jeep wrangler

Ride is rough by todays standards and handling is poor particularly in the rain. Noise levels are similar to a motorcycle. Some other points worth noting:

"As a Point-A-to-Point-B vehicle, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler is a pretty poor choice. Rear visibility can be a challenge and its highway manners can be described as primitive at best. Removal and installation of the soft top requires superhuman levels of patience, and once in its place, be prepared for obtrusive flapping at speed. Then again, that's what most people expect the Wrangler to be all about -- a tough, no-frills off-road machine that delivers cheap thrills and little refinement but plenty of style."

In other words there are plenty of comprimises for the simplicity of the wrangler but if you don't care about the handling and noise levels etc, just want it for the fun factor thats fine, just don't expect too much more. As far as fuel economy is concerned city/highway should average out to around 14 litres per 100Km. Highway around 11-12 litres and city around 16-17 litres per 100KM etc. This will vary depending on state of tune, tire pressures, weight in vehicle etc etc.

Sorry I only have second hand info but a friend nearly got one, untill he............ drove one. Said they were sluggish, used lost of fuel and handled like crap. For the price tag I cant see the value, get an asia rocsta instead, at least it will use less fuel.

I've got a friend with a new wrangler getting a new gearbox, the third gear stuffed up on the way back from Whyalla on the long weekend, he also had it in for repairs before for a few other things. He loves it but he says he'll only have one that still has warranty. If you check out the 4 wheel drive clubs in USA you'll find everyone single person has one. We must get all the lemons sent to us.

Yeah a mate has one 2000 model, Most things that have gone wrong on it, is a direct result of him damaging it wile out 4Wding.

It’s got a 4-inch lift and rides on 33-inch Tyres, Rear diff-Loc and a few other tings, have been in it once off-road and all I can say is WOW It is Awesome, and yes it uses a bit of fuel.

What fuel economy?

Doing high country trips I carried 2 jerry cans for my mate's wrangler (automatic). Not a big tank in the first place, combined with a thirsty 4 ltr motor it's a bad combination. It's not like you can carry a heap of gear in the back and pack fuel either.

Having said that, I've not seen it get stuck anywhere either. Though I've taken the Courier through a few things he chickened out of. Might have got it stuck too - but winched out rather than getting recovered by a jeep. He'd never let me hear the end of it if that happened.

Dave

Hi Bob,

My son has a 2004 model so it has a different engine etc to the brand new one.

Don't quote me on this but I think the newly released Wrangler may have some Mercedes Benz technology under the bonnet.

My sons car has the 4 litre straight six and he gets anything from 10.4 up to 13.2 litres per 100klm. His is a five speed manual and apparently these give slightly better economy than an auto.

He has had a suspension lift done and runs larger than standard wheels on it.

His impressions of the car is that it is brilliant off road and gets him to a lot of places that are quite extreme. He thinks storage space etc is terrible and they also have a poor towing capacity (900kg I think) due to their own relative light weight. Power and performance is awesome. Spare parts can be a bit on the dear side however to date his car has been very reliable.

Fuel economy is noticeably better with the soft top on over driving around with the open top.

He brought his as a fun type 4wd and it fits the bill perfectly for him. He has had several FJ40 softtops prior to this which he has done up with V8 engines etc and the move to the Wrangler was for something a bit more comfortable.

Hope this gives a bit of insight into the recently superceded model.