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GaryG
December 14th, 2013, 06:30 PM
I had the opportunity today to participate in an automotive research study. Here's some verbiage from the letter I received a couple weeks ago...

The purpose of this study is to gather consumer thoughts and opinions about the performance and features of vehicles similar to your own. Your opinions will allow vehicle manufacturers to create future products to better meet your wants and needs.

They were to pay me $250 for 3 hours of my time.

So I got to the place and filled out a really long survey about my current vehicle and things I'd like or dislike about a replacement for my current vehicle. I could see through the curtains a Wrangler and a Cherokee so I figured I'd be seeing what Jeep has in store for the near future. Then the girl comes and asks if I have my wrangler with me, I say yes and she says that me and another guy need to drive our vehicles around back to talk with another group of people. So off we go around the building and we both pull into the building where they have us park about 200 ft apart. We're ushered over to a table where there are 4 people, 3 men and a woman. Turns out that they were design and development engineers for the Wrangler program. They proceed to tell us that based on our initial responses to the invitation that we were selected to discuss what we liked and disliked about our jeeps. We both had the 2009 Unlimited Sport model, his was near stock and mine is quite modified. We discussed all kinds of things, mostly the lack of power in the 3.8. We then split up, 2 engineers with me and my jeep, and 2 with the other guy. My engineers were a 50ish guy and 35ish woman. We went over every thing I had changed and why I did it. They pointed out some things that I could do a little different to save wear and tear kind of stuff and we blabbed for about an hour. Very informative stuff, I would have done it for free. The guy with me is one of the drivers that takes a stock Wrangler X out on any and all trails in Moab during the Easter Jeep Safari just to show its capabilities in stock form, said he's probably owned a 100 different jeeps in his lifetime.

Anyhow, back to the subject line, and I asked these questions straight up.

1) Will there be a diesel option in near future? YES (most likely 2016, dependent on EPA)
2) Will there be an independent front suspension on the Wrangler? Emphatic NO, wouldn't be a Wrangler then.

So, if you ever get one of those odd letters about your vehicle, sometimes its good to pay attention to it. I got paid $250 for talking about my jeep with experts in the field for an total of 2 hours of my time (including driving to and from venue). Not a bad payday

Java
December 14th, 2013, 06:33 PM
cool, Gary. :thumb: I read in either Fourwheeler or Petersons that Fiat is making a mini / street oriented version of the Wrangler based on one of their car platforms.

Jim
December 14th, 2013, 07:03 PM
Did they have specific reaction / comment on some of your mods? Any pro/con thoughts from them?

Tom
December 14th, 2013, 07:10 PM
I got one of those letter for this weekend. Trashed it. Too far to drive.

Patrolman
December 14th, 2013, 07:22 PM
I actually got a similar invite to go to Mile High about 10 years ago and test drive new cars. It was 100% legit, but no payout. I got to drive a new 350z through a course. It was put on by GM and had their cars, as well as competitors. The 350z was the only car I drove, as the line for it was long enough it took most of the hour they had allotted us. I had no interest in driving a Malibu or other sedans through the course. Sure was fun and I would do it again!

Jackie
December 14th, 2013, 07:41 PM
All I ever get in the mail is offers from car dealers telling me how much (little) they are willing to pay for my Jeep. Yesterday, they offered a whopping $16k for my Rubicon that doesn't even have 27k miles on it yet... :erm: UMMMMMMM.......... NO!

Funrover
December 14th, 2013, 07:44 PM
Very cool!

Cr33p3r
December 14th, 2013, 08:29 PM
That's cool, Gary.

Heather
December 14th, 2013, 10:51 PM
That's so cool! Two years ago, Chris got a call like that. It was through a local market research firm, and they had Chrysler guys come out from Detroit to interview at peoples' homes. They also paid $250. Funny that you said that about doing it for free - Chris was the one that signed up when they came to our house, but I told them they could interview me for fee if they came back while they were out, and they did. Fascinating stuff. GREAT NEWS on the IFS.

ctracy5
December 14th, 2013, 11:22 PM
cool, Gary. :thumb: I read in either Fourwheeler or Petersons that Fiat is making a mini / street oriented version of the Wrangler based on one of their car platforms.

