Because I have to go to the grocery store occasionally and it wouldn't fit in my garage and a thousand other practical reasons-
Ah, so you don't necessarily want the one that does best at rock crawling. You want a compromise as the rest of us, as we are not focused on rock crawling as the definition of "off road". You also admit that you want a car to do more than being simply focused on rock crawling. You know, compromise.
I've never said I want a specialized rock-crawler- I actually really don't care for rock crawling.
Yet you won't stop talking about how solid axles are good for rock crawling and since independent suspension doesn't have as much, it can't be good or even better "off road".
The idea that a Wrangler is only good for rock crawling is one of the more superficial myths about Jeeps- can't say it enough to people who don't get it I guess- articulation, lockers, incredibly useful in a vast number of off-road situations.
Yes, they are quite useful in other situations, as long as you don't lift them to get more articulation and bigger wheels all in an effort to do rock crawling better.
But in every one of those "other offf-road situations", a modern vehicle with traction control, independent suspension and whatnot will be better at anything more than crawling speeds.
I didn't say a wrangler was only good for rock crawling. I said that if you want something where you can get extreme articulation and weld shut the differential et al, you would be better of with a Wrangler because it is much simpler car to get those things.
Granted they really shine on the rocks, but that certainly doesn't limit their advantage in other off-road situations where the terrain is uneven and rugged.
I never said they "shine on the rocks". I said that if you want something dedicated to rock crawling with extreme articulation, a car like a Wrangler is the thing. Not because it is a good car, or because it shines, but because it is easier and cheap to modify for that kind of thing.
Apart from the cheaper price, it will never be as good as modern 4x4 with tc and independent suspension on any off road above crawling speeds.
I also think something people are missing is the fun of the vehicle- taking the roof and doors off are a special experience- again, I like the slightly rougher ride- to me it's more true- it's more mechanical- no that doesn't mean I want to take that to an extreme and drive a tractor to work, but it does mean I like a more visceral experience when driving- I don't want to be numb to my surroundings- not the reason I get out into nature.
Yes, doors that aren't there is certainly more out in the open, it also means more flex, more draught, and less comfort. As I said, a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle for you.
Me, I prefer doors, I prefer to be safer, I prefer to be more comfortable, and I prefer the better ride (i.e. actually have the wheels on the ground when going faster than crawling pace under any surface where more speed than crawling pace is possible. With a stiffer chassis, that is what you'll get.
If I want to feel nature I either ride my scooter (not a motorbike as I have a prosthetic leg on the shifter side), or I ride one of my bicycles.
Taking the doors and roof off and on sounds romantic, but only for short outings. Where do you leave it if travelling? It sounds like something you'd do for a sunday drive or to go rock crawling.
I don't want to take doors and roof on and off, and I certainly don't want to roll over in something without doors or roof. Not without a least a full roll-cage. But at that stage, we're back to über specialised vehicles and a lot more faff than I want to deal with on a daily basis. And being able to take it off certainly does nothing good for its capabilities off road. It means the chassis can't be made as safe and precise as it could be. But rock crawling, now there's a place where chassis flex is good thing. But only at super low speeds.
