Is this the right car for me?

[trainerdoc]

Hi everybody

I need some advice. I don't know of anyone who owns a Jeep, so I have nobody to ask.

I am after a new car and I would appreciate some comments / opinions. I had never really considered buying any sort of SUV before (sticking to little sedans, and a few Commodores), but I have recently been attracted by the appearance of the Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited (5-seater, diesel, hard top, manual). I have never really done any off-road stuff, but that might be fun, as I feel it's time I try something different.

Here are my circumstances that might influence my decision:
1) Need to fit a wife and a kid (currently 2yo) and 2 small dogs when we go away. Plus stroller, etc...
2) I drive most days in peak hour across Sydney
3) At some stage, we may even purchase a small caravan

So:
Would the Wrangler satisfy the above criteria OK (even if I don't use it much off-road)?
Is the build quality overall satisfactory?
How are servicing costs (if done via a dealer)? Is it very expensive cf Holden, etc?

I have heard that build quality is only average, and the car never seems to rate too well with reviewers, but then again, they haven't spent a lot of time getting to know the car, have they?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have nobody else to ask. If the concensus is no, this maybe my one and only post, and I might have to stick to my old little Holden Astra for awhile longer....

Many thanks
Derek

[waynegler]

1) Need to fit a wife and a kid (currently 2yo) and 2 small dogs when we go away. Plus stroller, etc.

Mmm, well if you take all that there will be no room for luggage, unless you go the 4 door Wrangler which has a big load area in the back. Wranglers are awesome offroad but have been known to guzzle a bit of gas round town. But lets face it as you have seen they are god damn good to look at and probably have the best available acessories of any 4wd.

[WHHEMI]

Hi Trainerdoc we have a wrangler renegade unlimited crd auto and are very happy with it. My wife uses it as daily driver we have two boys 9 and 3 and find the room ok, have also got chev suburban so it took a bit to get used to. We also do a bit of touring towing our tvan and dont have any problems,we find the bould quality good for price of vehicle, as for service cost the price of parts is expensive but i am mechanic so do all work myself. Overall we have done over 20,000k a lot of it towing and are very impressed go and drive one and see for yourself crd auto combination is very well matched, In my opinion great car thats a bit different to everything else out there.
Geoff

[wranglertj]

Fantastic car mate, Go the unlimited diesel option with the renegade pack and it will suit your needs very well and give you great economy with heaps of room at a bargain price. Cant go wrong i reckon and they look fantastic

[robbo1959]

Go the 4 door you will be happy with it.

[davidd]

mate you appear to be a family man and need a mainstream vehicle which is dependable, easy to drive and maintain, can be serviced anywhere and is easy on parts and servicing. i have a crd unlimited (4 door) these vehicles are made as very basic offroad vehicles and are built more down to a price than up to a standard ,parts and servicing are expensive. i will be heavily criticsed by the whole forum for saying this, but for a family guy who wants reliable trouble free motoring with no mechanical or servicing problems and good backup by the manufacturing company and it's dealers, jeep is not the vehicle for you. i gave my son the same advice when he was looking for a work 4wd. he is a tradesman and needs to tow trailers on building sites. jeep is too unreliabale and has too msny issues to contend with. if you want real 4wd i would go for a toyota prado or nissan pathfinder. if you just want an suv try something in the toyota kluger style, or kia sorrento or hyundai style if you have a tight budget. i am 60 years old and have been around vehicles a while now. jeep is a niche market vehicle and looks realy good which is it's main selling point. you are better, as a family man to stay main stream.

[lovemewrangler]

listen to experienced non biest davidd,

There is nothing good about Jeeps built quality and reliability..

your criteria would far more suit a prado, patrol, pajero etc....