New to the forums not to jeeps. PFA

[JParkitHere]

Hi all, I have an order in for a HydroBlue XR placed earlier this year so hopeful it will be built this year. Miss my JK, but family came first and an opportunity to fix up the house without payments by selling it was too hard to pass up. I have some reservations of getting back into a jeep and figured I would reach out and touch base with the community as I now have a 5 month old son (first child), and we have been contemplating moving the wife from an explorer ST to a Jeep, (more cause she knows how much I miss mine rather than her wanting one) but, in terms of practicality.... Does anyone have some pics of some rear facing car seats in the back of a 392 or any JLUR for that matter? How is living with a 392 and infants it will be years obviously before he is ready to climb in and out of it.

I also have a 22 Raptor on order but that was more of a pipedream and I doubt it will every actually be built, but who knows this day and age. I have a company 22 Chevy Blazer coming to me this year, and a 19 Civic type R so it is not practical to have 4 vehicles for 2 people, so realistically looking at the company Blazer and the 392 (maybe the raptor?). I think it would be nice to get some feedback from new people as everyone else around me just says buy the both... which obviously I would like to, but not the smartest financial move at this time.

EDIT***TL : DR I have no car payments, need to downsize the number of vehicles keeping an infant in mind. 1 is a free 2022 Chevy Blazer paid for by a company, 2 - Considering trading in our Explorer ST, Civic Type R for either a Raptor or a 392. We don't need two cars and a company car.

 

[YukonCornelius]

Welcome @JParkitHere and Congrats on the order! Hopefully you’re not in for a 6+ month wait!

 

[HearHear]

“Miss my JK, but family came first and an opportunity to fix up the house without payments by selling it…”
“more cause she knows how much I miss mine rather than her wanting one”…….

Dude, I don’t mean to lecture but I’m an older man with a little experience and can’t help it LOL. A new 392 will set your young family back $85,000 or more. Instead of buying this Jeep, why not buy something more practical right now and keep your wife happy. She’s giving you a family, now you need to give her financial stability.
Jeep will always be coming out with new and exciting things. Hell, ten years ago I never dreamed I would see an electric hybrid Jeep or a 392. Ten years from now there will be more exciting things coming out. Maybe a slightly bigger Wrangler (which has already been built and teased), that would be perfect for a young expanding family??? Something your wife would really like?

I drove a Honda Pilot while my family was young, because it had three rows and we absolutely used all of them. Kids always want sleepovers, trips with friends, taking multiple kids to after school sports, etc…. you will appreciate three rows in your vehicle with a young family. My advice for you is to get a cool and less expensive three row SUV. Skip the crazy expensive 392. Then when your kids are old enough to drive, get your dream Jeep. I did exactly that.

 

[JParkitHere]

“Miss my JK, but family came first and an opportunity to fix up the house without payments by selling it…”
“more cause she knows how much I miss mine rather than her wanting one”…….

Dude, I don’t mean to lecture but I’m an older man with a little experience and can’t help it LOL. A new 392 will set your young family back $85,000 or more. Instead of buying this Jeep, why not buy something more practical right now and keep your wife happy. She’s giving you a family, now you need to give her financial stability.
Jeep will always be coming out with new and exciting things. Hell, ten years ago I never dreamed I would see an electric hybrid Jeep or a 392. Ten years from now there will be more exciting things coming out. Maybe a slightly bigger Wrangler (which has already been built and teased), that would be perfect for a young expanding family??? Something your wife would really like?

I drove a Honda Pilot while my family was young, because it had three rows and we absolutely used all of them. Kids always want sleepovers, trips with friends, taking multiple kids to after school sports, etc…. you will appreciate three rows in your vehicle with a young family. My advice for you is to get a cool and less expensive three row SUV. Skip the crazy expensive 392. Then when your kids are old enough to drive, get your dream Jeep. I did exactly that.

At 39 im not old but not suppppeer young.....

