Are Jeep Wranglers Dangerous?

I am looking for a Jeep Wrangler for my first car and I've heard my dad say that the only reason he is reluctant to buy one is because they're so dangerous. For example, they tip over easily because they are very top heavy and have a narrow base. We would buy wider tires to help that though. So are they really more dangerous. I would be looking for a jeep wrangler at about $7000 and preferably less than 100K miles.





Also, what would be the best kind of jeep (CJ, TJ, etc) and what specs. I might go mudding occasionally but nothing too serious. Thanks
Are Jeep Wranglers Dangerous?
Any suv will not handle like a car. Wranglers, samaurais, renegades are the worst. That doesn't mean don't buy one. That means don't try fast turns in one or it can roll over. Bigger tires offer little or no help. Just use common sense.
Are Jeep Wranglers Dangerous?
Just as dangerous as any SUV. They do feel like they will flip over, but they safe as any SUV.
Reply:Driven carefully, Jeeps are fine.
Reply:Safety is really a question of driver knowledge. MANY more kids get hurt driving tiny little cars off the road than rolling Jeeps over.





TJs are wider and lower than CJs or YJs and in my humble opinion they look better because of this. The wider tires will help this if you put them on offset wheels. Taller tires will accentuate what the uninformed consider tippiness.





Jeeps are awesome vehicles to drive and they come with a full roll cage. I'll put my kids in them immediately upon getting their licenses just for that reason, and because we are an off roading family. Cars might seem more safe if you read insurance reports because they test vehicles alone running into concrete walls. That doesn't happen very often, more often you will be hit by another vehicle and guess which one has the happier occupant after the heads stop spinning. Hint, it isn't the little car.
Reply:Not a good vehicle to learn to drive in. Your dad is right. Buy a Cherokee and learn on that. You can go mudding in a Cherokee too. Wranglers can be more top heavy and more expensive to repair.
Reply:They aren't dangerous if you know how to drive. For example you can't drive a Wrangler like a sports car. They are narrow wheel based and a lot higher center of gravity. Trying to take a corner at 60mph in a wrangler you'll roll the jeep. You just have to drive one and know how to handle a 4WD vehicle in order to understand the handling characteristics of one. Another problem with Wranglers is high winds, due to the size of the vehicle high winds tend to push the wranglers around on the highways.





Really, the CJ, TJ, etc. is personal preference. Just find the one you want thats in good condition with low miles, and the 4.0L I6 engine and you'll be fine. You can add your own modifications as you get more comfortable with the vehicle. Since this is going to be your first vehicle stay away from lift kits, differential lockers, sway bar disconnects, etc. Until you are more experienced driving an offroad vehicle. Trust me a stock Jeep is very capable offroad.





If you have any other concerns feel free to email me at wsevier@yahoo.com