Why A Jeep?
At some point probably most of us have wondered to ourselves, why did I buy a Jeep? What is it about this vehicle that so motivated me to buy it? Why do I spend hours researching parts to make it do what it does, but better? Why do I still love it despite the fact that it doesn't have a nice supple ride? What is so attractive about a rolling 4000 pound cinder block? Some say "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand."
I have come to understand that what it is about a Jeep is not so much about the vehicle itself, but rather about the people that buy them. At least that's it for me. A Jeep is not simply transportation like a Camry or a Fusion, it is much more than that. It is, for me, equipment. The purpose of that equipment is to afford me the ability to leave the road behind and take myself into the wilderness where at some point I will stop, shut down the engine and just enjoy the absolute abscense of modern civilization. No traffic, or cell phones, or people scurrying about all worried about who Britney is doing now. None of that silly nonsense, just something that is perfect and serene and unscathed by progress. Just nature.
Some might argue that there are a number of vehicles that could accomplish this task. They would be right. But as much as I love to get away from the hustle and bustle of American life, God help me I love this country. It is the greatest country ever brought forth in the history of human civilization. To that end I would rather drive a vehicle that is made in this country, by Americans so that I might support my fellow Americans and by extension my country. I've had my share of foriegn made vehicles to be sure. But no longer. Our culture has bred this sort of mind set of doing everything the cheapest and most expedient way. Many things have gone wrong with our culture, I think chiefly among them is that we don't allow men to be men anymore. We try to wussify them and shame them with our politicially correct bulls**t, pardon my French. But that's a whole other thread.
For me as a man, and as an American, and as a lover of nature, a Jeep just makes sense. It is all of those things embodied in a vehicle. It is masculine and tough, it is American and it is the vehicle you prefer when you want to get out into nature. I am new to the whole Jeep experience, but I really believe I have found my niche with regards to vehicles of choice. I can't imagine driving anything else. My Jeep is more reflective of me as a person than anything I have ever driven. I guess that's "A Jeep Thing". What is your "jeep thing?"
I have come to understand that what it is about a Jeep is not so much about the vehicle itself, but rather about the people that buy them. At least that's it for me. A Jeep is not simply transportation like a Camry or a Fusion, it is much more than that. It is, for me, equipment. The purpose of that equipment is to afford me the ability to leave the road behind and take myself into the wilderness where at some point I will stop, shut down the engine and just enjoy the absolute abscense of modern civilization. No traffic, or cell phones, or people scurrying about all worried about who Britney is doing now. None of that silly nonsense, just something that is perfect and serene and unscathed by progress. Just nature.
Some might argue that there are a number of vehicles that could accomplish this task. They would be right. But as much as I love to get away from the hustle and bustle of American life, God help me I love this country. It is the greatest country ever brought forth in the history of human civilization. To that end I would rather drive a vehicle that is made in this country, by Americans so that I might support my fellow Americans and by extension my country. I've had my share of foriegn made vehicles to be sure. But no longer. Our culture has bred this sort of mind set of doing everything the cheapest and most expedient way. Many things have gone wrong with our culture, I think chiefly among them is that we don't allow men to be men anymore. We try to wussify them and shame them with our politicially correct bulls**t, pardon my French. But that's a whole other thread.
For me as a man, and as an American, and as a lover of nature, a Jeep just makes sense. It is all of those things embodied in a vehicle. It is masculine and tough, it is American and it is the vehicle you prefer when you want to get out into nature. I am new to the whole Jeep experience, but I really believe I have found my niche with regards to vehicles of choice. I can't imagine driving anything else. My Jeep is more reflective of me as a person than anything I have ever driven. I guess that's "A Jeep Thing". What is your "jeep thing?"
At some point probably most of us have wondered to ourselves, why did I buy a Jeep? What is it about this vehicle that so motivated me to buy it? Why do I spend hours researching parts to make it do what it does, but better? Why do I still love it despite the fact that it doesn't have a nice supple ride? What is so attractive about a rolling 4000 pound cinder block? Some say "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand."
