Positive Spin

[kauffmj1]

I've owned a lifted 2007 JKU for 13yrs now and added a 2023 Mojave to the herd this past Fall. I have a 2015 Camaro SS 1LE that I love, but the wife and I have struck up more conversations and gotten more complements on both jeeps than we have ever got in the Camaro.

I'll be hard pressed to not have at least one jeep in the corral until I'm too old to climb up into one. They are such fun vehicles. I'm not gonna say they are without their issues (although knock on wood, mine have been rock solid), but every brand is like that nowadays. Even Honda and Toyota are recalling vehicles now and they are supposed to be the pinnacle of no issues.

I feel like the folks that tend to buy jeeps and then drop the "good bye and good luck, I hate this jeep" threads are:

1. Folks that got a genuine lemon. I get it. It stinks.

2. Folks that get things ruined by bad dealer experiences.

3. Someone that didn't do their homework and realize owning a jeep isn't like owning a Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, 4Runner, etc.

4. Someone with generally unreasonable expectations - IE, I want something that can run the Rubicon trail but also drives like a luxury barge on the road. Extra wind noise from removeable tops, etc.

Plus, let's face it. Whether it be forums, YouTube, Facebook, whatever: Negativity gets more attention and angry people posting. The fact we have more than one "positive, tell my why you love your jeep" threads on this forum alone is a good sign that most people get the jeep thing and love their rigs.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I've owned a lifted 2007 JKU for 13yrs now and added a 2023 Mojave to the herd this past Fall. I have a 2015 Camaro SS 1LE that I love, but the wife and I have struck up more conversations and gotten more complements on both jeeps than we have ever got in the Camaro.

I'll be hard pressed to not have at least one jeep in the corral until I'm too old to climb up into one. They are such fun vehicles. I'm not gonna say they are without their issues (although knock on wood, mine have been rock solid), but every brand is like that nowadays. Even Honda and Toyota are recalling vehicles now and they are supposed to be the pinnacle of no issues.

I feel like the folks that tend to buy jeeps and then drop the "good bye and good luck, I hate this jeep" threads are:

1. Folks that got a genuine lemon. I get it. It stinks.

2. Folks that get things ruined by bad dealer experiences.

3. Someone that didn't do their homework and realize owning a jeep isn't like owning a Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, 4Runner, etc.

4. Someone with generally unreasonable expectations - IE, I want something that can run the Rubicon trail but also drives like a luxury barge on the road. Extra wind noise from removeable tops, etc.

Plus, let's face it. Whether it be forums, YouTube, Facebook, whatever: Negativity gets more attention and angry people posting. The fact we have more than one "positive, tell my why you love your jeep" threads on this forum alone is a good sign that most people get the jeep thing and love their rigs.

I drove an IH Scout with an IH 4 popper as a shop vehicle for about a year back in the 70s. Talk about loud, clanky, rattles, cold in the winter, and over the years drove and worked on almost everything. Jeeps came into the shop now and then, got used to the metal on metal sounds, lack of insulation and sound deadening and driveline vibrations.
When I went in back in 2019 to talk to the dealer about trading my nice cushy thick-walled, quiet and padded Silverado, he warned me of the road noise, wind noise (he said they were really bad on a windy day - he wasn't wrong and it's almost always windy here, not kidding)
It actually beat my expectations of ride, comfort, lack of rattles and clanks, smoothness and so on. The only thing that met my expectations was the road noise and wind noise. It's not a vehicle to carry on a conversation with your wife who still uses her in the house voice when talking in a Jeep, but I knew going in, and I know I could add another 100 pounds and reduce my payload by the same and add noise reduction measures.

 

[kauffmj1]

I drove an IH Scout with an IH 4 popper as a shop vehicle for about a year back in the 70s. Talk about loud, clanky, rattles, cold in the winter, and over the years drove and worked on almost everything. Jeeps came into the shop now and then, got used to the metal on metal sounds, lack of insulation and sound deadening and driveline vibrations.
When I went in back in 2019 to talk to the dealer about trading my nice cushy thick-walled, quiet and padded Silverado, he warned me of the road noise, wind noise (he said they were really bad on a windy day - he wasn't wrong and it's almost always windy here, not kidding)
It actually beat my expectations of ride, comfort, lack of rattles and clanks, smoothness and so on. The only thing that met my expectations was the road noise and wind noise. It's not a vehicle to carry on a conversation with your wife who still uses her in the house voice when talking in a Jeep, but I knew going in, and I know I could add another 100 pounds and reduce my payload by the same and add noise reduction measures.

Haha. Perspective is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

I love my 07 JKU, but with its age, offroading it and 137k on the odometer; she's no cush ride. To add on top of that, it also has the much desired (sarcasm) 3.8 engine and 4-speed transmission. That coupled with 4.10 gears, 35s, steel bumpers and steel skid plates and a gifted jogger could probably outpace the old girl on the road.

Jumping into our 23 Mojave from the JKU was like hopping from your IH Scout into a Rolls Royce. The Mojave is so much quieter, smoother and better powered. To the point I've even considered replacing the JK with an older JLU. However, I feel that would be like abandoning my senior dog at a shelter. I'll probably just keep the JKU as the one to drag over rocks and keep the Mojave nice for at least a few years.

