We just drove a new 2006 Jeep Wrangler “X” that was delivered to our showroom late last night. To me that Jeep feels and drive the same as the 2005s I’ve driven with the same equipment.

The Jeep I drove was a 2006 Jeep Wrangler “X” in Beryl Green, Six Speed, AC, Dark Tinted rear windows, Full Metal Doors, “DSA” limited slip, and a 3.73 rear end axle ratio. I know this is not a big deal to most of you but believe it or not this is how most new Jeeps are sold in today’s market this is DC most popular configuration in Six Speed and Automatic. I for one would opt for adding the Speed Control and a Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel if I were looking for an “X”.

The MSRP on this Jeep is $22,585.00 and the Dealer’s invoice is $21,436.00.

I looked fairly closely and observed a few notable changes that you might be interested in:

• Gone; the bumper-end caps it looks like someone a DC has finally gotten it and realized we never like those things anyway. Now the Jeep has a much more athletic stance with a bumper about the size and shape as the Warn Rock Crawler Bumpers. Too bad they left on the light duty construction of the older bumper. But it dose look good and folks that take their new Jeeps off road for the first time will no longer suffer that annoying bumper and cap damage.
  
  
• Did you like the tilt and slide construction of the driver’s seat added to the 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited? Guess what, now it comes in the SWB also! I think this is a big deal for folks that ride alone most of the time. For me it has always been a hassle to reach for my laptop or backpack in the backseat when my top is up from the driver’s side door. Big guys like me just don’t bend that way. Now a driver can reach items in the back seat easily without inflicting serious bodily injury on themselves. I for one relay like this enhancement in fact just today I stabbed myself in the sternum reaching for a box of JeepTales Business Cards when I got to work this morning.
  
  
• New fabric, the fabric in this Jeep is like the ballistic fabric that came on the 2004 Jeep Wrangler Sahara and the 2005 “H” package Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Most of the folks I’ve spoken to like this fabric more simply because it easier to clean then the fabric that came in the Stock Cloth Jeeps.
  
  
• The “X” Package now sports a center console without having to purchase it as an upgrade. It looks as though the console has had a few updates to make it a tad more cell phone friendly.

If you are thinking about looking into a new Jeep you might want to consider the 2006 just for the tip and slide driver’s seat and updated fabric, I know I would.

That all sounds great right up to the $22000 price tag.

The best part of my 1986 CJ7 is the payment book. Oh wait there ain't one.

However I am guilty of eyeballing the Unlimited. But then that darn price tag shows up again. Not that I can't afford it, I can't justify it.