Anyone consider a Jeep Wrangler?

I always thought that I'd get a Jeep after my motorcycling days were done. Went to a Jeep/Dodge dealer a few weeks ago, and drove a couple of new 2019 Jeeps around, and frankly didn't like them as well as I liked our 2nd gen Tacoma and recent Tundra. I simply didn't feel that either Wrangler drove very well (the Rubicon seemed to wander over San Antonio's stretch of I-10), Grandma was riding in the rear seat and she was very uncomfortable, the driver's position wasn't particularly comfortable either, and I remember thinking that putting a dead hog in the back cargo area, on the carpeting, probably wasn't going to work well.

While we were at the dealership a customer drove in with a 3rd generation TRD OffRoad Tacoma and I commented "that was what we really needed."

One thing lead to another, and we found out that the 3rd gen Tacoma was traded in. We traded our 2nd gen Tacoma before they even got the 3rd generation TRD into inventory.

So far I really like the new-to-us Tacoma. And it's much more comfortable than I would expect a Wrangler to be. Able to carry more too.

Just as a further data point, the dealer loaned us a Jeep Cherokee, which I have heard is an Alfa Romeo in disguise. This one didn't even have 4x4, but as a highway vehicle the road manners and performance were great. I could see how one of those things with 4x4 and proper offroad setup could be a surprisingly nice Jeep.

 

Did not know the 2019 JL’s we’re out ???

 

I was looking at the Rubicon Wranglers but the Taco was more practical, cheaper, and just as cool IMHO.

 

A friend just took a 2019 JLUR with us up to the Arctic Ocean

 

Cool trip !!! I just bought a 2018 rubi for the wife . Was told I’d need to order a 19.
Same rig .

 

maybe it is a 2018, I just know its a new JL Rubicon Unlimited. can't believe there would be any difference between the first 1/2 -1 JL years

 

You're going to get some "wandering" on certain roads when you're running 33s+ on any vehicle. If you guys haven't driven a JL, you need to whole different driving experience.

 

Yep it’s the 18. The early 18’s were JKU’s
Now there JLU’s . Wife got a JL rubi

 

A new Rubicon Manual would be pretty cool but i think they are about 50 grand.

 

my 2013 was an Auto, the manual then suck big time

 

Guess I should have specified based on the comments.

I'll never buy a Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge, Jeep etc.

 

I was curious about that and checked the dealer's inventory. All the 2019's are Cherokees, the Wranglers seem to all be 2018s.

 

My dad, brother, and I have all owned multiple jeeps.

I came close to buying a 2 door wrangler when I was shopping for my Tacoma, but the bed seemed more practical. My old 98 wrangler had a more usable back seat that my AC Tacoma, but it was useless for hauling anything bigger than a cooler.

 

I like Wranglers, but I don't think I'd have one as a daily. They're fine vehicles, but I've heard that they ride kind of rough and chug gas.

However, an older Wrangler would be a great project vehicle. Parts are everywhere, they're easy to work on, and they are just plain cool.

 

I traded a 2014 JKU sport for my 2018 Tacoma TRD off road DCSB, zero regrets. I only have use of one hand, and a jeep on the freeway is sketchy. The Tacoma is at least 90% as capable off road and many times better on road.

 

I traded a 13 Wrangler in on my Tacoma, thinking a truck would be more useful, handier, more comfortable, etc. All those things are true, but honestly I miss that Jeep more and more every day. Nothing I've ever owned has been as much fun as back roads with doors off and top down. My mature side and my less mature side are still arguing about trading back to a Jeep, and I have a feeling the fun, immature side is going to win this argument. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Tacoma, well, except the tranny in cruise, but it just isn't for me, I guess.

 

I had a 2013 Rubicon 2DR 6MT with the mopar 2" lift and some other goodies.

They are fine. Prior to that, I also had an 01 XJ that I heavily modfied. It was fine.

I like Tacomas. The 18 is my second one. I trust them a whole lot more for just about anything I want to do.

 

Just bought a new to 2014 jku 4 door for my wife. She drives daily and loves it. I like driving it too n drive it every chance I get. In a year or so wife wants to lift it and put 35" on it, then we'll see how we feel about.

I also like my 96 tacoma and DD it. Only complaint about tacoma is that its small 2.4l is slow with 31" tires and not many people can see the small truck when merging or changing lanes.

 

The wandering steering is a common issue on the new JL Wranglers, the forums are littered with complaints about it.

I test drove one last week and it wandered as well (I own a 2017 JK and it doesn't wander at all)

There is a software update that is supposed to correct it.

I was genuinely curious about the new JL, but honestly even if I absolutely loved it (I didn't) I would wait to see what the new Bronco brings to the game here in a few months.

I love my Wrangler but I am under no illusion that it is not a Fiat Chrysler product.

I've already decided that the new JL is not enough to convince me to trade.

After I see the new Bronco I will either get one of those or purchase the Lifetime warranty for my 2017.

 

I did the opposite. I traded my 16'Taco for a Recon. While the Taco was a great Truck. it got old really quick.