Our very first Jeep was an early 90’s Isuzu Trooper. My dad enjoyed it so much that he bought two other Jeeps, both Wranglers. One was from the early 2000’s and one was from 2013. I’ve got good memories of all of those vehicles, from a cross-country trip from South Carolina to California, or listening to 60’s rock with my dad on the way to school, or off-roading in Colorado (Gold Camp Road is gorgeous in the fall with all the yellow-leaved aspens). If I am ever in a position to do so, I’d probably consider getting a Jeep over any other vehicle, partially because of the memories, but partially because of how incredibly versatile they are. We’ve driven through flood conditions, snowstorms, mud, and hail in Jeeps and there honestly isn’t a more fun choice for a family who enjoys camping, hiking, biking, etc.
There are, however, some important aspects to consider when purchasing a Jeep. If you live in an area with plenty of inclement weather, you probably don’t want to purchase a Jeep without a hard cover. The soft covers are fun when it’s breezy and sunny, but not as much fun with hail or a thunderstorm. If you’re in a temperate climate on flat land, the soft top is probably the best option. Going off-road with a hard top is safer, but it’s more annoying to take the hard top off when you want a convertible. That has probably been our biggest debate (we’ve had both) with purchasing another Jeep down the road, so it’s probably best to try both out, and see which one fits your lifestyle (and environment) better. The other thing is that when you don’t have a top of the line Jeep, the ride can get a little rough, especially while off-roading. One of my brothers prefers sitting in the front because the back can cause motion sickness due to all the rocking. Depending on the make and model of the Jeep, storage can be an issue as well. Our 2013 Jeep Wrangler has very little space to put our camping equipment into, even though we can fit four people.
All that being said, if you’re ok with roughing it a bit and want a vehicle that can withstand dirt, rock, mud, snow, sleet, hail, rain, and whatever else nature has to throw at it, the Jeep is a fun option. I’m curious to see how the Jeep evolves, especially with its use in action and adventure films like the Jurassic Park franchise. We may see more technological advances in the near future, as well as custom Jeeps that cater to the individual owner’s needs.
If it’s ever an option for you, rent a Jeep for a weekend while you’re on vacation and test it out. It’s quite likely that you’ll want to turn that Jeep toward the sunset and head off on an adventure. You may, in fact, never want any other kind of vehicle ever again.
