why so many jeeps now on road?

[Hay Dude]

I drove from Colorado to Cape Cod via the southern route this last year and was astonished at the number of Jeeps I saw. On the East Coast, all though the Carolinas, Tenn., and southern states and even up in downtown Boston. All those businessmen driving Jeeps on the highway seemed like some sort of sci-fi movie.

Jeeps aren't as popular here in the Rocky Mountains.
Instead, out here in the rural West where one might expect to see a lot of Jeeps you see mostly Japanese 4WDs - both trucks and cars.
rScotty

We rented a Jeep gladiator truck last summer for the of roading part of our vacation in Utah. It was definitely more roomy than my little Wrangler Rubicon. We also had a nice big mini van for road excursions (can one say that? ”nice big mini van”?)
Saw a lot of them and of course fill size 4x4 trucks.

 

[Root Cause]

Mechanically, Jeeps are just incredible. They can take you places that most other vehicles cannot imagine.
In reality, most people use them as mall crawlers. So the brilliance of the machine is lost on those who never use it as such.

Unmolested, they are fine. For others who look at it as a Leggo set, it becomes complicated if you don't do your research first.
And that is a very common tail and why they get such a bad rap.
As for gas mileage, yes they suck. No other manufacturer has challenged them to do better so I guess they don't or can't.

My 2013 engine was designed for a small sports car (FIAT). It has decent power but it doesn't come to life until 3000 RPMs. Seems like an odd fit and it is an odd fit. Once you understand that it likes to run at higher RPMs, it is fun to drive.

Electronically, it is kind of a mess. People who want to modify it often screw it up then blame it on the vehicle. The radio and functionality work fine until you try to modify it. For most, it's better to leave it alone or gut it all and replace it. Pro installers don't mix and match because the electronics are finicky but the new owner who wants a bigger amp doesn't know that.

I bought mine used and it had multiple engine light issues. (Thus a good price)
Anti-skid light- steering wheel was off center, adjusted the nut under the front axle and light went out.
Engine light- replaced the thermostat and gas cap.
Engine light- removed the K&N filter sprayed with oil. Oil droplets were coating the map sensor several inches away in the cold air intake.
That was 40k ago and running fine so far.

The price to purchase is insane. Makes no sense but it has been that way for decades. So it hurts when you buy it but it holds its value.
Had a 2002 Wrangler with 110k, totaled (T-boned on front axle) fixed, and still got almost half what I paid for it 6 years later.

 

[Hay Dude]

Good thoughts Root Cause.
I swore I would leave mine alone and so far I have. I did add a 10,000lb front winch to get things unstuck and some LED cube lights. Looks completely factory. I won’t touch the drivetrain. The thing will go anywhere stock, so why bother.
My son wants to go one size bigger on tires and a 2” lift. So far I have succeeded in keeping that at bay, but once these tires wear out, I think he will push me over the edge. I do agree they look fantastic with 35’s and a mild lift.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Many new around here too..

Jeep had some real deals on price and finance...

Also inventory to move and then the coolness factor...

The 5 new Jeep owners I know are all single women 20's-30's in age.

The newest one is a fully optioned Rubicon... She said it's a gift to herself.... she doesn't drive it everyday on her 120 commute... her old reliable KIA gets better mileage...

You just said it.

The 5 owners...young gals...easy to lease a new car.

It's a fad.

Jeep to me is just like Westinghouse or bell and Howell etc, an old trusted name that they can exploit.

Who owns the jeep name now, Chrysler? Who owns Chrysler..

My entire life I've read all about cars and consumer reports etc and in the past, jeeps have always had terrible ratings.

Now think of range Rover

ITS A FAD

 

[Hay Dude]

If Jeep’s are a fad, the fad has been going on for 50 years.
Weve owned Jeep’s since the early 80’s and the amount of people at the Jamborees and get togethers is insane.
I think the fad has gone into warp drive because they have made the Jeep a much more civilized product while actually increasing capabilities. They are also offering more variants and styles to fit people’s needs than ever.

 

[nisaacs]

My son really likes his pickup, diesel model. Then he added 37's and oem lift kit.

 

[Root Cause]

Good thoughts Root Cause.
I swore I would leave mine alone and so far I have. I did add a 10,000lb front winch to get things unstuck and some LED cube lights. Looks completely factory. I won’t touch the drivetrain. The thing will go anywhere stock, so why bother.
My son wants to go one size bigger on tires and a 2” lift. So far I have succeeded in keeping that at bay, but once these tires wear out, I think he will push me over the edge. I do agree they look fantastic with 35’s and a mild lift.

Keep this guy's email. He will sell what you need not a kit with stuff you don't need for a 2-inch lift. kolak@aol.com
Good guy, very knowledgeable. Tell him about the winch, that will change what springs you need to absorb that additional weight bouncing on the nose.

 

[Oaktree]

I agree 100%. The old pickups were versatile work horses, now they're a status symbol which doesn't deserve the name "Willys".
A coworker is a jeep fan from way back, but this time he went with a Toyota because he got tired of the repairs on his last 2 Wranglers.

Yeah, good luck with that. Had a turdra for a company truck at my last job, biggest POC that ever darkened my driveway. I see them as suburbanite trucks so some guy with a shirt-and-tie job can look tuff and macho at the country club. Not a snowball's chance I'd ever even consider another one.
That having been said, for some reason they seem to be quite popular in Vt. Not sure why.

I’m on my third Jeep. The first one I sold still running great with 273k miles. The second I gave to my son with 216k miles and he drove it another 60k before trading it in. My current Jeep has 130k miles (just getting broken in). I have never had any serious repair issues: just maintenance items like brakes and an occasional water pump.

