Faults:
The first day I got the car it wasn't rainproof. The dealer tried 3 times to fix the problem but found nothing. I had to check for myself and tell them what to do.
Oil pressure switch is still damaged.
Turn signal switch passed away at 45000 km.
The paint on the mirrors falls apart in leafs. This was replaced 2 years ago, but the paint is falling off again.
The two fixations of the stabilisator in the front broke with 50000 km. A part that never should break in a 4x4!
Brakes never worked correctly since I got the car. During cold and wet weather the brakes always engaged completely even if you pushed them just slightly. Once it took me off the road into a road-sign. The dealer said it was normal for a Jeep! Poor excuse.
The drivetrain is rusting enormously fast. Same with the engine compartment. And this already after 4 years!
Steering isn't precise; after sharp corners it makes just squeaky noises.
Manual transmission is a total joke. Gears 4 & 5 are just for downhill driving. For a 178 HP engine, you could expect more power in these ranges.
General Comments:
It's my first dream-car I bought. I was so happy when I got it and now I'm so disappointed with it.
It is a really beautiful car and a extremely powerful (but thirsty) engine; but all the rest of the vehicle, brakes, transmission, drive train, etc. is really cheap stuff.
Though I have to admit it's a very stiff car; it survived being hit by a bus and hitting an Ford Explorer without even taking a scratch.
I've talked to some other owners here in Europe, they mostly share my opinion. It's a really dream-car as long as you want it, but as soon as you have bought it, you just meet new problems with it.
It has really good on-road properties, and off-road as well, but it's not perfect at all. Considering the price it's understandable, but though, for the lacks of quality, the Wrangler is still too expensive.
If I ever had the possibility I wouldn't buy it new, but as a good used car.
I recently took a 1976 CJ7 in my collection and was astonished of the difference in quality. 21 years older but in many aspects better than the Wrangler. Most likely in the quality of the body, the drive train and the interior.
3rd Jul 2002, 13:42
I have recently bought a Sahara and like you it is my dream car. I cannot fault it, but this is only after 1 week of use. It is a greedy thing for fuel and in the Uk petrol is more expensive than a good batch of colombian best export. However I am getting the thing converted to gas, so that should ease the costs. As for build quality, I have yet to find out.
Cheers, shorty.