"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/05/2015 at 20:12 • Filed to: oppo review, jeep
8
14|
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/05/2015 at 20:12 • Filed to: oppo review, jeep | 8
| 14 |
It’s loud. It’s rude. It’s unapologetic. It’s an American icon. Meet the 1990 Jeep Wrangler. Is it really as awesome as everyone thinks it is?
[full disclosure- Jeep wanted me to drive this car so badly that they yada yada yada you know the bit already so why bother]
In the early 1980’s, AMC decided that the ol’ Jeep CJ was getting a bit long in the tooth. It was an agrarian design, it was never a large seller, and it had developed a rather nasty reputation for rollovers. Thus, the decision was made to replace it with something that had modern styling, newer engineering, and better road manners. The year is now 1986. Enter the Jeep YJ.
Exterior: 6/10
There’s not much to look at here. It’s a slightly styled box with wheels. Behind the front wheels, all body panels are perfectly flat. The overall shape is clearly derivative of the CJ and Willy’s, but with modern “low and wide” proportions. It’s a very no-nonsense design, but it’s endearing in it’s honesty. I personally like the rectangular headlights, even though they did cause quite a controversy amongst Jeep purists when the truck was launched.
Interior: 3/10
Like the outside, the inside is very basic, although it’s a far cry from the gauges-on-a-flat-board that the CJ had. They at least made an attempt to style the dashboard. No exposed metal here!
Acceleration: 3/10
Forget everything you know about going slow, because this Jeep redefines the term. It doesn’t so much accelerate as much as it stops being still. This is all thanks to an anemic carbureted engine carried over from the CJ. How anemic, you ask? This 4.2 liter inline-six, larger than many European V-8s, produces a whopping 112 horsepower and 210 ft-lbs of torque. Later fuel injected models got those numbers up to a better 180/220, but that’s irrelevant to this particular review.
0-60 comes in a ridiculous 13.9 seconds, but the high-ish torque makes for easy hillstarts and somewhat brisk launches. Despite the low power output, it is really a good engine. It’s actually fairly responsive and will tach up and down all day without complaining.
Gearbox: 2/10
It gets two points for being row-your-own. That’s about it. This is a transmission sourced from Peugeot- same unit as can be found in the 505- and it’s really not suited for doing truck things at all. The gearing is absolutely useless, and the clutch and shifter are both incredibly heavy. The throw is long yet somehow super narrow. Really the only thing going for it is how satisfying it is when you do find the gear you were looking for.
Ride & Handling: 2/10
This is the single best handling car in the world Noooooooooope. Nuh-uh. Not even by a long shot. This truck might as well not have any suspension at all. The ride is jarring and full of vibration, and the steering is very light and completely numb. You can’t tell what the front wheels are doing unless you lean out and look at them.
It’s not all bad though, as there is surprisingly little body roll. A super short 93.4in wheelbase and lots of steering lock also give the Wrangler one of the smallest turning circles I’ve ever experienced, it’s 1.2 ft smaller than that of a Geo Metro.
Comfort: 1/10
The many-inch-thick seat cushions do a decent job compensating for the lack of suspension, but it’s still quite an uncomfortable ride with lots of head rolling. With the full doors on, your left arm will be pinned to your side, even the hard top is drafty and loud, and the steering requires constant adjustments to go in a straight line. It’s a very tiring vehicle to drive.
Practicality: 8/10
With the rear seats in place you only have enough room behind them for a beach bag and a small cooler. However, they do fold and tilt forward to give you about the same space as a mid-sized wagon. With the top off, even more possibilities open up with the unlimited vertical space. This Wrangler’s seen more than it’s fair share of kayaks strapped to the rollbar. You can also tow small trailers and boats but I wouldn’t recommend going on the highway with them.
Toys: 0/10
The whole thing is basically a giant toy, if that counts for anything. It’s the kind of car you buy not because you need it, but because you’ve always wanted one. As far as amenities go, you get: AM/FM radio w/ cassette, and intermittent wipers. Oh, and a clock in the dash. That’s about it.
