There have probably already been many discussions on the new JK (just kidding?)

My two-cents:  What is up with the CV joints? Is this selling as a Trail-Ready (ha ha) vehicle?  And I don't see that muffler lasting long where it is currently mounted.

it should help maintain the resale on my TJ  

At least it retains the solid front axle.

        Ya know, I think Jeep made a move in the right direction with the TJ. This a .... JK, just looks like a movement. The rubber fenders are a good idea, and then theres the, well how about those. OK, its hard to say what they did from the photos. The drive shafts are a joke, add a grand to the price of a lift to replace them. I don't see any way to fold down the windshield. Thanks Jeep! That too, I think if the oilpan, gastank and muffler hung just a little lower, you wouldn't need jackstands to rotate the tires. And we are just all so happy to see the return of our old friends, the Dana 30 & 35. Did ya ever feel like your talking to the wall. Is any one at Jeep hearing us? Keep it simple, strong, and easy to modify. Just cause it got around your test track, don't mean its going to get me where I need to go, as is. I hate to see the 4.0 go. But the V6 makes more sents as far as room, but did we have to get the same mini-van cam. They can't cam that motor to give you more torque, some place well below 4000 rpm. As is right now, I am not impressed. I hope there is more to this new JK that the photos don't show. Somthing more Jeep like.   

I was waiting for someone to comment on this.. thing.  Only a matter of time.

Where to start, eh?  The 44's?  A cool upgrade except for changing the bolt pattern.. why do automakers insist on doing this?  Also the CV shafts..  We all know where that stands.  I'd agree that the aftermarket will step up with conversion kits-immediately, but at least they got rid of the slip yoke. 

It's strange, it's like they fixed problems with previous Wranglers only to make room for more.  Why ditch the 4.0??!!  Giving up simplicity, HP, and torque for....ummm...uh..   The little storage cubby in the back is cute, but seems like a rain magnet to me, not to mention the dropped fuel tank to make room. 

I may be in the minority but I think the rubber fenders are a good idea.. as long as they don't fade like the TJ flares.  Sure, removed the thing would certainly look cool.   or at least cooler.

So, it will make a cool offroader once you replace the driveshafts, motor, bumpers, build a bombproof pan and tank guard, and get at least a set of half doors for the thing.

Give Jeep a couple years, they'll work out the bugs..  hopefully.

       I hope you are right, and they get some these things worked out. I think its time for some of the folks at Jeep to take a step or two back, and really look at what they are going to be pushing out the back door. To tell ya all the truth, I'm a little worried about the way Jeep is moving. If I need a station wagon, I'll buy a Magnum. Anyone want to place your bets, as to how much longer it will be before the Wangler has "A" arms, and half shafts under every corner. Trail rated ?? I think its more like "Lawn Rated", Or the extra cost, "Wet Grass Package". Are these the last of the Good Old Days?  

thanfuly the aftermarket is there to step up to the plate, or will be in a couple of months  

WHAT IS ALL THIS NEW PLASTIC JEEP JUNK. LOOK AT THE FEATURED ARTICLE AT http://forums.jpmagazine.primediaautomotive.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=jpmag&msg=1641.1&maxT=1

SIDE NOTE: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HURICANE. JUST WHEN I THOUGHT JEEP HAD HOPE!

Ok.  I'm going to risk the lightning strike and disagree with pretty much everyone.  I'm on my third Jeep, so it isn't like I'm completely new to this.

I'm old enough to remember the CJ-5 rollover and subsequent cancellation.  Let's just say the introduction of the CJ-7 brought many of the same type of comments.  Did it kill the sport?  No.

The 87 YJ.  Same comments.  There are still people who have the "real Jeeps have round headlights" stickers and the YJ has been gone for ten years.  Yes, I had a YJ.  Serious issues, but I believe the issues were more build quality than anything else.  People are proving right now what YJ's can do with some changes.

The TJ has been a great design, and I don't see how we're losing that much.  If you go get a basic TJ right now, you get a D30-35 combo anyway.  Considering that probably 80% of TJ's don't ever go off the pavement (yes, even Rubicons), I can't believe Jeep still offers things like factory lockers and a factory swaybar disconnect.  I realize we can't get a built CJ-5 from the factory, but we haven't been able to for thirty years.  No one in the US builds anything street legal and off a regular production line much as capable as the TJ/LJ and new JK.  The new FJ has IRS.  The H3 does as well, and is priced way over what most people would pay for something to bash over rocks.  And you can't see out of it. 

