I am sorta looking for a good used one.

But I hate a standard trans...


Also, are they really that expensive to keep up and/or repair??

Yes, but which Jeep? Even the CJ's came with autos, but half the fun was shifting gears.....

Just tell them you want the Female model wile your at it make sure its the 4 cyl too.

If you don't want to shift gears, then you will be missing out on a good bit of the potential of the Wrangler (assuming that is what you want). Being able to selct the correct gear is a real blessing, unless all you plan to do with it is drive on-road. YMMV.

I miss my 5 speed Wrangler.

Quoted: Just tell them you want the Female model wile your at it make sure its the 4 cyl too.

they even make those in 2 wheel drive(heresy I know....)

uh ya ... tons of Jeeps with autos!!! you name it, they made it ...

Yes, they do come in automatic transmisions. As for the operating cost, you are going to find people who love them or hate them. As a owner of a 64' CJ-5 I personally think that the older jeeps were made a little better.

They make more with autos than with standards I would guess, seeing as they are big college chick and soccer mom rides around here!

<----really misses the CJ-7 w/ a 304 and a t-18, 4" lift and 33's, headers, and lots of black paint and chrome parts.

<---also misses being able to get the jump off the line on rice racers. 7.xx:1 first gear will do that for ya.....

Right now an automatic transmission is the all that's available in the Wrangler Unlimited.

Don't let the tough guys bother you, I like automatics as well.  Manuals are fun for a while, but when I'm buying, it'll be an automatic.  The only exceptions are hard core off road vehicles, and sports cars.  The reality of daily driving and traffic makes stick shifts a pain.  People who have always had sticks, don't understand this because they are used to it.  They end up seeing the light after they get a little experience with an auto.

I understand that the Jeep wrangler auto option is a simple 3 speed.  Perhaps that has changed, but it used to be that way.  This will work, but it won't be as nice as a 4 speed.

I am not interested in one to go climb mountains.

Just to cruise around in on Saturday mornings.  I have an everyday company vehicle, and my wife drives an Avalanche for the family vehicle (family being me, wife, and bulldog).

I would want a 4x4.  

I learned to drive with a stadard trans in a F-350 four door truck.  Drove it thru high school and a few years after that.  I grew to hate a standard tranny.  Always shifting..never just driving.


Just thinking out loud.....

Auto trans for on-road only? Please...

While my CJ has an NP435 tranny in it, lots of my wheelin' buddies run autos with no problems. We have run the Hammers, Golden Spike, Rubicon, you name it. The auto run no problem and sometimes even have an advantage, especially when starting up steep hills or on really slick surfaces.

Auto Jeeps have the same problems of stick Jeeps (in stock form) which is poor gearing. Even a stick Wrangler (TJ or YJ) is stock form is geared so high that severe off-roading or rock crawling is out of the question.

At any rate, the autos found in CJ and YJ were all three speeds as the factory couldn't get enough rear drive shaft length with a four-speed.

-Z

Buying a jeep with an auto-matic tranny is like buying a PRK legal AR-15
Pointless.


Ok not really but i liked the analogy.

Quoted: As a owner of a 64' CJ-5 I personally think that the older jeeps were made a little better.

I don't think they were necessarilly made any better, but for the last 20 years it seems as though nearly each successive new model has strayed further and further away from what established the Jeep legend.

yes

Quoted: I understand that the Jeep wrangler auto option is a simple 3 speed.  Perhaps that has changed, but it used to be that way.  This will work, but it won't be as nice as a 4 speed.

I believe it changed to a 4 speed a couple of years back. I recently took a Wrangler Unlimited for a test drive and didn't really care for the transmission, though.

Quoted: Just tell them you want the Female model wile your at it make sure its the 4 cyl too.

I've never owned anything other then a manual trans - can't help yah - Man, A-nus, your comment just about killed me!

Seriously, sounds like you want a TJ, which is the latest version of the classic "Jeep".

These started in about 1997, ride great and are actually more capable off-road than anything that came before it.

A TJ is a VERY easy vehicle to own and drive. Older Jeeps, not so much...

-Z

Quoted: Just tell them you want the Female model wile your at it make sure its the 4 cyl too.

