2024 Jeep

[Kevin]

A while back I started a thread asking how to drive a manual transmission car. It turned into a pretty good discussion. Anyway, this is the Jeep we recently bought. We had to order it special, because it's just the basic, no frills whatsoever model.

Anyway, here are some pictures. I know there are lots of Jeep fans here.

@Johnnu2 would like this Jeep. It's got roll up windows! You have to use a key to lock and unlock the doors. There is no lane keeping assist, no automatic dimming mirrors. It doesn't have adaptive headlights or adaptive cruise control. It does have a stereo and a/c, but no heated or ventilated seats. Heck, the seats are just cloth, so no cows were harmed in the making of this Jeep.

We were thinking about a golf cart for down here at the beach, and thought a Jeep would be more practical. And honestly, this didn't cost much more than a nice golf cart.

Plus, Jeeps are so fun to drive. We've had a couple of the 4 door models in the past. Around town, a Jeep is the best thing to drive. Great visibility, and the turning radius is so tiny. They are prefect in parking lots.

The color is called "High Velocity" We ordered a green Jeep, but they painted it this color instead. I'm glad they did it too. I just love this color.

It's a 6 speed. The engine is made in Mexico and the Transmission is made in Japan.

Since we ordered it, we optioned the heavy duty tail gate support bracket. I don't exactly remember why, but we talked about it and thought it was a good idea.

And since it's a soft top, we also optioned the tinted windows because this isn't something we could have done easily after buying the Jeep.

 

[arfmel]

Four cylinder or 6?


That looks just about perfect. I might have gotten a hard top though. I have an 06 Wrangler Unlimited with a soft top and I worry about a miscreant cutting the top to break into it.

 

[dannyd]

I love a manual transmission; drove with one from 1973 to 2011.

 

[Hvymax]

Hope the color doesn't attract bugs.

 

[Kevin]

It’s the 3.6 liter 6 cylinder.

Bugs! Oh my… Over Christmas I was driving just after it got dark. The bugs were hitting the windshield and it sounded like rain drops. They were so thick. But it was after dark, so I don’t think they could see the color.

 

[BearBiologist]

 

[sharpblade7777]

That sure is a nice looking jeep. That black contrasting off that High Velocity really makes it pop. I am also a jeep driver.

 

[rugnelli]

Nice.

 

[Jeepnik]

But are they really true to the Jeep spirit?

 

[ediogenes]

What?! No lift kit, big tires, winch, high-lift jack, steel bumpers and rock sliders? Gotta get after it, buddy!

I admit, I’ve done all that and more to my 2013 4-door (“JKU” in Jeep code). And the most fun you’ll have is driving with the top down and doors off (“naked” in Jeep code) on a nice spring day. Most fun vehicle I’ve ever owned.

 

[Johnnu2]

Well Kevin, you have lifted a significant burden off of this old man's soul (really). It makes life worth living just knowing that I may, some day, still be able to buy a car that doesn't control ME. MANY THANKS...there is hope..!!!!!
I've been known to pay extra money for a manual rear-view mirror as opposed to one that pretends to know when I'm being blinded from behind.

J.

 

[Captain America]

I’ve owned a ‘75 CJ-5, ‘83 CJ-7, ‘87 YJ, ‘01 TJ, ‘11 JK, and now a ‘22 JL. I normally opt for all the heavy duty stuff in the suspension and drivetrain and keep it simple inside but on my current Wrangler I got all the heavy duty drivetrain and suspension parts plus every high tech option available on a Willys minus the subwoofer…that being said Wranglers aren’t for everyone.

 

[Jeepnik]

The thing I like is to see folks spend tens of thousands on aftermarket parts so they can cruise the blvd. The first thing I look at is the undercarriage. You can tell in a heartbeat if it's ever been off pavement.

 

[Kevin]

Well Kevin, you have lifted a significant burden off of this old man's soul (really). It makes life worth living just knowing that I may, some day, still be able to buy a car that doesn't control ME. MANY THANKS...there is hope..!!!!!
I've been known to pay extra money for a manual rear-view mirror as opposed to one that pretends to know when I'm being blinded from behind.

J.

Johnnu2, it’s really funny. This Jeep requires a key to lock and unlock the doors, yet it has a push button starter.

And it has a manual light switch. If it’s dark I have to remember to turn on the lights myself!

