I figured the title might get some people's attention. I am moving to Kansas in about 2 months and am within days of ordering my first Wrangler, but I would really like some help with a couple questions i have.

Does anybody know about the wichita weather? i was originally planning on getting a freedom top cause i love the idea of hte three piece, noise reduction, and added security, but for a 1000 dollar break i was wondering if a soft top would be ok for the weather. this will be my main everyday vehicle too since im on a tight budget. Also, i understand that the soft top is less secure, but is it any less secure than your standard sports convertible? i may be a little paranoid about security since i grew up and go to school near detroit

my other soft top question is how easy is it to fold up? looking at hte wrangler manual, it seems like its a ton of work, although car manuals alwasy make things seem more difficult than they actually are.

Also, i was wondering how capable a stock X wrangler is off roading. ive never done anything more than basic two tracks, although im an avid mountain biker so i have seen some technical biking stuff (not that that has anyhting do to with anything). here is what I am ordering

2 door Wrangler X C package
fog lamps and tow hooks
supplimental side airbags
trailer tow package for the dana 44 and 4.10 axle ratio
manual tranny
16" standard wheels

i have always wanted a wrangler, and am super pumped to get one. i am on a small budget right now due to the move across the country, so any tips on things i could cut out, or add to save money, i am all open.

final comment, i am 90% sure i will be leasing it since i dont think i can afford full car payments yet, anyone know how much offroading you can get away with on a wrangler before they start fining me? i love the new JK's and since this is my first i wanna lease adn then whne the lease is up, fine tune what i had and buy another!! if i like what i get i may just buy out the lease.

 

If you don't have a garage or park outside for a while, I would highly recommend the dual-top, the hardtop has the glass windows and rear defogger/wiper. Kansas winters tend to be cold, windy and icy. Security of the soft top is very low, the zippers all unzip from the outside and allow access to the jeep. I don't like leasing, because if you modify anything, they may require you to change it back to stock when you turn it in. Plus a 4wd is prone to getting scratched and bruises from playing, more money on a turn in. You have a pretty good option list, I didn't get the side airbags, just my choice. I haven't wrestled with the soft top yet, I am putting it on this weekend.

 

I'd stick with the hard top and forego the side air bags if it makes the difference between leasing & buying. In an environment where it snows, a hard top is practically mandatory.

I bought a bare bones-ish JK Unlimited, and have been adding items after the fact. While I do miss all the things I could have gotten with the S options package, I don't miss the extra $$/month my payments would have been.

If you can afford dual-tops at the outset by increasing your down payment, great-- otherwise, get what you can and know you'll be able to get a soft top eventually for far less than the dual top option costs.

EDIT-- oh, and for how off-road capable it is without mods... I owned a Cherokee for years, and took it over some fairly primitive trails. The stock wrangler is a more capable vehicle than that. I'd say you should run the stock equipment through its paces before you decide to improve on it; just don't be unrealistic in your expectations of what a 4x4 can tackle (don't just drive into a river you don't know the depth of!)

 

Does anybody know how much of a difference the side impact airbags would make in a wrangler? I worked for an automotive safety company for about a year and i saw what a difference side bags could make in some vehicles. does anybody know how well the jk, or wrangler does in a side impact collision? it got 5 star frontal and 4 star roll over (its got a freakin roll cage, it better do good on roll over)

 

I'm sure the side air bags are better then not having them.the old tj wranglers did well on side impact because they sit higher and wound kinda move up and to the side when hit lessing the impact.now the new jk are 300 to 400 lbs heaver the the tj but sit higher stock so how knows?side air bags are insurance in your safety whats it worth to you?

 

Thanks everyone for the advice about the hard top and options selection. just out of curiousity, i am new to the stick shift world (i learned on a buddy's pt cruiser) and was curious how the reverse setup actually works. it seems like it would be really easy to go from 5th to reverse accidentally in the shift to 6th. i am assuming there is a safe guard for this? i know on the pt cruiser there is a gate that leads you straight back from 5th to 4th to prevent this, and volkswagens have a setup where you have to push down on teh shifter in order to get reverse.

by the way, i have been told that jeeps are amazing to drive as a stick, which is why im getting the manual : )

 

Reverse is all the way to the right, there is a distinct feeling to push the shift lever to reverse. I didn't have a problem finding it even after driving automatics for 4 yrs. The six-speed is great!

 

If it is your daily driver I would go with the hard top. I hate driving with the soft top on the highway, or at highway speeds for a long time. But the trade off is on those really nice days where you wish you could put the top down. Freedom top kind of takes care of that.

I am not a fan of leasing either. And watch out for lease buy-outs. You may end up paying more than the vehicle is worth when the lease is up. My .02

 

i lived in boston, DC and Belgium, with a soft top in my TJ. it held up just fine. it's a little chillier in the winter (but our heaters are something else), and noisier, but it's worth it to be able to drop it/put it up quickly when the weather does get nice.

i wouldn't lease a jeep. you are going to get bitten, and want to do all kinds of stuff to it, but will be restricted by the lease.

i don't think side air bags would make any difference outside of insurance premiums. unless you are t-boned by an 18 wheeler.

 

I got the side airbags, because I'd rather have them when it counts than not... But I don't hold any illusions that they'll "save me" under extreme circumstances. The way I see it, they'll lessen the degree to which I'm injured in a T-bone-type impact. I hate to say it, but I don't think ANY airbags are going to save you if you're T-boned by an 18-wheeler (at speed)!