2006 Jeep Wrangler SE

[rich]

Hi Folks, drove a 2006 Wrangler SE today. 4 cyl. it was nice. Didnt have the power my 4.0 Unlimited has, however, the 4 cyl. definitely gets better gas mileage and loses nothin in looks to the unlimited. In fact, it looks a little sportier than the unlimited as well because its not real big. I dont know what to do. I would get slammed on the trade in, on the other hand, my jeep has 6 thousand dollars worth of repairs ahead of it and I still have 6 years to pay the damn thing off.
IM torn folks. Keep the Unlimited and hope it gets repaired like new, or bite the bullet and get a 2006 4cyl.
Help?
Rich..

[Mars]

Rich, to be honest if it's even a question that you lose out on an Unlimited for a base Wrangler SE then I'm not really sure I understand the question.

The Unlimited has a few things going for it over the SWB Wrangler, but if it comes down to mpg's and looks then (I suppose) there might not be much of an advantage in the Unlimited. Personally, SWB Wranglers looks kind of funny to me...

I'll throw these cons on the trade out there...
1. You're not really looking at much gain if gas savings is the goal. Better to get a cute ute if this a major factor.
2. You'll be losing out on wheelbase, and you won't be able to tow anything larger than a suitcase due to this loss and the 4 cyl.
3. Storage space in the Unlimited is usable, not so for the SWB Wranglers.
4. Your options down the road are limited with the SE if you decide to modify it for off-road. A lift and larger tires will strain the 4 banger, and you're not starting with a good base as far as axles. You can get Dana 44's and re-gear but you'll still have a 4 banger. Having said that, I have seem some trail rigs that ruled with the 4.
5. Resale on the SE is, understandably, not as good a value as the higher-trim models.

I suppose you need to revisit why you bought the Unlimited in the first place and see if those reasons still apply. Speaking for myself, trading in an Unlimited on an SE is insanity. Just my opinion... individual results may vary.

[moneypit]

Rich, Trading in a damaged Jeep can't be good. You have the depreciation on the Unlimited ,which is greatest in the first year. Then you want to buy a less capable Jeep and take another hit on the cost, (depriciation again). This seems like a real expensive move. I suggest you let them fix it before you think about getting rid of the Unlimited.You will be making payments on less of a Jeep for 6 years. That can't feel good. It seems that the only upside is that you are into a new ride right away. Let them give you a loaner while the Unlimited is getting fixed and see how well they fix it. Besides if you are looking at trading the Unlimited in at the same dealer that was fixing it, they know that you are trading in a Jeep that was in an accident. You will have a better chance with a dealer that doesn't know about the repairs.

[rich]

Appreciate the help guys. Dont get me wrong, I love my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The ride on the SE was not like the ride I have on my Unlimited. Thats for sure.
What I did like about the SE is that the 4cyl gets better gas mileage than on my 4.0 Unlimited. The dealer said I would get at least 10 miles per gallon more(City) on the 4 banger . Currently I am only getting 8 miles per gallon city on the Unlimited. I dont know why. Is this the norm for a 4.0? When I bought her, I was getting around 14, then it increased to 16, then dropped between 8-10 miles per gallon city. I dont know why either. I drive like a little old man. The SE is black, 4 banger and is brand new. It all depends on how they fix the damn thing.
I dont do much offroading but love the solidness of the Unlimited. Its a very heavy Jeep and solid, holds the road well. Keep the opinions coming in. Really appreciate the pros and Cons .
Thanks,
Rich

[nwquadriders]

It's like trading a Mustang in for a Focus

10 mpg more in the city is just the dealer trying to "sell" you on the SE. They know that they can fix your Wrangler and sell it in an out of state auction for much more than you'll get on the trade in...plus they've already made their money on you off of the 1st loan (and I believe you said 6 years), and now they've got an opportunity to score again by getting you into a "harder to get off the lot" SE model, which equals a sale for them, and they also get an easy to turn around Unlimited out of the deal. When it's all said and done, the Unlimited will be like new again... I'd sure hate to be the guy driving an SE down the road and see my old Unlimited drive by and think to myself..."That's what I gave up".... anyway, I'm rambling... You've got to do what ultimately feels right for you. Good luck in that decision

[04unlimited]

Rich, The 10 mpg thing is strictly salesmanship. Ask them to put it in writing with a moneyback guarantee and see how quickly they offer to do that. You will be giving up a lot with the trade and losing a lot more money than you need to. Look strictly at the dollars and cents of it. When your LJ is fixed what are you out minus your time and some new gray hairs? What will you be giving up in the process.

1. Cargo Space (13 inches doesn't lie.)
2. Trail worthiness (Wheel base and lose the Dana 44)
3. Money...lots and lots of money. (You will lose on the trade...the dealership deponds on this to happen to make money.)

