I rode in a Wrangler yesterday.

"Van Man, rocks the Man Van" (jacoboconnell)
09/02/2015 at 11:03 • Filed to: Jeep

With no doors and no roof. It was awesome.

(Picture above is not mine, just the closest I could find on the Internet to what I rode in.)

It was only my second time in a Wrangler (first time was a long time ago), and that I can remember, the only time I’ve been in a convertible (not too many people have convertibles in my area).

I only spent approximately 20 minutes in the car, and the trip was about 50% highway and 50% around town. However, in those twenty minutes, my opinion of the Jeep Wrangler totally changed. I used to think it was horrible car that no one should buy, now I want one unbelievably badly.

The particular Jeep I rode in was a relatively new JK Wrangler Sahara Unlimited. Once again, it had no roof and no doors.

The wind in my hair was a totally awesome experience. My shirt and the seatbelt were whipping around, which was slightly annoying, but the openness was fantastic. It was just a plain old “fun” experience.

The only problem was storage. I had a duffel bag with me, and I had to strap it to the rear seat. Aside from that, I’d give the Wrangler a solid 9/10.

After my ride, I totally disagree with what everyone says about it: the ride is comfortable around town, the interior is nice, it’s pretty quick off the line, and for its size, it seems pretty agile. The person who drove me daily drives his Wrangler (he's one of two people I know that do), and I would too if I had one. Color me converted.

DISCUSSION (13)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 11:07

They have an indescribable charm about them.

Zerofret > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 11:11

I used to have the same feeling towards Wranglers. Until I bought one. Now I try to find as many excuses as I can to drive it.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 11:12

I took an 85 CJ to Cars and Coffee (also with no doors and no roof) and it was great.

Wacko > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 11:15

Kinja'd!!!

The bad ride is what makes a wrangler a wrangler. You never experienced a real Wrangler unless it’s AMC I6. Here’s mine a 97 Sahara. Bumpy ride, in town, on the highway and bumpier off road, but that’s why it’s fun. I don’t DD mine, too old and too rough. But I did take it to work monday and yesterday with the top down.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Wacko
09/02/2015 at 11:21

The one I was in was fairly smooth on the highway and around town. I have no idea what Consumer Reports and all of them are talking about when they say it rides badly. I'd DD one of the newer models.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Zerofret
09/02/2015 at 11:22

I used to think they were awful and made no sense at all. Now I love it.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 11:32

Years ago my stepfather had a CJ7 that he bought new. He had 33’s on it, and the thing would bounce down the road almost like it was on a pogo stick. He rarely ever took the hard top off, because we didn’t have a place to store it. I do remember riding in it exactly one time with the top and doors off. And I’ve got to say it’s both exhilarating and scary as hell. I was afraid that if I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt I’d fall out.

And ever since then I've wanted one.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
09/02/2015 at 11:50

Same. Normally when I'm a passenger I'm kind of bored, but in the Jeep, I was having a lot of fun. That kind of sold it for me.

DrScientist > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 11:54

my brother has had wranglers for the last 15 years. 4 cylinders, 6 cylinders, YJ, TJ, now a newish JK sahara.

his old YJ was like a lunch box with wheels. they’ve definitely improved the usability. also going from very truck-like suspensions to more car-type set ups.

it gets horrid gas mileage, especially with big 37inch tires, but youre absolutely right. they’re great cars.

also, the sahara is the one with the body colored fenders. that’s the one you want. the black plastic on other models just fades and looks crappy. and the rubicon (or whatever they’re calling the XTREME version now) is unnecessary. you can get better aftermarket parts.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > DrScientist
09/02/2015 at 11:59

Sahara is the model I'd want because it looks the best by far.

Alex B > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 19:18

I honestly think my family should have rented one in Hawaii. It just like the quintessential car for Hawaiian vacations!!

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Alex B
09/02/2015 at 19:23

It seems like a perfect sightseeing car.

Alex B > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
09/02/2015 at 19:30

It is.

On a related note, the Pentastar V6 sounds pretty decent.