[dawhitesTH]

since my 2012 wrangler holds its value so much, the fact that i have a 4dr and everyone hates riding in the backseat, and most importantly...the fact that the jeep see's more paved roads than offroad. Last, it was raining last week and i purchased a big birthday gift for a relative. It wouldn't fit through the doors, and the rear tailgate without me removing the rear window. After being soaked, that was it!! I'm gonna miss my JK but i'm already falling for the trailhawk.

Purchased 12/09/2013 2014 trailhawk black (reminds me of the iphone 5 due to its monochromatic scheme with the plastics and hood...also love the way it sparkles in the sun)
3.2L, upgraded speakers, panoramic sunroof, nav, and a whole lot of bang for the buck.

here's a tribute to my jk..i left everything on it so the next person will have a great rig.

 

[mr.smith]

You are a big Jeep fan, huh? What draws you to the Jeep brand so much? Did you consider any vehicles from other brands?

 

[dawhitesTH]

i grew up an import tuner back when i got my license in 97. My last import was this...
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/turbocharging/200132-dawhitesfg2-turbo-builds.html

i always loved the wrangler but it was underpowered. then the 2012's came out with the new pentastar then i was sold. I started getting into offroading after meeting people at wranglerforum. thats when i started to become a fan of jeep.

I just needed more convenience which to me is greater than the wranglers capabilities.

i've always been a 49er fan, but this year i'm more of a Chiefs fan. Change is good.

 

[RallyBud]

That's gotta be bittersweet...but congrats! I had to grow up a bit in the past few years. I went from a Charger SRT8 that I realized I was trying to create an Evo with all the suspension mods I was doing to it...so....I bought an Evo IX. Loved that car but not quite the quintessential 44 year old white male family man car..haha. Traded that in for the Crosstrek...TOO conservative. I think the TH will be a happy medium for me.

 

[JonJones]

Congrats on your purchase! Both vehicles look awesome.

 

[Amberjack]

Congrats, I think you'll be pleased with the Cherokee.

I'm also a Wrangler (2005' Rubi Unlimited, Patriot Blue) to Trailhawk (Brilliant Black) guy.
Loved the Rubi to death but we just needed more 'inside the vehicle' room and yes, comfort, now that I've hit the half-century mark.

1500 miles into my test drive I'm still very happy with it...just wish the gas tank had 10 more gallons!

AJ

 

[Geller_THawk]

I would like to hear your first hand opinion on the difference in driving the two. Did you have a manual Wrangler? I love the Wrangler, but with the convenience and gas mileage of the trailhawk, the Wrangler is hard to justify. - Thanks.

 

[dawhitesTH]

I would like to hear your first hand opinion on the difference in driving the two. Did you have a manual Wrangler? I love the Wrangler, but with the convenience and gas mileage of the trailhawk, the Wrangler is hard to justify. - Thanks.

it was manual. Here's a write up i did when i installed a lift kit which overall improved the quality in every category...compared to stock.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/rubicon-express-2-5-monosteins-review-254067.html

HOWEVER, the trailhawk is more refined. i loved the wrangler soft top since i love going topless but with the panoramic sunroof is just as awe inspiring. I took the doors off my JK once and it took me 30min, and about 30 min to put back on. the wrangler loses all credibility on its convenience factor. Try riding in the back seat (made for offroading but not so much city driving). to me, the trailhawk is a combination of the grand cherokee and the wrangler. it may not live up to wrangler standards offroad, but having experience offroad duties with the JK (moab, rubicon trails, and most socal trails, i believe the trailhawk is more than capable for MY needs. Like Rallybud said...Bittersweet. I'll definitely miss the JK but i fell in love with the TH. Even though i spent a few bucks on mods for the wrangler...in the end money can always be replaced.

try both of em out... in the end it will be based on what you will be using the jeep for.

 

[RexKL14]

Love the JK! On a bright note, from my expierence with offroading the Trailhawk, it is just about as capable as a stock Wrangler. You made a great a choice!!

 

[dawhitesTH]

^thanks. i know i did too. i'm gonna take it to the proving grounds here in socal to test its capabilities and go from there. funny how many people purchase a car and don't use any of its capabilities...like a rubicon.

 

[ib516]

I tried a JK, but it was just so much a "toy". Not practical to me, especially not here where it gets so cold.

Nothing better offroad than a JK (especially a Rubicon), but it just didn't suit my needs.

 

[RexKL14]

^thanks. i know i did too. i'm gonna take it to the proving grounds here in socal to test its capabilities and go from there. funny how many people purchase a car and don't use any of its capabilities...like a rubicon.

You are absolutely right about that! I was at the dealership picking up my plates last night and i was telling them how i already took it in a foot of mud and climbed some rocks and they said exactly what you did! You are going to love how she rides in the trails!

 

[Journeyman]

Congrats on your purchase! You'll have to keep us posted on how it holds up here in SoCal. I can't wait to get out there once my TH comes in.

 

[lambos]

Most new Wranglers I see these days don't ever see a jeep trail. I would not want to bang up my daily driver.
I have 98 Wrangler Sahara and will be keeping it, but ordered a T/H for my daily driver, Costco trips, and more comfortable driving for camping and trail excursions. I don't think I will be doing the Rubicon Trail with it.

 

[dawhitesTH]

I won't push the trailhawk to my previous jk's stomping grounds. It was fun while it lasted but my definition of offroad for the trailhawk is different from the JK. Camping trips, Hikes, and moderate trails. Even though I have RRO rock rails, I don't expect myself to use it for its intended purpose.

 

[trippnk]

I'm so torn right now. Like y'all I'm driving a 2012 JKUR and love it but it has been dirty once since I bought it new because as a single income family man I can't fix it if I break it. Really liking the TH and know it will be a better commuter and weekend family adventurer but not sure how to convince the wife I need to trade in my " had to have it" JK for a new TH, haha

 

[Dollar]

Living in flat southeast Texas, I'm sure most people see my Rubicon on 35's and think "mall crawler". Same goes for our previous WK2 Overland 4x4 and now our Trailhawk. Little do they know. The JK has been to UT and CO twice. The WK2 took us camping on the White Rim in Moab and the Alpine Loop in CO and to the upper trailhead for Mt. Sneffels.


Unfortunately, the Trailhawk will have to wait until next year for the road trip.

 

[dawhitesTH]

@trippnk ... Remember that the jk's hold their value really well. For me, all it took was a test drive at the dealer while I was getting an oil change. Waited several weeks till I found a great deal (huge discount) at a great time (beginning of the month so I save myself 1 month of payment) with all the options I wanted (panoramic)... I then pulled the trigger.

 

[trippnk]

They definitely hold their value plus I got killer deal when I bought it. Paid $32,900 in November of 2011 and KBB shows a trade in between $31-33K. I figure with less than 30k miles and the bigger tires/wheels I should get $32k. Pretty much an even trade for a TH with V6, convenience, and tow. Oh, and as military I don't have to pay taxes or registration! Why haven't I pulled the trigger yet! LOL

 

[BigB]

I traded my 2000 Wrangler with 240K miles on it for my Cherokee. The Wrangler was my daily driver for 10 years. 100 miles round trip to work every day. I have to say, only had the Cherokee for a week but the ride to work is so much more comfortable. The TJ was loud, beat the heck out of you, weak heater (Ohio winters get cold), and no AC. After 10 years of that I was ready to drive something more comfortable. Now as long as the Cherokee gets around in the snow as good as the TJ did I will be a happy person.