New Jeep !

[Kevin]

I thought about this for a few days before posting it. The other Jeep threads had less than stellar opinions about Jeeps. Well, we went out and bought one. We test drove a few, both new and used. I don't have a problem buying a used car, but it just seems financing is better with new cars, interest rates etc; not to mention the warranty. This has a 5 years 60,000 mile warranty. Besides, my wife actually picked it out, and well, I didn't want to argue.

Anyway, it's a 2018 JL Saraha. I've never before driven a Wrangler, or even ridden in one really. They are actually very good vehicles. Good visibility, especially with the doors off! This one has all the electronic features, including an 8 speed transmission and the 3.6 liter engine. Needless to say It's very smooth.

I guess, for those who don't think the "new" jeeps are tough enough: you should go test drive one. They are pretty darn solid. They are also getting really good reviews online. From everything I've read, this JL model is all new, but the engineers retained the Jeep's heritage and off-road worthiness.

It did come with the doors and the top. My wife thought I went crazy, but I had to see what this whole Jeep thing is about. I just got back from the store, driving without the doors for the first time. It's a little weird actually.

 

[Big Old Boy]

The air conditioning works best in Tx. with the doors and top on, nice Jeep.

 

[ChiefMuzz]

Looks like a fun vehicle. To each their own Kevin. A Jeep makes no sense for me to own right now, but my BIL has one and they are fun. It's a great looking vehicle, for sure. Enjoy!

 

[WendyZXZ]

That is a very nice looking new Jeep!

 

[Bob Wright]

I've had the Grand Cherokee, which by the standards of many, isn't really a Jeep. But it's been a whamdoodler for us!

Bob Wright

 

[Kevin]

Thanks! I know ChiefMuzz, we have always wanted a “fun” car. And we thought about a Ford Mustang. Then we thought about our lifestyle with two dogs, and a sports car didn’t make any sense. I’ve wanted s convertible for 30 years.... This just seemed like the happy middle. Believe me, this wasn’t a “spur of the moment” decision....

And insurance is affordable. I’m not sure why, but it’s only $300 a year for full coverage... As far as car insurance goes that’s almost dirt cheap.

 

[AJGUNNER]

And insurance is affordable. I’m not sure why, but it’s only $300 a year for full coverage... As far as car insurance goes that’s almost dirt cheap.

Sounds like a mistake has been made to me.

 

[Kevin]

I wondered if they made a mistake also. Thought about starting a poll about how much others pay for car insurance. Is it cheaper because it’s a “third car” ? When my wife called they asked if it would be a for recreation. Sort of made me wonder if they were asking if we will take it off roading.

How much do y’all pay for car insurance?

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I have a lot of miles in the seat of a Jeep, but not near as nice as that one you just bought! Very nice, hope you and wife enjoy it a lot.

Mine was a '72 CJ-5 with power nothing. It did have a heater that worked and an AM radio that didn't. We had a lot of fun with it in the mountains of New Mexico when we lived there. We'd take it up into the hills, slow-crawl the trails and washes, find a place for the kids to play, make a pot of coffee over an open fire and sit there and watch night descend on the mountains. Kids would sleep all the way back to "town" (bustling city of 490 residents) in the back on the floor on a quilt. Good times. Wish I'd kept it.

Hope you make some good memories in yours, too.

 

[rugnelli]

Nice!

 

[Rick Courtright]

How much do y’all pay for car insurance?

Hi,

I currently have three vehicles on the policy, plus homeowners ins., and have been with the same co. for decades, so they give a little break there. Then, all three vehicles are on a "lower mileage = lower premium" program, which means every so often (6 mos?), I report the odometer reading and they adjust the premiums. Even the most basic coverage for me starts at over $300 for one vehicle before they start applying discounts. By the time they're done, I'm around $600 for the three (all at minimum required coverage.) If that's not a mistake on the part of your insurance co., you're getting off dirt cheap by local standards here!

Rick C

 

[Kevin]

Thanks Rick, that’s nice to know. I guess we are about the same. Three cars, plus we do homeowners insurance through the same company, with the multi line discount and all that other “double speak” and ours comes out very similar.

Plus, we have a very high deductible. This saves us money, even if we have to pay for things like a new windshield out of our own pocket every now and then.

 

[CW4USARET]

Recently purchased the same model with black interior. Love driving it! Do you have a backup camera? How does that work with the spare tire cover? On my vehicle when you drive down the road you can activate the backup camera thru the app section and can check on anything you are towing.

jrf

 

[blume357]

I think $300 is about right for a third or possibly even 2nd car... (figure as an extra that you can't drive all the time) My wife and I bought a third vehicle... and I tried to add it on to my insurance for my work vehicle and the company wanted about 1,200 dollars and most would not even insure it personally because my company is not incorporated (it's just me) and so she added it to her insurance and it cost less than $300. I pay around 1600 a year for my work vehicle and have never had an accident or even a ticket in 10 years.....

 

[Mobuck]

Sorry for your loss. A vehicle like that (no top or doors) is the most dangerous thing on the highway.
Insurance cost? I have 5 insured vehicles that average $55/month per vehicle--no mileage limitation and no deductible for the comprehensive coverage.

 

[Kevin]

I would not even think of driving that without a top or doors at highway speeds. In fact those pictures were taken at the store about two blocks from my house. Removing the doors and top would be the most fun on the beach. No, they are going back on soon.

