Any jeep wrangler owners?

[Xrayted]

I'm shopping around right now for a Wrangler. I want to have 4 wheel available to get to the hospital for work (they suck at clearing roads around here) and to be able to drive onto the beach and rough mountain roads again. I also don't want to totally give up having a convertible. Putting the top down keeps me sane many days. I'm going for full metal doors, (no zip out windows for me) automatic and AC.

My one brothers has 2 of them and gave me his thoughts but he doesn't use them the way I will be. What I want to know is, as a cyclist, what features do you like/dislike about your Wrangler?
I'm kinda leaning towards the Unlimited version so I have a little more room in the rear for gear. Those of you who have the original size, do you find it short on cargo area?
Any problems as far as transporting bike and gear? I'm thinking I'll put a hitch mounted rack on instead of tire mounted. Who has either and can give me feedback?
Power and gas mileage difference between 4 and 6 cylinder?
What the heck is Rubicon anyway? I'm thinking different type of engine?
Any other comments?

I'll be buying within weeks so all the info you give is much appreciated.

Thanks!
X.

[Kitsune06]

Wranglers are some of the coolest, most utilitarian vehicles around. I love them, and have researched buying one for quite some time (but never got around to it). I'm not sure if you'd enjoy it as much because as great as they are for offroading and rock crawling, and mod-able as they are (rip out the seats etc, rhino-liner the floor and just hose it out when it gets dirty) they're top-heavy and tip-prone, with a relatively narrow wheelbase. My dad was not happy with his on snow because it was very skittish on slippery roads. Also, Jeep makes its brake pads kind of oddly in that the 'chirper' pin (the bit of metal that makes your brakes "chirp" when the pad material is getting low) tends to break off, increasing your risk of rotor damage... that and jeep parts, even aftermarket, tend to be pricey. (the acronym is pretty true- "Just Extremely Expensive Parts"....

Still, if you can afford it and want a durable vehicle that's very rebuildable, very moddable and you're not planning on driving through snow much, go with the Wrangler.

My other pick for a small SUV is the Isuzu Amigo (or Rodeo Sport). Lower center of gravity, well-made engines and decent power:weight ratio. Gas mileage isn't bad, either.

You'll want to go Manual, though. Much better on gas and for power.

[Hammer02]

We've had several Jeeps from CJs to Wranglers and currently have a Wrangler.

The newer Wranglers are not "tippy" in the slightest and handle as well as any other SUV on the road. The older CJs gave the Jeeps a bad name that they have not shaken to this day.....after one test drive you will see what I mean though...they handle nicely. Unlimited offer SLIGHTLY more cargo room but not enough for me to prefer that over the classic Jeep.

I would get the 6 cylinder (way way more powerful than the 4 cyl and you WILL want it) and the automatic matches up nicely with it.

The Rubicon has a lot of hidden hardcore features that really only the serious off roader would be interested in.

Under ZERO circumstances would I recommend you not get full steel doors with rollup windows. The softop is ok but the zip out windows STINK....so make sure you do not compromise and get soft doors.

Good luck and enjoy.

[suzieqtwa]

I bought a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Sport ,and had the lift kit installed. LOVE IT!!! I have a 6 cylinder manual. Although it doesn't snow here ,but maybe one time in the winter ,its just a cool car. I love the convertible. I have the steel doors. It takes two of us to put the top back on ,but we can now do it in 3 minutes. I'm going to try and include a picture ,but they never show up.

[suzieqtwa]

Oh, I have my bike rack on the tire...fits 2 bikes ,and so easy. I was going to get a hitch ,but it was so big ,and heavy .
You can fold the seats down...in fact the whole car basicially comes apart if you want to go off road etc. I also have A/C.

[CyclChyk]

I had a 97 Jeep Wrangler that I absolutely LOVED - it was my heart. Now we have a 93 Wrangler that is totally cool but no a/c so here in GA not so cool (no pun intented).

My mother bought the Unlimited when it first came out. I can tell you that the handling of it feels somewhat different from the shorter Wrangler. Kinda like the longer wheelbase I had in my Dodge Ram, its just awkward til you get used to it. Also it did not turn on a dime the way traditional Wranglers do. She traded it in for an 06 Wrangler and does not regret her decision at all. Of course, she doesn't ride so there isn't a "bike" factor.

We purchased a cheap-o bike rack for our 93 Wrangler. The kind with fabric straps. Not good. Jostled around and never felt confident with the bikes on it. We use my Jeep Grand Cherokee with a hitch rack now, and the Wrangler merely for fun.

I think if you plan on transporting the bike INSIDE the jeep, then certainly the Unlimited will have added advantages. But for the ride itself, I would certainly go for the Wrangler.