The difference in Jeep buyers (as per Jeep marketing folks)

[RICK]

Barb and I have attended several Jeep 101 events over the past seven years just to be able to see and drive the latest Jeeps. They are kind of a fun, free family day to see how Jeep marketing sees us.

I remember and am relating the presentation given to us at our first Jeep 101 event about the difference in new Jeep buyers attitudes:

Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top down before leaving the lot.
They head for the nearest off roading site.
They are typically between 21 and 35.
They finance the entire purchase.
Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.

Cherokee buyers show up in pressed jeans and polo shirts.
Each of the them are hanging on to their kids hands. They install the rear child seats and head for the nearest McDonalds to feed the kids.
They are typically between 28 and 40.
They lease for the longest term or bring in a check from some other financial institution.
The typical first warranty claim is usually a wind noise problem. It wakes the kids.

Grand Cherokee buyers show up wearing Dockers or Ralph Lauren clothes. They carry their bottled water with them as they head for the nearest park with a lunch basket packed.
They are typically between 38 and 45.
They either pay cash or lease for a year.
Their typical first warranty claim is a leak in the sunroof, or this unusual noise from the center console area.

I know these don't always apply but I found it interesting how they see the typical Jeep buyer and how they see their market.

And I and my Jeep dealership friends (all of whom have been off-roading with me) wonder how the "Liberty" market folks will fit in?

Barb and I certainly don't fit the market "image".

[Bob 94 XJ]

I don't fit it either. I do have the kids, but they go off-roading with me.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top down before leaving the lot.
They head for the nearest off roading site.
They are typically between 21 and 35.
They finance the entire purchase.
Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.

[list=A]
Nope (Old, worn shorts!)
Nope (I went home first.)
Yep (35 - Almost too old!)
Yep (Who doesn't?)
Nope (No warranty, but my first repair was a busted oilpan!)
[/list=A]

[Agent00ZJ]

Grand Cherokee buyers show up wearing Dockers or Ralph Lauren clothes.

>nope. Jeans are my best friend


They carry their bottled water with them as they head for the nearest park with a lunch basket packed.

>nope. Can't see buying something I get for free. can't remember the last time I went on a picnic.

They are typically between 38 and 45.

>Nope- 28

They either pay cash or lease for a year.

>Nope- Finance, baby. I owe. I owe. Off to work I go!

Their typical first warranty claim is a leak in the sunroof, or this unusual noise from the center console area.

>Nope. None yet, actually.

Barb and I certainly don't fit the market "image"

>Guess I don't either

.

[southernfriedcj8]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RICK
[B]Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top down before leaving the lot.
They head for the nearest off roading site.
They are typically between 21 and 35.
They finance the entire purchase.
Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.

QUOTE]

In '90 when I purchased my Wrangler I fit the profile to the letter, except I borrowed a wrench and left the back seat on the showroom floor( it was an option and I wanted a stripper 4cyl $$$$$$$).

[off-rdr]

I don't fit it either. I do have the kids, but they go off-roading with me.

Same here. Actually, my kids are certified Jeep Chicks. ;) Last weekend, we took my CJ to a parking lot at the H.S. and while i operated the pedals, they steered and shifted into gear. They're only 8 & 9.5. This weekend will be the WJ. :D Gotta teach 'em young 'cause i sure as heck don't know what they're teaching at the school, but most of the high schoolers around here can't drive for S#$t.

[Bob 94 XJ]

I agree with you on kids not knowing how to drive these days. My oldest is seven and she is always looking for trails while we are driving down the highway!!

[TOOLman]

Does that mean I should've got a Wrangler? :confused:

[Ghery]

Well, let's see...

I was 45 when we bought the Grand Cherokee. Might even have been wearing Dockers. But, bottled water? Who are you kidding? My wife would not like taking it for serious off-roading, it's "her Jeep". It's set up to tow the boat. First warrenty claim - the check engine light was on. Second warrenty claim - the check engine light was on. Third warrenty claim - the check engine light was on - they got it that time.

