what do you drive in the winter

Cunnos

Sounds like your brother is a Jeepster, as am I. The SRT-8 is a beast, and I absolutely miss the utility aspect of the Wrangler. You never have to worry about getting stuck or not having enough space. Very dependable especially where I live. I think i might go back and get me an old 97 TJ. I miss the old engines where the torque was there whenever you needed it. Being a new Z owner, i didnt realize how much care the car needed, thats why the Jeep is most likely a good option for me. I can throw crap in the trunk, roof, drive through mud, park anywhere and never worry about it

TheWeatherman

Excellent choice. That should allow you to save up some cash as well for when the Pentastar V6 Jeeps drop. You will probably find yourself driving the Z most of the year. The '97 would make good sense with the 4.0L I6. Make sure you keep a battery tender on the Jeep for when you need it badly. Also, you will find the Z as a "not so useful" utility machine, but 75% of your day-to-day things, the Z should do alright. Just think of if you have to move and need a trailer. There's your Jeep. You need to do a little landscaping? There's your Jeep. Picking up some new furniture? Jeep. Snow? JEEP!

All other times.... Z. I was trying to see if yours had the sport package. Watch out with these Potenzas when the weather gets below 50°. They get a little slippery even on dry roads. That compound on the tire works best when it's warmer. You still can cruise around when it's -20°. Just watch out with those tires. Always keep a battery charger around your garage with the Z in the winter just in case. The battery seems a little weak, though I haven't had a problem with mine. It just sounds worse than my other cars have starting in the winter.

Sidenote: My brother is a total Jeepster. He always has been. The new goal for him is going to be the 2012, redesigned SRT8. It's been caught out testing, so it looks like a go. 6.4L Hemi with 480+ HP and AWD? DROOL. Within this past year, he's made me become a Dodge/Jeep fan with all of the new products they are rolling out. Do some research on that Pentastar. It's quite interesting. That is going to be Chrysler/Fiat's world engine. When they put Multi-Air on it, it's going to be really powerful. THEN, they're going to start putting turbos on it as well. The twin-turbo 3.6 is estimated to have well over 500HP with Multi-Air. It will be one of the engines in the Maseratis. Wow.

Cunnos

yea the ole 4.0 I6 was the best, thing lasted no matter what i dragged it through, mud, water, snow, sand, there is a lot to be said for that engine. It just seems like the Jeep is the perfect compliment for a Z owner, you have one car that is high maintenance and another that you dont have to worry about.

I have the 40th so I think i have everything that the sport has, the only thing my car doesnt have is a Nav. When i store it in a few months im taking the battery out and putting it in my condo so it doesnt die. I also will be putting it up on a lift and increasing the PSI on the tires so they do not get ruined. On a side note, the Potenza tires are not the most reliable in wet conditions, noticed this a few times this year when takes corners on side roads, thank GOD for vdc.

I cannot wait to see what Chrysler puts out on the new Jeep models. I just read the entire article on allpar and it looks like the engines and models are getting many iimprovements that arebadly needed for the Jeep line. Time to start saving! PS---how do you like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. personally i think the exterior looks like they are moving towards the "minivan 4x4" look like the Lexus and Nissan Murano which i dont like to much, but everything else looks great on the car, especially the interior

TheWeatherman

Cunnos, if this is your first time having two vehicles for different parts of the year, here's my opinion. Make the two quite different from eachother. In my experience, you will really enjoy the differences between the two cars, and appreciate each for its' strengths and weaknesses. The process is quite fun. As far as your thoughts on a WRX... naw. You're trying to keep the sport around, and from my previous statement, for some people, ESPECIALLY those who really like Jeeps, it would get boring to you. I'd think you'd get into your heavily used WRX and say, "Aw, this thing. Okay. It will get me where I need to go." You get into your ol' I6 TJ and say, "Yeah! Let's go bust some drifts! I can't do this in my other car! Let me throw it in 4WD." That's fun. THEN, in the summer, you have the option of also cruising around with your top and doors off while being able to get all of your other jobs done. How fun is that? I really like the way you're thinking, and keep up that mentality. Though some may not agree with me, I think you and I sound like the same type guys. (Older, turbocharged WRXs seem to lose a lot of power as they age. I talked to a guy with one with the bugeye headlamps and he said, "I can't believe how slow my car is getting as it gets older." I don't know what it is, but that's my only fear with turbocharged cars. Things wear out a little more quickly. I could be wrong, but that's what he said.)

Sidenote: As far as the new Grand Cherokee, if they made the styling too wild, it wouldn't appeal to as many people. This previous gen WK Grand, I thought, was the most agressive GC to date. I really think the new Grand is much "classier" and I believe that's what they're going for with this. It's supposed to be their flagship, and with all of the great quality materials, looks like they hit it. Personally, I think it still looks agressive. It seems just a little weak with the taillights. The rest of it... I like. I think you and I might change our tune when they drop the SRT8. Like any car, you make a few minor tweaks and it can make all the difference. Have you read the reviews on the 2011? I have yet to find anything bad said about the truck. Supposed to be a really nice machine... Except for the stupid five-speed tranny, which works fine, but I just believe needs more gears. Five is so, middle-2000's.

Cunnos

Yea I agree man, we are on the same page, having two completely different cars is the way to do it. Thats it, my decision is final----97 Jeep wrangler it is! Thanks for the help, i needed that guidance in such indecisive times! I already found one on cars.com, just like my old one!

I also agree with your thoughts on the Grand Cherokee, i dont think anything will top the SRT-8, ( i guess we'll wait and see), that thing just looks ferocious in terms of styling, its great. I think i will have to take another closer look at the new ones and make another assessment.

PS-should i post a few pics of the previous Jeeps, or do u think everyone here will cop a fit??

TheWeatherman

To make it pertinent, I have an idea. You can put, "Well, this is somewhat like the Jeep I have decided to drive in the snow." Picture post! Everyone else has posted pics of what they're driving. You're the thread starter, and I'd love to see, "the car you'd drive for the winter."

Problem averted. AK, it's still on-topic!

gufazi

I plan to drive my Z this winter but I have a question. I know you shouldn't use the stock summer tires on the snow obviously. But what is the lowest temperature you can safely cruise in. What is the so-called "glass transition" temp for the Bridgestone Potenzas?

Cunnos

If i was going to pick a Jeep to buy for my winter car, i would have to choose between these two ( aka my previous Jeeps)

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