Anyway, to end the rant, I'm pleasantly surprised that we don't have something like the Compass as the new Wrangler.  We dedicated few who drive off-road would quit buying, but the other 75% of the market still would.  After all, how many hard-core Jeepers buy a new Jeep every year?  And most of our dollars get spent on aftermarket companies.  I'm just glad we're still considered in the design process.

Ok...</RANT> 

It's probably true that people complain about every redesign, and probably for the same reason: feeling every time it walks away from it's roots a little or lot more.

I'd like to know why they feel they have to always change things..  If it works, why can't they leave it alone?

Like most, I was not a fan of the square headlight XJ.  It has it's weaknesses like all of them, but at it's core design theories it was still the CJ..  most things like body parts are even interchangeable.

At first I didn't know what to make of the coil sprung TJ, but I now feel it also has earned it's place in Jeep history.  Besides the suspension redesign it basically kept the same basics as it's older cousins.

This one, though, they went way off the reservation.  Two major component changes I notice right off are the weaker engine and driveshafts.  A minivan V-6, no less.  I realize many Jeeps don't see much beyond the blacktop, but isn't that getting just a little to suburban?

Could be, could be.  There may be some core market size that would appeal to us (say 10k new JK's per year?).  If Jeep would be satisfied with that amount, then they could produce off-road capable Jeeps forever.  It's up to us to use our purchasing power to make that decision.  After all, the entire muscle car craze would never have happened if they didn't sell.  It won't be easy.  We're up against fuel prices and increasing land-use restrictions.  I'm out in the midwest, where there's basically nothing between cities, but ALL the land is privately owned.  There just aren't that many places you can actually drive your vehicle off the pavement without being harassed or arrested (assuming you're just wheeling and not getting into trouble).  It makes it hard to be a Jeeper out here.  I just hope there's enough of us to warrant continuing the off-road capability.  If not, the Compass is our future.  The other risk is the dollar sign.  I'm betting that they're not counting on increased sales.  After all, the base 4-cyl has been dropped.  I bet the median sales price goes up by a couple grand.  Also, I think they were surprised by the success of the Rubicon.  If they can't sell a bunch more Wranglers, (the Jeep 'JJ' project approach) then by bringing the margins up, they can justify keeping it. 

I feel in the end that the JK will be a better vehicle. 

All I can see is Chrysler selling out. I see absolutely NO improvements in the new Jeep. I just see it becoming more and more car like. Power windows, CV drive shafts, electronic swaybar disconnects? I just want to puke! And while we are at it, Whats with the stinkin Liberty grille, and the plastic fenders? How about the Honda Element looking square 3 piece hard top? WOW! those are some huge improvements!  Are we really too lazy to roll down our windows, or disconnect our sway bars if we want to go off road?  Thankfully we haven't lost the solid axles, or removable top...yet. I just feel that if they want to sell Jeep cars to the masses, they should build the Compass, and leave the Wrangler to the enthusiasts. Build a damn Jeep that's simple, strong, and powerful. Something without a bunch of useless crap that does nothing but make things more complex, and add to the cost. I know that everyone won't agree with my opinions, but they are just that. My opinions, nothing more, nothing less. Will my opinions make any difference? Nope! Will I ever buy a JK? NOPE! As long as they make parts for my CJ's, my J-Truck, and my TJ I'll have plenty of Jeeps to drive.

THANK GOD U LET THAT OUT 4 ME   

I agree.In fact it makes me so fired up,that if I can unload my 2001 TJ,I will start putting together all my "real jeeps".I have done some good wheeling with my stocker TJ,and a modded 97,but trying to fix what breaks and actually being able to work on it after all the metric and special tools it requires,just reinforces the fact it makes a pretty good car.......if used as one.Now I see more gizmos and even more creature comforts on the 2007 and I guess I would rather go back to basics.I can restore my 1954 CJ-3B,and build a couple of variants of old school rigs from the other Willy's and parts I have and have a way better set of Jeeps on what I was paying on the 2001(hate those payments to get D/C rich and build more highway Jeeps).Yeah driving them will be rough,cold,and noisy,but at least it will take what ever I do to them and I wont worry so much if I messed the computor or CD player!  

Just seen the new Wrangler JK , looks like a Honda Element mated with a TJ.