Amazing what we get used to in those cars with all the frills. It’s definitely noticed when I drive this Jeep.

 

[KWend54]

We have one….its the daughters and yes, it doesn’t go off road. I’m fine with tha

 

[Mobuck]

My Jeeps had 2.5 4 cylinder or 4.0 in-line 6 cylinder. Both were literally bullet proof and the only issue was with the 2.5 at around 200K when I had to replace the timing chain and grind the valves. All five 4.0 engines ran into the 200K range w/o internal repairs.
I most certainly would pass on anything currently coming out of Mexico.

 

[KWend54]

In the current Jeep lineup, the Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Gladiator are all assembled in the US. The Wrangler and Gladiator are made at Jeep's headquarters in Toledo, Ohio. The Cherokee is produced at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois, which also produced the now discontinued Jeep Patriot, and the Grand Cherokee is made at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan. While these models might use some foreign parts and components, they are made in America. However, Jeep now operates ten plants located across the United States, Italy, Brazil, China, India and Mexico to help support the Jeep's growing international reputation. The Renegade, Compass, and a foreign model of the Cherokee are currently assembled outside US soil.

 

[Tensaw]

Very nice! I like the manual transmission. Still drive my 6 speed BMW 330i.

 

[the_leper_colony]

The thing I like is to see folks spend tens of thousands on aftermarket parts so they can cruise the blvd. The first thing I look at is the undercarriage. You can tell in a heartbeat if it's ever been off pavement.

Used to work with a guy who was a Jeep fan, who was always having issues with his work vehicles breaking - guess they couldn't take abuse like the Jeep he owned! Of course, I think the only parts left on his Jeep that actually came from the Jeep factory were the seats (& I'm not sure about those ;^)!

 

[Kevin]

In the current Jeep lineup, the Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Gladiator are all assembled in the US. The Wrangler and Gladiator are made at Jeep's headquarters in Toledo, Ohio. The Cherokee is produced at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois, which also produced the now discontinued Jeep Patriot, and the Grand Cherokee is made at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan. While these models might use some foreign parts and components, they are made in America. However, Jeep now operates ten plants located across the United States, Italy, Brazil, China, India and Mexico to help support the Jeep's growing international reputation. The Renegade, Compass, and a foreign model of the Cherokee are currently assembled outside US soil.

Yep, this one was made in Toledo.

I’m not sure of what happened but I know The company Stellantis now owns Jeep and Dodge and Ram. Apparently Stellantis is a pretty big international company.

You guys have some nice looking Jeeps!

Stlantis

 

[Hankus]

My first Jeep was an ‘86-1/2 Wrangler Sport. 4 cylinder 5 speed manual with no AC. It cost me $8k. 14 years and 120k miles later I sold it for $4800. I replaced the soft top once, clutch 3x, alternator 2x and the starter once. I even added a hard top and fiberglass half doors during a TDY in TX on my way to CO. A local junk yard had the top with a hole punched through it and one of the windows broken after a wreck. I threw it in a U-haul trailer and took it to CO. Once there I found a Korean-owned body shop that fixed it then repainted it and the fiberglass upper half doors to match. I drove that thing back and forth across the country many times from FL to CA twice, Washington state, CO, and Kentucky once each between tours in Korea while I was in the Army. I took it out into the wilderness at each of my stateside postings. I still miss it. My take-home company vehicles have been Jeeps since 2017; first a 2018 Cherokee, then a 2020 Grand Cherokee, and currently a 2024 Grand Cherokee. We occasionally need 4x4 to get to some of our remote sites during the rainy season or after a hurricane. I have nothing but good things to say about them. I hate to say it but they are MUCH more reliable AND fuel efficient now with the Fiat-designed power trains.

 

[Johnnu2]

Johnnu2, it's really funny. This Jeep requires a key to lock and unlock the doors, yet it has a push button starter.

And it has a manual light switch. If it's dark I have to remember to turn on the lights myself!

Amazing what we get used to in those cars with all the frills. It's definitely noticed when I drive this Jeep.

I have always been a fan of a manual light switch for two reasons: 1) I'm old and resistant to change; 2) I always thought that leaving your lights on would eventually drain down your battery. My 2016 Camry has the automatic lights, but I simply shut the lights when I shut the engine and turn them on when I think that I need them on . Each time I operate that switch, it's a minor "victory" for me.
J.

