greetings from another newby in Perth

[davolatopiq]

Hi All,

Dave from WA here, don't know what it is but it seems every second newby is from perth so who am I to buck the trend?

Following our families first camping trip last week (during which the family commodore was packed to bursting and got bogged - but was none the less a great experience) my wife and I did a short detour past a JEEP dealership (I've been planting the JK Unlimited seed for a while). We took a 2014 sport with the pentastar & manual for a test spin. We were both totally impressed by the whole setup and were very very tempted at the 40k driveaway with tow bar and reversing camera which we negotiated.

Alas we couldn't justify the cost of the JEEP as the new family main car. Not when we have a near new commodore in the driveway which cost less then half the price to own and run (it' s on gas) and we couldn't find a decent a gas system which would fit under the deck of the unlimited.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I have been granted executive authority to track down an unlimited that would be suitable as the second car.

From the first moment these things came out I knew I'd own one one day. I had to give up my beloved 73 FJ40 SWB soft top many years ago to fund more "sensible" life choices, and my better half also owned a sierra softie in her previous life. So it's now a matter of coming full circle. Full points to JEEP for meeting this market. Nothing else comes close.

I've posted a WTB on the wanted bulletin board. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship!

[samft]

Welcome mate,

My 2c is that you will have a lot more fun with a used JK than you would having to 'baby' a brand new one...so good decision.

Personally I would be looking for either a CRD auto, or a Rubicon manual, depending on what you want from it.

There is heaps of discussion already on here regarding pros and cons of each, so let's not start that again. I recommend having a read through it all though.

If it's not an every day car, there are some things you can tolerate or go without. However, when you do 'use' it you will want to feel like you picked the right model.

Cheers

[davolatopiq]

Thanks for the welcome.

I agree whole heartedly about the benefits of a used JK as a second car. I got a smile on the dial at the thought of an unroofed unlimited just sitting in the garage waiting for the right day - something that can't be done so easily with the family daily driver! And as you mention can have a lot more adventure when you've already got a ding or two.

I'm pretty convinced the petrol sport/renegade is the way to go for me. I know many diesel fans, and have been impressed with all the 4WD diesels I have driven in the past 5 years - the days of them being smoky piles of underpowered junk are over, none the less, the ability for petrol to open up on the beach is priceless. I also understand the rubicon ratios aren't the best for sand or highway, and I'm not likely to go 35's or hard trail off roading. Having said that, i truely love the idea of those lockers.

My mind is definately open on the subject.

[samft]

Go for a rubi with 33's then to counteract the ratios!

[davolatopiq]

Thought you'd need more than 33's ..... 33's are what I'd want. Great! now I NEED a rubicon.... obviously need to think about this a little longer......