We do have the backup camera, the image is the best I’ve seen in ANY vehicle. There is a cutout and gasket in the cover around the camera. It’s nice, but makes buying a smiley face cover more difficult. So far we love the U-connect system. It’s easy to use and quick! The Ford Sync system we have in our 2015 F150 is pretty slow to respond. I’ve read where it’s faster in the newer trucks now.

 

[Jeepnik]

As an old CJ owner I'm not really interested in owning a new Jeep. But they do have some impressive capabilities. Sad thing is the vast majority will never see so much as a graded dirt road much less being "off road".

 

[Number9]

Nice looking Jeep!

Never had a 4-door, all the Jeeps I've had has been "bobtails".

 

[daveg.inkc]

Looks good Kevin. You cannot drive anywhere without seeing a Jeep of some form. My Dad tells storys of GP’s in Korea 1952.

 

[daveg.inkc]

I have watched YouTube videos of Jeeps plowing and a few other implements attached. I suppose from 1950’s -60’s era.

 

[Dave P.]

I would not even think of driving that without a top or doors at highway speeds. In fact those pictures were taken at the store about two blocks from my house. Removing the doors and top would be the most fun on the beach. No, they are going back on soon.

I've been driving two door Jeeps for many years. No problem running the interstate with top and
doors off for shorter trips. I do find it tiring for long distance due to wind buffeting and
tire/road noise. Also in hot weather there's something to be said for being closed up with
the AC on. I've got a power winch set up in my garage and can pull a hardtop off/on quicker
than I take my soft top up and down, it mostly lives in the basement. Have door hangers
mounted to a garage wall to hang the doors on.
Over the years I've decided most trails are tackled with a top on, the clean up of the
interior and occupants is usually much quicker, especially if any mud is involved.
I'll usually only switch to the soft top if I want a "topless" option at the end of a longer
trip, say a weekend away or something.
Dave

 

[bogus bill]

We ride the trails a lot with our RZR. There is a world of difference riding it than our old quad because of the roof. Here it is with a rag top but we put on a metal roof since. The difference is shade instead of baking your brains and skin with no sun protection. With the doors the engine heat will bake you too though. Putting on the windshield also traps the heat big time. We ride with it off. I wouldn't ride it without the roof. Maybe kids do.
https://s19.postimg.cc/jfm16c1ib/20140629_155322.jpg

 

[wwb]

Here's the real deal for off-road capability..... but man, are they miserable on the highway.

 

[RSIno1]

I've had the Grand Cherokee, which by the standards of many, isn't really a Jeep. But it's been a whamdoodler for us!

Bob Wright

Looks like it will be moving farther away and joining the Jeep Renegade as another rebadged Fiat.
"The 2020 Grand Cherokee will continue as a two-row vehicle, while the Dodge Durango will stay a bit longer, with an optional third row. Both will have a new platform and an adaptation of the Giorgio architecture currently under the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio currently. The dimensions will be similar to the current Grand Cherokee and Durango"

 

[Kevin]

I’ve always wanted an Alfa Romeo, what a great sports car with a rich Italian history.

wwb? Is that s Toyota Landcruiser? If I could find a restored one in good condition, they are selling for a small fortune. But I agree, they are nice.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Here's the real deal for off-road capability..... but man, are they miserable on the highway.

Hi,

Looks good! A late friend had one, and she'd have agreed on that highway commrnt. According to her, it topped out about 45 mph. Heavens... a Model T could do that and go almost as many places!

Is that a "real" one in the sense of still having the Toyota 6 in it (someone once told me that engine was a Chevy Stovebolt 6 copy of such a high order they were virtually interchangeable--???) , or is it a Chev-ota with an SBC stuck under the hood? We see a lot of the latter around here, not so many "pristine" versions. And as Kevin noted, when a nice one is found, it's dear...

Rick C

 

[daveg.inkc]

Here's the real deal for off-road capability..... but man, are they miserable on the highway.

What model year is this?

 

[wwb]

The photo I posted is a '71.... not that it matters much, since the only real change was in '74 when they went to a 4-speed trans from a 3-speed. An earlier minor change in '70 was when they went from 3 on the tree to 3 on the floor.... but only the linkage was changed, as the trans stayed the same. Other than that, the changes were the taillights, the side mirrors, and in the last couple years, the wipers were mounted at the bottom of the windshield rather than at the top.

I had a '73 back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Had the optional rear heater and Warn hubs. Eleven years and 90,000 miles later, I sold it for 2/3 of what I paid for it new. Wish I still had one.

Yes, the engine was a pretty darn close copy of the old Chevy straight six. With 4.10 axles (the only ratio available) it was pretty busy at highway speed, but it would do a comfortable 55 all day long. The big deal now is to fit them with a small block and a 5-speed... that overdrive 5th gear would be a gift from Heaven.

The suspension, however.... I ain't sayin' it was stiff, but you could feel the paint stripe when you changed lanes.

 

[yooper1]

Very nice!

 

[RSIno1]

Here's the real deal for off-road capability..... but man, are they miserable on the highway.

What model year is this?

What's nice about these is a small block Chevy will bolt up to the Toyota trans. Just change the mounts and clutch disc. Bingo twice the hp.