I'm looking at a couple Jeeps for a winter car. (red or black???) The last one I looked at had to many miles on it. I want to try to find a 98-2000 with 40-65k miles with a 5 speed. I want to pay around $10,000. I may be able to keep it around for longer than just a winter car. I'm not 100% sure. What I'd like to do is put enough down where I wouldn't be behind if I ever needed to get rid of it. Then I'd finance the rest and try to pay a little interest (with my dad as a co-sign) and try to build my credit up a little.
I've had a Jeep before. It was an 87 Wrangler though. I wonder what's changed in 10 years. The Jeep ran well and was great to me. It was my first car. It only had 63,000 miles on it.
I've always liked Jeeps. It should do fine in the winter with the 4X4 and should be a nice spring/summer car to drive if I can't drive the Lightning...
Any expierance with Jeeps? Any advice? Thanks, Shane

 

No Jeep experiences here... I say go for the red to match the L.

 

I've never quite understood the jeep fad. Seems like everybody wants one though. They always seemed to ride rough and be a little overpriced for no more than you get. And something about having zip-up windows always makes me laugh.(although they might have changed that by now) On the plus side those things will go anywhere. It will probably do great in snow, but all of them that I've ever been in you froze in the winter time.

 

If your going to get a winter vehicle to use in winter and keep around for other things, get a cheaper s10 or ranger 4x4 and youll have a beater truck

just my .02
I wish i had kept that dam '90 ranger as a beater instead of this POS Tracer lol. Oh well.

 

Jeeps are the Chit!!!!!!! it will do awesome in the snow, and any 4 wheel drive roads in summer. You will thoroughly enjoy the jeep. It rides rough, yes. Its kinda loud and uncomfterable, yes. BUT IT WILL OFF ROAD LIKE CRAZZY if you get a 97 and newer. You will go places full size trucks and rangers and s10's go. And just for your knowledge mud does not cout as off roading. It takes no skill what so ever.

 

Wranglers are a lot of fun in the snow Short wheelbase + 4wd = fun!

As mainly a winter vehicle, go with the hard top model. You'll be lot warmer. Get the I6 as the 4-cyl doesn't get any better gas mileage.

 

My buddy traded in his 01 F150 for 03 Jeep Rubicon (sp)
Anyways, I'm not a big Jeep guy, but he took me for a spin in the back 40, and I have to say it was impressive. This thing went throughstuff I never imagined was possible.

For a winter vehicle I think its good as long as you dont drive much highway.
I pitty the dude who drives his Jeep on long distance highway, your kidneys will be screaming.

Around town I think it would be a good vehicle. I do believe Jeeps are overpriced like someone else said, but these days, everything is an arm and a leg anyway, so wtf/

good luck

 

gotta love jeeps. if i didn't have to pull trailers and haul now and then i would def. be riding one right now.
my vote for color would be red.

as far as in the snow, they have 4X4 but they are a short wheelbase so they will swap ends easier then a longer vehicle but still very capable if driven properly.

 

Yeah I had an 87 Wrangler and it was a lot of fun. It drove fine in the snow even in 2 wheel drive. But I did use the 4x4 plenty of times.
I'd like to get one for the winter, and also to drive around in the summer on a nice day with the top off... I Just want to find the right one.

 

Has anyone heard of any major problems with the 98-2001 Jeep Wrangler models?
Shane

 

I rented a 98 Wrangler in Hawaii on my honeymoon - stay away from the 4 banger! The jeep we had was a 4 cyl automatic. I literally had it floored all the way up Mauno Loa, and still had to pull off to let people pass me. I did manage to get it up to 80 (floored going down the other side of the mountain w/ a tail wind)

With the short wheel base, hte back end wants to come around in the snow (i.e. - a blast to drive w/ no traffic around), but put in 4wd and it's fine.

 

I dont really like s10's and I think rangers are too light in the back to be driving in the snow. (im sure 4x4's are fine) I'd just rather be in a Jeep in the summer also if I can keep it around then... Also, I'd get a 6...
Shane

 

It looks like I am the only one but I like the black one better

 

You're not alone. I like the black one a lot too.
Shane

 

I had a 94 and loved it. My Dad had a 2000 and also loved it. The big change from 94 to the newer models was in the suspension and the interior. My Dad's 2000 had the full doors with roll up windows, which was nice, and the top was A LOT easier to put up and down. With the full doors it was also a lot quieter. The interior looks cheap but is pretty sturdy. The drive is a huge difference from what your old jeep was. It was night and day between my jeep and my Dad's. The snow was also never a problem. In fact I lived in Allentown, PA in 96 (I think) when we got the blizzard, and I was one of the few vehicles out and about. I was actually taking doctors and nurses to and from the hospitals.

My vote is also for the Black one.