2006 Jeep Wrangler Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: First Jeep by lpcard
Member4640
I was looking for something to drive to work when my Subaru Baja spun its rod bearings, and was talking to the wife (who is a big Jeep fan) about it. I said jokingly "Maybe I should buy a Jeep" and she enthusiastically responded that I should.
The very next day as I was coming home from work I happened to catch a flash of yellow out of the corner of my eye, and when I turned to investigate there was this bright yellow Jeep sitting on the embankment in front of a local dealer. I looked it over and talked to the dealer, then I talked to the bank. The bank said I could afford it, so the very next day the wife and I went down to take possession. I have only owned it for six months, but I can definitely see why people love them.
Exterior styling
Possibly the most iconic style of Jeep out there, it is immediately recognizable and it is the one that people think of when you say "Jeep". The aftermarket is very robust as well, so if there is anything you don't like about the exterior styling just do a web search and it's dead certain someone has a solution for you.
Powertrain performance
The AMC designed inline 6 pulls like a tractor and has given me no problems in my (admittedly short) 6 month ownership. I appear to have an anomoly though, at over 200,000 miles my motor uses no oil and has no check engine light (the bulb is good, I see it light up when I start the motor but then it goes right out).
Controls and instruments
Everything is laid out simply and is easy to reach from the drivers seat. The interior is a bit spartan, but it has everything you need.
Fuel economy
If I fill it up before it gets to a quarter tank it gets around 15MPG, but if I wait until the light comes on and then do the math I'm getting 17. Either way, this is not really the kind of vehicle you buy for the gas mileage.
Ride smoothness
Smooth is not what the Wrangler does. Short wheelbases give an exuberant ride, but on the plus side it's very nimble. Almost too nimble on the road, in fact, and the wind does tend to blow it around a bit more than it would a lower center of gravity and longer wheel base vehicle.
Quietness
Driving a soft top Wrangler has been aptly described as driving in a tent. I put a Bluetooth radio in so I could listen to the music on my phone but I needn't have bothered since at highway speeds it's just background noise anyway. And you can just forget about talking on the phone while driving, whoever you're talking to won't be able to hear you anyway.
Fuel economy
If I fill it before the half tank mark I get fifteen, but if I wait until the light comes on it gets seventeen. Either way, this is not the vehicle you buy for fuel economy.
I've only owned it for six months, but I can see why people love them.
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