Howdy folks.

Never owned a Jeep myself but have been around them. Looking for a new DD that isn't eating me alive in repair work and leaking on my floor. Been considering small crewcab 4x4 pickups, small SUV's that aren't soccer mom oriented, and others. Never thought about the Wranglers much until I started noticing how well the 2012's and the 3.6L are getting reviewed in the 4x4 mags. So I started comparing them and the Wrangler keeps looking better and better with the new power and mpg numbers, discs all around, the 5 speed auto, and honestly the fun of a removable top and the offroading abilities.

I'll be honest and say I'm not going to build it up and beat on it offroad. Done that with lots of vehicles in the past and at 33 I'm just not as interested. Thousands of dollars spent, had some fun, ruined some vehicles, and now I just don't feel the desire to do it. However the ability to get out to remote shooting areas, drive through deep snow, and get around the rutted, muddy parking lots at work are still high priority. I'm not considering the little car based SUV's because of this.

General considerations for me are space and capability. Like to be able to tow a moderate sized single axle trailer (ton maybe?), haul a couple adults plus me around, use it to road trip without hating the experience (I'm from Michigan and my brother is in St Louis, MO so going to see anyone involves 5+ hours on the freeway), carry my stuff, and not give me reliability issues.

How are the new 3.6L engine and 5 speed auto trans working out? I hear everyone likes them in the magazines but how about owners?

How's the gas mileage? It'll remain stockish and I'm thinking the 3.73 gears and maybe a step up to 31's or so if the mpg won't take a big hit. Those 225/75R16's look tiny in those big wheel wells. Do the 3.73's affect the mpg's much vs the 3.21's? How about 31-32's with the 3.73's?

How's the interior space on the 2 doors? I'd consider a 4 door Unlimited but frankly don't know if I need all that space and...to be honest...they scream to me "big vehicle, tiny tires" unless they have much larger tires on them. Meanwhile I don't want to feel crammed in and not be able to carry what I need on a road trip. 2 dogs in the back seat eat up cargo room. Can adult males comfortably ride in the backseat?

How are they as far as road tripping goes? I've owned plenty of horrible road mannered vehicles so I'm not expecting a Mercedes Benz quality experience but I don't want it to bounce around and be a loud roar the whole way. I find myself getting fatigued by the loud exhausts, tire roar, and engine rattle I used to just a few years ago.

How does one go about getting a hard top? I noticed on Jeep's website's vehicle builder the Sport S doesn't seem to have the option for a hard top.

I know the powertrain is mostly new, but how different is the rest of the vehicle for 2012? Mainly wondering about things like accessories, interior stuff, tops, and the like. I won't be building a rock crawler but I will accessorize/modify to my tastes.

How's general drivablity? I have owned 20+ year old fullsize trucks and Geo/Chevy/Suzuki Trackers/Vitaras lately so I'm not looking for a sports car but I want to be able to keep up in traffic and enjoy the nimbleness of the Trackers/Vitaras.

I'm sure I'll have more questions and thoughts. Thanks in advance and for reading my ramblings.

 

My advice is for you to rent one for the weekend before buying. I enjoy mine but I average 14 mpg, it does get a little loud on the highway with the hardtop, kind of an echoing effect, and even louder with the soft top.

It is my daily driver but not my families primary means of transportation. My daughters love it and yell out every time they see another Jeep or something they think looks like a Jeep (Hummer).

This truly is one of those vehicles you should experience before making a commitment to purchase.

 

I own my business and use mine as my DD and can't wait to get up and drive it every morning-seriously. Gas mileage is less than impressive but there's something about it that I can't describe. It's stiff sure but I agree with the other guy above- maybe I'm not that picky who knows. Twice since I've had it I've took my family of 7 to Orlando for the weekend and we had a great time (I installed a 3rd row seat). The only complaint came from my kids in the middle seat that it sets too straight up and I agree- it does. But I've read on this forum of ways to recline/fix that too. Bro I've got zero actual complaints. I LOVE IT

 

Seems like you would be better off witha 4 door than a 2 door

 

Welcome to the forum and smart move joining before you buy, we can help you get a good deal if you decide you want to buy a Jeep.

I have a '12 auto with 3.73's and OEM 32's (S package comes with 17's and 255/75/17) and I get a little under 15 in the city and about 20 on the highway.

The freedom top is an option on the Sport S... not to mention the Sport S comes with 32 inch tires not 225/75/16. I would recommend getting the hard top with the car b/c its MUCH more expensive to add it later.

Interior is the same as the 2011.

