New Jeep

I drive a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. My 4th wrangler in the past 45 years, my first was a CJ-5.

Once you get used to the rough ride and the high noise level it is a great ride. Just as comfortable offroad as it is on the road. I have often thought about buying a right hand drive wrangler and shipping it down.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Wrangler-Sport-Utility-2-Door-Right-Hand-Drive-/181949322920?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2a5d0656a8:g:8y8AAOSwv-NWXysW&item=181949322920

I've had several myself:
79' J-10 pick up
81' CJ-7
91' Grand Wagoneer

Looking to buy a new 4 dr. Wrangler Rubicon. Really looking for any feedback on a new vehicle purchase.
Is Caribbean Auto Group the only option on STX?

Once you get used to the rough ride and the high noise level it is a great ride. Just as comfortable offroad as it is on the road.

Isn't it contradictory to deem it "a rough ride" and a "comfortable/great" ride"?

I can honestly say that I've never driven or been a passenger in a more uncomfortable vehicle than a Wrangler. Admittedly my bones are getting pretty old now but even when MUCH younger I felt exactly the same way. There are so many really comfortable SUVs to choose from these days, island driving doesn't entail navigating miles of barely charted treacherous terrain, so why buy a real bone-rattler?

That's why I'm considering the 4 dr. Much better ride than the 2dr. I'd love to go with a Grand Cherokee, but another 10k is out of the question.

Why buy new here when the prices are so high and vehicle becomes depreciated the minute you drive it off the lot?

I have to agree with OT. I owned a CJ5 many years ago and loved it for the off road/incredibly bad road capabilities as was living in St. John and loved going to Lameshure when it was a dirt slope. Today, I'd choose something else. But, hey, if you've got your heart set on spending that much for a new 4 door wrangler, good luck and enjoy.

This is (as usual) getting off track.

This is (as usual) getting off track.

Aw shucks no! Going off track is when a thread starts with someone asking about which schools are best for their children and segues into a discussion on the downfall of education in Outer Siberia. Hope you find the perfect Wrangler and enjoy it! 😀

Stay away from CAM.

My experience is middling with CAM. Until recently I had been much more satisfied with Metro Motors for factory service, but that has gone out the window lately. I have never bought a vehicle from them in any of their current or former lives.

I've been idly car shopping for a work vehicle recently too, and i've been struck by how high the prices are for new-ish used cars on island. I haven't done the math but from the prices I've seen it sure looks like one could nearly break even buying a new car in the states, shipping it to stx, driving it for 3-5 years taking the mileage deduction, then selling it. That's weird to me.

I'd look at a model a year or two old. Maybe buy in the states and ship down.

With the prices of used, and not knowing how that vehicle was driven or maintained, I'd just rather buy new. I find buying new, without all the bells and whistles, usually works out to be not that much more money than most "fairly new /good condition" used vehicles.

Does anyone know, for the local Jeep dealership, approximately how much of a mark up there is, due to shipping / delivery to STX?

Just stay away from CAM.

I drove two wranglers for the company I worked for
In STT - also a Land Rover and my CRV. Just depends on which was actually not broke down that day LOL! 2 and 4dr wranglers. They're really rough but fun to drive. Kinda feel like you're off reading all the time - ESPECIALLY on STT roads. lol. That may or may not be for you. It was fun for me zooming around with tourists bouncing all over. I will say that I am 5'4 and had to have a booster in both 2 and 4dr! Hahah! Two cruise ship towels to prop me up high enough.

I bought my friends jeep
Commander on STT before I moved to STX. Love that thing. Big but a good ride for sure. Super roomy seats 8 and no booster - actually I sit really tall which I love. Miss my big ass lifted chevy D. Crew cab 2500. No one messed with me in that truck. Not practical for island thou.

I will say that on STT and with any jeep really be ready to pony up that gas money!!! The 4 dr wrangler I drove for the company would go through a 1/4 tank a day with the hills. From cruise ship to Coki to hull bay - west and back to ship. My commander a little better but not much. On my commander I went from SEVEN mpg in STT to Fourteen mph when I moved to STX lol!! Also a hell of a lot less in brakes.

Jeeps are not practical really - they're rough rides and not really well built - seems something is always breaking on them. Always have issues BUT it's an island and well it's fun to have them here 🙂 I think it's more of a fashion statement than anything.

Really a CRV is your best choice IMO. We have a 97 and that things a champ. Killer gas mileage and the transmission is built like a rock.

Jeep is the best vehicle for the islands! You may want to check the rental companies, they sell them off after a year or two, but I don't know how much they will negotiate. I brought mine here from the states (around $2200 shipping/road tax from Miami) because the same thing here would have been about $5K more than I could get for mine there.
I would never buy a new vehicle here because they get tore up so fast.
Good luck either way.
Matt

Buying a rental is never a good idea. They may be cheaper to purchase but the repair bills might be higher due to the tourist abuse that rentals get. I can honestly say I'm not as careful with a rental as with my own vehicle. Some people flat out don't care and beat the hell out of them.