Let's talk about Wranglers

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Z06_Mir

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Radna
I'm getting ready to order a Wrangler. Well, I was ready to order one and then decided to wait a couple weeks to get a 2016. I have the big things decided on but have questions about the little things.

Model: Unlimited (so 4 door)- Rubicon
Color: Hydro Blue Pearl Coat, because everything else in my house is blue so why not.
Transmission: Manual, because we don't drive autos here.


What I need help with
Radio: Do I get the 430 or the 730? Is the 730 really that much cooler?
Connectivity package: Do I need that with the 430 or 730 if I want to use my phone for bluetooth music?
Airbags: Should I go with the side airbags? How are these vehicles in crashes anyway?


Anything else I need to know? I've never ordered a car before, or actually purchased a new car. Wranglers have such low depreciation I've also considered leasing but we'll see.
 
As long as it has a USB port for input you can run everything from your smartphone.

Also bear in mind low-mid range aftermarket stereos almost always sound better than high-end factory units.
 
When it comes to audio I don't spend much because most factory stuff sucks and gets replaced in short order anyways, 500 bucks and I ended up with a full Nav system in my vette, Bluetooth, USB ports, traffic, XM, custom everything, memory card, plays DVDs, streams pandora, and probably 10 other things I'm forgetting.

I know you're probably buying new, but if you're open, I'd look at some decked out TJ wranglers, for the same or less you could get a cover page worthy monster, and the straight 6 or a V8 swap is way better then the V6 they are using now.
 
cowman said:
As long as it has a USB port for input you can run everything from your smartphone.

Also bear in mind low-mid range aftermarket stereos almost always sound better than high-end factory units.
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My Cadillac has the capability for bluetooth music. I don't want to go back to having my phone plugged into something if I can avoid it.
 
I had a 2012. They are decent in crashes unless you flip or get hit from the side. 430 has Garmin nav and bluetooth is seperate the 730 uses NAVTEQ and bluetooth is built in. Plan on changing at least the speakers, because they are horrible. Go for the hard rock package if you can, because the bumpers alone are worth it
 
meh ... if it's newer than a CJ2A, it's just a car ... :)
 
Z06_Mir said:
My Cadillac has the capability for bluetooth music. I don't want to go back to having my phone plugged into something if I can avoid it.
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I have both on my Mustang and I never use the bluetooth. Sound quality and functionality issues aside, USB charges my phone and bluetooth drains the battery faster.
 
Not understanding the Rubicon thing, ugly, crappy fuel economy, IMO weak drive train.
 
ktup-flyer said:
It'll go just about anywhere... Most capable offroad SUV you can buy
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Maybe in the U.S., although now you can bring in the old Defenders. The Diesel Toyota F series Utes in Asia will go through things that that will kill any modern Jeep product. Jeeps became a joke in the 80s. 14-16mpg out of one is unacceptable. I also doubt it's more capable than an H1 Hummer.
 
ktup-flyer said:
I had a 2012. They are decent in crashes unless you flip or get hit from the side. 430 has Garmin nav and bluetooth is seperate the 730 uses NAVTEQ and bluetooth is built in. Plan on changing at least the speakers, because they are horrible. Go for the hard rock package if you can, because the bumpers alone are worth it
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So if I get the 730 I can ditch the connectivity package? That'll make the price difference negligible. No hard rock, I don't like the way they look.

As far as crappy fuel economy ... I disagree. First off current my CTS-V averages 15mpg. My Jeep Commander gets like 12 on a good day. Obviously it's not a deal-breaker for me.
 
Z06_Mir said:
So if I get the 730 I can ditch the connectivity package? That'll make the price difference negligible. No hard rock, I don't like the way they look.

As far as crappy fuel economy ... I disagree. First off current my CTS-V averages 15mpg. My Jeep Commander gets like 12 on a good day. Obviously it's not a deal-breaker for me.
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Both of those are a deal breaker for me. The CTS-V should be in the low 20s:confused:
 
I get better milage than that with my f-150 fully loaded pulling a fully loaded utility trailer down the highway at 70mph.
 
Henning said:
Both of those are a deal breaker for me. The CTS-V should be in the low 20s:confused:
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The manuals get terrible mileage because they don't have displacement on demand (or whatever Chevy calls it). It has a 6.2L with a supercharger on it, in a car that weighs over 4,000 pounds. The fuel economy doesn't surprise me.
 
Z06_Mir said:
The manuals get terrible mileage because they don't have displacement on demand (or whatever Chevy calls it). It has a 6.2L with a supercharger on it, in a car that weighs over 4,000 pounds. The fuel economy doesn't surprise me.
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That you have one with a manual transmission makes the mileage understandable. Most people lose a few miles to the gallon with a standard.
 
