Originally Posted By: otis24
I used to always want to own a Jeep. I know a few people who own them as their primary vehicle. IMHO, they have to be the most impractical vehicle out there. If someone could afford to just own a "fun" vehicle, this might be it. But, a Jeep can not haul many people, let alone do so as comfortably as a sedan.
A Jeep can haul little, if any, cargo. Not near as much as a small 4x4 pickup. An extended cab or crew cab pickup can haul small amounts of cargo and passengers as well.
Perhaps for a single person with no family or kids, a Jeep may make sense. Guessing an AWD/4WD SUV would be better. But for the most part, a Jeep seems to have little "practical" usefulness. Maybe thats the point of a Jeep?
Well, I can tell you, that by comparing a Jeep to a family sedan, a Jeep is definitely not for you. "It's a Jeep Thing, You wouldn't Understand"! For me, my Wrangler has been the most practical vehicle I have ever owned.
Short wheelbase Jeeps are 1/4 ton tactical trucks and with the backseat removed I have used it as such. In my early days, I have hauled complete small blocks, axles, and even a 16 cube fridge (yeah, sticking straight up).
My Jeep has been up the Mt. Washington Auto road more than a dozen times, with no doors and the windshield folded down. You simply can't get that experience with your family sedan.
I've hauled my family of 4 camping, pulling our trailer of gear, with never an issue.
It is probably the most customized vehicle of all time. Take a look the next time you stop at the intersection. There's probably 4-5 SUV's, just like yours.
Over the years my Jeep has evolved into a serious off roader, with a granny transmission, full size truck axles, and big tires (I kept the 2.5L four). I use it to drag firewood on my property (it will drag a tree) and I've used it on town projects building hiking trails and doing cleanups. I remember one time the Kubota tractor was stuck pulling a large trailer of Junk tires out of the woods. Not only did I pull the tractor out, I went back and retrieved the trailer too.
It comes down to perspective. I can't imagine doing all the things I have done with my Jeep with anything else. For myself and my family, owning a Jeep is a lifestyle.