Jeeps?

[ppfd]

So I've been looking for a new ride. Been thinking FJ or a Jeep

I know nothing about Jeeps. FJ's yes.

Not looking for a Zombie crusher but a daily driver. Late 2000's say past 5-6 years and up. Prefer a manual as well.

[Wrangler]

I recommend an 04-06 Wrangler Unlimited. It is slightly longer than the standard TJ. I have an 05 Unlimited as my daily driver and I lover. Sure she isn't as slick as those four door unlimiteds but she has a better turn radius and a better motor (even if the mpg is a little lower).

[MaconCJ7]

I vote for an older CJ. It's old (read: paid for) so you'll be less worried about scratching it. After all, it's a Jeep.

Now if you are set on having something new, I'd get the FJ if the price is right. Jeeps are Jeeps, nothing has really changed with them in the past 70 years. The FJ's are nice little rides. Quieter than a Jeep, more comfortable, cooler, all around better. A couple more pluses is the larger storage area, and the better towing capacity.

[Tater Raider]

based on my test drives I'd say the FJ has better on road manners.

[Freak]

Based on my experiance jeeps suck.

[Tater Raider]

Based on my experiance jeeps suck.

Based on mine they can give you a headache now and then, but I love mine so much that it's getting passed down to one of my sons when I die. I might get another vehicle, but I'm never willingly parting with mine.


ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Having said all of that, I'm willing to bet that 4 times out of 5 that the FJ Cruiser is better suited for a driver than a Wrangler. The exceptions:

• You want a Jeep pickup - get a JK Unlimited and slap on a Brute kit.
• Dedicated off-road, except sand runner.
• You have the money needed, or time needed to get the money, to mod the Jeep to perfectly suit your needs.
• You are single, have a very understanding SO, or really don't care if you stay married.
• Kids are not involved (2-dr) or 1 kid or less is involved (4-dr).
• You don't care about cargo capacity.

Now if you open it up to any Jeep, you have to carefully consider things, test drive, and work out what suits you best. The Grand Cherokee is a good SUV and I love the older Jeep Wagoneer and Cherokee.

[GentryMillMan]

I have owned a lot of jeeps, currently a 68 jeepster, 89 YJ, 08 Rubicon unlimited.

Jeep is the only way to go.

[ZombieSoldier01]

Here we go again... check out the search feature, it works great.

[kcor_77]

Here we go again... check out the search feature, it works great.

See this is why we need a chat thread for the gear heads.

[Coal-Cracker]

Here we go again... check out the search feature, it works great.

Using the search feature is fine and no question, informative. Still ZS is getting new members daily with potentially valuable experience and opinions that may help the OP.
God forbid the guy finds an older thread and posts a question in it - then the poor guy get accused of "necroing." He can't win.

To the OP...
My opinion is probably that the FJ would be appropriate for most drivers who appreciate the "big SUV ride" in a somewhat smaller vehicle. The Wrangler is intended more for those who appreciate a nimble, runabout vehicle. Part of what makes the Wrangler such an offroad capable vehicle (solid front axle, short wheel base, etc.,) is exactly what makes some shy away from their onroad ride. Granted the newer JKs are FAR from the ride some of us have experienced with older Jeeps, you aint drivin' a Cadillac.

You mentioned something 5 or 6 years old. That could get you in an '07 JK. Take one for a test ride. You have nothing to lose.

[CaptAmerica]

Love my 89 Wangler! They can bury me in it.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

[BA_SOONER]

Love my 99 Wrangler too. It's a source of much of my pain and joy all in one. There's a reason there's a saying "You wouldn't understand. It's a Jeep thing."

You either hate them down to the core, or you will never own anything else. Very little middle ground.

[AdLucem]

My girlfriend picked up an 88 wrangler for $1000 off the side of the road...It had 132k and the only issue it has had in 2 years of daily driving and tens of thousands of miles is one broken upper radiator hose ($8 part, easy fix or jerry rig)

[Tater Raider]

You either hate them down to the core, or you will never own anything else. Very little middle ground.

There can be no middle ground on that, and that's the way it should be IMHO. And Jeep drivers (Wrangler and CJ specifically) fall into 2 camps: friendly or complete and utter Jeep snob asshats.

That's plain wrong, but that's how it goes.