I know I could find a joke in there somewhere...

haha i used to have 96 cherokee 2wd 4CYL 5Speed 2"lift with weenie 235/75/15 tires, the funny thing is i some how bent the driveshaft and TWISTED it  how in the world do you Twist a driveshaft with a Stock 4cyl and cheap walmart tires? oh yea it was holding gas down till bout 6000Rpms and then dumping the clutch in first and second and third and......   never had a prob with the clutch motor or anything just the freakin drive shaft  that is i only put 3 in it and replaced the pinion yoke 3 times! the only thing i liked about it was i could out run all my friends (chevy 4x4, 3000gt, toyota tacoma, 4.3 chevy) except my friend with a 89camaro slightly hopped up (bottle fed, cam, heads, pistons, intake)  305ci 5speed, ok it was Fast! needless to say i sold the jeep and bought a ext cab chevy 1500, rides a heck of a lot better.

Quoted: Seriously, sounds like you want a TJ, which is the latest version of the classic "Jeep". These started in about 1997, ride great and are actually more capable off-road than anything that came before it. A TJ is a VERY easy vehicle to own and drive. Older Jeeps, not so much... -Z

Must be why TJs are typically found on college campuses and routinely make the top ten driver-is-likely-to-be-gay lists.

sigh....

Quoted: I am sorta looking for a good used one. But I hate a standard trans...

Mine is for sale (it is an automatic )

Quoted: Must be why TJs are typically found on college campuses and routinely make the top ten driver-is-likely-to-be-gay lists.

Boomer,

Seriously dude, are you ignorant or just trying to be contrary? I suspect contrary.

You seem to be an off-road kind of guy and if you have been paying attention, you will know that even mildly modified TJs are smoking the hardest trails. Coil springs or leaf springs? Which would you rather have? Its just not even a question. Plus TJs can now be ordered dual 44's, lockers and a 4:1 t-case from the factory. Never has a more capable Jeep come off of the line.

The fact that these things are being putted around by stupid college girls only means that clean, used ones will be available to modify for not a bunch of dough.

-Z

Quoted: Quoted: Must be why TJs are typically found on college campuses and routinely make the top ten driver-is-likely-to-be-gay lists. Boomer, Seriously dude, are you ignorant or just trying to be contrary? I suspect contrary. You seem to be an off-road kind of guy and if you have been paying attention, you will know that even mildly modified TJs are smoking the hardest trails. Coil springs or leaf springs? Which would you rather have? Its just not even a question. Plus TJs can now be ordered dual 44's, lockers and a 4:1 t-case from the factory. Never has a more capable Jeep come off of the line. The fact that these things are being putted around by stupid college girls only means that clean, used ones will be available to modify for not a bunch of dough. -Z

Hey, was that a smiley at the end of my post? Yeah, I thought so.

Let be serious here. Seriously, how many Jeepers are really serious?

I agree, never has a more capable Jeep come off the assembly line than the Rubicon, but rest assured that more than a few other models have been have been built up that put the Rubi to shame in every imagineable way.

Oh yeah, I'd rather have my 82 Scrambler complete with leaf springs, flat steel dash, monster speedo, manual transmission, gear driven transfer case, locking hubs, doors/top optional, and factory rust. Pure utility. Just as God intended Jeeps to be.

Here is a review I wrote up on my Wrangler Sahara for EPINIONS.CON but did not post yet. The only thing I can add is now it needs a new muffler and it has 20300 miles. Hope this hepls.

I bought a Jeep Wrangler Sahara through the Chrysler friends program for 2% under factory invoice in 2001 and like it. It does have build and design problems and getting them fixed through Jeep/Chrysler service is not easy or just impossible. The first and foremost thing to remember is that it is a jeep. It does go anywhere and it’s on and off road capabilities are very nice.

