California What Trails in California Actually Require a Jeep?

Will I need a Jeep for what I want to do?

  • Yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No

    Votes: 1 100.0%
  • Total voters
    1
  • Poll closed .
O

ovicior

New Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2023
Messages
10
Location
GA
Wondering if I can get away with a Rav4 everywhere. I don't plan on rock-crawling. I just want to go off-road, hit Lake Tahoe in winter, see the mountains, death valley, etc.

I'm looking at a Jeep Wrangler 4xe Sahara for 2500 + 560/month before tax. Pretty decent deal for 3 years/10k. Insurance is also much cheaper on those than more practical vehicles like Tesla.

Would I actually need a Jeep Wrangler for parts of California (including in the winter) or can I get away with a Rav4? It's just much cheaper than paying $8k a year to lease a car.

Moving to SF for context. Please talk me into getting the Sahara 4xe.
 
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ovicior said:
Wondering if I can get away with a Rav4 everywhere. I don't plan on rock-crawling. I just want to go off-road, hit Lake Tahoe in winter, see the mountains, death valley, etc.

I'm looking at a Jeep Wrangler 4xe Sahara for 2500 + 560/month before tax. Pretty decent deal for 3 years/10k. Insurance is also much cheaper on those than more practical vehicles like Tesla.

Would I actually need a Jeep Wrangler for parts of California (including in the winter) or can I get away with a Rav4? It's just much cheaper than paying $8k a year to lease a car.

Moving to SF for context.
Click to expand...

You would not need a Jeep for parts of Ca.

Concerned about $8k per year lease on a car? Moving to SF isn't exactly practical financially.
 
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CMBD said:
You would not need a Jeep for parts of Ca.

Concerned about $8k per year lease on a car? Moving to SF isn't exactly practical financially.
Click to expand...

I make good money and can definitely afford it, I just want to know if I can get away with spending less. My irresponsible side vs my rational side.
My question is, which parts require a Jeep?
 
ovicior said:
I make good money and can definitely afford it, I just want to know if I can get away with spending less. My irresponsible side vs my rational side.
My question is, which parts require a Jeep?
Click to expand...

Money no object, Jeep or anything 4wd is the easy button. What you can get away with depends on your driving skill.

"Require" is an extremely, extremely relative term. Nothing "requires" a Jeep.
 
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CMBD said:
Money no object, Jeep or anything 4wd is the easy button. What you can get away with depends on your driving skill.

"Require" is an extremely, extremely relative term. Nothing "requires" a Jeep.
Click to expand...

I have no off-road experience. Wrangler seems to be the way.
 
ovicior said:
Can you please describe it lol I'm really out of my depth here. Describe the fun parts or what the fun could be please
Click to expand...

If you're just looking to visit the touristy places a regular vehicle, ie the Rav4, will get you there. If you are looking to venture off that beaten path and on to an actual off-road "trail" a Jeep Wrangler is better suited. You can do a trial membership to an app called OnX off-road that will show you trails in a particular locale and even rate the difficulty (I believe) so you can avoid the trails that may be more difficult than you are comfortable tackling.
 
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L J said:
If you're just looking to visit the touristy places a regular vehicle, ie the Rav4, will get you there. If you are looking to venture off that beaten path and on to an actual off-road "trail" a Jeep Wrangler is better suited. You can do a trail membership to an app called OnX off-road that will show you trails in a particular locale and even rate the difficulty (I believe) so you can avoid the trails that may be more difficult than you are comfortable tackling.
Click to expand...

Definitely trying to go off the beaten path. Thank you!
 
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It sounds like you just want people to tell you to get the wrangler...so go get the wrangler.

However, you won't find a lot of love for the newer ones here. This forum is full of guys who like the old wranglers (1997 to 2006). We're a bit, ahh....different.
 
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Mike_H said:
It sounds like you just want people to tell you to get the wrangler...so go get the wrangler.

However, you won't find a lot of love for the newer ones here. This forum is full of guys who like the old wranglers (1997 to 2006). We're a bit, ahh....different.
Click to expand...

Here's what I would get if I had to move to SF

1713965154656.png
 
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ovicior said:
Definitely trying to go off the beaten path. Thank you!
Click to expand...

You can check out overlanding videos on YouTube to get an idea of where to go what to expect. There are a lot of great destinations in Ca. that don't involve super difficult wheeling.

Revere Overland, The Story Till Now, and Venture2Roam have Ca. episodes. And I think all three are sponsored by OnX and they share the trip maps.
 
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ovicior said:
Wondering if I can get away with a Rav4 everywhere. I don't plan on rock-crawling. I just want to go off-road, hit Lake Tahoe in winter, see the mountains, death valley, etc.

I'm looking at a Jeep Wrangler 4xe Sahara for 2500 + 560/month before tax. Pretty decent deal for 3 years/10k. Insurance is also much cheaper on those than more practical vehicles like Tesla.

Would I actually need a Jeep Wrangler for parts of California (including in the winter) or can I get away with a Rav4? It's just much cheaper than paying $8k a year to lease a car.

Moving to SF for context. Please talk me into getting the Sahara 4xe.
Click to expand...

From what I know, if you're heading to Lake Tahoe or other snowy mountain spots in winter, you need a car that can tackle deep snow and icy roads. The RAV4 with AWD and snow tires does pretty well, but the Wrangler's 4WD is definitely better for serious winter weather. It just has more muscle for those tough conditions.
 
Mike_H said:
However, you won't find a lot of love for the newer ones here. This forum is full of guys who like the old wranglers (1997 to 2006). We're a bit, ahh....different.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's us in the right lane trying to keep up with the semi's
 
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It sounds like something like a Grand Cherokee or 4Runner may be a better fit for your needs than a Wrangler - but when did anyone here ever go by needs?
 
Apparition said:
Here's what I would get if I had to move to SF

View attachment 521424
Click to expand...

you just like that for the factory grumper.

OP: you'll probably be happier in the rav4. I suggest you get that, at least until you find yourself unable to go somewhere you want to go. Which is something that may or may not happen.

I like going places that most people can't, at least not easily. If that's your goal, get the jeep.
 
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