I have come to understand that what it is about a Jeep is not so much about the vehicle itself, but rather about the people that buy them. At least that's it for me. A Jeep is not simply transportation like a Camry or a Fusion, it is much more than that. It is, for me, equipment. The purpose of that equipment is to afford me the ability to leave the road behind and take myself into the wilderness where at some point I will stop, shut down the engine and just enjoy the absolute abscense of modern civilization. No traffic, or cell phones, or people scurrying about all worried about who Britney is doing now. None of that silly nonsense, just something that is perfect and serene and unscathed by progress. Just nature.
Some might argue that there are a number of vehicles that could accomplish this task. They would be right. But as much as I love to get away from the hustle and bustle of American life, God help me I love this country. It is the greatest country ever brought forth in the history of human civilization. To that end I would rather drive a vehicle that is made in this country, by Americans so that I might support my fellow Americans and by extension my country. I've had my share of foriegn made vehicles to be sure. But no longer. Our culture has bred this sort of mind set of doing everything the cheapest and most expedient way. Many things have gone wrong with our culture, I think chiefly among them is that we don't allow men to be men anymore. We try to wussify them and shame them with our politicially correct bulls**t, pardon my French. But that's a whole other thread.
For me as a man, and as an American, and as a lover of nature, a Jeep just makes sense. It is all of those things embodied in a vehicle. It is masculine and tough, it is American and it is the vehicle you prefer when you want to get out into nature. I am new to the whole Jeep experience, but I really believe I have found my niche with regards to vehicles of choice. I can't imagine driving anything else. My Jeep is more reflective of me as a person than anything I have ever driven. I guess that's "A Jeep Thing". What is your "jeep thing?"
I have come to understand that what it is about a Jeep is not so much about the vehicle itself, but rather about the people that buy them. At least that's it for me. A Jeep is not simply transportation like a Camry or a Fusion, it is much more than that. It is, for me, equipment. The purpose of that equipment is to afford me the ability to leave the road behind and take myself into the wilderness where at some point I will stop, shut down the engine and just enjoy the absolute abscense of modern civilization. No traffic, or cell phones, or people scurrying about all worried about who Britney is doing now. None of that silly nonsense, just something that is perfect and serene and unscathed by progress. Just nature.
Some might argue that there are a number of vehicles that could accomplish this task. They would be right. But as much as I love to get away from the hustle and bustle of American life, God help me I love this country. It is the greatest country ever brought forth in the history of human civilization. To that end I would rather drive a vehicle that is made in this country, by Americans so that I might support my fellow Americans and by extension my country. I've had my share of foriegn made vehicles to be sure. But no longer. Our culture has bred this sort of mind set of doing everything the cheapest and most expedient way. Many things have gone wrong with our culture, I think chiefly among them is that we don't allow men to be men anymore. We try to wussify them and shame them with our politicially correct bulls**t, pardon my French. But that's a whole other thread.
For me as a man, and as an American, and as a lover of nature, a Jeep just makes sense. It is all of those things embodied in a vehicle. It is masculine and tough, it is American and it is the vehicle you prefer when you want to get out into nature. I am new to the whole Jeep experience, but I really believe I have found my niche with regards to vehicles of choice. I can't imagine driving anything else. My Jeep is more reflective of me as a person than anything I have ever driven. I guess that's "A Jeep Thing". What is your "jeep thing?"
Someone buy him a beer for me, I aint legal till July... Well said.
We rarely ever see a post this reflective so kudos on that.
I think that most people who buy jeeps are rather obsessive. With everything that I own, I bought it for a purpose, and it usually is the best if not one of the best at completing that task.(When I do buy things, I buy nice and expensive things and keep them as long as I can)
With this said, I actually researched this vehicle purchase for about a year and realized what I wanted in a vehicle. I found out that on road performance doesn't matter much to me largely because it could easily hurt other people or get me in trouble with the law and that I am happiest when I am outdoors and exploring new areas. I decided that I never wanted to be limited by my vehicle, but instead by my own ability or conscious. I wanted the most capable off road vehicle at any on road expense so I bought a Jeep. Sure, there are many people that would argue that there are plenty of other comparable stock off road vehicles, but those people have not wheeled with the new JK's. I have some of those friends(the IFS type...) and they won't wheel with me anymore because they get tired of throwing 1-2 tires in the air and watching the limited slip struggle.
