So my company car is now a Jeep Sahara: My thoughts on an FMTV vs a Jeep of today and yesterday

[Ronmar]

Yea all my vehicles are 25 years old and still going strong

 

[hike]

I believe most folks do not and never will have this type of horrible experience.

Since 2006 we have had:

Ford F250 4x4 210,000 miles, replaced some electronic ignition parts and regular maintenance;, sold
Ford Fusion 90,000 miles maintenance, good fuel mileage, but piece of crap, sold;
Jeep Cherokee 105,000 miles regular maintenance, daughter wrecked, fixed, sold;
Jeep JK Wrangler 140,000 miles, replaced O2 and EGR sensors, regular maintenance, still have;
Jeep Grand Cherokee 120,000 miles, regular maintenance, still have;
Jeep JL Wrangler, 50,000 miles, regular maintenance, still have
Stewart and Stevenson M1078A1, 27,000 miles, Most rubber hoses replaced, much electrical replaced, CTIS controller and seals replaced, axle seals replaced, HEUI pump replaced, dual alternator replaced, seats replaced, regular maintenance, still have.

Most folks would say, why do you have the M1078—

 

[Reworked LMTV]

A CJ on 38's with a 408 that doesn't "hunt and dart all over the place like a dog chasing a rabbit..." is an oxymoron. The folks I have met over the years that value these types of units have a completely different agenda and view of enjoying the outdoors I don't understand.

I do agree most Jeeps today are little more than mall crawlers for wanna be's; drivers not badges make the vehicle; and AMC's best vehicle was the Jeep.

Though today's Jeeps are more capable, comfortable, and safer than the CJ's, LR Series I,II, III, and Toy FJ40's we all miss. Yes, replacing steel dashes with plastic is a significant downgrade in Jeeps, Landcruisers and Land Rovers. Suggesting acceleration with 275 hp turbo'd I-4 in a Jeep Wrangler with an automatic 8 speed is lack luster when compared to an LMTV with 275 hp (even the 330hp tune) 7 speed is akin to saying the earth is flat. The Jeep transmission control is much easier to use than reaching forward to the pad, though neither the Jeep, nor the LMTV need to be told when to shift. Perhaps your motorpool Sahara is not much better maintained than the Audi?

We enjoy our LMTV as much as we have all our off road vehicles and use each tool best suited for the job at hand; sometimes the LMTV, sometimes the JLUR—

True, BUT I expect the hunt and dart with clearly oversized tires, NOT on street tires. If you drive a new Jeep, you can only hope the World will be flat.

I fixed my neighbor's Jeep Liberty. Blue Devil treatment to Craiglist. Sold in 15 minutes, to some other sucker....

Some people, like GeneralDysfunction, picked up on what I was really trying to say. Auto manufactures have completely tipped their hat to greed, planned obsolescence, and forcing people to pay ridiculously high prices for these POS's. Then they say people "want" to pay another $65k every 100k for a new vehicle. This is absolute BS. Most cannot afford this strategy. We need a new car mantra and car company. Until the mantra of Greed changes, I'll drive "Old". True, they may make fun of my old outdated truck, but they will be doing it from the side of the road with their hood up.

 

[Ronmar]

and in some cases rental fees to unlock all the features

 

[Reworked LMTV]

and in some cases rental fees to unlock all the features

Kind of like marriage...

 

[flyfishtrailer]

I don't really think the badge means anything if the Jeep Compass wears it...

The trail rating is only achieved if the vehicle has conquered the Rubicon trail. That trail has been Jeeps proving grounds for off road vehicles for many years. Most of the factory pre-production models take a beating, but if they survive the trip, they achieve a trail rated badging.

 

[hike]

The trail rating is only achieved if the vehicle has conquered the Rubicon trail. That trail has been Jeeps proving grounds for off road vehicles for many years. Most of the factory pre-production models take a beating, but if they survive the trip, they achieve a trail rated badging.

Likely sent to deaf ears, though I appreciate it—

 

[98G]

The trail rating is only achieved if the vehicle has conquered the Rubicon trail. That trail has been Jeeps proving grounds for off road vehicles for many years. Most of the factory pre-production models take a beating, but if they survive the trip, they achieve a trail rated badging.

You see the pic of the compass wearing it. Do you believe that's a capable off road vehicle?

 

[98G]

Likely sent to deaf ears, though I appreciate it—

Me, deaf ears? Only literally. I'll change my mind on any topic, in any direction, given more and better data...

The Jeep compass is a seriously capable offroad vehicle?

 

[hike]

Me, deaf ears? Only literally. I'll change my mind on any topic, in any direction, given more and better data...

The Jeep compass is a seriously capable offroad vehicle?

Your deaf ears? I don't know. Momma always said, "If the shoe fits, wear it."

Jeep's marketing about trail rated vehicles includes the Compass.

TESTED FOR THE TRAILS
Trail Rated® testing begins in the state-of-the-art facilities at FCA US LLC headquarters before heading out to some of the most challenging terrain on earth. Jeep® Brand Trail Rated 4x4 vehicles don’t just endure the hostile cold of Northern Michigan and the unforgivable boulders of the Rubicon. They overcome. Treacherous trails and weather conditions only serve to reinforce their remarkable Trail Rated capability.


According to guide books the Rubicon is a difficult trail in the Sierra's near Lake Tahoe. Any vehicle that traversed the Rubicon must be capable offroad. Would a Compass be my choice offroad? No, I don't believe I possess the driving skills one would need to use that platform successfully.