- suv 217,437
- Fowlerville, MI
-
- autoshopper.com
2000 jeep wrangler review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The jeep wrangler is the undisputed king of off-road vehicles. It's also much easier to live with one than it used to be. the wrangler was completely redesigned and re-engineered for 1997 and the result was a vast improvement over its predecessors in every respect. Though it's no cadillac, the wrangler is quieter, roomier and more comfortable than it used to be. It's more capable off road. And it's affordable. during the past two years, there have been refinements to further improve it. For 2000, the optional six-cylinder engine has been re-engineered for reduced emissions and there's a new five-speed gearbox. in spite of all this refinement, the wrangler remains true to its gritty heritage that dates back to world war ii when it served with distinction around the globe. At first glance, the base se looks attractive, but its low price quickly rises when carpeting, nicer seat fabric, a rear seat, a stereo and other options are added. Not having a rear seat is certainly an option for those who don't think they'll ever use it. The se comes with a 4-cylinder engine that is best teamed with the standard 5-speed gearbox. sport and sahara models come with the much more powerful 4. 0-liter 6-cylinder engine. The top-of-the-line sahara comes with more features, more style and adds more than $2,000 to the bottom line. That remains true in spite of the fact that nearly every body panel was redesigned for 1997 for a softer, gentler appearance. the open fenders, flip-down windshield, big grille, plastic side curtains and exposed hinges and fasteners are still there, giving the wrangler that rugged, no-nonsense look that has appealed to us for more than 50 years. one of the biggest decisions when buying a wrangler is selecting the top. Purists prefer the soft top, a high-quality piece of equipment that can be configured according to the weather. The side curtains, however, can be a hassle in everyday use. The hard top provides more security for expensive gear; i get uncomfortable leaving camera equipment or fly rods and reels protected only by fabric and clear plastic. It comes with full-height doors and wind-up windows. I felt dry and secure while driving one through a violent thunderstorm at dawn. Rearward visibility is aided by the rear-window defroster, wiper and washer. Wind noise is greatly reduced. Either top is far easier to remove or install than tops of years past and provides much better sealing from the elements. interiorif elegance can be defined in terms of neatness and simplicity, then the wrangler comes with an elegant interior. The modular instrument panel and heating and ventilation system are huge improvements over the last-generation wrangler-the one with the square headlights. Rotary heating, ventilation and air conditioning knobs are an improvement over the old slider controls and are easy to operate when wearing gloves. high-back front seats are comfortable and offer good lateral support. For those who have dogs or drive through deep mud, the interior can be easily cleaned. For weekend excursions, the best plan is to leave the back-seat passengers behind, flip the rear seat forward--or remove it--and head for the hills. There's enough space behind the rear seat for a fly rod, a vest and a pair of waders. Flip the rear seat down and there's plenty of room for a tent, a cooler, camping gear and even more fishing equipment. It doesn't get much better than that. the wrangler's modest towing capacity is sufficient for those who need to pull a personal watercraft or snowmobile. driving impressionthe wrangler sport is a good choice for those who want more power and a higher level of standard equipment. The 6-cylinder engine loses some fuel economy around town, but gets 19 mpg on the highway. we drove a wrangler sport through the arizona mountains north of phoenix. Spring runoff had carved deep gullies in the muddy trail as we slogged past buckhorn canyon toward fort misery. A car simply would not have made it up the muddy, rutted hill climbs. That's the essence of the newest generation wrangler. It provides the ultimate in off-road capability without punishing its occupants on the long road back to civilization. It's the right choice for perilous off-road treks like california's rubicon trail. But it's also fun for cruising around the neighborhood. Paved roads seem much smoother. Corners are handled with more dignity. It feels stable at 80 mph. And wet pavement is not to be feared. At the same time, the wrangler's off-road capability is superior to that of even the legendary jeep cj. It's an impressive balancing act. wrangler's engineers achieved this balance by replacing jeep's 50-year-old leaf-spring suspension with a coil-spring suspension. They mounted it onto a rigid new chassis that provides a stable platform for the suspension to do its job. Coil springs provide better handling on and off road and enormous suspension travel. Wrangler's quadra-coil suspension boasts an additional seven inches of articulation over the old leaf spring suspension. greater approach and departure angles mean the wrangler can cross trenches and clamber over rocks and fallen trees that would trap the old jeep. Few vehicles can match the wrangler's rock-climbing ability. At the same time, it does not feel like a utility truck when winding down a curvy road. still, the wrangler is no sports car. Hurrying this or any sport-utility vehicle around tight corners is not a good plan. we drove a base wrangler se model in july 1999 at daimlerchrysler's chelsea, michigan, proving grounds. Where an explorer would have struggled, it was barely a test for the wrangler. Three different tire sizes are available, including huge 30x9. 5x15 goodyears designed for desert conditions. For all around use, especially snow and slush and rain, skinnier tires are a better bet. We think the best compromise are the optional p225/75r15 goodyear wranglers. anti-lock brakes are a $600 option. And it just can't be beat off road. model lineupse 14,460); sport 18,460); sahara 20,390). assembled intoledo, ohio. options as testedair conditioning 895); tire and wheel group 670) includes 15x8-inch aluminum wheels, 30x9. 5r15 wrangler tires, heavy-duty shocks, dana 44 rear axle 3. 73, full-size spare; fog lights 120). model testedwrangler sport 18,460). Anti-lock Brakes✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels
Fowlerville, MIFowlerville, MI at autoshopper.com