I was 47 when we bought the Wrangler. It's been off-road. It's had mods (not too much, but a few). I paid cash at the dealership (you can write off interest on seconds on the house, you can't write off interest on car loans). It has the dual top option, so I didn't take the top down at the dealership. My daughter (almost 21, remember Jeepchick80?) loves it and would steal it in a heartbeat. First warrenty claim - rubbing sound from front driveline (dealer fixed it, noise hasn't been back)

I guess we're close to the profile for the ZJ, but by their standards I'm a bit old for the TJ. Tough. I love it and I'm not giving it back and you can't make me! ;)

[Mr. Bill]

Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and

-Yep

take the top down before leaving the lot.

-Yep

They head for the nearest off roading site.

-Yep

They are typically between 21 and 35.

-Yep, 24

They finance the entire purchase.

-Yep, minus the trade-in

Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.

-Close, check engine light (aftermarket locking gas cap), loose p. brake cable and bent TC lever.

[RICK]

Just for grins, and as an introduction.
I have"almost" always owned 4 wheel drives.
From my first 74 Blazer, 78 Blazer, 82 and then 84 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive Suburbans.
All this time I was a pilot in the Army, and then the National Guard.
Two years in Vietnam (a couple of Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Cross).
All those decorations didn't mean a thing in the real world.
Four years in Germany flying Chinooks.
I came home committed to helping Veterans and their families who had not been so fortunate.
I became a flight instructor and instrument examiner in helicopters for the National Guard and the FAA.
Then I divorced (since I was never home) and remarried and inherited two stepdaughers (2 and 8 at the time).
I gave up 4 wheeling for wheeling back and forth the daughters to visit their father.
I got a 87 high-top, full size Dodge custom TV/VCR/power rear bed van for those days.
It was a 3 1/2 hour drive each way to make sure they got time with their father.
We put 87,00 miles on that van in three years.
As soon as the daughters were old enough to drive themselves, I traded that custom cruising 8 passenger van in for a slightly used 92 YJ.
When I came home with it, they all thought I was crazy.
Within ten months I traded that 92YJ in for a new 94 YJ Sahara, bought dual tops, and the Jeep thing began.
Then came the winch, ,the skid plates, the off-roading, and the real Jeeping experience.
Barb and I have attended three "Camp Jeep" things at Camp Hale, Colorado..then came five Jeep jamborees, then came the Camp Jeep in Virginia.
We are headed back to Colorado this June/July so we can again see the Mountains and hope to retire there in a few years.

[EP]

Barb and I have attended several Jeep 101 events Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top down before leaving the lot.
They head for the nearest off roading site.
They are typically between 21 and 35.
They finance the entire purchase.
Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.


It was winter so I had a jacket and jeans on.

Too fricken cold to put the top down.

Had to drive back home(3 hours, used TJ).

I was 22.

Financed, minus trade-in.

First warrany claim was the water leaks

[lonegpr]

I think I was 31 when I got my first Jeep. A '97 TJ. Could have been 30. Or 32. As I get older and drink more beer I forget the details.

First warranty item was for a completely shot front r&p. Mud got into the diff through the disconnected vent line. Was in Plattsburg, NY visiting my brother when it more or less decided it wanted to give up life and on me. Dealer up there said nothing was wrong. OKay. Whatever. Drove it home 1600 miles to my dealer. They fixed it.

[Etnomaiab]

i didnt get my yj from the dealership

[Joel]

Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top
down before leaving the lot.
They head for the nearest off roading site.
They are typically between 21 and 35.
They finance the entire purchase.
Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem;

I was dressed a little better than that.
3 hour drive home; couldn't find what I wanted locally so drove to the Cities on a Jeep Quest.
44, empty nest.
Creatively financed 40%, the rest cash.
Rip in the soft top, I really don't know how it happened!

Carolyn and I don't fit, either.

Grand Cherokee buyers show up wearing Dockers or Ralph Lauren clothes. They carry their bottled water with them as
they head for the nearest park with a lunch basket packed.
They are typically between 38 and 45.
They either pay cash or lease for a year.
Their typical first warranty claim is a leak in the sunroof, or this unusual noise from the center console area.

Well, maybe L.L. Bean; but no bottled water.
She doesn't let HER Jeep see a gravel road, but we'll break it in someday! ;)
It's her Jeep and she's. . .
Yeah, right!
Electrical, electrical, electrical. . .

