2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0 Litre from North America

Summary:

Truly worth every penny spent

Faults:

The heater control responded slowly when changed from panel to floor.

Center console lock was broken at time of purchase.

Both items were repaired under Jeep factory warranty.

General Comments:

If you are looking for an all around fun, useful, and one-of-a-kind vehicle the Jeep Wrangler is it.

This is my second Wrangler, it was a definite mistake to trade away my previous 97 TJ, however many improvements have been made since I last owned one.

The sailcloth soft top coupled with full metal doors provides a comfortable, reasonably quiet cabin. I can easily converse on the cell phone or with other passengers while at 70 MPH.

I opted for the Automatic transmission as I do a lot of city driving, I find that it shifts tight, and downshifts without effort when more power is needed to pass or climb a hill.

The climate controls in wrangler are very good, the heater warms up extremely fast, and given I have a black soft top, the A/C cools down very quickly.

I would definitely opt for the higher quality Infinity sound upgrade if I were buying a new Wrangler, the subwoofer in the console adds a depth to the sound that makes it entirely possible to listen to Classical or new age music.

My wrangler has the 30 inch wheel group and also the rear trac-loc differential, this makes it nearly unstoppable in inclement weather, the part time 4WD is shift on the fly manual, I do recommend as with any 4x4 to keep all 4 tires at very equal pressures. This will make shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive much easier.

The 4.0 Litre engine provides plenty of power at low speed and ample power on the interstate at 70 MPH.

The factory cruise is very stable.

The factory fog lamps are nice, I however put yellow gels on the lenses to soften the light a little for oncoming traffic. Jeep tends to angle the fog lamps a little higher than they should.

Overall Jeep wrangler is a bargain for what you get, as with any 4x4, there can be maintenance costs.. this is my second one, my previous one gave me 2 years of service with no trouble at all whatsoever, and 40k miles, and thus far my latest Wrangler lives up to the Jeep name.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2003

2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0 Litre 6 from North America

Summary:

Best Convertible on the Market

Faults:

Right after I got it I had the thermostat replaced under warranty, because it was running too cool.

Had the heater fixed about 6 months after I got it, other than that no problems just normal maintenance.

General Comments:

The Jeep Wrangler 9T(TJ) rides well for such a short wheelbase.

4.0 Litre 6 cyl. engine develops the torque down low, where you need it off road.

The Sailcloth Soft top is a big improvement over my 99's soft top. It is much quieter than before.

Love the seating position, up high. I would appreciate more length in the seat track, because I am tall 6 foot 4, and would like more room.

I love Wranglers because there are so many aftermarket items for them, that you can make your stand out, and be exactly what you want it to be.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd July, 2003

2002 Jeep Wrangler X 4.0 6-cylinder from North America

Summary:

Don't waste your money

Faults:

Check Engine light comes on about once a week; started at 1000 miles and dealer can't find the problem.

Instrument panel and clock only come on when they feel like it.

Awful grinding noise when turning the wheel in 4-wheel-drive.

Belts squeal embarrassingly loud; dealer can't find the problem.

Steering suddenly goes loose.

Loud clunking noise when shifting; dealer can't find the problem.

General Comments:

I live in Maine--in the winter, if there is more than an inch of snow, I always get stuck. 4-wheel drive is no help because the vehicle is so light!

Although mine has a hardtop, which adds weight, forget about trying to drive on windy days. A cop actually pulled me over on a windy day because he thought I was driving drunk.

Wranglers are horribly overpriced; they are made of cheap parts, yet cost a fortune to replace.

I shouldn't be having all of these problems at 6000 miles.

Due to an accident, I had to have the back window replaced in my hardtop--it cost me $800.

Pathetic power in my 4.0 6-cylinder engine; can't imagine a 4-cylinder Wrangler.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th June, 2003

14th Jul 2003, 13:49

Well, I must say that I find what you said to be a little hard to believe. I had a 2000 sport with the 30"wheel and tire package. I too live in New England and after having one of the worst winters on record, I can honestly say that I never once got stuck in the snow. I've been up to Maine on numerous occasions to the Moosehead Lake region as well as Bethel during severe snow storms and was able to negotiate snow covered roads, sometimes with as much as a foot of snow, with no problem. As for the noise in your steering column when you steer in 4 wheel drive, make sure you're on gravel, snow, sand or ice when you use it, otherwise you'll ruin your front differential, never use it on dry pavement. I've had numerous problems with mine (hence the reason I don't own it anymore) but I'll stand by the performance that it gives. And about the engine, I found it had overwhelming power, especially down low where you need it. I'm surprised this wasn't noticeable, especially since you previously had a Montero. I've driven the sport and full size and although the full size is great off road, I didn't feel the overwhelming low end power that was found in the jeep.