Jeep Product Makes Jalopnik's 10 Worst Cars of the Decade List

[Root Moose]

I thought this was amusing:

http://jalopnik.com/5425680//gallery/2

 

[Jeep]

I strongly agree. I have owned too many Jeeps to count, CJ, YJ, TJ, XJ. But the Compass? Seriously should have had a Chrysler badge on it.

 

[mudbutt]

...........Best Quality: The lack of a "Trail Rated" badge on the front fenders. Honesty is good.

:bike_rider:

 

[RedDog]

Not a bad list, although the SmartCar is a pretty good urban tool. We've had them in Canada for years and there are scores of them around.

I'm glad they specified later model Ford Focus'. The early ones were outstanding Euro-Like cars (which is what they were initially). I had a 2000 SE for five years I went from a VW GTI to and it was like simply switching to a Jetta. The car was on Car and Driver's 10 Best list five straight years. Ford killed it when they pimped it into a small Taurus and killed it's Euro appeal.

 

[Black Dog]

The compass was kind of a fluke. I've always thought jeep should make a small car like a Subaru Impreza or Outback. Can you imagine a jeep car with a inline 6 and a turbo driving rally races with WRX's? That would be simply awesome.

 

[RedRocker]

Keep imagining the inline 6, that's the only way you'll have one in a new Jeep.

 

[Root Moose]

Yeah, smart cars make a lot of sense in dense urban centres like you get in Europe/Asia.

In Canada (assuming same for U.S.), not so much.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

My opinion it is just the design and the chintzy parts like the pressed sheetmetal links that do it. At the end of the day my belief is the Jeep, with its odd vertical dash, and the general style design and particularly the feel of the suspension on all models, and particularly the design/quirks/suspension of unibody models, are just as quirky as some of the weirdest stuff from Europe, it just feels normal to us because we're used to them. Kudos to Jalopnik for making the call. I've also worked on more Jeeps that I can put my fingers on, everything from clutch and transmission replacements to standard coil and leaf spring lifts. In the Chrysler era they have just been awful. It's also why I don't drive a mid 90's era Dodge despite my respect for Cummins, they are just too "Chrysler." The beefed up versions recently have been nice but it is unbelieveable what they produced and would consider reasonable. Slip yoke transfer cases, Dana 30, etc etc etc etc.

Now I know these statements will piss a couple people off.. Sorry, just my $.02... Andre

 

[Root Moose]

Preaching to the choir, André.

Lots of stuff in "modern" Jeeps that are built to a low price.

I will go out on a limb and defend the Dana 30 and 35 though. Within their design limits they are fine. Remember, to most people "wheeling" means driving down a forest road. This is the market that is being catered to in North America.

I looked at XJs and ZJs in 1993 when I first got into 4x4s. These would be new examples that were on the lot (obviously for the ZJ). the ZJ was so "Chrysler" I couldn't stand it. The plastic on the steering wheel was nasty. I remember that explicitly.

The XJ was less so but the dash was styled like something from 1973, not 1993.

I took a pass on both. Spent 10 years playing with Suzuki trucks (of all things - got plastic?) and then got into an XJ in 2003. The `01 XJ that I bought was still Chrysler plasticky but I was able to see beyond that with the help of seeing them perform in the bush and being aware of what was available in the aftermarket.

Jeeps are built to a price. For those that care about that specific part though the aftermarket more than makes up for it. For sake of comparison, in 2001 what would a Prado cost compared to an XJ? Twice as much? Only a third as much if you take away punitive import tariffs? It effectively works out even in the end.

Besides, Compass/Patriot is a completely different kettle of fish compared to the other Jeep vehicles.

 

[SWbySWesty]

Drives Like: Remember that Oprah episode where she gave away a bunch of Pontiac G6s? Remember how depressed you felt when you heard about it? Think about that feeling, then eat an entire container of pistachio Häagen-Dazs while watching the Mandy Moore flick A Walk To Remember. You have now driven a Jeep Compass.

hilarious!!!

 

[FreeManDan]

"Remember that Oprah episode where she gave away a bunch of Pontiac G6s? Remember how depressed you felt when you heard about it? Think about that feeling, then eat an entire container of pistachio Häagen-Dazs while watching the Mandy Moore flick A Walk To Remember. You have now driven a Jeep Compass."

The laughter is forcing my eyes to secrete so many tears I can't see the computer screen!
:sombrero:

 

[alosix]

The compass was kind of a fluke. I've always thought jeep should make a small car like a Subaru Impreza or Outback. Can you imagine a jeep car with a inline 6 and a turbo driving rally races with WRX's? That would be simply awesome.

well

Back when AMC and Jeep were one. Had the inline 6 I believe


But whoever thought of the Compass idea really needs a slow fiery death.

 

[alosix]

If you haven't read the whole thing click the other cars. All of them are real funny.

jason

 

[007]

well

Back when AMC and Jeep were one. Had the inline 6 I believe


But whoever thought of the Compass idea really needs a slow fiery death.

Without a doubt, that was the finest Jeep offering ever.

Partially fossilized women void of any mechanical knowledge are still driving every eagle car that was ever made. Its an automotive miracle really.

 

[Christian P.]

Funny I just saw a Compass the other day and I was thinking "this has to be one of the ugliest vehicle never produced".

I can't even comprehend what the designers/engineers were thinking.