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Who could’ve known driving a Jeep Wrangler could be so much fun? I guess Wrangler owners, past and present. Driving a Wrangler was like having a cast on your arm. If you’ve ever had a cast or crutches, the first thing people ask is, “What happened?” The second thing they ask is, “Did I ever tell you about when...


Who could’ve known driving a Jeep Wrangler could be so much fun? I guess Wrangler owners, past and present.

Driving a Wrangler was like having a cast on your arm. If you’ve ever had a cast or crutches, the first thing people ask is, “What happened?” The second thing they ask is, “Did I ever tell you about when I broke/sprained my … ?”

The story is the same with the Wrangler. People I’ve worked with for years, who just nod politely and say “good morning” or “good afternoon,” wanted to tell me about their Wranglers, past and present. Neighbors did walk-arounds in the driveway. Strangers told me how their wives/husbands always wanted one.

To be honest, I was taken by surprise by how much glee a Wrangler could elicit in otherwise mature adults. The stories were split about 50-50 between those waxing poetically about Wranglers they’d owned (and how they wish they still had them), and those waxing about Wranglers they’d like to own.

At first, I didn’t get it. Then, after a few days of bouncing around the city in my Wrangler, I got it! There’s something about driving a Wrangler that puts a smile on your face. You’re up high off the ground. The steering is supple; the acceleration raw. There’s not much out there you’re afraid to drive over. Nasty potholes, speed bumps, high curbs? Who cares?

Want to go fishing, hunting, camping? You’re not constrained by paved roads. You’re free to roam wherever your heart desires, just like the cowboys wrangling the herd on the range.

The difference is today’s cowboys can take the family along, if they so desire. The Jeep Wrangler now comes in two-door and four-door models; the four-door Wrangler is known as the Wrangler Unlimited. Both vehicles come in a variety of trim packages: Sport, Rubicon, Sahara and Islander.

All four Wrangler two-door models, such as the Sport model I drove, come with a 3.8-liter V6 and six-speed manual transmissions. A four-speed automatic transmission is an option. All four also come standard with four-wheel drive and Command-Trac Shift-on-the-Fly 4WD system (except for the Rubicon, which comes with Jeep’s Rock-Trac part-time 4WD system and a 4-1 gear ratio).

While all two-door Wranglers are four-wheel drive, the four-door models offer a less-expensive two-wheel drive option (about a $1,200 difference). Gas mileage differs by 1 mile per gallon on the highway between the four-wheel and two-wheel drive versions, so choose based on your needs and budget, not on mileage.

Another item to consider: all four-wheel drive Wranglers are deemed “Trail-Rated” by Jeep. Jeeps sporting the Trail-Rated badge are designed to excel in five categories of off-road conditions: ground clearance, water fording, traction, maneuverability and articulation. While the two-wheel drive models still have great ground clearance and articulation, they are not Trail-Rated per se.

Water fording in the Wrangler is touted at up to 30 inches, although Jeep cautions drivers not to attempt water fording “unless depth is known to be less than 19 inches.” That means you’ll probably get through the majority of “high-water events” in our area without a sweat.

Another surprising thing about the Wrangler, aside from how much fun it was to drive, was its civility. The seats had the springy sensation you’d expect from a vehicle designed to take some serious lumps, but they were just as supportive as any sedan’s. A media center with CD player and audio jack for mobile devices was standard. Satellite radio was an added option for $195.

Other options on the test Wrangler included air conditioning, 17-inch aluminum wheels, leather steering wheel and on-/off-road tires for $2

Tags: Jeep

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Jeep Wrangler Sport: A roaming good time was originally published by New Orleans Auto Reviews: Jeep. Read the full story by clicking here.