 

[aldo98229]

I’ve owned 12 Jeeps over a 28-year span: 2 Grand Cherokees (1995 and 2001), eight JKs, one JL, and this Gladiator.

This is the best one yet...

 

[High Alextude]

I’ve owned 12 Jeeps over a 28-year span: 2 Grand Cherokees (1995 and 2001), eight JKs, one JL, and this Gladiator.

This is the best one yet...

I ended up picking up a loaded 2021 GC WK2 summit, hemi for the longer trips. Couldn’t be happier in that. So glad I got one of the last years of the WK2. I am not a fan of the new styling or interior material they chose.

8 JKs is impressive!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I ended up picking up a loaded 2021 GC WK2 summit, hemi for the longer trips. Couldn’t be happier in that. So glad I got one of the last years of the WK2. I am not a fan of the new styling or interior material they chose.

8 JKs is impressive!

WK2 is a great travel vehicle. Impressive mpg (at least with the 3.6 - 25 or so when we had one) and lots of space inside, quiet. Just all around nice travel vehicles.
I'm sure my wife misses her 2021 WK2 to some extent - she loved Grand Cherokees, but she absolutely loves her 23 JLU.
Can't recommend the WK2 enough. I'm with you - preferred the WK2 styling over current.

 

[aldo98229]

I ended up picking up a loaded 2021 GC WK2 summit, hemi for the longer trips. Couldn’t be happier in that. So glad I got one of the last years of the WK2. I am not a fan of the new styling or interior material they chose.

8 JKs is impressive!

I too prefer the WK2 over the current WL.

WK2 had a handsome design that was both youthful and sporty. The current Grand Cherokee looks pretentious.

 

[Weldit]

We have always had some sort of open air capable ride. Wife totaled her Mustang convertible back in October so we went to the Ford dealership to order a ‘24 Bronco and this beautiful bright red ‘22 JT with mild upgrades was on the used lot. Bronco is 8 months out and we needed something fun to drive in the mean time. Test drove it and was pleasantly surprised at how refined it is. The last Jeep we had was a CJ5. We’ve already been on 2 badge of honor trails with it and flat towed it behind the MH to Big Bend National Park last weekend. It’s going to be hard to decide what to do when the Bronco finally arrives. I’d actually love to keep them both but probably not gonna happen on a welder’s salary lol.

 

[Scott L]

Yup puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I volunteer to go to the supermarket just so I get to drive it. It's not the most comfortable highway cruiser but will run 75 all day long without issue. Then go tear up a trail turn around and go home . Yeah been driving for quite a few years the Gladiator one of my favorites for sure.

 

[Jaxmax]

I still love mine, never thought I would have a refrigerator in the back , skids, winch and everything else you nutcases on this forum told me I need! Hell Santa got me a ARB rear awning for Christmas !
Still get compliments on my three year old Mojave, still hit railroad crossings and speed bumps at speed and still feel like a six year old yet! My wife’s 2010 JK started it, then she got the 2019 Sahara, then the Mojave came out , brought us full circle back to Jeeps after years of driving big trucks to haul everyone in, we are loving it, I never thought my wife would ask when we can go wheeling again!……Pat and Jack

 

[Rusty PW]

The JTRD is Jeep #6. Picking up #7 tomorrow morning. Wifey wanted a Compass TrailHawk. She misses her GC TrailHawk #5.

 

[aldo98229]

The JTRD is Jeep #6. Picking up #7 tomorrow morning. Wifey wanted a Compass TrailHawk. She misses her GC TrailHawk #5.

I’d search for a pampered WK2 Trailhawk...

 

[High Alextude]

The JTRD is Jeep #6. Picking up #7 tomorrow morning. Wifey wanted a Compass TrailHawk. She misses her GC TrailHawk #5.

At least these refreshed models have the 2.0 in them. The old 2.4’s were awful. My wife almost bought one, but her VW Jetta seemed more spacious.

Does the Compass trailhawk come with a rear locker like the Cherokee had?

 

[drewcnit]

This is my first Jeep, always wanted one.. Got talked out of buying CJ7 when I was 17, still regret that.
It is to date the best vehicle I've ever owned. Maybe not in resale value, MPG, or any measurable metric other than fun factor.
In March, it will be two years I've owned it and I haven't stopped smiling about it. It's been to 9 states with me already with plans to add 4 more this year.

Brand New -

First Lift and Wheels/Tires (Those are the forum special Kenda's) -

Most Recently -

 

[Jeeper44mag]

Outstanding. I kick myself frequently for selling my ‘80 CJ7 w/ the 304. And then I get into this one and forget everything.

Had a '76 CJ7 with the 304 way back in '86 (and for a few years after that). It was fantastic, but I sold it after our first kid (needed the money more). Bought, and built/restored a very similar '78 a few years back.... it's NOT the dream ride I remembered as a young adult! Literally EVERYTHING is better in these newer models. The *only* exception is that the old CJ was a major head-turner since it was pristine, and the sound of that rumbling V8!

Luis

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