Wrangler - safety

[Anonymous]

Noting the poor IIHS reviews on the 2019-2023 Wranglers, and also noting the massive number of Wranglers I see on the road. I know people probably cannot answer this question with any precision, but what gives? Do others just have a higher risk tolerance than I do? DC wants a Wrangler (and seems that most of the drivers I see on the road in a Wrangler are teens). Seems an easy choice - don't get one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Noting the poor IIHS reviews on the 2019-2023 Wranglers, and also noting the massive number of Wranglers I see on the road. I know people probably cannot answer this question with any precision, but what gives? Do others just have a higher risk tolerance than I do? DC wants a Wrangler (and seems that most of the drivers I see on the road in a Wrangler are teens). Seems an easy choice - don't get one.

I had a wrangler one in my late 20's. And knew/know a few others in their 30's that had one. Safety just wasn't a big decision factor. A wrangler is not a practical choice, its one in which people prioritize fun. A convertible is really fun to own when you don't have 2-3 kids to tote around, and you don't need to worry about cargo space for travel or shopping for that matter. The % of wrangler owners in the DMV that actually join a jeep club and go off-roading is probably less than 2%.

They are not safe vehicles (especially in collisions/high speed accidents) by comparison to most on the road these days, and I would never buy one for my teenager or a college age child. Especially since doing so would no doubt mean they end up being the one driving multiple friends most times. They can also be expensive to maintain - and are not known for having above average quality. Bottom line, people that buy their kids wranglers either don't understand the risk or don't care enough to say no to their children. It's OK to safe this is not an appropriate car for a child, just as it wouldn't be to give your kid a corvette.

[Anonymous]

There's a decent chance that they are safer than our 2005 Toyota that my kid drives. But, what can I say, we're cheap.

I'm going with the obvious: Wranglers look a lot cooler than a Camry and are probably a lot more fun.

[Anonymous]

I had a Wrangler after college. Back then Jeeps were a little more primitive- no AC, no auto transmission, no power windows, and they didn’t cost too much.

I have noticed Jeep pricing is pretty high. Especially considering they are rated about as poor as can be with regard to reliability. To OP’s concern, they also aren’t safe. Jeeps do poor in collision tests, handle poorly and are more prone to rollovers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a Wrangler after college. Back then Jeeps were a little more primitive- no AC, no auto transmission, no power windows, and they didn’t cost too much.

I have noticed Jeep pricing is pretty high. Especially considering they are rated about as poor as can be with regard to reliability. To OP’s concern, they also aren’t safe. Jeeps do poor in collision tests, handle poorly and are more prone to rollovers.

Just so you know -- they are safer than most cars people grew up with.

[Anonymous]

I've driven wranglers for almost 30 years and comfortably passed one down to my daughter (and will be getting one for her little sister soon). They are plenty safe if you drive them properly. If they scare you, don't drive one and don't give them to your teen. They are not terribly practical or comfortable but they can go places and do things that your Volvo can't. Plus, there is nothing better than taking the doors and top off and enjoying a warm, sunny day driving on the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a Wrangler after college. Back then Jeeps were a little more primitive- no AC, no auto transmission, no power windows, and they didn’t cost too much.

I have noticed Jeep pricing is pretty high. Especially considering they are rated about as poor as can be with regard to reliability. To OP’s concern, they also aren’t safe. Jeeps do poor in collision tests, handle poorly and are more prone to rollovers.

Take care of them and they are plenty reliable. Have never had a serious issue with any of the several wranglers I've owned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've driven wranglers for almost 30 years and comfortably passed one down to my daughter (and will be getting one for her little sister soon). They are plenty safe if you drive them properly. If they scare you, don't drive one and don't give them to your teen. They are not terribly practical or comfortable but they can go places and do things that your Volvo can't. Plus, there is nothing better than taking the doors and top off and enjoying a warm, sunny day driving on the beach.

OP here. It’s not that I’m worried about her driving it safely. I’m worried about somebody else driving in safely and hitting her. And flipping the wrangler. Or the airbag not deploying. Or the passenger hitting the roof. All the things the IIHS notes.

[Anonymous]

We only drive ours around town or in our beach town. Teens do not drive them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven wranglers for almost 30 years and comfortably passed one down to my daughter (and will be getting one for her little sister soon). They are plenty safe if you drive them properly. If they scare you, don't drive one and don't give them to your teen. They are not terribly practical or comfortable but they can go places and do things that your Volvo can't. Plus, there is nothing better than taking the doors and top off and enjoying a warm, sunny day driving on the beach.

OP here. It’s not that I’m worried about her driving it safely. I’m worried about somebody else driving in safely and hitting her. And flipping the wrangler. Or the airbag not deploying. Or the passenger hitting the roof. All the things the IIHS notes.

No roof.

[Anonymous]

they are fine for adults who understand the risk and have many years of experience driving in a variety of situations. the safety tests are done for a reason. when it comes to the lives of my children, good enough is a low bar to use IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've driven wranglers for almost 30 years and comfortably passed one down to my daughter (and will be getting one for her little sister soon). They are plenty safe if you drive them properly. If they scare you, don't drive one and don't give them to your teen. They are not terribly practical or comfortable but they can go places and do things that your Volvo can't. Plus, there is nothing better than taking the doors and top off and enjoying a warm, sunny day driving on the beach.

OP here. It’s not that I’m worried about her driving it safely. I’m worried about somebody else driving in safely and hitting her. And flipping the wrangler. Or the airbag not deploying. Or the passenger hitting the roof. All the things the IIHS notes.

You can say no. Jeeps are no longer cheap options. So you can certainly get something far more practical and safer for the same price. To opt for the jeep would mean you are prioritizing being the 'cool parent' over rationale needs and the safety of your kid and his/her friends. Don't think for a moment your child is the unicorn who will never speed or make bad judgment driving... fun is something 95% of kids don't expect and get from their first/second car, and that's usually for good reason

-Owner of two wranglers over the years, would not buy my kids one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Noting the poor IIHS reviews on the 2019-2023 Wranglers, and also noting the massive number of Wranglers I see on the road. I know people probably cannot answer this question with any precision, but what gives? Do others just have a higher risk tolerance than I do? DC wants a Wrangler (and seems that most of the drivers I see on the road in a Wrangler are teens). Seems an easy choice - don't get one.

Is DC a girl? All the girls want to be pavement princesses with a wrangler

[Anonymous]

Really expensive to fuel and insure

[Anonymous]

I’m shocked over how many wranglers I see in our high school parking lot. When buying a car for DC, the first thing we did was look at the IIHS ratings. He wanted a 4Runner but that only had moderate ratings so it was a “no.”