Wrangler owners wave to another. I had forgotten until the first mile of driving our 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited home from the dealership. Critics have called me cynical and jaded, but I must say that there is something comforting and nice people always greet you. And since there are many out there Wranglers (including two owned by the spouses of colleagues Auto Test "), the pilots made a signal to a Jeep lot.
The wave because Wranglers are different.
Few vehicles have changed so little of their origin, let alone share a common shape after seven decades. The basic design is iconic, recognized around the world. It is rare if the vehicle manufacturer's wishes (perhaps even expected) to disassemble the owners, and even provide places to hide the bolts and hardware, when you pull away from the roof and doors. Rideau lot, too, so you can get out the hose inside, after all-terrain. Too many owners Wranglers not when they buy from the dealer, the secondary market is big and wide as the land they were bred to travel.
But modern Wranglers are often used as daily transport rather than trail rats. For most buyers, it should be a daily driver because jeeps are not cheap when you start to dive into the pool of options, which have recently been recalled.
We just bought a relatively well-equipped Sahara Unlimited 2012, and it took a lot of hard work to find the dealer search without a navigation system. And yet, our Jeep stickered at 36,340 USD and 40,000 USD is not difficult to approach. Compare the price is $ 30,735 Wrangler Unlimited 2007, our test model of the Sahara, or such other civil crossover SUV is available for that currency.
Part of the reason for the high price is that our Wrangler has features that were unimaginable in a Wrangler, but four years ago. And hot! Heated seats! iPod control and Bluetooth! Control the weather! Remote Start! He also bought two hard and soft tops, automatic transmission, front side airbags, a limited slip rear differential, and a towing package. Believe me, it becomes quite civilized.
While the Wranglers may have changed little in concept, in recent years has brought major changes to its products. The biggest news for 2012 is the addition of a V6 thoroughly modern 3.6-liter and five-speed automatic transmission. This is a considerable improvement from the old 3.8-liter (better known of Fame Chrysler minivan) and four-speed automatic. The heavy four-door Wrangler can now easily get out of his own way. Tweaks are also continuously improved the fit and finish and noise reduced.
Yet it can not escape some inherent problems. Access and visibility is lousy. Forget a ride plush. Wind noise around the body square build with speed. And for someone to run a modern, agile car or SUV, the Wrangler handling something else entirely. All this can easily add up to a love / hate relationship.
We'll see how the Wrangler has become better than we earn more miles and well test it here on the ground. Until then, the wave can see us.
