Drunk-considering trading my Focus ST for a Wrangler. Talk me out of it.

"sefeing, actually bought an E46" (sefeing90)
06/07/2014 at 00:07 • Filed to: trade

Just found out that I need a new tire because of the pothole I hit this winter. Also found that ANOTHER of my rims is bent. And on the way home I hit another minor pothole and have convinced myself I've made everything worse. Plus, Now I'm getting a shaking in the steering wheel, and they just balanced a tire today.

A truck would make things so much easier, in that I don't have to worry about how shitty Westchester, NY's roads are consistently.

Help. Plz.

DISCUSSION (51)

Nibby > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:10

NO NONO ONONONONNO

I had a 2011 Wrangler Unlimited for 3 years. NEVER AGAIN. UNCOMFORTABLE. SHITTY BUILD QUALITY. BOTH SOFT TOP AND HARD TOPS LEAKED. SLOW AS SHIT. HANDLES LIKE SHIT. POOR MPG.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:11

Get yourself Taco TRD. Wish I still had mine

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:11

99% of the time you're going to hate driving it.

That's all you need to consider.

CRider > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 00:12

But you can take the doors off...

Frosted > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:12

Do you really want a Cheep Wrangler? You'll just wrangle money out of your pocket when it needs to be fixed, which will be every day.

Nibby > CRider
06/07/2014 at 00:13

Meh, I was surprised they never actually *fell* off.

Viggen > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:14

I won't talk you out if it because I could see myself doing the same. If you do get a Wrangler though, do not get a fucking JK. Do the right thing and get a TJ.

CRider > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:14

Kinja'd!!!

Does this appeal to you? Does driving a new American car with a 285 hp V6, a manual transmission, 4 wheel drive, perfect 50/50 weight distribution and the option to have a hard top that comes off appeal to you? If so, go Jeep.

Nibby > Brian Silvestro
06/07/2014 at 00:15

^ Exactly. I enjoy my Seq 1000000000000000000x more and would choose it over the Wrangler any time, day, place.

CRider > Viggen
06/07/2014 at 00:15

What's wrong with the JK?

CRider > CRider
06/07/2014 at 00:17

TIL Oppo is full of a bunch of sissy hypocrites.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:21

I'm gonna be the voice of reason here.

Kinja'd!!!

Point made.

But seriously, the new ones with the 3.6 and a 6-speed manual should easily be liveable if you get a hard top for it. The interior isn't too terrible. Actually practical if you get an Unlimited model.

My uncle daily-drove an old TJ with the 4.0 I6 for a long time. He loved being able to take the doors and roof off and having a convertible experience in an SUV he could use to haul a camper or take to the Moab trail and kill it. He didn't even have a hard top.

Like I said, liveable. But there are going to be some trade-offs. But IMO, it's worth it.

Brian Silvestro > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 00:21

I'm glad I know at least one ex-Wrangler owner that doesn't make their car a god.

ly2v8-Brian > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
06/07/2014 at 00:23

you wrote it in the wrong order it is a TRD taco. Makes me chuckle every time I see one.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CRider
06/07/2014 at 00:24

The wants I have for a Wrangler are so much.

Viggen > CRider
06/07/2014 at 00:24

Engine. I'll take the ancient straight-6 any day over the Pentastar V6.

ly2v8-Brian > CRider
06/07/2014 at 00:25

Kinja'd!!!

ly2v8-Brian > Brian Silvestro
06/07/2014 at 00:26

You can't hear yourself hate it over the deafening sound of FREEDOM it generates.

ly2v8-Brian > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:28

You need an x6. It is a Sports Activity Vehicle. Let that sink in.

Brian Silvestro > ly2v8-Brian
06/07/2014 at 00:29

Oh. Do you drive a Wrangler?

ly2v8-Brian > Brian Silvestro
06/07/2014 at 00:32

Heck no. I drive a Silverado.

CRider > Viggen
06/07/2014 at 00:33

I'll have to disagree with that. The old 4.0 was a damn good motor and it had a good long run, but it's 2014. The new engine is more powerful, has more torque, revs to 6500 and you don't have to gear it to the moon to turn 35"s. Sure, it doesn't have the low end torque peak, but it does have more torque. Now if we were talking about the 3.8 or the old 2.5 4cyl I'd agree, those should never have seen a Jeep.

Brian Silvestro > ly2v8-Brian
06/07/2014 at 00:34

Usually the people who defend cars like that either owned or have owned one, because deep inside they need to justify the purchase to themselves.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > ly2v8-Brian
06/07/2014 at 00:37

Well, it is sometimes called the Taco TuRD

ly2v8-Brian > Brian Silvestro
06/07/2014 at 00:38

I admittedly have no horse in this race, but I thought I offered you a valid counterpoint none the less.