What will you gain?

1. Marginally better gas milage. (Don't believe the 10 mpg figure.

It should also be noted that Edmunds.com shows the Unlimited as rates at 16-20 mpg, and the SE is rated at 14-18 mpg.

Give it some thought. I know the reasoning behind my decision to buy the LJ (and I did look at the SE). I am not willing to trade that for what is in my opinion an inferior vehicle.

I wish you luck with your decision, and hope that we don't lose a member of the LJ community...I hear the Wrangler SE community doesn't have nearly as high quality forums.

[rich]

I should have that trucking company buy me a brand new unlimited for all the grief im going through.
the dealer did tell mme that the unlimited is a top of the line wrangler which I already knew anyway. He also advised that the 4 banger tho, would be much better on gas. The dealer said that the 4.0 engine can run forever if maintained properly. one of his customers traded in a 1999 jeep cherokee with 385,000 miles on it. He was a salesman and drove it all over. It still runs and the t auctioned the vehicle but the salesman said it still drove strong. I love my unlimited folks. I really do.
my first choice is to keep her. I just want to make sure she is like brand new. thats all.
Rich

[huskerjoe]

Rich, after what you've been through no one would blame you for twitching uncontrollably when the word "Jeep" is even mentioned. With that said, wait until your Unlimited is fixed and see where you stand - don't let the emotion of the theft and then the body shop accident make the decision for you. If you are still torn, ask the dealer to let you do a 24 hour test drive on the SE while your repiared Unlimited is sitting in your driveway and make your decision comparing them side by side - you are not being fair to yourself if you are comparing a brand new one on a dealer lot, while yours is sitting wrecked in a body shop cage......tell you what, keep the unlimited and I will nominate you for Unlimited of the Month in November based on sheer determination to get through a horrible string of bad luck!!!! ;D

[rich]

The responses here have been overwhelming. I love this forum. Its great to know that people reaelly care and want tohelp when difficult situations come along.
I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions.
Rich

[salyers890]

also another point to make - the 4cyl engine has been known to fail prematurely (in comparison to the 6cyl) because it has to work harder for the same effect. what's nice about the 4.0 is that you can drive all around town under 2k RPM's and not feel like a granny. the 4cyl will have to rev higher for the same driving habbits = less MPG.

here's a thought? if you've got a second car to putt around in, put your unlimited for sale privately, then after it sells go buy a used 05 unlimited from a soccer mom who ditched it because of the katrina fuel scare. you'll lose A LOT less, but you'll pay in the end that's for sure - that'll be 2 pulls from your credit. well, unless you keep yours, you'll be pulling twice.

another thought - take the money you would lose in the deal and purchase an aftermarket warrantee that's balls-deep in coverage, that way you'll be sure of having at least a rig that will get fixxed when it breaks. if I remember correctly, bodyshops doing insurance work have ot make the product back to "new" condition so that it's covererd under warrantee still.

you could call your insurance agent and have them total the car and go buy a new unlimited as well.

there's a bunch of options - but I think the SE base model is the weakest link rich. you are mainly on the road, and SE/base has no A/C.

in terms of listening to the dealer, DON"T. a lot of times they just tack on a bunch of fees to your loan and refinance you for an extra year to make the payments cheaper. plus - who wants to pay for an SE for 6 years.

I know it's a long post, but many of us think there's MANY better options than taking a step down. my advice would be to stay close with the bodyshop. they're making a buttload of money from your jeep, they should be gratefull. talk with them, tell them how frustrated you are (do it nicely) and talk with the owner. They'll do you good.

good suggestion about taking a 24hr test drive, btw.

on a side note - hardtopped i get close to 20mpg hwy and 18city. with the power to tow my new bass boat (too bad it doesn't float yet.)

[rich]

All of you have helped me. All of you have come up with some great advice to help me and myself and my family appreciate it. I am so glad I found this forum.
I agree with you about the 4 banger. I do believe your right. I think the 6cyl will last longer than the 4.
I went to the body shop today. They were replacing my softop . First time I saw my jeep with the top completely off. Boy it looked cool. The owner told me that he will get the jeep back to new condition. He said tthat the Unlimited could run forever if taken care of.
He is also putting an alarm system in for me .
I think the wisest choice is to keep my unlimited, yeah, I have 6 years worth of payments left, but if they fix it like new, I should have her 20 or more years.
Im counting on it.
Your all awsome people here.
Rich..

[rich]

Check this out, the dealership just called me and said they can up my trade in to 19k. I told him I decided to keep my jeep.
Rich..

[salyers890]

good choice

[04unlimited]

to that!

[huskerjoe]

Yeah!!!!!!!