Several previous reviewers have hit the common issues like road noise, gas mileage and lack of responsive dealer service, which I very much agree with. I have held off responding to the surveys that one gets when buying a new vehicle because a new owner cannot give a fair response in so short a time.  My primary concerns with the Wrangler center on safety issues and I have raised these complaints to several Jeep dealers and sent an email to Chrysler headquarters. Nothing has been resolved. Let me detail them as follows:

1. Front Seatbelts. The front seatbelts do not retract smoothly, quickly and without getting caught in the door. What results is that you end up closing the doors while the belt is caught on the door locking mechanism. This frays the belt and could certainly warp the full size doors, as they are very thin and light. I have requested the seatbelts or at least the tension springs in the seatbelt retraction mechanism be replaced. Each time different dealer service people tell me the seat belt retractor is working fine. This past month I had an opportunity to find a 2004 Jeep Rubicon with a hard top, full size doors, and the jeep dealer installed door guards and tried it out. It functioned exactly as my 2001 Sahara. The service manager who was with me said he could not see a problem. I requested if we could have the factory area representative in for a discussion and he informed me that he could not get any Chrysler area representative to show up for Jeeps deadline in his shop, let alone for a seatbelt.

2.  Full Size doors. The problem is that they do not close and secure fully as the door is ajar until you re-close the door with force. This may be a problem with the hard top and I will take the top off this spring and put on the soft top to see if the soft top allows the doors to close better. However, I do think the problem is a result of the doors not designed to work with the hard top and cannot fit properly on any Jeep Wrangler. I also think Jeep/Chrysler is cognizant of the problem but have decided to overlook this one too. The service manager with me when I compared my ’01 Sahara to the ’04 Rubicon on the dealer lot said that the doors needed to be “pushed closed” because there is a vacuum with the hard top. My response was that, if so, the flow through vents at the rear of the hard top must be blocked.  I asked if they would give me a new one under warranty? Their response was that he, the service manage, could not find anything wrong with how the door functioned.  

3. Automatic Transmission. On several occasions my Jeep leaped forward when cold and coming to a stop. I assumed the problem was that the engine would improperly race ahead to keep it from stalling much like the vacuum advance would function on a carburetor. After careful observation however I have discovered that the problem is the transmission shifting just as you come to a stop. This can result in pushing you about 3- 6 extra feet from your intended stop. Why this is a concern is that I came close to taping a school bus in front of my son’s school and had to stand on the break. Fortunately there were no children walking between my jeep and the bus. I brought this problem to the attention of the service manager last month and he had the transmission specialist adjust the transmission so it would not happen. What he did is cause the transmission to slip slightly so it does not happen anymore. It also slips ever so slightly from a standing stop. I would like to know if this problem is common to other Wrangler owners with Automatic transmission?

4. Odds and ends. Since I bought the Wrangler I have had the radiator replaced (it leaked), all the sparkplugs replaced, inside right door handle assist, snap on front floor mat replaced, the computer reprogrammed (they said the factory did not do it right), fuel pump replaced (gas leak), seals around gas tank and gas cap (vapor leak), and the 30,000 mile service. The dealer also recommended a front brake job as the pads were getting down. I said OK but do not turn the rotors until I see them. They went ahead and turned them anyway and charged me. I have fewer than 20,000 on a now 3-year-old Wrangler. I did get the Chrysler extended warranty to 75,000 miles as we have used it well in the past.  

Recommendations. I like the Wrangler for its good points like easy to drive and park in the urban environments and wonderful off road capabilities. I would not buy another and would recommend leasing one if you need to get it out of your system. Chrysler/Jeep warranty service has changed for the worst. If they will not address safety issues then they cannot be counted on for anything else. I could live with the poor build quality and design flaws if I were confident they would fix what goes wrong. My experience is that they will not and the next vehicle may be a GM or Ford off road equipped pick up.

I prefer a manual jeep, for mud and sand, where you will lose your momentum before you can upshift. You are stuck in whatever gear you hit it in. Autos dont have that problem.

That said, I also prefer the auto to be a Chevy three speed, behind a Chevy engine, because mopar is shit.

Quoted: Here is a review I wrote up on my Wrangler Sahara for EPINIONS.CON but did not post yet. The only thing I can add is now it needs a new muffler and it has 20300 miles. Hope this hepls.

Im very surprised you had so many problems ... my 2001 now has 48k on it and has given me ZERO trouble ... extremely reliable as every Jeep Ive ever owned has been ...  

My Jeep is a manual, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I was planning a thread about this and you stole my thunder, awesome.  

Big difference between a F350 and a TJ...