Audio: 8/10
Okay the two speaker mono head unit is a joke, but that doesn’t matter. For some reason it can only play Springsteen and CCR anyways. The real audio treat is the engine. Ours has ditched the nasty stock electronic carb with a Weber progressive 2bbl and a K&N oiled metal air filter. Once you open the taps it really snarls, and in 1st and 2nd gear the transmission whines like a straight cut racing gearbox.
Value: 10/10
This particular Jeep has faithfully served my family as a summer runabout, unstoppable winter transport, and general hoonmobile for about eight years now. We paid $1,500 for it and it’s been well worth it. We did have to replace the engine last year but it was inexpensive and has now at least doubled the remaining life of the vehicle. With it’s rugged construction, that could be quite a long time.
Subtotal: 40/100
Now, almost everything I’ve discussed here points to an absolutely dreadful car, but when you put all these faults together it becomes something more than the sum of its parts. This Jeep has that elusive “X-Factor” that you look for, it has that special charm that leaves you infatuated with it. You become proud of it. You don’t care how beat up or dirty it is. You point it out to people and say “See that Wrangler there? That’s mine.”
And for that it gets 10 bonus points.
Final score: 50/100
505Turbeaux
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 09:16 |
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same unit as can be found in the 505
Jobjoris
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 09:24 |
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You point it out to people and say "See that Wrangler there? That's mine."
Should be worth more than those measly 10 points! Epic review! I want one. With that HO 4.0 of course.
Mattbob
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 09:35 |
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I used to have a 95 YJ. It was a 2.5L I4, but the gearbox was better than the Peugeot one. I miss that thing. I fixed so many rust holes and broken parts on that thing. It is what got me into working on cars.
Sn210
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 09:37 |
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but the roof and doors come off, and other Jeep people wave at you! That's at least 3 points in the toys category
Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 09:53 |
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You're absolutely right about the X-Factor, at first I hated DeathJeep but it slowly grew on me. It's got charm, people notice it and respect it. It's not fast, it floats all over the road, the ride quality is terrible but there is something undeniably wonderful about this thing.
Bonus: The brown dog is a cyclops.
BrownMiataDieselWagon
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 10:16 |
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Yep, exactly how I would've rated mine
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish
02/02/2015 at 11:27 |
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Even people who don't give a shit about cars go "hey, cool Jeep!".
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> 505Turbeaux
02/02/2015 at 11:30 |
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You have a tranny in you? What one could call an "inner tranny", perhaps?
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505Turbeaux
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 11:31 |
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uuuuhhhh I didnt think around that one well enough :)
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Mattbob
02/02/2015 at 11:33 |
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On the drive home from buying it we accidentally kicked a hole in the floorpan and had to weld a steel plate over it. Both front seat belts have had to have the lower end relocated because the mounting points have rusted through. But the frame is absolutely spotless so we don't care.
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> 505Turbeaux
02/02/2015 at 11:36 |
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You set yourself up for that one buddy.
PWRandSPD
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/02/2015 at 20:01 |
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I have had an '89 Islander, '93 Sahara and a '98 Sahara and would buy another Wrangler in a heartbeat. They never loose their value, or at least depreciation is extremely slow. They are also a hoot to drive and will take you anywhere you want to go. I have had well over 20 vehicles and the wrangler holds a very special place in my heart.
Nate with shorter name
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/08/2015 at 20:28 |
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Hey man, is that my Jeep you reviewed? I will have you know that it is a 1988. I am sure there is some sort of difference. Nothing makes you appreciate driving a WRX like driving a Wrangler, and somehow the reverse is also true.
KentWynne
> Nate with shorter name
02/09/2015 at 07:50 |
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Most people don't realize how satisfying it can be to have access to multiple vehicles with very different personalities. Moving from one to another enables you to appreciate each for what it does well.