A big headache, I wish I never had
Converter rattled, Brake light out, Head light out.
This is not a very good car if you don't want to use it for just mud riding.
It leaks and leaves an awful smell.
It feels like its going to go dead when idling.
Not very roomy.
Wind pushes it around the road.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 6th May, 2003
Money well spent, I have had a lot of fun driving it
Before 80,000 miles no major repairs needed.
At 80,000 the catalyctic converter blew, I replaced it.
At 90,000 I had to replace the starter.
At 100,000 the oxygen sensor went out
I haven't fixed it yet.
It still runs great.
The drivers seat started to wear badly at 50,000.
It's a very uncomfortable car, but I got use to it.
I have had it for 4 years now, and it has never let me down.
The steering wheel is great.
Since I bough my Jeep I found out the every body likes Jeeps, they are fun to drive, I love it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th March, 2003
Good concept ruined by cheap parts
Exhaust manifold cracked around 15,000 miles. It took the dealer two tries to put it on correctly (under warranty).
Faulty fuel gage left me stranded far away from the nearest phone. Wasted a lot more time having it towed and then waiting in lines at the dealer because I couldn't tell that it just needed more gas.
Air conditioner leak in front passenger seat area fixed by me thanks to information found on similar forums. The dealer said they couldn't do anything about it.
Replaced "sealed" hydraulic clutch line system just before the 36,000 mile warranty expired. At first the dealer denied it as a warranty repair because the problem was caused by "too much mud". The repair was finally covered after a long argument about whether or not Jeeps are intended to be taken off-road.
Rear brakes replaced at about 40,000 miles.
Clutch went out at around 45,000 miles.
First and second manual transmission gears broke at around 49,000 miles.
Slave cylinder replaced at around 52,000 miles.
Starter replaced by me at 55,000 miles.
Current problems (at 58,000 miles) include:
Leaking gas tank.
Stalls while driving (seems to be an electrical problem).
Front suspension joint pops off if at the wrong angle.
Four wheel drive makes an awful grating noise when turning the wheel.
And of course, the zippers don't work on the soft top windows, but I've re-sewn a new zipper on one side so far.
My previous vehicle was an old Jeep CJ -7 so I've got no problem with the noise, bumpy ride, or lack of any other car-like comforts. Those help make a Jeep a Jeep.
And, when it runs, it's the perfect vehicle to me. It's quick, great fun with the top down, and can four-wheel with the best of them.
However, I think they are made up of cheap parts and are put together poorly. I don't feel comfortable taking it off-road or even on long highway trips anymore because of what might break next. That said, I was happy when my warranty expired so I didn't have to mess with the dealer anymore and was free to upgrade it with better parts.
If you are thinking of buying one, they are a lot of fun. I haven't been able to get rid of mine yet. Just be prepared to either spend a lot of time fixing things yourself or at the mechanic's shop. Also, the 6-cylinder is worth every penny more than the underpowered 4-cylinder.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 3rd January, 2003
125,100 miles on my '97 Jeep Wrangler and the only thing I've replaced in 3 years was the O2 sensor. This is by FAR the best vehicle I've ever owned, yes it's loud...it's a Jeep, yes, it get's horrible gas mileage...it's a Jeep. But I can drive into the desert and 4-wheel one day and drive up to a movie premier the next. You'll take this Jeep out of my cold dead hands.
By the way, I'm a 40 year old girl (and yes, very much ALL girl) who changes her own oil and does her own tune ups, IT'S A JEEP...it's not brain surgery.
I live for the summers when I can take everything off and it's a roll-cage and sound bar over me and nothing else. I LOVE MY JEEP!
I bought a 1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport 3 years ago, and I have replaced the sway bar links with Moog links, now with grease fittings, the originals had no fittings.
It had 106000 miles on it when I bought it, and now has 156000.
I have had great luck with it at this high mileage purchase.
The next problem I will have to tackle is a new exhaust manifold, mine is cracked, but has yet to leak.
I love this vehicle, and I will upgrade when this one needs too much work, but for the time being, it shows no signs of high mileage, or worn out parts.
Jeeps are great vehicles if you're not looking for luxury, but I am very comfortable in mine.
Don.
1st Apr 2003, 14:07
My Jeep started stalling on me during a road trip. I made two trips to the dealer before my return trip home. Both dealers found several problems to fix. However, 150 miles into my return trip the car starting stalling again. It got to the point where it was stalling every five miles and I couldn't go faster than 50mph. I had to leave my car at a small dealership in the middle of nowhere. The problem ended up being the fuel pump. My Jeep has a 125k miles which appears to be the breaking point. Within the last six months I have had to replace the Power Control Module, the fuel pump, the catalytic converter, O2 sensors and have a hole in the exhaust manifold fixed. Amazingly though I have only had to have it towed once when the gas gage broke and I was really only out of gas.