Brian Silvestro > ly2v8-Brian
06/07/2014 at 00:39

This is true. Freedom is always a valid argument in my book.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
06/07/2014 at 00:39

Sure, the doors don't come off(aren't made to at least), but at least nothing breaks every time it sees gravel.

ly2v8-Brian > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
06/07/2014 at 00:40

well ok, but it doesn't sound quite right. TuRD Taco just makes sense. You know what I mean, man?

ly2v8-Brian > Brian Silvestro
06/07/2014 at 00:43

It is an atrocious on road vehicle that much is true. But it offers a wicked Freedoms per mile ratio.

Brian Silvestro > ly2v8-Brian
06/07/2014 at 00:45

The freedoms per mile ratio is off the charts.

CRider > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 00:46

I think you're just mad because you got it a model year too early and got stuck with that boat anchor under the hood.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 00:51

Even as a Tacoma owner, I will admit the offroad abilities of JKs are superb. However, the Wrangler lacks on-road refinement. Really take a good, hard look at your hobbies and interests to make the best decision.

Not to be an asshole, but it seems like most folks consider/purchase the wrangler for the ability to traverse bad roads, the occasional beach, and bask in the sun topless (heh). If IFS is more cost effective and adds to road refinement, it wouldn't come as a big shock to me if Jeep decided to switch over. Though unfortunate and anger inducing, I think it's a possibility, if not thought up before.

I'm thinking sacrilegious thoughts, time for bed.

Camry-Into-Canyon > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 06:24

The pentastar-equipped 2-door manual gets to 0-60 in 6.6 seconds.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > CRider
06/07/2014 at 07:33

God damn. That does appeal to me. :( But I love my Focus ST. I just wish that potholes weren't still so damn prevalent, even in the spring.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/07/2014 at 07:34

Also incredibly expensive as my googling as found out. I paid 26k OTD on my Focus ST. Looks like even CPO wranglers are around that.

Conan > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 08:06

If Rubicon? Go for it.

Nibby > Camry-Into-Canyon
06/07/2014 at 08:48

So does my Sequoia.

Nibby > CRider
06/07/2014 at 08:48

No, I'd still hate it with the Pentastar.

Camry-Into-Canyon > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 08:48

fair enough.

Nibby > CRider
06/07/2014 at 08:49

Nope. The interior is complete crap and the 2 door is not very useful to me. I had storage issues with the 4 door frequently, so what makes you think I'd find the 2 door appealing? Just not my thing.

DollaMoneyAve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/07/2014 at 10:07

I have a 2012, Unlimited, with a 6 speed. It's the soccer mom truck with a stick. It's a unicorn. I've never seen another one optioned the way mine is

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 12:59

You have to remember you're buying an SUV, so you're gonna pay SUV pricing.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/07/2014 at 15:05

you're absolutely right. Eh. It was probably just frustration last night. I really do like my St, just wish it wasn't so fragile. I'm willing to shell out the cash for a new tire and wheel again.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 15:06

It's those low profile rims. Get some smaller rims for more tire sidewall. Then acquire rally lights and mudflaps... you know where this is going.

CRider > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 19:19

When did I say anything about the 2 door Wrangler? I know the interior is the same but with a few extra inches of rear leg room.

CRider > Nibby
06/07/2014 at 19:28

It sounds like you had a really bad experience with your Jeep. You had to know what you were getting into regarding NVH and practicality, knew it was a truck with two solid axles and a short wheelbase, basically knew it was going to be rough on the road before you bought it. Jeep is the only one still makin' em like they used to, of course back in 08 Chrysler was still working on making cars that fit together but you had to know that. If you wanted good handling, a comfortable ride and decent MPG (the issues you cited in your post) you should not have bought a lifted 4x4 brick with solid axles and no roof.

CRider > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/07/2014 at 19:31

Where do you live? If you decided to spend weekends out on the trail instead of at the autox I think you could come to love the Wrangler. But if you want a sports car, or something just to take on potholes, look elsewhere.

Nibby > CRider
06/07/2014 at 21:27

My dad bought it;I wanted a 4Runner instead. I really don't care much for MPG, but just stated that for the OP. I know it won't handle well, but my Sequoia handles a lot better... and it's significantly large

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > CRider
06/08/2014 at 09:06

Westchester, NY. I think there's some trails somewhere around here. I even considered buying a 1990 Jetta off a friend of mine who was going to donate it, just to have as a beater. But considering the fact that I tried to jump it and couldn't get it started, I gave up. Was probably the battery, but it was also automatic.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 09:07

I've got mud flaps already! RokBlokz! I'm absolutely going to get a dedicated winter setup, but would like to not have to run them into the spring.

CRider > sefeing, actually bought an E46
06/08/2014 at 16:33

There are definitely places out there. If you want a good list, check Dirtopia. I'd recommend hitting up a local Jeep club and trying to get a ride, I'm 100% certain somebody would be happy to take you out and then you'll know for sure whether it's for you or not.