UK customers shafted once again - new Jeep Wrangler

Started by 300bhp per ton, March 06, 2007, 11:56:34 AM

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300bhp per ton

For I while now I've been eagerly awaiting news on the new Jeep Wrangler (JK).

I've always had a fond spot for the Jeep and have more than once contemplated getting a YJ.

However if I buy yet another car it really ought to be newer and slightly more practical than the cars I normally look at.

So for many months I've been following the progress of the new JK in the States. And I've been very impressed, it looks fantastic and is available in a multitude of different models and options packages.

The one I'm interested in is the 2 door Rubicon as it comes with a whole host of off road extra's and looks the muts nuts.



The only downer in the States is the only engine option is the 3.8 V6, not a bad engine but I'd rather have a diesel for low end grunt and MPG considerations.

Today I noticed Jeep.co.uk's website now had info on the UK spec JK.

What a TOTAL dissapointment!!!!

Sure there's a diesel offering, sadly it's the 2.8 and not the hinted at 3.0 variant. Yet this is a minor blow compared to the rest of diatribe offered.

In short nearly all the options list hasn't made it across the pond. The lower spec model is only available with a diesel (manual only) and none of the off road gear.

The showy Sahara is auto only and still only diesel (no petrol) and again no off road gear.

The Rubicon has made it, but no diesel engine????? only the 3.8 V6 and no manual either and to add insult to injuary there's no air con available on it either, even though it's the range topper and air con is standard kit on it in the US.

They can't even offer something simple like red paint, which again is available in the States, there's a very small colour chioce here in the UK and all metallic.

I also really can not understand the fact that Rubicon is only availble as a petrol auto, firstly auto's are not the norm in the UK and more importantly any UK off roader will generally say diesel and manual gearbox is the way to go (just take a look at Land Rover Defenders, diesels with manuals).

And to top is all the UK models look like they're going to have an ugly variant of the plastic bumper as well:





The 4 door Wrangler has made it over here as well but has suffered even more as the Rubicon isn't even offered as a 4 door here. Plus the ugly bumper seems to have got even more ugly:



Jeep UK do youever wonder why you struggle to sell certain models...

Jamieg285


F Body

Quoting: 300bhp per ton
Jeep UK do youever wonder why you struggle to sell certain mod


Does make you wonder

Most of the car companies are supposed to do " Customer Profiling" before releasing a new product, but in the UK I think it just consists of " What's the least we can offer and the most we can charge

Welcome to rip off Britian :rantover:

Rob


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.

The Rubicon picture seems to have an open roof - why would that need air con?
Also, do UK Jeep buyers use it to drive off road, or drive to Tesco's?
I'm guessing the bumpers (which really are ugly and huge) are different due to some safety laws over here (EU?).

300bhp per ton

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.

Fieldy

Personally, I would rather buy the old Wrangler and be done with it. The new one (both US and UK spec) look too plastic and cheap to me.....needs more chrome like the Classic!

HardRockCamaro

It looks ok.
The US red one looks a lot nice imho the 4 door is truly disgusting btw).

I considered a Wrangler as a daily before I bought the Cadillac.
I was miffed I couldn't have a V8.

I would be happy with a diesel though, 2.8 as opposed to 3.0, well, does it really matter that much, not imho.  And from my point of view, thank christ it's an auto.  I have had auto the last few years now and driving a manual feels like going back to the dark ages.

The specs sound bad though, soft roof or not you need A/C.
Sounds like we're being ripped off, I'd certainly investigate importing one.

As for the ultimate off-road ability of diesel and a manuakl, if that's your intention you'd be better off buying an older one and a load of aftermarket hop up parts as my understanding is that Jeeps are built, not bought.

nick69

Your right about the UK spec bumper but you can change it with no problems. I take my TJ off road all the time. Youd be suprised how hot it gets in there with the roof on in the summer. Sitting under a fibreglass parasol can get a tad warm!!! LOL

Id import one.

Defenders are KAK. Take your Jeep, mod it and crawl them rocks baby!!!

300bhp per ton

Quoting: HardRockCamaro
As for the ultimate off-road ability of diesel and a manuakl, if that's your intention you'd be better off buying an older one and a load of aftermarket hop up parts as my understanding is that Jeeps are built, not bought.

Maybe, but the new JK's are very capable off road in stock trim, plus it would be nice to have something new and not need to spend a wedge of cash to make it perform.


Quoting: nick69
Yo I take my TJ off road all the time.

PICS!!!!



Quoting: nick69

Defenders are KAK.

Hardly, they are after all "The best 4x4xFar".

Quoting: nick69

Take your Jeep, mod it and crawl them rocks baby!!!

SE England tends to lack rocks, mudding is where it's at.

300bhp per ton

Been checking the specs further.

Me & my brother reckon that Jeep don't actually want to sell the Wrangler in the UK and are trying to dissuade potential buyers.

I mean get a load of this crap, have you ever heard anything so stupid.

In the UK the ONLY colour is metallic BLACK. There are then 4 optional colours all of which will set you back £400.

Who the hell in the 21 Cent only offers 1 colour option, you'd think there would be at least a few standard NON cost colours to choose from.