Henning said:
Maybe in the U.S., although now you can bring in the old Defenders. The Diesel Toyota F series Utes in Asia will go through things that that will kill any modern Jeep product. Jeeps became a joke in the 80s. 14-16mpg out of one is unacceptable. I also doubt it's more capable than an H1 Hummer.
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It is. They will go up more than any previous jeep. My Camaro gets 14-16mpg... You cant expect something with 4wd, 32" mud tires, and the aerodynamics of a brick to be economical
 
ktup-flyer said:
It is. They will go up more than any previous jeep. My Camaro gets 14-16mpg... You cant expect something with 4wd, 32" mud tires, and the aerodynamics of a brick to be economical
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Correct, I do not accept a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick, there is no excuse. 4x4 trucks do better.
 
Henning said:
That you have one with a manual transmission makes the mileage understandable. Most people lose a few miles to the gallon with a standard.
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The only bummer about the manual (this goes for the Jeep, too) is that you can't get factory remote start. But I like driving manuals, so I put up with crappy gas mileage and starting my car myself.
 
My Jeep Commander has the aerodynamics of a brick. And now that it has a 6.4L in it it'll beat Mustangs.
 
Henning said:
Correct, I do not accept a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick, there is no excuse. 4x4 trucks do better.
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Heritage. Same reason they still have the 7 slot grille
 
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Z06_Mir said:
My Jeep Commander has the aerodynamics of a brick. And now that it has a 6.4L in it it'll beat Mustangs.
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If you enjoy it. Personally I can't see doing all that crap to street cars where the payback is so limited. What you are spending on this stuff, you could have nice drivers that get good fuel economy and are comfortable in traffic, and a real race car and a real rock crawler that will do things that will make you wonder why you were wasting time and money on ego vehicles when experience vehicles are so much more fun.
 
ktup-flyer said:
Maybe v6 mustangs or old 4.6s...
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Pretty much all of them prior to the new 5.0, actually. Excluding Cobras and such.

Henning said:
If you enjoy it. Personally I can't see doing all that crap to street cars where the payback is so limited. What you are spending on this stuff, you could have nice drivers that get good fuel economy and are comfortable in traffic, and a real race car and a real rock crawler that will do things that will make you wonder why you were wasting time and money on ego vehicles when experience vehicles are so much more fun.
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The Commander's engine swap happened after the 5.7L had a rod that no longer wished to be in such a confined space. So we put a 6.1L in it. And a valve spring broke. So here we are. But we're car people.
 
Soon as I finish moving and get my new shop built I'm going to start working on this:

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=39920&stc=1&d=1434063589

hoping for a finished product that looks mostly like this:
14953SSS_Picture_2.JPG


I just like scouts plus it's a convertible and 4x4....and will be unique if I want to take it to car shows.
 

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Z06_Mir said:
Pretty much all of them prior to the new 5.0, actually. Excluding Cobras and such.



The Commander's engine swap happened after the 5.7L had a rod that no longer wished to be in such a confined space. So we put a 6.1L in it. And a valve spring broke. So here we are. But we're car people.
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Exactly, usually "car people" end up with toys you can't take on the street, because the street is so limiting. With the excess you spend on street vehicles and operating them, you could field a nifty performance garage to play and even compete in a couple of different motorsports.
 
I probably could have done half a dozen project cars with what I've spent on GA so far...
 
I can't wait to start my build. Have to finish getting my PPL/CPL first, though.
 
I'm really more of a Levi's guy, but if I guess if you're into Brett Favre...
 
Our JK, love it.
 

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Ego vehicles vs experience vehicles - that's great. For what a minor hotrod upgrade costs you could run a shifter cart for a season. Of course then you and everyone else would know exactly how good a driver you are or aren't. Driving a fast car on the street your ego never has to face reality.
 
Wranglers make great toads.
 

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ktup-flyer said:
Heritage.
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:rofl:

There's a lot of off-road heritage in that aluminum transfer case. :rolleyes:

Jeep hasn't made a real jeep since they eliminated the CJ series.

Don't get me wrong, I like 'em...but they're no longer a capable off-road vehicle stock... like they used to be. Just like with most things in life (including me), they're not a pimple on the butt of their former self. ;)
 
I have a 2014 Unlimited and I love it!!! Before that I drove a Mini Cooper for 10 years so it was a big change.

I have a manual with the 430. I wouldn't get the 730. The Chrysler UI looks dated when compared to the nav on a smartphone. Speakers are perfectly fine. I'm not in high school anymore so I don't need thumping bass, lol. I have Bluetooth which is great...but iphone voice (Siri and nav commands) won't go thru the speakers....which is a bummer. Last I checked, someone came up with a hack to make it work.

Do you really need a rubicon? If so, go for it. I bought a sport and added the xtras that I wanted without the Sahara markups. I also added leather seats which was such a great decision! I get a lot of compliments.
 

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