of replacing one vehicle with another that does not improve the fuel economy.  Not just for the pocketbook (the extra fuel cost won't kill us) but philisophically.  I hate the idea of consuming more than I need.
3. The dealers SUCK (gawdaful typical sales-houses with 500 salespeople and a crowded lot) and I'm a little concerned about build quality and owning it out of warranty.  I will buy only on the premise that it will live with me for 10+ years, as I really want to get my money out of it, especially if I bought it new.
4. We have an AWD wagon that serves us well.  Why the hell am I thinking of buying ANOTHER one?  Huh?  I just can't justify how this thing would fit into our "fleet plan."  I should be buying an S2000!!  (yeah, I did look at a cherry used one not too long ago...)

BUT...

The four door model is COOL!  WOW!  It's way better in the tin than in the pics.  The Hummer looks like an overweight bloated poseur in comparision.  The Wrangler Unlimited is "lean" and looks like the real off-roader it really is.  It could easily get into the Bugaboos, the logging roads in the Monashees, and other places it would go in no time.

The real problem might be getting the keys.  Wifey was thinking aloud "hhhm, you could have the Forester now, and I'd drive the new cool Jeep."  Hey!