No lecture, I appreciate it as it is solid advice. I should clarify a little bit I guess, as the 21 ST and the 19 Civic Type R are paid off and will be used in the trade in. So actually I would probably end up picking up a 392 and about 12-18k back in our pockets while condensing down the number of vehicles in the house as I am getting a 22 Blazer from the company I work for and it will be authorized for personal use as well. My goal was to avoid having three cars and have an opportunity to get one really nice vehicle in the process.

 

[HearHear]

At 39 im not old but not suppppeer young.....

No lecture, I appreciate it as it is solid advice. I should clarify a little bit I guess, as the 21 ST and the 19 Civic Type R are paid off and will be used in the trade in. So actually I would probably end up picking up a 392 and about 12-18k back in our pockets while condensing down the number of vehicles in the house as I am getting a 22 Blazer from the company I work for and it will be authorized for personal use as well. My goal was to avoid having three cars and have an opportunity to get one really nice vehicle in the process.

Thanks for hearing me out. Keep in mind too the 392 XR is a high vehicle. I was surprised how high it is in person. Climbing up into it for your wife may not be so enjoyable, especially with holding babies too. Seating will be limited to four, maybe five in a pinch. And when you start it, this beast is loud. My teenagers already complain starting it wakes them up, hopefully your garage will be away from the bedrooms a good distance. Can’t imagine waking a baby when the wife wants to rest.
Just keep in mind this will be a “you” vehicle. Your pregnant/or baby toting wife will probably not like it, at all.
Save some money, get something else that’s fun but safe on the highways at any speed. This Jeep is not. Common sense says this Jeep has a high rollover risk. IMO not a family daily driver or for long trips at highway speeds.

I don’t mean to slam the Jeep, and if you absolutely just can’t live without it, then get it. But it will be all about “you”.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Thanks for hearing me out. Keep in mind too the 392 XR is a high vehicle. I was surprised how high it is in person. Climbing up into it for your wife may not be so enjoyable, especially with holding babies too. Seating will be limited to four, maybe five in a pinch. And when you start it, this beast is loud. My teenagers already complain starting it wakes them up, hopefully your garage will be away from the bedrooms a good distance. Can’t imagine waking a baby when the wife wants to rest.
Just keep in mind this will be a “you” vehicle. Your pregnant/or baby toting wife will probably not like it, at all.
Save some money, get something else that’s fun but safe on the highways at any speed. This Jeep is not. Common sense says this Jeep has a high rollover risk. IMO not a family daily driver or for long trips at highway speeds.

I don’t mean to slam the Jeep, and if you absolutely just can’t live without it, then get it. But it will be all about “you”.

Climbing into it may take a little practice but its worth it. Putting a baby in a higher vehicle can be easier than a low one. Most mid size suv's are good for 4, not as good for 5. Teenagers need to stop complaining. If your baby might be awakened by the motor starting, turn off the performance exhaust mode before you shut off the engine the night before in the garage. My 392 makes me feel completely confident at any normal highway speed. Your wife might just tell you its all about her and tell you the Honda is yours.

 

[JParkitHere]

Thanks for hearing me out. Keep in mind too the 392 XR is a high vehicle. I was surprised how high it is in person. Climbing up into it for your wife may not be so enjoyable, especially with holding babies too. Seating will be limited to four, maybe five in a pinch. And when you start it, this beast is loud. My teenagers already complain starting it wakes them up, hopefully your garage will be away from the bedrooms a good distance. Can’t imagine waking a baby when the wife wants to rest.
Just keep in mind this will be a “you” vehicle. Your pregnant/or baby toting wife will probably not like it, at all.
Save some money, get something else that’s fun but safe on the highways at any speed. This Jeep is not. Common sense says this Jeep has a high rollover risk. IMO not a family daily driver or for long trips at highway speeds.

I don’t mean to slam the Jeep, and if you absolutely just can’t live without it, then get it. But it will be all about “you”.

