Is Owning A Jeep Wrangler Worth It? One Year Update!

Today I give a big ownership update with my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 after owning it for over a year!

From AWE's Website

50-state emissions-compliant dual 3” catback exhaust
Engineered to crawl with best-in-class clearance on even the most aggressive departure angles
OEM valves ensure 100% factory operation via interior button and throttle input
Bespoke SwitchPath™ muffler provides dual soundtracks: sophisticated with valves closed, rowdy with them open
Resonated H-pipe for deep, aggressive tone with minimal rasp
Quad outlet, each protected by BashGuard™
BashGuard™ features a .125” thick reinforced stainless ring on the outlet, built for bashing
Features locking collars for exhaust hangers to prevent movement
Includes heat shielding for the passenger side trunk pan
Handcrafted from CNC mandrel-bent, U.S.-sourced .065”-wall T304L stainless steel
Dyno verified gains of 9 hp and 5 ft-lbs of torque at the wheels
Less is more: clean, straight-through design for maximum performance and tone
Proudly engineered, designed, and manufactured in-house, in the USA
Pure bolt-on, no-cutting required
Perfect Fitment Guarantee, AWE No CEL Guarantee and Lifetime warranty

Instagram: ben_hardypl
Facebook: @benhardycar

[RMitch]

Ive owned my Rubicon for about 2 years now (2018 tho) and I fucking love it. Changing the oil? Easy as fuck. Repairs? Easy as fuck. My prior vehicle, a Honda, you needed to change a headlight bulb...you had to remove the entire front bumper, passenger side wheel, etc. The Jeep is a THOUSAND times more practical.

Speaking of which, I was driving somewhere today, and wound up on a muddy, wet, uphill road. In my Honda, I would have been stuck...incapable of going anywhere. With the Jeep? Dropped it into 4L, cruised right on up that steep muddy road with ease.

I'm hooked for LIFE. 👌

[grisa]

Never been a “jeep guy” but my 392 is the most enjoyable vehicle. I have about 5200 miles and I just find reasons to drive it.

[Aceinfinity-lezc]

You are literally the only person I have heard say any wrangler was bad off road lol!

[wkw]

We bought ours in 2011....it's been great. Looks brand new too. We're afraid to trade it in for a new wrangler because we know a few people with 2020-2022's having lot's of issues.

[DeadOnTrail]

Just hit 4700 miles after 2 months of ownership. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

[waynebrucemanbat]

Wranglers are really cool vehicles and I'd really like to own one, but I can't wrap my head around 70k plus for a Rubicon that is meant for off roading. Given all the trade offs I'm considering a two door Willy's as an extra vehicle instead of having a Rubicon as my daily driver. Just a crazy expense unless I go bare bones and mod it out in my opinion.

[briandonald]

Jeep is the luxury brand now. No need for the Chrysler brand anymore 😂

[SaLvAdOriaN]

Bought a 2019 Wrangler sport and super reliable. No issues, just basic maintenance and the car runs beautifully. Traded it in for a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Altitude with the one touch sky roof, I fucking love it.

[DeeboComing]

No way I'm paying 86k for a damn Jeep Wrangler. 😭😭😭 But they look nice and I love that 392! My wife wants a Wrangler now 😭

[jdub_vdub]

Just got rid of my 2021 eco diesel high altitude, great resale value!!

[UncmmonSense]

I love my 392. I daily drive it and have 15k miles. It is a great do it all vehicle for me. Stupid acceleration like a muscle car. I can throw kids in back. It has just enough touch of lux to be comfy, but not so nice that I'd get upset with kids for leaving Happy Meal trash and coloring on my headrest. It has great looks and lowest depreciating vehicle you can buy. It isn't as plush and quiet as a bland CUV and that is exactly why I bought it. I wanted a truck with some character and not just a commuting appliance.

[jasonforrest]

Traded my trailhawk for a wrangler in november 2022. So far it's been great.

