Quoting: Pod
If the one you want is available in the states, buy one there and import it. And SVA it. Might even cost you less overall too.
That's what I'm thinking of dooing, although as of yet there is no diesel at all available there. They have some strange laws on diesel engines which mean most aren't approved. Also with the hint of the DC break up I think it's shown even more doubt. Gonna give it until the 08 model arrives and see if a diesel in included I think.
Quoting: Pod
The Rubicon picture seems to have an open roof - why would that need air con?
lol, well a/c is nice when the tops up plus acts as a dehumidifier in winter (no misty windows).
The US models have a soft top as standard, with the hard top as an option or as a package you can have both. The UK site has no mention of the soft top at all nor the available half doors offered State side.
Quoting: Pod
Also, do UK Jeep buyers use it to drive off road, or drive to Tesco's?
There are more and more Wranglers making an appearance on the off road scene. I think the biggest problem is piss poor marketing from Jeep/Chrysler UK.
If you want a proper off roader a Land Rover Defender is the obviuous chioce or indeed just a fun sporty capable off roader. The Wrangler is a good match up in almost every way (except maybe in agricultural terms). But Jeep don't seem bothered to advertise it in this way.
Also with the addition of the 4 door Wrangler it would also make a great alternative to the soft roaders. Plenty of space, not too big yet very capable.
We are a nation of 4x4 lovers yet in the past 20 years Jeep has struggled to sell their primary off road model here.
Logically you'd have to question WTF are they doing wrong.
Quoting: Pod
I'm guessing the bumpers (which really are ugly and huge) are different due to some safety laws over here (EU?).
Yeah I daresay the bumpers are a result of some EU Bullsh*t.
And if the rest of the range had been up to scratch I could have llived with the bumpers.
I dunno maybe I'm too hard too please, but you have to wonder why these BIG American companies struggle to sell particular models in Europe and the UK.
Take GM with the Camaro and C5 Corvette and the more recent Monaro. Where sales really couldn't have been anymore pathetic even if they tried. And it's all down to marketing.
The Monnaro, an awsome machine and looks fantastic. Yet GM marketed it as a
cheap BMW M5 alternative.
Firslty never call what you are selling cheap, as it degrades it.
Secondly people who buy an M5 couldn't give a chuff about ANY Vauxhall they want image. Not too mention the shoddy Vauxhall dealer service, I went to the dealer in MK to look at a Monaro and even though they where supposed to specialise in them they didn't have one, had no material on it and just had no interest at all plus it took nearly 20 mins to find someone to speak to.
The Monaro should have been aimed as an affordable performance car, a kin to the Sti's and Evo's and lesser models such as Honda S2000's and Nissan 350z's. These are the cars it compeats against state side (badged as a Pontiac GTO). Not expensive ponsy BMW's.
And unless you where a car nut most would probably never have known the Monaro existed, it was hardly publicised very well.
Lastly I'd have kept it as a Holden, it made it unique. Having a Vauxhall badge on it seriously damaged its credentials as Vauxhals are rep mobiles and shopping carts for the most part.
Few - rant over. For know at least.