I'm on my 2nd (3rd if you count the one my wife had when we first met). All were/are excellent, relatively trouble free vehicles. All were Cherokees or Grand Cherokees, no experience with the Wrangler (or whatever the "mailman" Jeep is called).
I will admit that the truck is not my cup of tea.

 

[zzvyb6]

What I've learned is don't follow one around a corner. Their drivers seem to be afraid of rolling over and slow down to the point of dragging a large line of normal cars down in speed. Unfortunately, they go 65 in the high speed lane on an expressway and 80+ in the right lane. But, very predictable....

 

[big bubba]

long ago believe it was the famous auto designer Carrozzeria Ghia that once said: "There is only one true American sports car: the Jeep" correct me on the source. that was a long time ago, maybe it still holds....

 

[ultrarunner]

You just said it.

The 5 owners...young gals...easy to lease a new car.

It's a fad.

Jeep to me is just like Westinghouse or bell and Howell etc, an old trusted name that they can exploit.

Who owns the jeep name now, Chrysler? Who owns Chrysler..

My entire life I've read all about cars and consumer reports etc and in the past, jeeps have always had terrible ratings.

Now think of range Rover

ITS A FAD

I was thinking Range Rover reading this thread some of the runs out in Southwest are incredible.

I was gifted a 2006 Range Rover that cost close to 100k new... it had 100,000 miles and perfect body, paint, interior but was a source of marital discord due to repair bills.

The decision was made to replace with new 2016 Super King Ranch Diesel...

Trade in on the Rover 4k

Finest auto I have ever owned but what a shellacking on resale even with all service records...

The truth behind a lot of Rover Sales is they were classified as Trucks and therefore eligible for 50% business tax credit so that 90k purchase before tax and license was 45k.

I own lots of cars but drive a Corolla 95% of the time...

The reaction when I drive the Rover is really noticable...

Kind of like the young lady that just bought the new white Rubicon... people commenting positively all week...

 

[Sawyer Rob]

What I've learned is don't follow one around a corner. Their drivers seem to be afraid of rolling over and slow down to the point of dragging a large line of normal cars down in speed. Unfortunately, they go 65 in the high speed lane on an expressway and 80+ in the right lane. But, very predictable....

jeeps are like untrained dogs, they just roll over where ever they want! lol

SR

 

[Deere Dude]

In 1969 while leaving a race track, 2 lanes exiting, I was racing the guy next to me, stopping and going. I had a 61 chevy and I forget what he had. I was having fun racing until because of my terrible brakes I slammed into the back of a stopped jeep. We both got out and looked at the damage and there wasn't even a scratch on the rear of the jeep. He kind of chuckled about it. My front end was accordioned into the engine and my hood looked like a teepee.

I had a new found respect for jeeps after that. They are/were built like tanks.

 

[dodge man]

I just got back from spending a month in Moab. They didn’t throw me out of town for not driving a Jeep but I had my concerns. We rented a house while we were there and the guy across the street was into Toyotas. He had a highly modified pickup and he spent most of his time working on it, then he’d load up and go on what appeared to be a long expedition by the amount of stuff he crammed in it.

 

[ruffdog]

I think people buy Jeeps because it is one of the last vehicles with a noticeable identity. Most SUVs I see I don't know the brand as they all look alike...same with cars. You see a Jeep, you know it is a Jeep.

 

[the old grind]

IMO Jeeps look alike, but then doesn't their towing capacity makes up for the aerodynamics?

 

[rgr33]

iI always liked the idea of owning a Jeep, but in truth they are not practical for my situation.
We do like to vacation in somewhat remote areas out of country, and it’s pretty much a given that your rental car will be a Jeep Wrangler.

I always love driving them around, and find myself not wanting to leave them behind.
Even though they don’t really work well for my use, I still kind of want one.

 

[WilliamBos]

in the past few months, i notice a huge increase of Jeeps on the road here in town & on way to place out of town. Why? my theory is covid release. lots of wanna be adventure seekers out there now. most of them will never go off road, mostly mall cruisers, but still, i'm amazed.

covid craze it is. people are on a spending frenzy. same with home remodeling on my block. lots of spending, with lots quitting jobs, with the supply chain starved.... no wonder inflation is skyrocketing (of course for other reasons as well).
what is it about this Jeep craze? then there is the new Jeep Pickup...don't get me started on that wannabe retro model, i have too many enemies already

The JT(Gladiator) is far from a 'wannabe retro' model - it is a legit real deal. The Chassis will be used under the upcoming Dakota, but with IFS.

i owned a 2016 JKU, loved it but needed a truck, so I traded it. I'm thinking my next truck will be a JT with the 6 speed manual.

 

[Root Cause]

Wranglers are the automotive version of Leggos. Dress them up or down. Shiny or muddy. Make it your own.

 

[5030]

Really, really fun little truck that gets ~20 MPG

What my wife's Suburban LTZ gets and it's actually comfortable. I had one CJ 7 years ago. Never again. Handle terrible on the Interstate, fuel mileage sucks and ride like a buckboard.

When gas hit's 4 bucks a gallon, you'll really appreciate that sardine box.

The new Jeep pickup is fugly too. Guy down the road (Jeep employee) has one. Totally worthless toy.

I think it's an 'image' thing like the pickups with 4 doors and the short beds that are worthless for anything but groceries. Soccer mom special.

Living 15 miles north of Jeep in Toledo, I see them all the time and I see them for sale used all the time too. I'd say 90% of them, the only 'off road' they ever see is a drive across the lawn.