Okay -- sorry folks... Not many pictures to look at on this post. Hopefully you will take the time to read the whole post. I felt the need to vent a little in this one.
Forbes magazine came out with an article "15 New Cars to Avoid" stating...
"There’s a dearth of truly
wretched cars on the market
for us to openly
and readily ridicule"
Guess What... The Jeep Wrangler and the Wrangler Unlimited were Number 7 on the list of cars to avoid.
Honestly, I bet this author has never ridden in a Jeep Wrangler or a Wrangler Unlimited. I invite him to join me on my next trip to Rausch Creek Off Road Park before he starts to ridicule my Rubicon!
First off... to the author of this article...
A Jeep Wrangler IS NOT A CAR!
The author in this article also used scores, surveys and rankings and compared the Wrangler to other cars.
Well... that comparison is like a health magazine comparing a plate full of leafy, green veggies and piece of organic, grilled chicken, to a plate of fully-loaded, cheesy nachos or a chocolate lava cake ice cream sundae smothered in chocolate.
That sundae or nachos are so delicious and fun. Eating them makes you happy. We know we need to exercise a little extra to indulge in such fantastic treats. But it's worth the extra effort.
So, I am not sure why this author could even consider the Jeep Wrangler in the same category as these other vehicles. It is truly a one of a kind mode of transportation.
I would also like to point out, I don't understand why some feel it necessary to constantly bash the Jeep Wrangler -- jealousy most likely. They are having record sales and more and more people are out enjoying the off road trails. Folks are joining in on the fun of making their Jeep unique to themselves.
Just like all the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimted owners feel, the good of the Wrangler outweighs the bad.
I would like to counter point a few statements made by the author in the Forbes article as well.
"Though some might argue the iconic Wrangler and its four-door Wrangler Unlimited version are among the best-performing off-road vehicles"
Ummm..... there is no argument here... It's a fact. This is what the Wrangler is made for!
"suffer from limited passenger comfort"
No one who ever bought a Jeep Wrangler or JKU intended to buy the Jeep for the comfort of cruising down the interstate like a luxury vehicle. When buying a JK or JKU, most of the time folks plan on taking it out on rocky, off the beaten paths, the sandy beach, or those muddy trails through the woods. So, of course comfort does not come in mind. How on earth could it, when we love bouncing around on those bumpy rides. Do you think folks who ride on roller coasters are looking for a leisurely ride up and down the tracks. No! We do it for the adrenaline rush and the thrill!
"harsh and erratic ride"
Well, I will give the author this one -- when driving at high speeds on the interstate. But really, we all should be reducing our speeds when driving. I was able to fix this issue on my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with a steering attenuator.
Jeep Momma Steering Attenuator Review
"handling abilities"
My Jeep Wrangler Unlimited handles fabulously. I can go where 99% of most other vehicles can't go. So how would that constitute handling abilities?
"excessive wind noise at higher speeds"
Well... Jeez NO SHIT! Anyone with common sense would know this, and would expect it when cruising down the road at high speeds with the sun in our face and wind in our hair. OH and by the way, most Jeepers don't ride at high speeds down the road, because we are never in a hurry to get anywhere, because we are enjoying our time driving around in our topless "CAR"
"They get great resale value"
Of course! That's because they are so loved!
"Wranglers placed among the lowest scoring models in Consumer Reports’ testing"
Just like any type of surveys, stats and testing. They can be skewed depending on the tests and questions asked. I bet none of these vehicles were tested on the Rubicon Trail. Or were any other vehicles tested driving down the interstate with their tops off. Where any of them compared while driving on the sandy beaches of North Carolina. I bet not.
"the Unlimited also falling on its worst-values list"
Value list of what? -- list of characteristics needed when buying a car. Don't we all have different wants and needs when it comes to purchasing a vehicle.
Well here's my list of values needed when I bought my new vehicle...
-- Fun & Freedom
-- Ability to take the top off
-- Ability to take the doors off
-- Ability to drive before the snowplows plow the roads
-- Drive over rocks and downed trees
-- Go Anywhere
-- Community of like minded friendly people
-- Camaraderie
-- Ability to be part of a nothing like it community
-- Therapy
-- Modify my vehicle to fit my personality
So there you go... But I guess it is good to have articles like this written. It keeps people from purchasing more Jeeps and that means less Jeepers on the trails so they do't get overcrowded!
- Simple Living! - Enjoying Life! - The Jeep Life!
The past couple of times I went to Rausch Creek for a little time off-roading on the trails, I had a difficult time shifting my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon into 4 low. I do not remember the transfer case shifter being so difficult with my Sahara. I did a little research and I found there doesn't seem to be a right way or a wrong way to shift from 2 wheel drive to 4 Lo. It seems each Jeep has it's own unique way. 
So this past weekend, I took my Rubicon out for some practice. I tried both ways... First, I shifted from 2 to 4H while in drive, drove a little, then put it in N, and while slowly rolling, I shifted to 4Lo. There was some grinding noise, but it shifted. I did that a few times. Then... I tried it while stopped. It was harder to shift and still grinded a little. 
