Way OT: 2019 Jeep Wrangler

[BornALion]

It's time I trade in my 2013 Unlimited Sport and considering upgrading to a 2019 Sahara. My big hangup is the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder vs the traditional 3.6L. the 2.0 has a bit better gas efficiency at 22/24 vs 17/19 with similar power. Any Jeep guys in made the jump to the 2.0 and what's your impression so far?

 

[fastlax16]

It's time I trade in my 2013 Unlimited Sport and considering upgrading to a 2019 Sahara. My big hangup is the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder vs the traditional 3.6L. the 2.0 has a bit better gas efficiency at 22/24 vs 17/19 with similar power. Any Jeep guys in made the jump to the 2.0 and what's your impression so far?

Have you considered selling the Jeep and investing that money instead?... sorry wrong thread.

If you modify your cars, a simple ecu tune will have some nice power gains on a turbo motor.

 

[EMCLION]

It's time I trade in my 2013 Unlimited Sport and considering upgrading to a 2019 Sahara. My big hangup is the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder vs the traditional 3.6L. the 2.0 has a bit better gas efficiency at 22/24 vs 17/19 with similar power. Any Jeep guys in made the jump to the 2.0 and what's your impression so far?

Everything I have read says you still have the option for the 3.6L engine. I would wait and see if they release the 3.0 diesel later this year low end torque and fuel mileage should be worth the wait

 

[LionDeNittany]

It's time I trade in my 2013 Unlimited Sport and considering upgrading to a 2019 Sahara. My big hangup is the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder vs the traditional 3.6L. the 2.0 has a bit better gas efficiency at 22/24 vs 17/19 with similar power. Any Jeep guys in made the jump to the 2.0 and what's your impression so far?

Does the mpg jump really help you? Just curious because I don't view Jeep buyers as long commuters.

Seems better to go with 3.6.

LdN

 

[PSU Mike]

Have you considered selling the Jeep and investing that money instead?... sorry wrong thread.

If you modify your cars, a simple ecu tune will have some nice power gains on a turbo motor.

BAL, fastlax can rattle off a list of 12 watches you can get instead ...

 

[fastlax16]

BAL, fastlax can rattle off a list of 12 watches you can get instead ...

I absolutely love wranglers and if I had room for two cars would own one. There are no watches I would get over a new Jeep.

 

[bwifan]

Wranglers hold their value ... incredible what they get for pre-owned one's with high mileage.

 

[gregoryj95]

I think the new 2.0 turbo actually produces more torque and hp than the old 3.6. Of course those numbers don't mean much until you drive it. I factory ordered a 4-door Wrangler with 6-speed manual as soon as they were announced and drove that for 8-9 years. Loved it.

Let's talk about snow tires versus all season. Does anyone have an opinion on that?

 

[fastlax16]

I think the new 2.0 turbo actually produces more torque and hp than the old 3.6. Of course those numbers don't mean much until you drive it. I factory ordered a 4-door Wrangler with 6-speed manual as soon as they were announced and drove that for 8-9 years. Loved it.

Let's talk about snow tires versus all season. Does anyone have an opinion on that?

Neither. Mattracks or bust.

http://www.mattracks.co/tracks/trucks/

 

[Zenophile]

It's time I trade in my 2013 Unlimited Sport and considering upgrading to a 2019 Sahara. My big hangup is the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder vs the traditional 3.6L. the 2.0 has a bit better gas efficiency at 22/24 vs 17/19 with similar power. Any Jeep guys in made the jump to the 2.0 and what's your impression so far?

The 2.0 is not available with the 6MT. Proceed accordingly.

 

[cment]

In 5 years there will be nobody left that can drive a manual box.

I would hold off as long as you can for the diesel. BUT, FCA may not ever bring it over here b/c of their emissions fiasco.

It is amazing what Jeep can charge for Wranglers and what you actually get. Crappy interior, horrible ride, noisy as f K, bad mpg, handle like a wheelbarrow. But they are fun as shit.

Sold my Rubicon last year and kind of miss it some times.

 

[fastlax16]

In 5 years there will be nobody left that can drive a manual box.

I would hold off as long as you can for the diesel. BUT, FCA may not ever bring it over here b/c of their emissions fiasco.

It is amazing what Jeep can charge for Wranglers and what you actually get. Crappy interior, horrible ride, noisy as f K, bad mpg, handle like a wheelbarrow. But they are fun as shit.

Sold my Rubicon last year and kind of miss it some times.

They can get away with it since it’s basically a class of its own, which I’m sure you know since you had one. If you want a wrangler you want a wrangler. You probably aren’t cross shopping with a crv or a rav4 and you probably don’t want a g-class.

