Buying a Jeep in South Africa?

[LukeHawk]

I'm sort of getting over Sedans, and am thinking (like many others these days) of heading into the higher-car territory. 
The only problem is, I hate 99% of all SUV's I more prefer the rugged look of an off-roader that has daily drive-ability, with a bit of the typical comfort features. 
One car that really grabs me is the Suzuki Jimny. I love this thing, but the trade-offs for a daily driver are just a bit too much, not to mention waiting lists etc.
Another car brand that piques my interest is Jeep. I'm on the fence about the little Renegade, but I've loved the look of the Wrangler since I was a kid.

With a budget of +/- 350k for a car, all I could hope to get in terms of a Wrangler is like a 2015/16 2 door with low-ish mileage.

Does anybody have any experience with owning a Jeep in SA? What are maintenance costs like for an out-of-plan Jeep? I presume all parts would need to be imported, etc, and are probably quite costly. Is it worth it? Or am I wasting my time here.

 

[TurboLlew]

I looked at this sometime last year. I've never owned a Jeep but I do like them and have many many many friends who have had them and enjoyed them. NONE of them had anything good to say about service or support though...

I am sure you know this, but the Renegade is a Fiat 500X tarted up... In my mind it is like buying any other 'wannabe SUV' that will never go offroad. You also have to deal with FCA South Africa which can be... challenging. Like I say, most people (like Alfa) love the cars but then hate the support and attitude. Your mileage will vary with dealers I guess.

The two offroaders that you mention: the Wrangler and Jimny

I love the Wrangler to be honest. Plenty of accessories and upgrades... and remedies to the issues over the years. It isn't too big and it is functional as well. When I think of "jeep" I first think of the original Willys and then the Wrangler. I am not 100% sure on maintenance costs.

I absolutely LOVE the Jimny... and I love that it is a 'real 4x4' that puts many 'bigger/more butch looking' things to shame. If it was my money I wouldn't even think twice. Suzuki has known what they are doing on this one for decades.

On more of the 'car-like' daily driver side consider the Subaru Forester (you will likely still get middle of the road support and service, but it will probably be better than Jeep? - others can chime in)

In that price range used, look at the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Another oddity that is built on a VERY capable platform. The only reason I don't have one is because my wife absolutely HATES it LOL. They are putting on miles and are getting older now though.

Any other 'luxury' Jeep I would rather have the BMW or Mercedes version... if not for anything else but the support and service.

also check out 4x4 community forum for more owner experiences.

 

[LukeHawk]

I looked at this sometime last year. I've never owned a Jeep but I do like them and have many many many friends who have had them and enjoyed them. NONE of them had anything good to say about service or support though...

I am sure you know this, but the Renegade is a Fiat 500X tarted up... In my mind it is like buying any other 'wannabe SUV' that will never go offroad. You also have to deal with FCA South Africa which can be... challenging. Like I say, most people (like Alfa) love the cars but then hate the support and attitude. Your mileage will vary with dealers I guess.

The two offroaders that you mention: the Wrangler and Jimny

I love the Wrangler to be honest. Plenty of accessories and upgrades... and remedies to the issues over the years. It isn't too big and it is functional as well. When I think of "jeep" I first think of the original Willys and then the Wrangler. I am not 100% sure on maintenance costs.

I absolutely LOVE the Jimny... and I love that it is a 'real 4x4' that puts many 'bigger/more butch looking' things to shame. If it was my money I wouldn't even think twice. Suzuki has known what they are doing on this one for decades.

On more of the 'car-like' daily driver side consider the Subaru Forester (you will likely still get middle of the road support and service, but it will probably be better than Jeep? - others can chime in)

In that price range used, look at the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Another oddity that is built on a VERY capable platform. The only reason I don't have one is because my wife absolutely HATES it LOL. They are putting on miles and are getting older now though.

Any other 'luxury' Jeep I would rather have the BMW or Mercedes version... if not for anything else but the support and service.

also check out 4x4 community forum for more owner experiences.

Shot, Llew! I'm with you on this. I'm not sold on the Renegade, being basically a Fiat, and very much a babies first SUV (although.. I guess I'll fit in the bracket). I'd rather just keep what I have now than go for a Renegade.
Agree on the Jimny, absolutely love it. It would make a perfect second car, but alas, I dont have the money atm for a second fun car. The prices for them have gone up, due to limited availability though, and to get one in the exact spec you want is pretty hard, with all the waiting lists, etc. I could hold out and try my best for one though.

I checked out the Subarus, but something about their interior puts me off. That or I'm just being a brand snob. My wife is with yours on the FJ Cruiser, says it looks like a lego brick haha.

Oldish Wrangler, some mods/accessories to modernize it a bit (rear view cam, new infotainment for car play, and some LED headlights) and I'm pretty convinced I'll have a great time. I just wonder about whether or not I'd have to sell a kidney to import parts for it if it breaks. I'll check out the 4x4 communities, thanks!

All this being said, I dont go off-road a huge amount, just some shoddy/gravel roads on occasion, so what the hell am I even looking at a wrangler for.. Who knows? I sure don't. Maybe I should just look at a BMW X1 or something.

 

[Danny2]

My previous boss had a Jeep and taking it to the dealers was not nice.. He got a couple large bills after having some work done on the car.

You can try another place in Centurion, Pretoria called American SUV for work on the Jeep, they very knowledgeable on these cars and they are reasonably priced
https://www.americansuv.co.za/

 

[Maljan]

If you are not going to go off-road, check out the Lexus RX350. They depreciate quite a lot so you can get a good deal. Long term ownership is good, with Toyota reliability. Maintenance can be done with spares available from Autozone, Midas e.a.

