Thanks for your input guys.
To be clear the sales guy said the only 4-Door they had was a brand new one and that if it ended up getting too many miles on it it would have to be sold as an "ex-demo" car rather than a "new". I can only assume this means they don't actually have "demo" cars as such. He did also say they would be more open to the idea of going for an 'experience' drive in a used car but was quick to point out they didn't have any there.
Anyway, I did end up getting a ride in a wrangler this morning. The guy called and said he has 1 hour and a 4-Door diesel auto we could use for a quick trip, so my daughter and I lept on my motorbike and charged on it
. I don't know exactly what this car was but I noted it had Victorian plates and he said it was going back to Vic after the weekend so this morning was really our only chance. I didn't actually take note of the number of miles on it but was told it was a 'new' 2011 model.
Anyway, the ride was pretty much as I'd expected. It kind of reminded me of the 4-Runner my aunt had when I was a boy, a little rough but plenty tolerable. I was surprised to find the accelerator peddle a fair bit further back when compared to the break but had no issue with it. I also found the torque converter a little more grab-ie that I expected but again it was fine. The turning circle was also perfectly manageable.
We took the car up to my house (I live really close by) to have a go at getting it in and out of the drive way, and loardy! If we get a Wrangler I dare say it will be spending it's nights on the street
. We managed to get in it and out without incident but it required one person to be driving while another directed from outside. Backing out up the drive I found hardest. It's a short but steep drive and the 'grab-ie' torque converter would make the car lunge, only a foot or so, but enough to be unnerving. However I did end up finding I could step both on the break and throttle at the same time and was able to ease the 'grab' enough the make it out without incident. I'd also have to say this driveway is no place for a manual!
By the way, here's an immage of the house from 'NearMap':
And if you look at successive photos you can see that the previous owner didn't use the drive way either
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Where that black car is parked is where it always is. It's not coming or going, it's parked!
So all in all the Jeep lived up to my expectations and I would be happy enough to buy a Wrangler myself now.
Alan ("Jeep To Be" on this forum) has also graciously offered to take us for a spin with him so we will be meeting with him on Sunday. My partner wasn't able to make it this morning so we'll meat up with Alan Sunday to give her the "Wrangler" experience we all need
.
Many thanks to all who have contributed,
Slarti.