We're closer with the GC.

[F]

I have a 99 TJ my wife has a 98 ZJ.

Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top down before leaving the lot.

No because it was October

They head for the nearest off roading site.

Unfortunately No

They are typically between 21 and 35.

Yes

They finance the entire purchase.

Unfortunately Yes

Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.

Needed new front driveshaft.

Grand Cherokee buyers show up wearing Dockers or Ralph Lauren clothes.

No

They carry their bottled water with them as they head for the nearest park with a lunch basket packed.

Definitely Not

They are typically between 38 and 45.

No

They either pay cash or lease for a year.

Nope

Their typical first warranty claim is a leak in the sunroof, or this unusual noise from the center console area.

Rear hatch wouldn't open.

I think I look like most other folks who drive TJs. Except I'm a little better looking of course :D .

[1986cj7]

Well I have a cj what profile does that fit Cheap Bastard that can't afford new or avid wheeler that doesn't want to roll one with payments still owed on it
Either way I am just happy to be a jeep owner

[DanB98TJ]

Originally posted by RICK
[B1. ]Wrangler buyers show up for the delivery of their new vehicle wearing old worn jeans and a t shirt and take the top down before leaving the lot.
2. They head for the nearest off roading site.
3. They are typically between 21 and 35.
4. They finance the entire purchase.
5. Their first warranty claim is usually a technical problem; a grinding noise when shifting the transfer case into 4Lo.



1. Well, my jeans weren't worn...but I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.:p Too cold to take the top down...snowed the day after I bought it.
2. Didn't get to 'wheel for a couple days...went home, changed clothes, and went to work after buying (hey, gotta make them payments;)).
3. Yep...was 30 when I bought mine (Dec 9, 1998)
4. Nope...traded in my '84 Bronco and put an extra $2000 cash down to get the payments where I could afford them.:(
5. First warranty claim: Leaking front axle seals (2750 miles).

[Warlock]

I pretty much fit the Wrangler profile other than I couldn't afford to buy new.

[6079smithw]

Les'see...
I bought my 89 Cherokee at auction 3 yrs ago.
Rode the city bus to the auction.
Wore jeans and a sweatshirt.
Paid cash.
Got a temporary reg at the auction. Headed for home with my new purchase.
Ran out of gas 2.2 miles later. (Problem was fuel gauge... pointer was on "E" before I left but who was lookin' ??)
Triple-A card got me going again.
First official trip in the Cherokee was lunch with a lady friend at an internationally known restaurant. (Burger King)

I'll be 59 in December. Still have the '89 and the lady friend and love them both.

Frank in Reno

[6079smithw]

Just for grins, and as an introduction.
All this time I was a pilot in the Army, and then the National Guard.
Two years in Vietnam (a couple of Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Cross).
All those decorations didn't mean a thing in the real world.
Four years in Germany flying Chinooks.
I came home committed to helping Veterans and their families who had not been so fortunate.
I became a flight instructor and instrument examiner in helicopters for the National Guard and the FAA.

Well, your bio means a lot to this old Navy vet... thank you for your service to our country and Welcome Home! :usa:

Frank in Reno

[Ghery]

Update.

The 1997 Grand Cherokee starting having too many "issues" in late July (with 175,000 miles on the clock), so it got traded in on a new 2006 Commander Limited. I'm 54 now. Financed part of it. It is my wife's Jeep. I've still got the Wrangler. Didn't have any more warranty issues after the one noted in my 2001 post.

Oh, and Rick, thanks for your service to our country. It is appreciated (more than you ever knew when you got home from 'Nam).

[Jerry Falletta]

I guess Sherry and I didn't fit the profile very well, either..... that water bottle thing may fit a few, but not me. On m wife's previous (2001) GC, the first problem was a "Check Engine" light, so I opened the hood and checked, and there was definitely an engine in there (ba-DUM!). But seriously, folks, it was a TSB flash, and they did it in ten minutes while we attended their "Right From the Start" seminar out front. The WK's have had a couple of glitches, but nothing serious at all.