2004 Jeep Wrangler X 4.0L

Summary:

This is a good car, a little impractical, but fun!

Faults:

The paint began to chip and flake at about 5000 miles. This could be an environmental problem, not sure. This is in small sections, the remaining paint is still shiny.

The flywheel went at 15,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is perfect for off-road and any kind of trail or hard wear and tear use.

Surprisingly, this is one of the most comfortable cars for long distance drives that I have ever tried. The seats are very ergonomic.

The top is a little difficult to get on and off.

The car handles great with good pickup, and a great turning radius.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th July, 2005

2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport I6 4.0L FI

Summary:

A highway capable off-road vehicle

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with this car. Added costs over other cars is based on gas mileage (I have managed 14 to 19 miles per gallon depending on how I drive...) and service intervals (just did the 12,000 mile service which includes changing front and rear differential fluids...).

General Comments:

This is a Jeep. If you have owned a Jeep before (Cherokee or Wrangler are the two I have owned) you understand this. They are harshly suspended, bouncy, can be punishing if driven incorrectly. They are heavy and ponderous. They are Jeeps, there really is nothing like them.

The 2004 Wrangler is aru clutch defect car I bought after owning my Subaru Forester for a year. I had the feeling I should baby the Forester, everything in it was fragile-feeling and insubstancial. In contrast the Jeep is heavily built, functional and tough.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th June, 2004

20th Jul 2004, 03:42

I agree with you assessment. I had a 1996 TJ and had it for 7 years (146,000km) and the only thing that ever let me down was the powdercoating on the wing mirrors. A blast in the city, and the earlier ones had more HP than the current models (Kw quoted in the owners manuals) When I finally found the right tyres for it (Bridgestone), I could actually accelerate in the wet without spinning the back tyres. :)

16th Feb 2008, 19:10

To lower your running costs, you can do some of the servicing yourself. I do my differentials, transfer case and every 2nd oil change myself.

What I love with the Wrangler, apart from the power, the rugged style and the fun, is how easy it is to do maintenance yourself. Saves you heaps and keeps you busy on the weekend :-P

Cheers and have fun.

2004 Jeep Wrangler X (Columbia Edition) 4.0L - 6 cylinder

Summary:

A pleasure to drive

Faults:

My left drivers side door handle assembly had to be repaired as it separated and was floating freely in the door chamber, held in place by the locking mechanism.

General Comments:

Since purchasing my Jeep Wrangler X (Columbia Edition) about a month ago (1800 miles ago) from my local dealer, I've had nothing, but the most enjoyable experiences with it. Within 24 hours, it was in 4H and zipping through the muddy backwoods bringing smiles to the faces of my family and me. As a 1st time Jeep owner, I've had to become accustom too many of the extra "feel & sounds" associated with a Wrangler. The road noise, the transmission feel, and the third generation, light soft-top sounds, (which I've been told is much quieter than the previous versions). With the 5-speed manual transmission and the 4.0L at my control, I feel quite at comfortable handling many of my off-road adventures.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 2004