1997 Jeep Wrangler SE 2.5 from North America
Summary:
A huge waste of space in my garage
Faults:
Radio no longer works.
Rear manifold bolt broken (recall).
Catalytic converter shattered internally (under federally mandated warrant until at least 70,000 miles).
Transmission had to be rebuilt in 2000.
Low acceleration power.
Black plastic trim has faded and turned gray (not good when your car is normally parked in a garage).
One of the bolts that attaches the back seat snapped.
The weather stripping leaks, and the cloth half of the doors pool water where they wrap around the reinforcement bars. This happens anytime it rains.
The metal half of the doors have started to rust from the water retention.
There is a constant squeaking noise that happens any time the jeep is idling.
The transmission is starting to go out again. The Jeep lurches on initial acceleration.
The panel vents no longer work for heat or A/C.
The fuel gauge never reads correctly.
The zippers on the windows regularly become separated.
The radiator had to be replaced due to poor design and leakage.
General Comments:
There seem to be a lot of Jeep owners, especially from the 1997/98 models that have a lot of problems. I would strongly recommend you not buy one of these vehicles, unless you like to spend money, and work on cars. These Wranglers will probably spend more time in for repair then out on the road.
In addition, the fuel consumption on the highway for this vehicle is horrible, even in the city it isn't very good.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 11th January, 2002
7th Oct 2010, 11:03
You do know that there are studies proven that having your car sitting inside an UN-climate controlled garage can be the same or even more damaging to the car as if it were sitting outside.
I don't understand everybody's complaints. I own a 1997 2.5L SE with 187,000 km on it and sure it has its problems, but what car 14 years old wouldn't?
Your comment about how it's underpowered - maybe you should have picked up a book about the 2.5L engine because OBVIOUSLY it's not the quickest when propelling literally a box of a car through the air.
17th Jun 2011, 16:33
The Jeep should not have needed a transmission rebuild when it was only 3-years old. These all should have been recalled. There are a lucky few who have them out on the road that were lucky enough to get this dumpster on wheels to hit over 100,000 miles.
25th Jan 2006, 17:13
I owned my 97 jeep for 6 years.. it gets me where I want to go...I'm vary happy with it... on a scale of 1-10...i give the 97 jeep an 11.