[MaconCJ7]

I'm middle ground. I have a Jeep, I like my Jeep. I couldn't care less what others drive, and I also understand that Jeeps are craptastic. They are great for their intended purpose of off road message delivery. They're okay around town, horrible on the freeway, and the gas mileage sucks for the size of the ride. You can't haul shit, and can barely fit groceries in the back. If you have a family, you're screwed, because somebody is getting strapped to the roll cage. Handling is okay at best, and the road noise makes you want to listen to cats fighting in a bag.

But, it is a Jeep after all, so it's still pretty slick. They can do a u-turn in two parking spaces, doors are optional (factory option at one point), windshield folds down for trail riding, enough room for all the food and beer you need for a weekend, it'll tow your aluminum fishing boat without issue, the gas mileage never changes, if you roll it on it's side, you can put it back on it's wheels yourself, if you roll it on it's side, it doesn't care, the road noise drowns out any Justin Beiber song on the radio. It's a Jeep thing.

[Skull_Hide]

I know this thread is more devoted towards the smaller Jeep's like a Wrangler but we've had many Jeep's over the years, all Cherokees and they've stood the test of time. From our experiences those straight sixes are near impossible to destroy. Next to no experience on the V8's but I've heard they can be hit or miss on the older ones, 90's-00. My 1999 WJ fits me fine, excellent off-road, very good small town driving, I don't drive in major metro cites, seats everyone I need to and fair cargo room with seats up and excellent with seats down. True its a SUV but it does everything needed.

[Braticus Caticus]

I have owned a YJ a TJ and an XJ. they were purchased used with low mileage, and given very easy lives (well maintained, no abuse).
I really, really wanted to like them, but they were the biggest pieces of unreliable crap I have ever owned and I will never, ever buy another Jeep product.

[Tater Raider]

I have owned a YJ a TJ and an XJ. they were purchased used with low mileage, and given very easy lives (well maintained, no abuse).
I really, really wanted to like them, but they were the biggest pieces of unreliable crap I have ever owned and I will never, ever buy another Jeep product.

I abuse mine regularly, but baby it on maintenance and make better what breaks because of me (bedliner in the tub when I destroyed the carpet, redo on the brakes for example). I'm also still under warranty so I'll have input on this one at 50k miles. Right now I'm nearing 20k and the only complaints I have are my traction control light will come on in winter at a certain point of my paper routes if I'm slipping much (fixed by killing the motor and restarting) and I am unable to reset my TPMS light to a lower PSI without my dealer voiding my warranty (varies by dealer - legally they can't if that's all you change but it's not worth the legal battle to me so I'm going by what they say). TPMS will get fixed around 36k miles, when the warranty expires, along with an eco tune to the computer.

Complaints on aftermarket stuff is a whole other thing. I seriously question the QC of some of those places.

I'm not saying you're wrong, don't misunderstand me, please. I'm saying my experience is a bit different. YMMV and all that.

[Dawgboy]

Sniff sniff...

I miss my waggy

[ZombieSoldier01]

in all honesty if you want newer, neither would be bad. go drive them both. neither will disappoint. both have strong aftermarkets, but the jeep has a better aftermarket. just remember i have a bad taste in my mouth from jeep owners because a good percentage thinks they are some kind of elitist. Please dont turn into one of them. Last one that did the "I am elitist" thing, challenged me to a tug of war. VERY BAD IDEA when challenging a diesel to a tug of war especially when they make just under 700 pound feet of torque. truth be told, i am looking to pick a 94 Wrangler Sahara up from my wife's grandparents, for my son.

but just to razz tater raider
http://qkme.me/36i090

[We'reWolf]

what about a jeep liberty?
or i was looking at ford exploder sport tracs, i like those

[CB4]

XJ or GTFO.

[ppfd]

Thanks

As far as search, I did. Really didn't find anything as far as general opinions.

FJ, I stay up on this vehicle as it is my first love. Only think keeping from going FJ is I love my pick up. I might haul something once every 6 months but when you need the bed you need it!

Ugh, decisions!

[Tater Raider]

Thanks

As far as search, I did. Really didn't find anything as far as general opinions.

FJ, I stay up on this vehicle as it is my first love. Only think keeping from going FJ is I love my pick up. I might haul something once every 6 months but when you need the bed you need it!

Ugh, decisions!

Trailer. Just sayin'.