JK as a family vehicle

[Backwoods Rambler]

I agree with the first post. I drove one for the first time last weekend and was less than impressed with the power vs. my over-tired and under-geared XJ with 150k on the I-6. The ride was fantastic for a solid axle vehicle. That being said: the one I drove belongs to friends who a have a large dog and just had a baby; they love it! Even more than the Nissan Pathfinder and GC they traded in for it. So although it might not make sense to some, if you love it. You love it!







BTW: After driving one, I would not buy one due to the lacking power.

[Outdoorsben]

I agree with the first post. I drove one for the first time last weekend and was less than impressed with the power vs. my over-tired and under-geared XJ with 150k on the I-6. The ride was fantastic for a solid axle vehicle. That being said: the one I drove belongs to friends who a have a large dog and just had a baby; they love it! Even more than the Nissan Pathfinder and GC they traded in for it. So although it might not make sense to some, if you love it. You love it!







BTW: After driving one, I would not buy one due to the lacking power.

I'm assuming it was 3.21 gear unlimited maybe an auto. All that needs to be done is re-gear which will solve that problem. The 3.8 and 4.0 are very similar engines in output.

[booger]

BTW: After driving one, I would not buy one due to the lacking power.

i had the same opinion of an 09 Rubicon that i drove. my 07 Commander with the 3.7 felt like it had more pep.

i'd buy one, but only to replace one of my current Jeeps if one was totaled.

[durango_60]

I find my JK a perfectly acceptable daily driver for taking my two kids to school every morning and still allowing me to live a fantasy life on the weekends. That being said, I don't live within 100 miles of an Interstate and rarely hit 65 miles per hour so a lack of power for acceleration/ maneuverability is not an issue for me. If I had a commute that required merging into traffic and other crazy things like that I think I would want a different vehicle.

[Zeero]

Wow, this under-power argument is old...and unfortuneately totally inaccurate.

The JK has a modelling program in it that adjusts itself to the driver. It usually takes about 3000 km's for the JK to adjust itself to the drivers style of driving, then adjusts output accordingly.

So if you're heavy footed, then it will adjust for max HP output, but it will cost you in fuel mileage, just as an example.

Mine, driving now at 54,000 km's on it drives like a dream. Picks-up when I need it to, keeps my mileage in check and runs smooth and clean all around.

These things aren't race cars anyway....if you want an SUV that goes fast then get a BMW or Porsche baby bus. These are Jeeps, not the latest edition of Juan Fangio's race car.

The torque with the 4.10 in low range is far more than adequate, what else do you need??

[troy]

Wow, this under-power argument is old...and unfortuneately totally inaccurate.

I'd agree with that statement. I test drove a Rubicon last week and it felt very similar to my YJ, TJ, XJ.

I think it would be a great family hauler, if you know what you are buying. Will it handle the highway better than a GC, no. Will it be as convenient as a minivan, no. For what it is, it comes as close to all-around utility as you get, and the top comes off.

That being said, I still won't buy one until there are more used ones on the market and price has come down. I'm too cheap.

[booger]

i can only go by my personal experience. granted i drove the 09 for under 100 miles, but it was more than just an around the block test drive.

i currently own a 98 XJ, an 06 TJ, and an 07 XK so i have plenty of variety to compare to. my XK should be on par with the weight and overall heft of a JK Unlimited, but it was a night and day difference between the two as far as performance goes. the JK was doing good to get out of its own way and my XK is nice and peppy.

i may have to go drive a used one to see if they pick up a bit with some mileage under their belts.

[keithro]

We have two kids and it is our family car. They aren't as nice as others, but it works well for a family car if you need something that you can wheel and is convertible...

[kjp98TJ]

wife, 2 kids and a big dog here. kids are 10 and 7 and had only 1 yr when we didn't have a SWB jeep (TJ). it's a PITA w/ small kids, lg dogs and lack of space. and we wouldn't want it any other way.

[pskhaat]

For 2 kiddos I think they'd be great, but you can't fit 3 brittaxen in the 2nd row. I wish they'd introduce even 1 3rd row OEM seat.