 

[Zenophile]

In 5 years there will be nobody left that can drive a manual box.

Unless you know something I don’t, there’ll be at least one of us.

 

[Connorpozlee]

No opinion on the topic, but I am looking into getting a fourth car. Four drivers and three cars will be nothing but trouble this summer. That said, my thought is to buy the least expensive new car to give to my daughter (with her kicking in a bit monthly) to give her a head start in her automotive life and not have to worry about having to put money into it while she is still in school.
Any opinions on that?

 

[PennStateNate]

I bought a Wrangler Shara in 2016 and never again. I have had nothing but problem with it. I bought it with about 7K on it, New engine at 23K and now a new tranny at 40K. Also other issues along the way. Radiator, coolant lines, multiple batteries, 2 sensors went.

 

[PearlSUJam]

I bought a Wrangler Shara in 2016 and never again. I have had nothing but problem with it. I bought it with about 7K on it, New engine at 23K and now a new tranny at 40K. Also other issues along the way. Radiator, coolant lines, multiple batteries, 2 sensors went.

Some might call that karma.

 

[demlion]

No opinion on the topic, but I am looking into getting a fourth car. Four drivers and three cars will be nothing but trouble this summer. That said, my thought is to buy the least expensive new car to give to my daughter (with her kicking in a bit monthly) to give her a head start in her automotive life and not have to worry about having to put money into it while she is still in school.
Any opinions on that?

For MUCH less $ you can get a low miles Toy or Honda that will take her thru HS and college. Bound to be some mistakes in those years. Cosmetic stuff. Big risk, no reward.

 

[fastlax16]

No opinion on the topic, but I am looking into getting a fourth car. Four drivers and three cars will be nothing but trouble this summer. That said, my thought is to buy the least expensive new car to give to my daughter (with her kicking in a bit monthly) to give her a head start in her automotive life and not have to worry about having to put money into it while she is still in school.
Any opinions on that?

I’d probably go for a low mileage certified pre owned 2017 or 2018 Honda Fit or a low Mileage 2018 vw golf cpo or not with the new longer warranty. Both will have warranty coverage til she’s out of school. Both get good fuel economy. you can cram a ton of crap in both since they’re hatchbacks, basically have the same amount of utility as a small suv.

 

[massimoManca II]

No opinion on the topic, but I am looking into getting a fourth car. Four drivers and three cars will be nothing but trouble this summer. That said, my thought is to buy the least expensive new car to give to my daughter (with her kicking in a bit monthly) to give her a head start in her automotive life and not have to worry about having to put money into it while she is still in school.
Any opinions on that?

While I would never purchase a brand new car for a kid in school (door dings, at the very least in any college environment, are gonna crush the soul of a new car owner) ... if your mind is made up for “new” one can still find 2018 VW Golf Sportwagens out there for around $17,500... best new car value out there, and I follow the industry. S models are in no way strippo models... full 7yr warranty... stickers on the 2019’s are going to be around $24,500... but your area VW retailer may have a ‘18 or two collecting moss on the lot... fantastic little cars, well made, modern platform, great drivetrain, excellent Golf road-manners, cargo space of a CR-V (without the cheap-o Honda interior bits), best interior/seats in its class, 15” alloys which means inesxpensive tire replacements, no gimmicky sheetmetal - understated and will look good ten years from now (unlike anything Honda and Toyota are pumping out right now) ...

VW has finally got their crap together, the fact that nobody is looking for a fuddy-duddy station wagon (except for longroof guys like me!) means unbelievable deals to be had for someone smart enough to not fall prone to the silly SUV fad

 

[Connorpozlee]

I get the idea of not getting a new car for a young driver, but I want to get something that I don’t have to worry about putting any more money into for a few years.

 

[Zenophile]

While I would never purchase a brand new car for a kid in school (door dings, at the very least in any college environment, are gonna crush the soul of a new car owner) ... if your mind is made up for “new” one can still find 2018 VW Golf Sportwagens out there for around $17,500... best new car value out there, and I follow the industry. S models are in no way strippo models... full 7yr warranty... stickers on the 2019’s are going to be around $24,500... but your area VW retailer may have a ‘18 or two collecting moss on the lot... fantastic little cars, well made, modern platform, great drivetrain, excellent Golf road-manners, cargo space of a CR-V (without the cheap-o Honda interior bits), best interior/seats in its class, 15” alloys which means inesxpensive tire replacements, no gimmicky sheetmetal - understated and will look good ten years from now (unlike anything Honda and Toyota are pumping out right now) ...

VW has finally got their crap together, the fact that nobody is looking for a fuddy-duddy station wagon (except for longroof guys like me!) means unbelievable deals to be had for someone smart enough to not fall prone to the silly SUV fad

(And the strikingly similar Alltrack version is available with 6MT.)

