Need opinions on Wranglers, please.

A good friend of mine is looking for a new car and he is looking at a Jeep Wrangler. I have always liked them personally, but I don't know if it's the right car for him. It will be a DD, with zero potential for going off road. He's early thirties, and single, if it matters.
I am just curious about the reliability of the Jeeps, especially the 4 cylinder engine as that is what he is looking at. Most likely 97-2001 models. Other than being really fun to drive, how are the wranglers? Thank you guys.

 

I have owned two Jeeps ('04 and 07), although not the model years he is interested in the '97-'04 was the same Jeep anyway. (TJ model)
He is going to want the 6 cylinder and I don't even know him. The 6 is a 4.0 liter and has a great reputation for reliability. I had the displeasure of test driving a 4cyl. Wrangler for my son and it was a dog. The 4.0 is no race engine but the 2.4 was just bad IMO.
Jeeps are fun but it can be a wet ride when it rains because they leak like a watering can sometimes. He is young, single, no kids...he should go for it.

 

+1 on the 4.0 over the 4 cyl.

 

I just bought a 1998 2.5L 4-cyl 5-spd Wrangler with 126k on it. I wanted the 4.0 but this one came up needing only minor work for a really good price.

The 4.0 is the more desirable motor, no doubt. It has an excellent reputation. My 4-cyl is noticeably slow on the highway but really isn't as bad as people make it sound. (It's quicker than my buddy's 3.0L 4Runner.) The price difference between the 2.5L and 4.0L is incredible. Much better deals to be had on the 4-cyls.

 

Thanks for the replies gents. Sorry I haven't updated this. My buddy ignored my advice and bought a 2000 4 cyl. wrangler from a private party. Without being too much of an ass, I advised him not to, even while we were picking it up from the seller. I drove it, and it seems very underpowered, like bad. Also, two days after he got it, it's in the shop and the mechanic tells him it's a had gasket... to the tune of about 800 bucks minimum.

 

Wow that really sucks. Did he at least get a good deal on it? How many miles are on it?

 

Not really, he paid 7500 and it's got around 140k I think. The body is super clean, but otherwise it's nothing special. I told him he should have had more patience.