Jeep it is!

Note:  The video above is the vehicle I bought.  I apologize for the watermark that is shown in part of the video, but I did not want to buy a program just to capture one video and the link to the video would eventually go away since the dealership no longer has this Jeep.  I will get some pics and maybe a video when I have time, but this is the only media of the Jeep I have right now.

The Criteria

Two days ago, I wrote about how I was contemplating moving from BMWs (I have had about 5 of them) back to Jeep.  Well, it is official, I am now the proud "owner" of a Black 2017 Unlimited Sahara.  I talked about the specs I was looking for in my last post, but here they are again:

1.  Uconnect - I have to have Bluetooth audio streaming.  This isn't even negotiable.  I have grown so used to it that it would feel like going back to the stone ages to have to plug in my phone every time I get in the vehicle.  

2.  Automatic - Another must have feature.  I will mainly be using this in town, so I don't want to deal with a manual.  Heresy, I am I sure, but it is what it is.  Apparently, I am not the only one that likes automatics, since they are much more popular than manuals on our local lots.

3.  Heated seats - I would love to have this in any new vehicle.  I could probably live without it, if I had to, but it would be a major bonus to have it.  I have back issues, so having heated seats is a godsend, especially for long trips where it can get tight.

4.  Navigation - I would love the bigger touch screen for everything, so I it would be a very nice feature to suit my "techy" needs.  It isn't available in the Sport, so that will put me in the more expensive Sahara or Rubicon.  I am leaning toward the Sahara since I don't anticipate needing the superior off-road capabilities of the Rubicon.

5.  I also want a "normal" color...nothing purple or lime colored.

What did I have to leave off the Jeep?

I am happy to say that I found a Jeep that fit all the criteria above.  The heated seats were hard to find at the price point that I set (max price of ~$40,000).  There were two vehicles in Memphis, over several lots, that fit that price when I took off to look for cars yesterday.  They were both on the same lot, so I drove out to take a look at them.  Unfortunately, the less expensive of the two options was already gone, so that left me one vehicle that fit all of my criteria.  

Why were heated seats such an important criteria?

Well, heated seats weren't the most important thing on the list, but it was the main differentiator, since so few vehicle in my price range had them.  

The reason I wanted heated seats is two-fold.  The first is that they are a godsend when you have the top off in cold weather.  The second reason is that I have a "bad back".   Putting heat on it during long trips or even on mornings when it feels tight, is really nice to have.  Also, having heated seats gets you warmer when your Jeep has been sitting out the cold for a long time.

Navigation

While navigation wasn't a must have, it is very nice to have for trips out of town, since it doesn't tie up your phone for hours.  I also wanted the larger 6.5 inch touchscreen, that makes everything easier to use.  While it isn't state of the art, it gets the main job of sending Bluetooth audio from my iPhone to the Jeep.  It also has voice control, so I was able to make a phone call by touching one button and telling it to call "home", which was already in my phone's contacts.  

The unit has some other features like a year of SiriusXM, a 40GB hard drive, the ability to play CDs, and something called Sirius XM Travel Link (5 years).

Hard Top or Soft Top

To be honest, if the vehicle was available with a soft top, I probably would have gone that route.  It is just really nice to be able to drop the top without needing a hoist or help and since you have it with you when the top is down, unlike the hard top, you can just put it back up if is starts to storm.

The upside to the hard top is that it is much more secure.  Anyone can break into the soft top just by unzipping a window.  The other great thing about the hard top is less road noise, which can be substantial on highways.   Also, the back window has defrost and a washer/wiper, which gives you a better view most of the time.

As I indicated, my Jeep has the hard top, so I may put a hoist in the garage to be able to store it when I want to go " full convertible".   I can just get a Bimini top to put on it or have available for keeping out rain in the front of the Jeep if a storm creeps up on us while we are out and about without the top on.

Lights and other stuff

While LED lights weren't on my list, after doing some research, I found a lot of comments about how they were a lot better than the standard lights.   Luckily, my Jeep had those in its stock configuration.  Other nice features like deep tinted windows, tubular side steps, tow hooks on front and one on back,  18 inch wheels, power windows, hill start assist, track lock differential rear axle, and other nice Saraha only features (like painted fenders and "Sahara" stitched into the seats).  

I did not get the Alpine stereo, but I have heard that the subwoofer can take up a lot of space in back, so I am going to see if the stock 8 speaker stereo does the job before looking for an aftermarket solution.  This Jeep also has a 3.21 axle ratio, which is its main shortfall, but I don't plan to do a lot of "serious" off-roading, so I can probably live with that trade off.  The dealership I bought the Jeep from usually sells Jeeps that are have at least 3.73, but they got this Jeep in a swap with another dealer.  This Saraha is "trail rated", so I think I can live with the stock configuration here, too.

Too Tall 

As I mentioned before, I was worried about fitting my 6'5 frame in the Jeep.  I fit okay, but I would probably be happier if I could put the seat back another inch or two.  I asked the dealer if they could move the seats back and they said it would have to be done aftermarket because of litigation issues.  Luckily, I have a store nearby that sells the equipment to do this, so I will probably see what they charge to install it.   I may also look at their hard top hoist systems.  

The Wrap Up

While moving from BMW to Jeep is probably not that common, I was just at a place in my life where I want to have the flexibility that comes with an SUV sized vehicle.  It is better for trips (with the exception of the gas milage) and for a home owner than a small sports car.  It is hard to consider the Jeep a practical vehicle, but it fits the bill for "fun" and "flexible" in a way that I could not find in another vehicle.  Yes, paying nearly $40,000 for a Jeep Wrangler seems a bit ridiculous, but all of the add-on features start adding up and those features will make the transition from BMW to Jeep easier for me to adjust to.   

Trust me, I am not saying Jeep Wrangler is for everyone.  However, I am looking forward to pulling out those "t-tops" and cruising in the mountains or along 30A.  Also, the fact that I can haul more than one bag of mulch at a time means that I will have a nicer landscape this summer, as well.