One of the first things that come to mind when someone mentions the Jeep brand is that they are good for off-road adventures. All you need to do to prove this is check out any Jeep forum, Jeep dealer, or other places Jeep enthusiasts hang out, and that is all they talk about. In fact, it is so ingrained in our society that drivers who have never owned or driven a Jeep model feel they are strictly for off-road purposes. We aren’t here to argue that point. Everybody knows that Jeeps are great for off-road adventures, but there are consumers out there who won’t even think about owning a Jeep because they don’t think they make good commuter vehicles.
Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The off-road capabilities of any Jeep model easily translate to a respectable daily driving commute. That said, it is still relatively uncommon to see a Jeep not covered in mud and scratched up from rocks and other off-road debris. So when you do see a shiny and clean Jeep on the road, you might find that kind of odd. In fact, you will probably assume it’s just somebody test driving one from their local Jeep dealer.
Jeeps Are Built Tough
Since their inception, Jeeps have been built to go anywhere, which means they have to be tough. Jeeps are legendary off-road machines because it takes a lot to break them, so to speak. Well, that toughness on off-road conditions translates to toughness on paved roads. Even if you are a very safe driver and never expect to smash into the back of a Prius, you never know what is going to happen on your next commute to work.
It’s not that you are going to hit another car, but there is a chance another car might hit you. In such a case, you will be glad that you are driving a Jeep and not a car that will crumble like a soda can. Jeeps are built on solid foundations because they are meant to take a beating. A typical fender bender that will scrap an Accord will merely dent the bumper of a Jeep.
It’s not only other drivers and potential fender benders you have to worry about when driving to and from work; there are plenty of road hazards to consider. For example, you have no doubt witnessed an object like a piece of wood fly out of the back of a pickup truck only to be smashed into by a passing vehicle. A chunk of a 2×4 might not seem like a car crusher, but run over it, and it could do significant damage to a lesser car. Run over that very same chunk of wood in a Jeep, and you might hear a loud noise, shrug your shoulders, and continue on your journey.
Mailman Motto
Perhaps you have heard the unofficial mailman motto; “Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” What you didn’t know is that the motto wasn’t implemented until after the postal carriers started driving Jeeps on their routes. OK, we made all of that up, but you get what we are going for here. There are several reasons why the Postal Service began using Jeeps in the 1960s to deliver mail, but one of the biggest reasons is because Jeeps can get through some pretty tough road conditions.
If you have ever owned a typical sedan in the midwest or other areas that suffers snow and other inclement weather, you have probably either got stuck on your way to work or just called in sick instead of braving the roads. Not Jeep owners. Owners of Jeep models emulate mail carriers and tough it out just to get to work. Remember, Jeeps are built for rough and tough conditions, and a few feet of snow isn’t going to slow them down.
There will be some who argue that owning a Jeep that will get them to work on snowy days isn’t a good reason to buy one. Well, consider situations in which you would be thankful to have a vehicle that can plow through snow and mush. For example, you have a sick child who needs medication at the local pharmacy, or you have a very important face-to-face meeting with a client, and it is critical that you get there.
Easy Upkeep
Jeep is well known for using the same parts for years at a time. This might not mean a whole lot until you have to have a part replaced. Since parts stay the same for an extended period of time, it is easier and less expensive to change out certain parts. While this isn’t going to save you money on a new Jeep, as your Jeep ages, you will appreciate the ease of finding the parts you need.
If there is one thing people like to do with whatever vehicle they drive for everyday purposes, it’s to make it as unique as possible. As unique individuals, we want the cars, trucks, and SUVs we drive to mirror our personalities. Many of us do this by simply slapping a few bumper stickers on the rear window, while others will go to a much greater extent to personalize their ride.
If you do a quick search on the internet for Jeep parts and accessories, you will be a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of websites that offer unique gadgets for Jeeps. It’s no secret that Jeep owners spend a lot of money on goodies for their rides, and not all of it is related to increased performance on the trails. If you want your commuter Jeep to better reflect your personality, simply go to the Amazon website and type in “cool Jeep accessories,” and break out your credit card.
Part of a Bigger Community
There are Jeep lovers all over this country, and they are very supportive of each other. You may have heard about the Jeep signal that is given when passing a fellow Jeep enthusiast. When you are driving home from a long and challenging day at work, and you get that Jeep wave, it makes your day a whole lot better almost immediately. The Jeep wave is not just an acknowledgment; it is an act of solidarity. So when you do decide to buy a Jeep for commuting purposes, make sure you look up the rules and be sure to follow the etiquette so you can get in on the fun. And when you do drive off the lot in your new Jeep, be aware that there will be co-workers and colleagues who also own Jeeps who will want to get to know you better. Once you are a Jeep owner, your drives to and from work every day will become much more interesting.
So, is a Jeep a good daily driver? It most certainly is. You might get some pushback from people who still believe Jeeps are strictly for off-road enthusiasts and don’t make very good everyday vehicles, but we suggest you either have them read this article or just ignore them. Not only will a Jeep do a very fine job of getting you to and from work and performing other errands, but you will also have an extremely fun time in the process.