For serious off-roading a Prado or Fortuner is the safe choice. Unfortunately prices on these are crazy. Jeep does not have a great reputation for reliability. Neither does Land Rover. The best deal seems to be a Pajero.

Here is a 2016 Pajero Sport 2.5DI-D 4x4 Auto with 66 000km right in your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/mitsubishi/pajero-sport/2.5/25245994

How about a 2018 Pajero Sport 2.4 D4 4x2 with 32 000km for R400k?

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/mitsubishi/pajero-sport/2.4/25414378

 

[MR_Y]

I'm sort of getting over Sedans, and am thinking (like many others these days) of heading into the higher-car territory. 
The only problem is, I hate 99% of all SUV's I more prefer the rugged look of an off-roader that has daily drive-ability, with a bit of the typical comfort features. 
One car that really grabs me is the Suzuki Jimny. I love this thing, but the trade-offs for a daily driver are just a bit too much, not to mention waiting lists etc.
Another car brand that piques my interest is Jeep. I'm on the fence about the little Renegade, but I've loved the look of the Wrangler since I was a kid.

With a budget of +/- 350k for a car, all I could hope to get in terms of a Wrangler is like a 2015/16 2 door with low-ish mileage.

Does anybody have any experience with owning a Jeep in SA? What are maintenance costs like for an out-of-plan Jeep? I presume all parts would need to be imported, etc, and are probably quite costly. Is it worth it? Or am I wasting my time here.

I was in the same boat a few years back.
The more rugged an SUV, the less enjoyable it is to drive on tar.
Besides body lean, the suspension is quite bouncy on smooth roads.
If you plan on using your SUV 50% or more of the time offroad, then go for a rugged one.
If you plan on spending more time on tar, and prefer the elevated drive position with some off road ability when required, then go for a soft roader with AWD.
A great compromise would be a Subaru Forester (not the ashmatic 2.0i, but rather a 2.5i or the rare XT turbo models) - if you want some off road looks, but a comfy ride.

 

[Schalk94]

Jeep has the terrible support in SA and waiting periods on parts is extremely long. The Wrangler is absolutely terrible on the road IMO and really hunts around a lot,it really doesn't even feel stable at 120kph,so unless you go proper offroading a lot,it would probably not be the best choice.

The FJ would be my "pick of the bunch"' between the more unconventionally styled SUVs if you could live with the fuel bill.

I would also have a look at the 3.2 SWB Pajero. They are quite decent on the road and perform very well off-road due to the Superselect system and have proven to be as reliable as they come.

 

[billionairebum]

Pajero GLX LWB 3.2. Extremely solid vehicle. They really do maintain their value very well. https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/

 

[Schalk94]

Pajero GLX LWB 3.2. Extremely solid vehicle. They really do maintain their value very well. https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/

Brilliant cars :withStu:

 

[LukeHawk]

Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback and pm's.

From what you guys said, I'll be staying away from Jeep for sure. As for my next choice, I still need to do some research.
The Pajero's are nice, but maybe a bit big. Another car on the bigger side, that I've had recommendations for is a used Fortuner, as they're apparently bulletproof.

I have to be realistic that whatever car I get will be seeing tar roads 80%+ of the time, so I should probably put comfort/convenience above all else. What are your thoughts on the new (2019+) Rav 4's? I didnt really like the old one, but the new one looks nice. I could only realistically afford the base model GX one, so maybe that's a dealbreaker.

 

[Maljan]

A family member drives a RAV4. Not sure which one but it is FWD - does that make it a RAV2? She is very happy with it. All in all, a good choice. Don't worry about the base model thing. Who needs integration with iPhones in cars? Modern cars are quite luxurious. The only thing lacking that is worthwhile is leather seats and even that is debatable.

BTW, the price difference between base and top of line can be extreme. Quite out of proportion with the extra goodies on offer. Profit motive?

 

[MR_Y]

I drove the old RAV4 - the 2.0i motor and that CVT is bad - struggles to overtake at altitude.
I expect the new one, which has same 2.0 motor I think, to be as bad.
Mazda CX5 2.2DE in Active or Akera spec (even the old shape) would be much better to drive.
Tiguans are also good, but used prices remain high.

If you are willing to live with a slightly harsh ride, the current Navara 2.3TD 4x2 DC is pretty good value on the used car market.
Even though the ride is a bit harsh, it is one of the better riding bakkies due to the coil suspension (which it shares with the X-Class).
A Navara 4x2 Auto base model with leather seats and an Armadillo load cover would be a good value buy - if buying used.

 

[NtandoN]

For a Jimny review check this guy's youtube channel (below). He does use it offroad a lot. Apparently, not that good on-road, it lacks power, lacks space, small petrol tank and might be very uncomfortable coming from a luxury sedan.

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The Fortuner is a tried and tested SUV. It's got all-round on and off-road capabilities. You might be able to get the 2.4 diesel around your budget.

If you're considering a Rav4, I raise you the X3. I think you'll get a better package with the X3 (F25). That's what I would consider.

 

[Maljan]

On the subject of the Navara - the Nissan VQ-Series V6 petrol engines has a water pump that is driven by the timing chain. It is nestled in the engine block. Quite a job to replace and a potential disaster if it is not done in time. How much this affects Navara owners I do not know.

I have been thinking about a 350Z but this might be one of the reasons they are so cheap.