1999 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0 inline six
Summary:
I wish Ford made it
Faults:
ABS (anti-lock brake system) warning light on intermittently. After two visits it was found to be a bad wire in the front right speed sensor. The light is now on again intermittently.
Airbag warning light comes on intermittently. After three visits, the cause cannot be found.
Ignition key (anti theft system) warning light comes on intermittently. Later found to be caused my Mobil Speed-pass on key chain interfering with the system. Caused the vehicle to not start unless the Speed-pass was taken off my key chain.
Steering column squeals loudly while turning in during damp weather (rubber on rubber noise) due to boot at firewall. It is lubricated every time I take it in for service, but makes the noise again a couple days later.
Washer fluid leaks out of the reservoir. Tank replaced.
Seat belts in the rear wearing through due to contact with the retractor housing while flapping with the top off. Dealer said "This is normal for this vehicle". Front seat belts are damaged because the belts are too close to the door latches.
Windshield severely pitted, chipped, and cracked with only 25K miles. May be due to the angle of the windshield.
General Comments:
If you really want one, try it once but I doubt you'll want another one. Chrysler has always been synonymous with "Roadside Emergencies" in my opinion because just about every vehicle I see broke down is a Chrysler product. Anyone I have ever known to have one has had nothing but problems with them. I wish Ford made the Jeep.
Even with the extended fuel tank, it goes through fuel as fast as you can put it in. It is not strong at all for a six cylinder. A 50 mile trip on the highway uses 1/4 tank of fuel even with the cruise control on.
The heat and A/C are wimpy and you have to keep them on high just to keep it tolerable.
There is no room at all between the driver (or passenger) and the door. Your outer elbow has to go in your lap or on the window ledge.
Even fully loaded, it feels cheap with exposed metal floorboards and flimsy plastic everywhere. It is a sharp contrast to the $26K I paid for it.
Design wise, the dashboard is a mess. Everything is jammed in one place. Two people on a long trip will only be able to take the most basic supplies because there is very little space and the trunk is virtually non-existent. The hard and soft tops are both aggravating to remove and replace (put up or down).
The routine maintenance is frequent and costly. Almost every three-month service visit costs between $100 and $350 even under warranty. Check the owners manual for recommended service under schedule "B" and check prices before you buy.
Just about everything on this car (similar to other Chrysler products) is an option. You have the standard cup holders and the deluxe cup holders. Then there is the plain steering wheel and the leather steering wheel. There is the regular alternator and the heavy duty alternator. Same with the suspension. Same with the tires. Back seat or no back seat. Carpeting or no carpeting. Padded roll-bars or unpadded roll-bars. AM/FM radio? Even that is an option. Nickel dime nickel dime nickel dime...
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 17th April, 2001
14th May 2001, 20:51
This is not meant to be either a personal attack or an insult. You posted this review as a statement of fact from your point of view. Here is a statement of fact from my point of view. First of all, no vehicle is perfect. Every brand of every vehicle has problems, that's why there are warranties! Second, most people don't buy Jeeps for their luxury value. There are several sites on the web (not to mention several books) that outline the history and the "evolution" of the Jeep. To save you the time, it is the original and still the ultimate off road vehicle. Notice I said " off road vehicle". That's right, "Off road vehicle"! That's what it was designed for. That is the only reason Jeeps came into being. If you bought a Jeep to look cool, or just to cruise around in with the top down then you wasted your money.
Take that Jeep off road and you'll find it in it's element. Even stock, the TJ Wrangler out performs many other modified off road vehicles. If looking cool and being luxuriously comfortable while cruising around with the top down is what you wanted, then you should have bought a Mazda Miata (cheap) or a BMW Z3 (expensive). If you want the ultimate in off road usability, then you already have it.
Third, Ford tried to make a Jeep. It's called the Bronco then the Bronco II. Oh wait! Those aren't in production anymore are they?! Why not? Because they weren't as good at being Jeeps as Jeeps still are. By the way Ford's not the only one that's tried it. Look at the Toyota Land Cruiser line or the Suzuki Samurais, Sidekicks and Grand Vitaras, the Geo/Chevrolet Tracker, The Daihatsu Rocky, the Chevrolet/GMC Blazer/Jimmy, the International Scout, the Isuzu Trooper and Rodeo/Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Exterra, the Toyota 4Runner and Rav4, Honda's CRV, even the Land Rovers have tried to emulate the different types of Jeeps.
Some of them are still in production and some of them are not. Some of them have evolved into "luxury urban assault vehicles" or "4x4 station wagons". But the Jeep remains the Jeep. Serious off road enthusiasts still consider the Jeep the pinnacle of factory mass produced off road vehicles. Your opinion won't change that. My advice to you is; QUIT WHINING and go buy something you'll be happy driving! You obviously are not a Jeep person.