 

I love mine ('12 Rubicon w/ the auto, JKU). No complaints really that would keep me from buying it again and again. The complaints are just small little stuff we learn to live with daily because well it's a Jeep and we love them.

I drove 2 different Grand Cherokees before I bought this, so it is a step down in luxury I guess you could say. I love it. My wife drives a GC also and she loves it.

Like someone said. Go rent one for a weekend and see what you think. I would also rent a GC. Everything you listed you want the vehicle to do, the GC would do. The GC would possibly suit you better when it comes to some of your questions regarding comfort, space and ride.

If you like a bit more refinement then I would lean to the GC. Going the JK route you will give up some refinement when it comes to interior and a ride that is more truck like.

 

If you're looking to have enough room for adults in the back row I would go with the 4 dr. It will be much more comfortable for those who have to sit in the back and there is still cargo room behind the seat. In the 2dr there is very limited leg room in the 2nd row and hardly any cargo space. Just my 2 cents

 

I picked up my 2012 2 door sport last week, and I have the 255's and 17's. 3.73 gears, manny tranny, and a soft top.

On 55 mph hwy's, I'm getting 23.5 mpg. In town, around 17 mpg. On the interstate keeping it between 70-75, I'm getting around 18 mpg.

I sold my v8 chevy 1500 for the JK, and I'm very happy with the power. I can stay in 6th gear up a pretty steep grade going 70 mph that my Auto chevy would have downshifted on.

As far as driveability, the body rolls around like a fat chick on a roller coaster, so don't expect to be corning at speeds.

Acceleration on on-ramps and in town is smooth and quick, and the engine really starts to shine at 3000+ rpms when excellerating. Just to be easy on the fuel consumption, I usually shift at 2500 rpms, and the acceleration is still peppy - comparable to a base model sports v6 sports car or pickup.

Interior space with the back seat in is fine for seating, but trunk space is minimal. However, the seats do fold forward, but they may need to be secured with straps to keep them from wanting to bounce around.

 

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the thoughts and experiences. A few clarifications of my ramblings:

Derp, I meant I was looking at the Sport model. Don't like the 17" rims or all the other stuff that you are forced to put on to get the Sport S package. I prefer plainer stuff so the Wrangler is my style...don't need chrome trim and all that. A few years ago I didn't personally own a vehicle that didn't include Rhino Liner or black spraypaint as the "interior trim" so a new Wrangler would be a lightyear distance step up in comfort.

I was thinking step up from the Sport's 225/75R16 to a 245/75R16 or maybe 265/75R16 with the 3.73 gears. Those little tires look so small in those big wheel wells.

As far as the rear seat and cargo area goes, I'm basically not planning on hauling adults back there, or anyone really, all that often. Right now I drive two of my coworkers to work and back every day but that's ending soon for one of them. Just want to make sure it's not like a 80's Camaro back seat, there for looks only, or a 90's 2 door Tracker backseat, suitable for a 10 year old kid. IF I have an occasion to haul a few people at the same time it's not a horrible experience for whoever gets stuck back there.
The cargo consideration is mainly just can I fit the usual stuff back there (tool boxes, emergency supplies, etc) and a few bags, dog supplies, etc for a road trip? I drive a 2002 4 door Chevy Tracker right now...the rear seat is small and the cargo area is smaller...not like I'm downsizing from a Suburban.

I'd LOVE to get a stick but frankly I mostly commute now and my knee and foot wouldn't mind if I didn't have to constantly use the clutch. With the new automatics having more gears and supposedly getting the same or better gas mileage as sticks I may swallow my pride and get one.

If I can see the 17mpg city and 21mpg freeway that Jeep is claiming for the 2 door then I'd be happy with it. My Tracker averages around 20 city, maybe a mpg or two more in good weather, but the 4cyl struggles with having to run the AC, hauling ANY weight (couple of adult males and some gear and you can feel it), and freeway speeds tax it severely. I enjoy it's small size and nimbleness but REALLY miss some power...however I don't miss 13-15mpg of my previous trucks and SUV's.

 

If it's going to be a DD, don't be afraid of getting 3.21's. I'm amazed at the mpg this thing (6speed 3.21) gets around town compared to my 2010 jkus with 3.73 auto. Gets pretty good on the highway obeying the speed limits. Over 65mph and it will start dropping.

I just got my worst mpg last fill up. 16.7 mpg, but that included 60 miles of pulling my 3500lb camper @ 60mph. It's normally high 17's to 19's for non highway driving.

Gas prices will top $4 this summer.