No this is awesome! this is exactly the real type of feedback I wanted. I am blessed to be in a position where I have some choices and I think it is definitely worth evaluating all options. I don't mind living vicariously through other people, there will always be something someone wants, and you are right about putting needs and wants in perspective. I appreciate it!

 

[Turboencabulator]

Climbing into it may take a little practice but its worth it. Putting a baby in a higher vehicle can be easier than a low one. Most mid size suv's are good for 4, not as good for 5. Teenagers need to stop complaining. If your baby might be awakened by the motor starting, turn off the performance exhaust mode before you shut off the engine the night before in the garage. My 392 makes me feel completely confident at any normal highway speed. Your wife might just tell you its all about her and tell you the Honda is yours.

Excellent points! My wife drives "our" 392 and enjoys it especially the One-Touch Power Top and the Color. As far as getting into it, my 11 year old hops right up in, no complaints. I added the MOPAR Factory Side Steps (8221516AB) like the Sahara has and that was a game changer. Easy to get in for the wife and kid (and me, but I'll never admit it ). As far as car seats, as @Viking Jeeper said it's probably easier to install kids with some hight. Jeep uses the standard LATCH car seat anchoring system so putting one on each side (front or back facing) would be super easy. As far as the cold start noise, it doesn't make any difference if the performance exhaust is on or off during initial start. The valve in the muffler bypass runs off engine vacuum and is spring loaded open (loud) so it alway sounds like a top fuel dragster on start-up until vacuum pressure builds (about 5-10 sec). So yes, you can defiantly call it a family vehicle but as @HearHear said it is expensive to buy and expensive to operate (@ $4.46/gal), but it's FUN! I pick up my daughter in the carpool line at school, and it's like picking her up in an Apache helicopter, everyone knows when we're coming and everyone knows who we are. Love it. You do you, good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[hardhat]

I love the 392. My whole family does too. But my wife is wonderful. She grins driving it. The kids won't let me run it in quiet mode. Mine are 12 and 14. Go try a rear facing car seat at a local jeep dealer. That could be a deal breaker. I don't know how they fit.
I have no regrets getting this beast at all.

 

[JParkitHere]

@Turboencabulator 11 is about 10.5 years away but also good points, also I prefer the Rockwell retro encabulator vs the turboencabulator

@Viking Jeeper lol good point, she loved the explorer for its size when coming from a golf r, and she loved driving my 2500 for work when we had it, something about sitting higher than everyone else...

Its just one 5 month old for us so far, and who knows in the future. Loving the feedback and personal experiences shared. In the end, I will do what myself and the wife agree upon that fits our budget, lifestyle, and goals, but it is great to have different perspectives, I really appreciate it.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Welcome to this forum and congrats to your precious new member of the family!

I am actually a bit younger than you and I have two little kids. One in elementary and one in preschool. I have to say that I agree with what @HearHear said. And speaking of my own experience, I wanted to buy a GC SRT back in 2015 when my first child was about the same age as yours. With mortgage on a new house at the same time, I did careful math work on my monthly expenses and chose GC summit 3.6L as a family suv (I could just go with lower trim but liked the air suspension on summit) instead of SRT. I can tell you that I made the good decision. After I had a second child, my wife could still sit in the middle of back seat and plug the breast pump in to the outlet during a road trip. And I could fit in a new Arien snowblower in the trunk without folding the back seats. I even carried home a 5-year old small tree inside the GC for my son as a gift when he started at kindergarten. Let alone a few times I rented drain cleaner/snake from home depot and it fit in the trunk perfectly. Also my Honda lawn mower during transportation to another property. It’ll be very tough to achieve these with a JL. Remember I have two car seats in the back all the time and I hate to fold the back seats then reinstall car seats later.

