Jeep Wrangler Instead of a Side by Side?

[BlackRaptor]

I've been toying with this side x side vs wrangler. I've had Rangers and used the Gator xuv 550 and a few others and I think I'm going to get a wrangler this next time. Upside for me is I can enjoy it as a toy on the road and trail ride with it and use it for utility stuff around the home. Granted I would lift to and put m/t tires on mine . But my thought process least me is I can use it for more than just one thing like the ranger I had.

 

[SPIKER]

looking at CL there are like half dozen Jeeps.SUVs for under 1K here

1985 AMC Jeep cherokee

most runs w some work but for 10K less ya can have Mechanic put all new on and be ahead VS A UTV

 

[Mace Canute]

I had the same thoughts a few years ago, and found an '86 Suzuki Samurai for $600. Runs good, have taken it pretty much everywhere and have yet to have it get stuck. Ripped the back seat out and turned the whole back into a cargo hold. Think the only work I've done on it was replacing a brake cylinder. One of the best purchases we've made.

A friend bought a two door Suzuki that looks a lot like a first generation Vitera. Rust has taken it's toll and it had been rolled at very slow speed so it has a bit of "crunch", also the sunroof is gone, the doors are gone, the tailgate is gone as is the rear softtop but that beater is the handiest thing on his acreage! He put a free set of larger grip tires on it and it's almost unstoppable in wet fields being a 4x4.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I have 4wheeler/UTV and 85 samurai it's stock right now but won't to put a small lift and tires in it,once get all that done may have 4 grand in it. It can go same places as the UTV until you get where it's wet then the weight kicks in and the UTV walks away from it. The bed on the UTV is more useful ,Samuai don't have worry about getting on public roads but like Eddie said seems like little things have to fix but it is a lot older of a vehicle. I like the auto on the UTV compared to the standard in the Sam. I also had a 4x4 Toyota farm truck that I used more than all them but buddy got in a bind and I sold it to him but I agree with the others be better choice,unless just playing over the Jeep. My 02 Toyota had over 300,000 miles all original and it's been a daily driver for couple years now still.

 

[ttriff]

I saw a vehicle recently which looked like a UTV but had a safety inspection sticker and a "low speed vehicle" registration, which apparently allows it to be used on the highway but it isn't supposed go more than 25mph.
Unfortunately I haven't had any luck finding them on the web, all my searches turn up are electric golf carts.

Polaris makes an EV. At one time it was marketed as a LSV. I can't find LSV references to the current EV models

 

[Jstpssng]

Eddie's post about always tinkering on Jeeps is something I've heard before. Is this because people are running tired machines, or are they just plain unreliable?

If it's the latter, are newer models more dependable? I know that I looked at a 1989 CJ this summer that was everything I would like in a toy: straight 6, 5 speed, Dana differentials, solid body and frame, low mileage for the year- then I checked the engine compartment. There was oil everywhere, the air filter was saturated... I dropped the hood and walked away. For some Jeep people though, that would be utopia.

Another question; do they still put in a true Jeep horn, or is it the the same car noise they put on everything else?

 

[4570Man]

Wha is a jeep horn? My grandpas jeep has a regular car horn.

 

[Jstpssng]

Wha is a jeep horn? My grandpas jeep has a regular car horn.

It's where the cartoon "Roadrunner" got "Reep Reep" from.

I guess that you just answered my question.

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie's post about always tinkering on Jeeps is something I've heard before. Is this because people are running tired machines, or are they just plain unreliable?

If it's the latter, are newer models more dependable? I know that I looked at a 1989 CJ this summer that was everything I would like in a toy: straight 6, 5 speed, Dana differentials, solid body and frame, low mileage for the year- then I checked the engine compartment. There was oil everywhere, the air filter was saturated... I dropped the hood and walked away. For some Jeep people though, that would be utopia.

Another question; do they still put in a true Jeep horn, or is it the the same car noise they put on everything else?

I'm sure it's the same with every vehicle that is used off road. They are built to be street legal by the manufacturer, then taken off road and abused to a certain degree. I'm guilty of doing some very stupid things with my jeeps, and I paid the price in repairs. I also found that with that abuse, there was always something that needed fixing. Not just with the jeeps I've owned, but also the off road trucks and a Bronco. I feel that the Mule, and I'm sure all UTV's, are built more for off road use then any vehicle that has to be street legal. I also feel that if you had a Jeep and you just drove it around town, it would probably be very similar in reliability and require similar time wrenching on it as other brands of similar design and age. I feel the advantage of the UTV over any brand or style of street legal vehicle is in it's design from the factory to be used off road. From the basic, simple differences like the air filter design and location, to more complex things like the suspension and engine location.

 

[Jstpssng]

I kind of thought that, Eddie. A not uncommon thought, as I'm walking down some marginal road after parking my truck is "people do this for FUN?"
I used to try to avoid walking any more than I had to, but eventually realized how much time I was wasting pulling the truck out of the mud. I also got tired of bouncing down rough roads, these days if I can't drive over 10MPH I get out and walk.