Who has Jeep Wrangler experience?

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I'm looking to buy another Jeep when tax time rolls around so i'm doing my homework early. I've owned a '98 Cherokee since '03 and it has been the best vehicle i've ever owned...easily the most reliable thing i've driven, so since the Mrs drives that most of the time, i'd like to get a Wrangler with the 4.0 in it and hopefully get the same good experience out of it. I've been browsing CL and it looks like you can get a very decent Jeep for $3k, but what are some things i should look for? Are they that much different mechanically than my Cherokee? I know there's differences in the suspension but is the engine/trans the same? How reliable are those 4 cylinders? Are they any better on gas? That's my only complaint...15mpg, but with it being so dependable and capable in the snow, i've let that slide over the years. I don't do any offroading but if i bought something that already had a lift and tires and stuff on it i would definitely be interested in some trails.

[jack90gt]

My buddy had one with the 4cyl and he kicks himself in the ass everyday.. That motor is such a dog it wouldn't pull itself out of its own way...they are awsome in the summer though.take the top off and doors and go cruise...

[Rich]

Do not get the 4 cyl. The 4.0L is the only way to go. The fuel mileage is not much different but the drive abilty is miles better with the inline 6.

I have owned Jeeps in the past and can say this...they are loud, ride like crap, bad fuel mileage, etc but when thew weather is nice and the top comes off...you forget about everything else!

[orangeconv]

Yea don't get a 4banger, get a 98 up they have coil spring suspension for a better ride, the round headlight wrangler, or go with a jk 08 + my dd love it, just did a 2.5 bb lift anf 33' bought new has 74k miles and the only problen I have had was a taillight wire harness, strange. I have had ten or twelve other jeeps the ride is the best on the jk so far but underpowered

[NO SHOT]

I had a 98 Wrangler 4cyl, You would have to down shift on the Hwy,!!!!!But it was still fun!!:D

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Wow screw that...the main thing i love about my Cherokee is how ballsy the 6 cylinder is. If you wanted to i bet you could build one of these engines up pretty stout. I'd really love to get a Wrangler and do a 5.0 swap but that's out of my league. I basically want an open top version of my Cherokee, even though i'm likely to get a hard top for it too.

[skeptiq]

Had a wrangler online 6 in early 2000's. I liked it but.fuel mileage was terrible. Didn't really care about that at the time but man that thing was fun. nothing like red jeep with no top looking for a little bit of trouble.

Later,
Ben

[8NO4CYL]

Don't even consider the 4 cyl. Straight six all the way!

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

What about the Rubicons? Are they worth looking into? I would love to have an '03.

[Kevin1989]

my mom has the new 4 door with the 4.0 in it. and you wanna talk about a dogg... your at more than half throttle to maintain 70-75 on the highway. and its hard to get moving

[sean]

97 or newer and get the 4.0. It has plenty of power in that little jeep.

[331TwistedWedge]

04 4.0 5 speed ... dont get the 4 banger ... this has a lift and 33's ... the 4 banger will struggle if you lift it and go bigger tires, actually the 4 banger struggles period ... gas mileage sucks, but you buy these for the fun factor ... the 4.0 will outlast the body ...

[orangeconv]

New ones have 3.8 v6. 12 is gonna have 80 more horse pentastar engine, I'm gonna drive my 08 till it dies then go with a 4b cummins

[Kevin1989]

New ones have 3.8 v6. 12 is gonna have 80 more horse pentastar engine, I'm gonna drive my 08 till it dies then go with a 4b cummins

i thought it was a 4.0 what ever it is i hate it...

[orangeconv]

It sucks @ that

[sean]

looks like the op wants to stick at 3ooo. Whatever you get just get the 6 cyl.

[Drivermod]

Best you can hope for around 3K is a rusted out older YJ or a beat up 4 cyl. TJ, maybe. That being said, I have a 98 TJ with the 4.0 in it. It rides rough and is noisy but it's also lifted and on 35" mud terrain tires. I use it as a weekend driver and offroad toy and wouldn't trade it for anything right now but it's not a daily driver. I've driven it for several hundred miles at a time and it's doable. Gets about 15 mpg even on 35's but I've regeared to 4.56's.

[5.0calypso93lx]

I had a 98 Wrangler 4cyl, You would have to down shift on the Hwy,!!!!!But it was still fun!!:D

This. Literally it sucked having to downshift on the hwy.

I actually thought that the 2.5 felt surprisingly strong around town. I'm sure it was the gearing. The highway is a whole nother story though. That alone would be a deal breaker for me now having owned one. It was a 94 YJ. Gas mileage wasn't that great even with the 2.5 and it rode like absolute crap. Still fun as hell though.

[Gene]

A 4.0 TJ is going to be no better/worse than your Cherokee on fuel mileage. Don't get the 4-cylinder unless you're planning on swapping an LSx into it down the road (which is remarkably easy to do). Are you on CORE (http://www.cincyoffroad.com/)? Some pretty good deals pop up in the classifieds on there from time-to-time.

[pegasus]

Do not get the 4 cyl. The 4.0L is the only way to go. The fuel mileage is not much different but the drive abilty is miles better with the inline 6.

I have owned Jeeps in the past and can say this...they are loud, ride like crap, bad fuel mileage, etc but when thew weather is nice and the top comes off...you forget about everything else!

soo its just like a fox vert??