Initial thoughts on the 2012
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,374
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From: Kirkland, WA
Initial thoughts on the 2012
As some of you may know, I currently wheel a modded 2008 2dr 6spd Rubicon on 37's. During the last year I've heard all the people praising 4dr wranglers, and the new pentastar engine. So, I decided to sell one of my other cars and brought home a 2012 4dr auto Rubicon.
I have to say, I'm impressed by the interior upgrades, the auto trans, and the Pentastar. The shiny bits, the larger door inserts, relocated buttons and all the other things combine to make sitting in the new jeep elegant in comparison to my '08. You feel more comfortable inside, like being in a car. While driving the 200 miles home from the dealer, I was really impressed with the smooth shifts by the 5spd auto, it kept things where they needed to be. The 3.6 was a pleasant surprise, I held 80 mph comfortably the whole way and when I had to use the go pedal it actually went! The acceleration was more profound at stop lights and lower speeds, while the overall experience was just a lot less effort than the 3.8.
If I have anything to nag about, I'd say the brakes are not impressive and the stock suspension isnt improved over earlier models. When forced to brake suddenly, the front end still dives, and the jeep feels like it would prefer to keep going forward. Lastly, fuel mileage is still affected by the brick wall aerodynamics as my 80mph averaged me 15.5mpg on the drive home.
All that being said, we don't buy jeeps to drive like race cars, and if we were worried about mpg's we'd roll in Prius heaven. It's well worth it to make the upgrade and with further refinements due for the 2013 model you can't go wrong. She's going in for a lift, tires, and a few other bits next week, so I'll finally get to see what the difference is offroad.
I have to say, I'm impressed by the interior upgrades, the auto trans, and the Pentastar. The shiny bits, the larger door inserts, relocated buttons and all the other things combine to make sitting in the new jeep elegant in comparison to my '08. You feel more comfortable inside, like being in a car. While driving the 200 miles home from the dealer, I was really impressed with the smooth shifts by the 5spd auto, it kept things where they needed to be. The 3.6 was a pleasant surprise, I held 80 mph comfortably the whole way and when I had to use the go pedal it actually went! The acceleration was more profound at stop lights and lower speeds, while the overall experience was just a lot less effort than the 3.8.
If I have anything to nag about, I'd say the brakes are not impressive and the stock suspension isnt improved over earlier models. When forced to brake suddenly, the front end still dives, and the jeep feels like it would prefer to keep going forward. Lastly, fuel mileage is still affected by the brick wall aerodynamics as my 80mph averaged me 15.5mpg on the drive home.
All that being said, we don't buy jeeps to drive like race cars, and if we were worried about mpg's we'd roll in Prius heaven. It's well worth it to make the upgrade and with further refinements due for the 2013 model you can't go wrong. She's going in for a lift, tires, and a few other bits next week, so I'll finally get to see what the difference is offroad.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Well after having a 2008 Unlimited...Obviously the extra power and 5 speed auto tranny are also HUGE difference...I have a 2012 Unlimited Arctic Edition and love it...Every feature available is in this one...The painted hardtop I find is really classy...I added so far Rugged Ridge dual SS exhaust and Airaid intake for a little more power...Nothing yet for programmers...Overall very happy with my new addition...