So they are making a Geo Tracker lol. A mini jeep would be cool.

Hypoid
December 14th, 2013, 11:28 PM
As a former market research recruiter/interviewer, thanks for participating!

GaryG
December 15th, 2013, 09:44 AM
Did they have specific reaction / comment on some of your mods? Any pro/con thoughts from them?

They were quite impressed with all of the additional storage places I'd created inside the vehicle, the overhead storage using molle pouches and the Trek Armor seat covers that also have molle pouches attached. He also commented on my collection of knives/saws throughout the vehicle.

Their off road specialist pointed out on my gas tank skid where a problem could arise if the dent went much farther.. The fuel tank itself is plastic, and the second void from the front on the skid can only be pushed up about an inch before it starts pushing on the plastic tank, pushing it up any farther starts blocking the pickup tube inside the tank.

Jackie
December 15th, 2013, 10:10 AM
Sounds like valuable feedback for you.

Java
December 15th, 2013, 05:29 PM
fail.

http://wot.motortrend.com/spied-early-baby-jeep-fiat-500x-prototype-413171.html

http://www.autonews.com/article/20130902/OEM04/309029956/#axzz2naa7AtS7

The StRanger
December 15th, 2013, 10:06 PM
I read in either Fourwheeler or Petersons that Fiat is making a mini / street oriented version of the Wrangler based on one of their car platforms.

Well since Chrysler, Damler & fiat are all in bed together...

GaryG
December 16th, 2013, 05:12 PM
Emphatic NO, wouldn't be a Wrangler then
Based on the answer, I would suggest the "mini" won't be called a Wrangler

Atl-atl
December 16th, 2013, 06:23 PM
Very cool. If you are a member of any website that has "The Car Lounge" forum you should go post this info there. If not can I post it for you?

Bob
December 16th, 2013, 09:56 PM
Could you describe your additional storage or post some pics? I'm always needing more storage in my Wrangler.

Jackie
December 16th, 2013, 10:10 PM
Could you describe your additional storage or post some pics? I'm always needing more storage in my Wrangler.
No kidding - It's almost hard to figure out where to set a spare pair of shoes...

Dutch
December 17th, 2013, 09:17 AM
I know on mine I have the TrekArmor seat covers as well. Zippered pouches and Molle webbing add a bit of storage options. I also have the best top lockable storage bins under both front seats. I find that little cubby under the floor in the rear of the Jeep very useful. I keep a first aid kit, air compressor, rag, trash bags, shackles, and pair of gloves back there. Then I added the Rugged Ridge cargo rack in the back. The last thing I added was the Rugged Ridge dash storage shelves. They're great for tossing my phone, wallet, spare change, etc in.

Great at news about the diesel and lack of IFS. It has me rethinking my 5.3 swap a little. Maybe instead I'll just sell mine off and get a diesel in 2 years.

Ive be been saying for years now Jeep needs to come out with a smaller Wrangler. Something Samurai sized. Put a little 4 cyl engine in there with maybe a turbo option and a little diesel option. They could probably even recycle the old D30/35 combo from the TJ and just run deeply offset wheels. They could call it the Willys or something to add to the cool factor. I would be all over it if it was done right.

Java
December 18th, 2013, 10:23 AM
more info on the baby jeep http://www.topspeed.com/cars/jeep/2015-baby-jeep-ar160617.html

Tom
December 18th, 2013, 10:41 PM
more info on the baby jeep http://www.topspeed.com/cars/jeep/2015-baby-jeep-ar160617.htmlThat's not a Jeep. That's a toy at best, and I can think of a lot of worsts.

Rick
December 18th, 2013, 10:56 PM
That's not a Jeep. That's a toy at best, and I can think of a lot of worstsAgree

ctracy5
December 18th, 2013, 11:33 PM
I would have to see the actual baby jeep first before I pass judgement, that fiat chassis is fantastic for a small car, but I don't know about a small "4x4". Of course the small diesel version is only available in Europe.