 

[ivan brunetti]

This thread is an interesting contrast to the Tesla thread; with dozens of posters pointing out the impracticality of a Tesla as a vacation vehicle.

A Wrangler is a TERRIBLE daily driver. Unless you work as a forest ranger, the off road capability isn't worth the trade off in virtually everything else for the vast majority of drivers.

For a bit more money a 4 Runner would be a better option.

 

[fastlax16]

This thread is an interesting contrast to the Tesla thread; with dozens of posters pointing out the impracticality of a Tesla as a vacation vehicle.

A Wrangler is a TERRIBLE daily driver. Unless you work as a forest ranger, the off road capability isn't worth the trade off in virtually everything else for the vast majority of drivers.

For a bit more money a 4 Runner would be a better option.

The 4Runner is archaic compared to the new Jeep.

 

[fastlax16]

I get the idea of not getting a new car for a young driver, but I want to get something that I don’t have to worry about putting any more money into for a few years.

Certified cars under a year old and under 10kmiles will typically have a much longer warranty than a new car in terms of months and miles of coverage. I wouldn’t rule them out.

 

[ivan brunetti]

The 4Runner is archaic compared to the new Jeep.

Much older design, that is true. It is still a better all around vehicle.

 

[djr4rebs]

No opinion on the topic, but I am looking into getting a fourth car. Four drivers and three cars will be nothing but trouble this summer. That said, my thought is to buy the least expensive new car to give to my daughter (with her kicking in a bit monthly) to give her a head start in her automotive life and not have to worry about having to put money into it while she is still in school.
Any opinions on that?

I'm in a similar situation. Considering brand new or slightly used for my daughter. Looking for something to last 5+ years for similar reasons. Hopefully she won't commute as much as I have (bought a '12 Mazda 6 in '13 with 38K on it, over 183K now).

... if your mind is made up for “new” one can still find 2018 VW Golf Sportwagens out there for around $17,500... best new car value out there,

Where are you finding this deal at? I've looked local for me, best I've seen is $19K.

 

[ivan brunetti]

No opinion on the topic, but I am looking into getting a fourth car. Four drivers and three cars will be nothing but trouble this summer. That said, my thought is to buy the least expensive new car to give to my daughter (with her kicking in a bit monthly) to give her a head start in her automotive life and not have to worry about having to put money into it while she is still in school.
Any opinions on that?

I second the recommendation of a lightly used Honda Fit. You can get one with only 15k miles for under $15 grand. If she doesn't get into any accidents it could easily last her a dozen years.

 

[RU31trap]

I was told by a friend who is a mechanic to stay away from anything Turbo. He said that turbo motors always smell like oil, especially during hot summer days. They are more prone to developing oil leaks and when the Turbo finally burns out you could be in for a $3000 repair. I keep my vehicles at least 10 years so I stick with fuel injected cars

 

[demlion]

I second the recommendation of a lightly used Honda Fit. You can get one with only 15k miles for under $15 grand. If she doesn't get into any accidents it could easily last her a dozen years.

Bought an 09 Civic in 2015 for 9500 from my sister. It had 39k on it. Now? 109. Both daughters have driven it for work and college. Youngest daughter has kept it on the street in Philly now for 3 years as she went to college at Temple. It has dings and scratches all over it. Last summer it was sideswiped by what we think was a SEPTA bus while parked. Lost taillight, crinkled sheet metal. Estimate? $1200. Replaced the taillight with a Junkyard unit for 57 bucks. Used the rest to buy a smoker and put tires on the car.

Do not fix body dings! Nothing teaches careful driving like seeing those dings every time while you are getting into the car.

 

[fastlax16]

I was told by a friend who is a mechanic to stay away from anything Turbo. He said that turbo motors always smell like oil, especially during hot summer days. They are more prone to developing oil leaks and when the Turbo finally burns out you could be in for a $3000 repair. I keep my vehicles at least 10 years so I stick with fuel injected cars

Nothing like a bit of fear mongering. Get a new mechanic. I’ve driven exclusively turbo cars,that are driven hard and put away wet, for the past decade. None smelled like oil. Fuel injection and turbos are also not mutually exclusive. Not that all things are equal across brands but $3000 to replace a factory turbo is excessive unless you’re the kind of person that goes to the dealer and bends over. You can pickup an is12 turbo for a base golf fornunder 200 bucks and installing it should be ~600. I had to have a shop install/uninstall the turbo on my golf r 4 times last summer (self inflicted issue) and labor was right at 600 each time. Hell, my buddy picked up turbos for his 2001 Porsche 911 turbo and they weren’t that much.