I bought an unlimited Rubi realizing that a vehicle with solid front and rear axles, mud terrain tires, 4:1 t case, lockers front and rear, discos, and industry leading departure and approach angles, would be deadly on the trail and that breakover angle would probably be the only achilles heel. With the appropriate lift and tire setup, any JK can run with the majority of built rigs.
I've wheeled with a jeep group recently and saw lifted YJ's and TJ's struggling on obstacles that I crawled right up. Even as a fellow jeeper, I underestimated the capabilities of the new JK's.
There are plenty of other bulletproof vehicles, but they don't wheel like my jeep. I was willing to sacrifice all on road capability for off road supremacy, and after a 1500 mile trip across california highways and paying $3.80 for gas, I can tell you it was completely worth it.
This is why I bought my Jeep.
I think that most people who buy jeeps are rather obsessive. With everything that I own, I bought it for a purpose, and it usually is the best if not one of the best at completing that task.(When I do buy things, I buy nice and expensive things and keep them as long as I can)
With this said, I actually researched this vehicle purchase for about a year and realized what I wanted in a vehicle. I found out that on road performance doesn't matter much to me largely because it could easily hurt other people or get me in trouble with the law and that I am happiest when I am outdoors and exploring new areas. I decided that I never wanted to be limited by my vehicle, but instead by my own ability or conscious. I wanted the most capable off road vehicle at any on road expense so I bought a Jeep. Sure, there are many people that would argue that there are plenty of other comparable stock off road vehicles, but those people have not wheeled with the new JK's. I have some of those friends(the IFS type...) and they won't wheel with me anymore because they get tired of throwing 1-2 tires in the air and watching the limited slip struggle.
I bought an unlimited Rubi realizing that a vehicle with solid front and rear axles, mud terrain tires, 4:1 t case, lockers front and rear, discos, and industry leading departure and approach angles, would be deadly on the trail and that breakover angle would probably be the only achilles heel. With the appropriate lift and tire setup, any JK can run with the majority of built rigs.
I've wheeled with a jeep group recently and saw lifted YJ's and TJ's struggling on obstacles that I crawled right up. Even as a fellow jeeper, I underestimated the capabilities of the new JK's.
There are plenty of other bulletproof vehicles, but they don't wheel like my jeep. I was willing to sacrifice all on road capability for off road supremacy, and after a 1500 mile trip across california highways and paying $3.80 for gas, I can tell you it was completely worth it.

This is why I bought my Jeep.
Didn't read any of the threads... but a buddy of mine who was driving a Porsche tonight sat beside me and 2 girls in the bar... we just happened to start talking about what we were driving, and the girls were like... ooooh.... is that your 4 door Jeep out there!? It looks sexy... didn't even say anything about the Porsche convertible parked right behind me...
I've owned a number of vehicles during my 40 years of driving, and have really enjoyed all of them, each for their own special reason. However, the Jeep puts the biggest smile on my face of all of them. But, actually, I don' t spend much time pondering why I bought it and why I continue to spend money on it. Rather, I wonder why the heck it took me so long to realize what a great fit a Jeep was for me!
At some point probably most of us have wondered to ourselves, why did I buy a Jeep? What is it about this vehicle that so motivated me to buy it? Why do I spend hours researching parts to make it do what it does, but better? Why do I still love it despite the fact that it doesn't have a nice supple ride? What is so attractive about a rolling 4000 pound cinder block? Some say "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand."
