L.W.(ßill) Hughes III wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@cox.net:
My 2000 Wrangler 4-banger is box-stock, as delivered from the dealer, delivers 14-15mpg, and *will not* do more than 70 mph. The only thing I've done since new (now 45K) is oil changes, lube, and filters. Well, that and the following repairs (all under warranty, thank God):
- New transmission
- New alternator
- New power steering pump (twice)
- New cat and exhaust manifold
- New computer
- New SKM and keys
After owning a TJ, a YJ, and two CJ's over the last 20 years, experience has taught me to *never* drive a Jeep farther into the back-country than I'm willing to walk in an afternoon (and *always* sell it before the powertrain warranty runs out). Our most recent adventure involved getting stuck in Big Bend country for 10 hours (until the Border Patrol found us) because the %&@^#%$ "computer" decided we had tried to start the thing with the "wrong key" and kept firing the ASD circuit. I'd like to rip the whole SKM subsystem out, prefering that the Jeep be stolen rather than leave us stranded in the boonies when the "security" system fails again (our Wrangler divides it's time between fence running on our ranch, being towed behind our motorhome, and exploring fire roads, trails, and the deserts of the Southwest; it spends almost zero time on paved roads, other than when it's being towed).
Jeep's are a blast, but mechanically they're crap. Of course, I could say the same thing about my Harley.
On the other side of the spectrum, I've owned two Toyota FJ40s (a '74 and a '79) and never experienced a single problem of any kind with either of them. Wish you could still buy one here in the States. Preferably a diesel.
Bill