- suv 102,548
- 2,653 below average
- 4,997 great
- Hialeah, FL
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- autoshopper.com
- 2,653 below average suv 102,548
1999 jeep wrangler review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The king of off-road vehicles. introductionthis is the undisputed king of all-road vehicles, but living with a jeep wrangler is much easier 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. Now it's quieter, roomier and more comfortable. It's more capable off road. And it's affordable. during the past two years, there have been refinements to further improve it. Yet the wrangler remains true to its gritty heritage dating back to world war ii when jeeps served with distinction around the globe. That remains true in spite of the fact that nearly every body panel was redesigned two years ago for a softer, gentler appearance. the open fenders, flip-down windshield, big grille, plastic side curtains and exposed hinges and fasteners are still, giving the wrangler that rugged, no-nonsense look that has appealed to us for more than 50 years. jeep's wrangler is available in three models. 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 wrangler sport we tested is a good choice for those who want more power and a higher level of standard equipment. 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. new colors for 1999 are forest green and desert sand. New interior colors include camel and agate; sahara versions are available in a new combination of camel and dark green. Soft and hard tops are available in a new dark tan. 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. Stopping at a toll booth in the rain can mean a lap full of water when the side curtain is unzipped. we prefer the $755 optional hard top because of its practicality. The hard top provides more security for expensive gear; i was uncomfortable leaving sage fly rods and expensive reels protected only by fabric and clear plastic. It comes with full-height doors and wind-up windows. Driving one at dawn through a violent thunderstorm felt dry and secure. 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. For 1999, rotary heating, ventilation and air conditioning knobs offer an improvement over last year's slider controls, especially when wearing gloves. high-back front seats are comfortable and offer good lateral support. For those who own outdoor dogs or drive through deep mud, the interior can be cleaned with a garden hose. 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. need to haul still more stuff? 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. Its handling is competent, but the basic design is essentially truck, with a high center of gravity. Hurrying this or any sport-utility vehicle around tight corners is not a good plan. summarywith its stiff chassis, compliant suspension, smooth, strong engines, and comfortable interior, the jeep wrangler is an enjoyable companion on the highway and around town. And it just can't be beat off road. assembled intoledo, ohio. options as testedair conditioning, am/fm/cassette stereo, full console with cup holders, large fuel tank, aluminum wheels, heavy-duty shocks, dana 44 rear axle, locking differential, fog lights, side steps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, tow hooks. model testedsport. AM/FM✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels
4,997 Hialeah, FLHialeah, FL at autoshopper.com