 

[Obliviax]

I love the wrangler. I love the utility, the drop top, and the open feel. On the other hand, I test drive them and is screams "Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth". Loud engine, road noise, cheap dash.........Its like dating a really good looking, shallow girl: once you've been inside, it is no longer worth it.

I just wonder why no other company has successfully mimicked this vehicle. They do every other one. It is a huge money maker for the company. But, IMHO, there is nothing like it on the road.

 

[Obliviax]

Nothing like a bit of fear mongering. Get a new mechanic. I’ve driven exclusively turbo cars,that are driven hard and put away wet, for the past decade. None smelled like oil. Fuel injection and turbos are also not mutually exclusive. Not that all things are equal across brands but $3000 to replace a factory turbo is excessive unless you’re the kind of person that goes to the dealer and bends over. You can pickup an is12 turbo for a base golf fornunder 200 bucks and installing it should be ~600. I had to have a shop install/uninstall the turbo on my golf r 4 times last summer (self inflicted issue) and labor was right at 600 each time. Hell, my buddy picked up turbos for his 2001 Porsche 911 turbo and they weren’t that much.

Agree...that was the notion when they were first released. That seems to be old school thinking. I had a non-turbo Saab 900 non-turbo. The word on the turbos was you needed to let them run after stopping to let the tubocharger cool. These days, no problem.

 

[PSU95alum]

It's time I trade in my 2013 Unlimited Sport and considering upgrading to a 2019 Sahara. My big hangup is the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder vs the traditional 3.6L. the 2.0 has a bit better gas efficiency at 22/24 vs 17/19 with similar power. Any Jeep guys in made the jump to the 2.0 and what's your impression so far?

I drove both when I was considering the new Wrangler. I preferred the 6 vs turbo. The turbo just felt whinier and louder.

 

[PSU IE 97]

Lots of hate here for Jeep's on-road behavior but the 2019 Wrangler was named Motor Trend's SUV of the year and was applauded for it's much improved on-road driving which makes it a better daily driver.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/jeep/wrangler/2019/jeep-wrangler-2019-suv-of-the-year/

 

[PSU95alum]

For MUCH less $ you can get a low miles Toy or Honda that will take her thru HS and college. Bound to be some mistakes in those years. Cosmetic stuff. Big risk, no reward.

I tend to agree with this. As big of a fan of the Wrangler that I am, I would not purchase one as a college vehicle. Not practical for that purpose, IMO.

 

[PSU95alum]

for someone smart enough to not fall prone to the silly SUV fad

Fad. Oh god, here we go again.

 

[PSU95alum]

This thread is an interesting contrast to the Tesla thread; with dozens of posters pointing out the impracticality of a Tesla as a vacation vehicle.

A Wrangler is a TERRIBLE daily driver. Unless you work as a forest ranger, the off road capability isn't worth the trade off in virtually everything else for the vast majority of drivers.

For a bit more money a 4 Runner would be a better option.

A 4 runner is just barely a better option for ride handling. Come to think of it, no it's not. The new Wrangler rides much smoother than this oversized hunk of metal.

Furthermore, the Wrangler is a great vehicle that satisfies many desires wrapped up in one single package.

4x4? Check
Convertible? Check
Fun as hell to drive? Check
Off roader? Check
2nd Family car? 4 door- Check
Great resale value? Check

Good luck checking those boxes with any other single car on the market.

 

[ivan brunetti]

Lots of hate here for Jeep's on-road behavior but the 2019 Wrangler was named Motor Trend's SUV of the year and was applauded for it's much improved on-road driving which makes it a better daily driver.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/jeep/wrangler/2019/jeep-wrangler-2019-suv-of-the-year/

In a related note, Motor Trend also gave its Car Of The Year award to the infamous Pinto based Mustang II.

 

[fastlax16]

In a related note, Motor Trend also gave its Car Of The Year award to the infamous Pinto based Mustang II.

How much time have you spent in a 2019 Wrangler and a 4Runner from the last 2 years or so?

 

[demlion]

A 4 runner is just barely a better option for ride handling. Come to think of it, no it's not. The new Wrangler rides much smoother than this oversized hunk of metal.

Furthermore, the Wrangler is a great vehicle that satisfies many desires wrapped up in one single package.

4x4? Check
Convertible? Check
Fun as hell to drive? Check
Off roader? Check
2nd Family car? 4 door- Check
Great resale value? Check

Good luck checking those boxes with any other single car on the market.

There's another list of boxes.
Noisy as hell? Check
Sounds like the windows are down even when they're not? Check.
Lurch-o-matic Suspension making an hour's drive exhausting? Check.
Tranny and motor noise only a 16 yo could love? Check
No matter how much money you spend it's still a Dodge? Check.