Speaking of car seats, Diono has some very nicely designed ones. Check this out: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/car-seats.18208/

Back to the 392, my thought is if you can save some dollars with less monthly pay, you’ll be able to do a lot with those money and your life can be easier. Don’t underestimate wife’s postpartum depression. A loud 392 and high payment (also on gas) may cause her more stress. When the kids get bigger, you’ll enjoy more work on the Wrangler (who knows if Jeep has another beast will come out in a few years) and your kids and wife may be more engaged as well.

Good luck and best wishes!

 

[JParkitHere]

Welcome to this forum and congrats to your precious new member of the family!

I am actually a bit younger than you and I have two little kids. One in elementary and one in preschool. I have to say that I agree with what @HearHear said. And speaking of my own experience, I wanted to buy a GC SRT back in 2015 when my first child was about the same age as yours. With mortgage on a new house at the same time, I did careful math work on my monthly expenses and chose GC summit 3.6L as a family suv (I could just go with lower trim but liked the air suspension on summit) instead of SRT. I can tell you that I made the good decision. After I had a second child, my wife could still sit in the middle of back seat and plug the breast pump in to the outlet during a road trip. And I could fit in a new Arien snowblower in the trunk without folding the back seats. I even carried home a 5-year old small tree inside the GC for my son as a gift when he started at kindergarten. Let alone a few times I rented drain cleaner/snake from home depot and it fit in the trunk perfectly. Also my Honda lawn mower during transportation to another property. It’ll be very tough to achieve these with a JL. Remember I have two car seats in the back all the time and I hate to fold the back seats then reinstall car seats later.

Speaking of car seats, Diono has some very nicely designed ones. Check this out: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/car-seats.18208/

Back to the 392, my thought is if you can save some dollars with less monthly pay, you’ll be able to do a lot with those money and your life can be easier. Don’t underestimate wife’s postpartum depression. A loud 392 and high payment (also on gas) may cause her more stress. When the kids get bigger, you’ll enjoy more work on the Wrangler (who knows if Jeep has another beast will come out in a few years) and your kids and wife may be more engaged as well.

Good luck and best wishes!

Thanks! Been thinking harder about keeping the Explorer ST it is a six seater makes sense in a lot of ways, but I do also have a 22 Chevy Blazer that's free gas and insurance from the company I work for... so not quite as big but the wife and I are allowed to use it for personal as well so that's why I am on this forum considering a "fun" vehicle as our secondary. Luckily we have no car payments and if we trade in both the explorer and civic I would actually probably get about 12-18k back if I picked one up.

 

[RugbyRef]

@JParkitHere - here's a few links for you that specifically talk about car seat fitment in a Wrangler:

https://fourwheeltrends.com/can-a-normal-baby-seat-be-used-in-a-jeep-wrangler/

https://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/suv/jeep-wrangler-unlimited/

https://yourjeepguide.com/guides/wrangler-car-seat/

https://jeepmodified.com/baby-car-seat-for-jeep-wrangler/

All are pretty good articles and it seems there are a few car seats that are multiple overall favorites among the reviewers.

Congrats on all you new "additions" to the family!

Cheers!

Tim

 

[willy]

Welcome to the forum @JParkitHere - Good luck on the research!

 

[JParkitHere]

Thanks everyone again for the information, Looks like I have hit D1, and according to jeep chat its current in paint so looks like it might actually be showing up sometime before the summer (not bad considering I ordered on 1/21/22). Still have a decisions to make and some test drives with "she who will not be disobeyed" but loving the outside in feedback. Thanks everyone, shall keep y'all posted.

 

[JParkitHere]

Random and I know nobody is following this long-term but we did end up going an interesting route. Picked up the 392 and the car seat fit fine, we use the Nuna Rava. It's not the most comfortable but it does fit and the wife loves the 392. I actually considered selling it after a few months and she said no we are keeping it.

On a side note ended up with another opportunity that I decided was worth going after.

We are blessed to have a fully paid-off 392 and now our other family hauler 2022 F150 Raptor. Still have the company chevy blazer for local errands as well. I think we got lucky this year.