 

[Rclark]

Used to work with a guy who was a Jeep fan,

I still work with a couple guys that own jeeps. Seems like they are always complaining or wrenching on their jeep because of some issue they are having. My son owned one for awhile... until he bought a truck so he could haul things. No skin in the game here, but just what I hear. Nice looking rigs above.

 

[Jeepnik]

Like most vehicles there are good ones and bad ones from the factory. But a lot of vehicle failures are owner caused either neglect or abuse. Jeeps are no different.

Now off roading isn’t necessarily abuse. Yes it’s harder on a vehicle than street use. But many inexperienced folks beat a four wheel drive vehicle to death because of poor operation.

Too many newbies think that flooring the accelerator is the answer to every obstacle. Most breakdowns are caused by applying too much gas and not enough thought. Often getting out, and looking for the best approach is all that’s necessary to avoid breakage.

Then there’s the other big problem. Inexperienced drivers buying a four wheel or worse all wheel drive vehicle then believing the car commercials. Commercials like the latest Land Rover one that shows a vehicle driving up a spillway are an example. On the bottom of the screen is a disclaimer about not trying it and how it’s a “professional driver on a closed course”. It’s too small to read and flashed too fast.

Irresponsible advertising has caused more vehicle failures off road than one could believe. It’s also caused injuries and deaths. But that little disclaimer covers the advertisers back side.

 

[Kevin]

Someone asked me what my stripped down model cost.

We had to special order it, as they don’t keep the base model in stock.

It took extra long to order because of the auto workers strike last year. I think it was the middle of April when we ordered it and we picked it up December 26.

It was $36,000. It has a 5 year 50,000 mile engine warranty and 3/36,000 everything warranty.

It’s March and we only have 900 miles on it, so the warranty will last a while.

 

[Kevin]

2004 TJ In the wild, as driven to work this morning. Owned it since new and it's been pretty good.
Slightly modified with small spacer lift, better shocks and brake upgrades. Lined the entire interior and doors with Noico which is
basically a Russian version of Dynamat and a foam layer over it. It's much quieter then stock if the hard top is on for winter.
It mostly lives outside and winter is just easier with the hardtop. It's getting a little scruffy, dented right front from smacking a deer,
actually it's had two kills now. Hood having paint issues from hail and the usual dings from some off-roading and trail use. Factory Dana 44 with limited slip in the
rear and a e-locker in the stock front lets me usually go where I want to. Took the back seat out and put it in my basement the
day I brought it home from the dealer, it's not be in since. Averages about 12 MPG in daily use, maybe 15-16 at 80mph on the
freeways.
Basically the worst handling, poorest riding vehicle you can find in a showroom today.
One of thousands of red Jeeps in the world.

Can you tell me what brand of lights you have mounted to the front bumper?

 

[turd]

Nice Jeep, Kevin. We have owned nothing but Jeeps since 1998. All Grand Cherokees. Very few issues, I can go hunting on a Saturday morning, go thru the car wash on the way home, change clothes and fit right in at the Country Club Saturday night.

 

[The Preacher]

I have a 2012 four door Wrangler and may well be in the market for another late model soon. Mine's a manual and I've been wondering how hard a manual might be to find. Won't go automatic. I've started "the search" and I'm not seeing many manuals out there. Started to look at the later models ('20-'23) to see which ones are best. Lord I hate buying cars!

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Kevin,
You will either form a long term liking of Jeeps or never get another. My every day local driver is an old 2004 TJ, won't be without a Jeep till I'm
too old and decrepit to climb in and out.
The trick with soft tops is never leave anything in the Jeep and keep the doors unlocked.
Looks like fun.

Nice Jeep you have there Kevin. Shame it will be left in the salt atmosphere of Galveston.

Right on Dave, I do not lock up my Vette Convertibles or my Jeep. Just open the door and see that there isn't anything to steal

Here are a couple of Rare Orvis Additions Grand Cherokees. I had a 1995 on the left and Son had a 1996. I now have a 2009 Grand Cherokee. I gave mine to Grandson for his first car after I bought the 2009

Special interiors.

The old Green Jeep took us to some fun places.

 

[Gopher]

I have a strange desire for an old square headlight Jeep. I think maybe because they are the red-headed step child of the Jeep world.