Quoted: Let be serious here. Seriously, how many Jeepers are really serious?

This is the case with most 4wds.  I know I'm not trying to do it.  I get amused when people critcize my truck and choice of truck because it can't climb Washingtons nose on Mt. Rushmore.  I bought a 4wd pickup truck, not an off road vechicle.  Good for snow, ice, and the occasional muddy field or reasonable trail.  However, it's primary goal is to be a pickup and haul my crap around in an 8 foot bed.

I think its a bit of a regional thing subject to topography and climate (drives vegitation).  The difference between a 4wd truck, and well appointed off road vehicle gets you little here in VA.  People that have hardcore vehicles must seek out places especially prepared for their use.  Thus these places are easily avoidable by all.  The fact is that if its not paved, a farmers field, or a river, there is a dense forest growing there.  Nothing will change that.  A trail left unmaintained will fall to the wild very quickly.

The local rednecks have pretty much got it wired as far as what you can do to really gain capacity over a stock 4wd.  A slight lift, wide mud tires, limited slip, and possibly a winch.  Any further mods really get you little in the way of further mobility.  

get a Rubicon

Best yet, build your own Jeep.

ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost

I used to think Jeeps where the shit (hence my nickname), but I now own a Toyota Tacoma, and will NEVER go back to a Jeep for a daily driver. My truck can just about do everything I've done in my jeep, except not give me the thought in the back of my mind that it will abandon me deep on a some trail.

BTW, I still own my CJ5. It sits in the driveway, my dad wont let me sell it, because he wants to keep it in Arizona as a rec vehicle. But it has been nothing but a huge thorn in my side. When it breaks down, I have to figure out what is wrong with it. Huge hassle. If you must own a Jeep, get one used that is already tricked out, typically you can find one like this for alot less than a brand new (but less capable) Jeep.

Jeeps are better 4x4s than anything else out there. There are some good vehicles such as the tacoma, but make no mistake about it, common stock jeeps are better 4x4 machines.
The rubes are in different class.

Quoted: Just tell them you want the Female model wile your at it make sure its the 4 cyl too.

Seriously, McGrubbs, I just got a '95 Cherokee.  It has the 4.0 I6 HO in it and the AW4 auto tranny.  I had reservations about getting an automatic, because I'd really gotten used to the manual in my Neon.  I have learned very quickly, though, that the auto tranny really has a place in a truck.  When you're climbing around, it's really nice not to have to worry about shifting.  The neon is another story; you want to squeeze every last HP out of it, and a stick is the only way to go.  I'm really happy with the auto in the Cherokee, though.  I'm amused that I can handle as much (or more) off-road with my 10-year-old used XJ as my neighbor with his $30k Rubicon Wrangler.  



PS...I've fixed the major case of butt-sag it had in that pic.  

Just bought a Wrangler Unlimited Red Hardtop!

Quoted: I used to think Jeeps where the shit (hence my nickname), but I now own a Toyota Tacoma, and will NEVER go back to a Jeep for a daily driver. My truck can just about do everything I've done in my jeep, except not give me the thought in the back of my mind that it will abandon me deep on a some trail. BTW, I still own my CJ5. It sits in the driveway, my dad wont let me sell it, because he wants to keep it in Arizona as a rec vehicle. But it has been nothing but a huge thorn in my side. When it breaks down, I have to figure out what is wrong with it. Huge hassle. If you must own a Jeep, get one used that is already tricked out, typically you can find one like this for alot less than a brand new (but less capable) Jeep.

There hasn't been a new CJ5 made in the last 21 years. Get back to us 21 years from now and let us know how well the Taco is holding up.

Quoted: ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost

V6?

Quoted: Quoted: ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost V6?

Hehe, he means that POS Mopar I6. When AEV puts in the Hemi, they actually IMPROVE mileage over the I6.