[JEEP-N-DIRT]

First, I agree 392 and all JL's are expensive and it's crazy what's happened to the market. 2nd, you state (at the 8:10 mark) that it needs everything on for traction off road and that's it's "horrible offroad". You must have something wrong with your BLD or you're not unlocking sway bar, or ??? The JK started the generation of BLD and it was good then and even better in the JL. My JLUR (as seen on my channel jeepNdirt) on 4.5 inches of lift and 38's almost never has the lockers turned on unless I really get stuck or approach rocks larger than the approach angle of my 38's. 3rd you mentioned it's "too loud" for everyday commute. I tell folks all the time, the JL as compared to previous generations i.e. LJ, TJ, YJ, CJ is far quieter. Yes loud if you're comparing to a full interior vehicle like that mustang or truck, or any other car with ton's of insulation and not convertible, but generally speaking at 85 mph in my soft top JLUR on 38's (as seen on my channel) doesn't prevent me from having a normal conversation with anyone in my jeep. Yes it's not exactly quiet on the inside like riding in a regular car but it's not so bad that I'd tell anyone I wouldn't recommend it for daily driving. In terms of taking it off-road, it's a jeep. It's made to go off-road. Why are people so scared to go off road and use the classic statement " I'm afraid I'll mess something up". Come on enjoy it, enjoy the outdoors, enjoy all these natural resources. You only live once. Lol. As for your question on what you should get. I'd say neither of your two options. If you're going to actually be a jeep guy and actually use it, then get a Sport S with an option package that get's you some of the interior features that come on the Rubicon, strip out drive line and install aftermarket Dana 44 up front and the teraflex CRD 60 in the rear, get the 3.6 V6 with the incredible 8 speed auto and 5.13 gears, lift it 4.5 inches and then throw some 39's with Metalcloak control arms to include the new DB3 rear brackets, Adams drive shafts, LoD Destroyer rear bumper with tire carrier, stubby front bumpers, Steersmart steering components, then go out and enjoy it knowing you still spent less than buying a stock rubicon or even the 392 assuming you do the work yourself. Lol. Good stuff man.

[larrys]

Jeeps are expensive toys. They aren’t practical and they’ve become enormously expensive. Serious off roading requires a significant financial investment. That’s why most Jeeps are never taken off road. I agree with comparing them to Range Rovers. Jeeps have transitioned into status symbols due to their cost.

Modified TJ’s & JK’s make more financial sense for those that want to off road their Jeeps. Jeeps aren’t practical but they’re fun. I’m on my third Jeep. I recently replaced my TJ with a JK. I searched for months to find a one owner, locally owned, low milage JK in showroom condition. A new Jeep would have cost me about $25, 000 more than I paid for the JK I purchased.

Buying a used Jeep requires some knowledge of Jeeps and that definitely requires a through inspection by a qualified mechanic before finalizing the purchase too. Most Jeeps are secondary vehicles that have never been off road, so buying a used Jeep isn’t any more risky than buying any used car. The potential savings is worth buying used, IMO.

[trentslusher]

Luv my 392. I’ve had 3 other jeeps(77 CJ-7, 76 CJ-5 and an 81 CJ-5). If you’ve owned a Jeep in the past you will not complain about anything with the 392, besides price. Honestly a Subaru or AWD crossover would probably be a better fit for most people.

[Mattyew]

11:00 yep all we want is a cherokee XJ, without any changes to it except to make it a little safer and faster. that's it. maybe even an electric version. not sure why jeep can't figure it out.

[topofthegreen]

I love the looks, but the sketchy reliability scares me.

[tomk]

Think of me when you get ready to sell I will take it, love the color

[mikeogden]

I got a wrangler sport hardtop 4door with etorque 6 cylinder

[jeremyshearer]

Well I can’t say for sure people like them much one local car dealer has about 13 used ones for sale on his lot 😮