Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
When Four Wheeler’s 1999 Jeep Cherokee gives up the ghost, the site can just yank off the parts it wants to transfer to another rig. That’s why the publication is calling its XJ “Project Disposable Hero.”
FCA is issuing a recall for 43,750 vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. That number includes certain 2006 Jeep Wranglers and Libertys and select 2006 Dodge Vipers.
A little black box called a “power amplifier” can unlock your Jeep without setting off the alarm, allowing thieves to get their hands on your valuables.
I’m sure before Jeep launched its smallest offering, the 2015 Renegade, it had its share of concerns about how the model would be received. WardsAuto sure enjoyed it – especially its interior.
It’s still unclear whether or not Jeep will continue to build the Wrangler in Toledo, Ohio when the next generation of it comes out in 2017. However, as time goes on, we get a clearer picture of the factors that will influence the company’s ultimate decision.