Boomer, my brother owns a Wrangler also, which actually gives him MORE problems than my CJ5 ever did! Dont get me wrong, I invested alot of time, money & effort in my CJ5. Biggest headache was figuring out how to make all the emissions stuff work with literally more than half the original equipment gone and extremely scarce information on the subject. I had to make up my own system for it, which surprisingly works, and passes CA smog! (probably my most proudest achievement ). Something I know I would never be able to do with my Taco, but then again I am the 1st owner and don't intend to rip out all the emission equip. because I think it will get better horsepower (major reason alot of people thrashed their Jeep emission stuff in the 80s) I still think its a cool vehicle to drive in the summer for beach trips, just not a good daily driver.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost V6? Hehe, he means that POS Mopar I6. When AEV puts in the Hemi, they actually IMPROVE mileage over the I6.

"POS"?? "MOPAR"??  That I6 was one of the best things to ever happen to a Jeep!  

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost V6? Hehe, he means that POS Mopar I6. When AEV puts in the Hemi, they actually IMPROVE mileage over the I6.

Mopar I6? Son, you need to learn some Jeep history. The 4.0 is the direct descendant of the AMC 232 and 258 inline sixes. All of which predate Chrysler's takeover of AMC/Jeep. And while typically not hihj HP powerhouses, they have excellent reputations for being torquey, durable engines. They are very well suited to the CJ/YJ/TJ/XJ/MJ models.

I bought a 1997 TJ with auto & love it. I do a lot of rush hour traffic & I HATE working the clutch that much. Fluid changes are fairly easy, so why not? I'll never own a stick again, I know that.

This is my second Jeep, 4th 4x4 total so I'm no rookie.

Quoted: If you don't want to shift gears, then you will be missing out on a good bit of the potential of the Wrangler (assuming that is what you want). Being able to selct the correct gear is a real blessing, unless all you plan to do with it is drive on-road. YMMV. I miss my 5 speed Wrangler.

The auto is wayyyyy better off road. Manuals need more gears to compete. This is particularly true in a steep hill clim.

When shifting gears with a standard on a steep slope, you are risking a rapid decent backwards if you miss the shift. And if you stall, you will want to start your standard in gear, using the starter to move you up the slope (hard on starters--and the reason they offer heavy duty starters as upgrades on popular off road rigs). Note that any system forcing you to start with the clutch in is a bad thing on a 4x4 that is intended for serious off roading.

Quoted: I am not interested in one to go climb mountains. Just to cruise around in on Saturday mornings.  I have an everyday company vehicle, and my wife drives an Avalanche for the family vehicle (family being me, wife, and bulldog). I would want a 4x4.   I learned to drive with a stadard trans in a F-350 four door truck.  Drove it thru high school and a few years after that.  I grew to hate a standard tranny.  Always shifting..never just driving. Just thinking out loud.....

If you are climing mountains, definitly get the auto.

My Jeep has a 5 speed. If I was shopping for one now, I'd look for the auto. As it was, I didn't know the value of the auto tranny when I got my Jeep.

Autos are generally better for off roading. They have some disadvantages (mainly overheating issues), but functionally they outperform standards. Standards are for young suckers who think they are being macho fondling a stick.

Quoted: Quoted: Seriously, sounds like you want a TJ, which is the latest version of the classic "Jeep". These started in about 1997, ride great and are actually more capable off-road than anything that came before it. A TJ is a VERY easy vehicle to own and drive. Older Jeeps, not so much... -Z Must be why TJs are typically found on college campuses and routinely make the top ten driver-is-likely-to-be-gay lists.

I don't know if that's true or not, but they are one of the best performing off raod rigs made. The Rubicon version is probably the most capable Jeep ever made.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost V6? Hehe, he means that POS Mopar I6. When AEV puts in the Hemi, they actually IMPROVE mileage over the I6.

The Jeep I6 is an excellent engine. Mine has over 300k miles with no problems. It used to get 18 - 25 MPG, before the lift, big tires, roof rack, etc.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ok..rubicon too much $$...I edit my last thread....if you are interested in doing any serious off road...get a '97 or later TJ.w/V6...long arm suspension kit, lockers front and rear....will be able to out perform Rubicon for 1/2 the cost V6? Hehe, he means that POS Mopar I6. When AEV puts in the Hemi, they actually IMPROVE mileage over the I6. The Jeep I6 is an excellent engine. Mine has over 300k miles with no problems. It used to get 18 - 25 MPG, before the lift, big tires, roof rack, etc.

+1  I got 300k+ miles out of my last Cherokee ....