I have come to understand that what it is about a Jeep is not so much about the vehicle itself, but rather about the people that buy them. At least that's it for me. A Jeep is not simply transportation like a Camry or a Fusion, it is much more than that. It is, for me, equipment. The purpose of that equipment is to afford me the ability to leave the road behind and take myself into the wilderness where at some point I will stop, shut down the engine and just enjoy the absolute abscense of modern civilization. No traffic, or cell phones, or people scurrying about all worried about who Britney is doing now. None of that silly nonsense, just something that is perfect and serene and unscathed by progress. Just nature.
Some might argue that there are a number of vehicles that could accomplish this task. They would be right. But as much as I love to get away from the hustle and bustle of American life, God help me I love this country. It is the greatest country ever brought forth in the history of human civilization. To that end I would rather drive a vehicle that is made in this country, by Americans so that I might support my fellow Americans and by extension my country. I've had my share of foriegn made vehicles to be sure. But no longer. Our culture has bred this sort of mind set of doing everything the cheapest and most expedient way. Many things have gone wrong with our culture, I think chiefly among them is that we don't allow men to be men anymore. We try to wussify them and shame them with our politicially correct bulls**t, pardon my French. But that's a whole other thread.
For me as a man, and as an American, and as a lover of nature, a Jeep just makes sense. It is all of those things embodied in a vehicle. It is masculine and tough, it is American and it is the vehicle you prefer when you want to get out into nature. I am new to the whole Jeep experience, but I really believe I have found my niche with regards to vehicles of choice. I can't imagine driving anything else. My Jeep is more reflective of me as a person than anything I have ever driven. I guess that's "A Jeep Thing". What is your "jeep thing?"
I have come to understand that what it is about a Jeep is not so much about the vehicle itself, but rather about the people that buy them. At least that's it for me. A Jeep is not simply transportation like a Camry or a Fusion, it is much more than that. It is, for me, equipment. The purpose of that equipment is to afford me the ability to leave the road behind and take myself into the wilderness where at some point I will stop, shut down the engine and just enjoy the absolute abscense of modern civilization. No traffic, or cell phones, or people scurrying about all worried about who Britney is doing now. None of that silly nonsense, just something that is perfect and serene and unscathed by progress. Just nature.
Some might argue that there are a number of vehicles that could accomplish this task. They would be right. But as much as I love to get away from the hustle and bustle of American life, God help me I love this country. It is the greatest country ever brought forth in the history of human civilization. To that end I would rather drive a vehicle that is made in this country, by Americans so that I might support my fellow Americans and by extension my country. I've had my share of foriegn made vehicles to be sure. But no longer. Our culture has bred this sort of mind set of doing everything the cheapest and most expedient way. Many things have gone wrong with our culture, I think chiefly among them is that we don't allow men to be men anymore. We try to wussify them and shame them with our politicially correct bulls**t, pardon my French. But that's a whole other thread.
For me as a man, and as an American, and as a lover of nature, a Jeep just makes sense. It is all of those things embodied in a vehicle. It is masculine and tough, it is American and it is the vehicle you prefer when you want to get out into nature. I am new to the whole Jeep experience, but I really believe I have found my niche with regards to vehicles of choice. I can't imagine driving anything else. My Jeep is more reflective of me as a person than anything I have ever driven. I guess that's "A Jeep Thing". What is your "jeep thing?"
It's a Jeep thing... This has to be one of the best articulated, well written, expression of thought and feeling, I have ever read about a Jeep. I, too, have had most of these thoughts, but have never taken the time to write them down, or even dare share them with others, for fear they wouldn't understand.
You should send this to JP magazine...
Awesome
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very nice. i think equipment is true and the best equpment to me is used.
my dad asks me often why i abuse my jeep and thats not what a car is for and i simply say, its not a car.
a hammer is used to hit stuff, and a jeep is to get to places others cant its ok to have a few scratches
my dad asks me often why i abuse my jeep and thats not what a car is for and i simply say, its not a car.
a hammer is used to hit stuff, and a jeep is to get to places others cant its ok to have a few scratches
Last edited by Spence D.; Mar 25, 2008 at 06:17 AM.






