Affordability: Tacoma vs. Wrangler

The quality in a Fiat (Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge) isn't nearly as good as a Toyota. I've had three Wranglers and loved them all. I drive 35K a year and just couldn't talk myself into trusting a Jeep for 120K plus miles. They are fine if you aren't planning to keep them a long time and put a ton of miles on them. Wranglers look cool with the removable top and all, but in the real world, they are a pain to take on and off. You need at least two people to take the hard top off, and if you get stuck in the rain, you're screwed. A guy that I work with has replaced his aftermarket radio twice because it shorted out from getting rained on. The soft top is a pain to put on and off. For me it was the reliability and the bed that convinced me on the Tacoma.

 

Don't forget that with the Toyota you get the added benefit of having the truck bed. Makes for alot more versatility. The wrangler is basically a cool car that can go Offroad.

 

It's amazing how many people know people who have had issues with Jeep Wranglers on here... And not one issue with the Tacoma. Slighted opinions maybe?

I'm still astonished that so many people on this TACOMA forum are siding with TACOMAS. Didn't see that one coming.

 

Huh? Are you logging into the same TW site I am?

 

I'll go. Buddy at work has a 03 tacoma. At 100k the engine lost oil pressure and set a piston free, out the side of the block.

 

If this helps you decide: 2016 bbp sr5 4x2 dcsb. 28,600 otd total.winter park autonation toyota. noone else came close and no hassle at all! look at their internet sales is key. had to order and took about 2 weeks. looked liked this and now looks like this. 1st pick was after more tint and debadge and second pic is now. so prob about just under 31500-32000 into it. keep in mind though its not 4x4, but the dealer itself.

 

The Tacoma won the best 2016 4x4 by that Peterson 4 wheel magazine is that makes any difference

 

I have both a Wrangler and a Tacoma and never had any real problems with either one. I had big plans for the Tacoma but that project lost steam. i did install new tires but lift kit and rock sliders are still laying around. ill get back on it one day but for now it just sits in the driveway mainly for hauling stuff or the family around. Wrangler still remains my go-to daily driver/off roader. its just a blast to drive.

got the new Tacoma SR5 4x4 DDLB through costco for 30,500

Stole the new Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon fully loaded for 29,400

 

Ha! I too just about stole an 09 JKU Rubicon; bought it in December 2008 with similar pricing. Really enjoyed it but using it as a convertible was a pain in the ass, and cargo carrying space was limited. Kept it four years, never had an issue with it.

 

At your own risk hahaha

 

Make note that if you buy a Tacoma, the frame will rot out.

Everyone talks about Toyota lasting forever, but that is only be a use Toyota replaced the frames on most of them through recalls.

 

And lost to the Frontier this year...

 

.
...^^^... excellent prices

 

Well I am glad I stumbled onto this thread. I was looking to see what the potential capability was of these trucks in comparison to a jeep platform. I own a 2014 taco double cab tx pro. It has a lot of nice stuff right off the floor. I bought it new and have not had an opportunity to do much with it off-road. I am in the military and the tacoma is on its way to San Salvador where I plan to explore some safer places of this country with it.

I have come from a line of jeeps. It started with a full size gmc on 37's that I wheeled in the rocks (I kept halfs shafts, a center link, and tie rod ends behind the seat) and I broke it a lot.

Then I got a 06 rubicon (lj) 6spd and went hog wild. When I sold it I was competing in rock crawling events. It was long armed on 37's, alloys, Detroit in the back (factory air locker gave up on me), 4.88's, full cage, body armor all around, and skids front to back with a tummy tuck. It had engine boltons, tuner, winch, oro sway, and I typically followed my buddies in their tube buggies around. I just couldn't take all of their lines.

Then I got my wife (at the time) a 97 tj (4.0 5spd) and put rock sliders on it with the same under belly armor as my jeep. Then 3.5 lift, 33's, super 35 kit, 4.56's, alloys, Detroit and true track. That honestly was my favorite jeep. It was so much fun to wheel because it took a little more skill but still did 75% of what my jeep could for half of what I paid for my stock 06 rubicon.

We traded that in for an 09 rubicon unlimited 6spd and put skids, winch, 4.88's, 3.5 lift and 35's and it was pretty capable out of the box.

So I guess this thread has brought me out of the web building clouds (lifts, long travel, sas, chopping for 35's etc) and now I am just going to go see what she has. At the end of the day I don't miss my jeeps. To play that hard it is very expensive and my tacoma is a truck, not a rock crawler. I bought for adventure, I bought it so I could go rough places, it has a bed so I can bring crap with me and it way more comfortable than any of the above vehicles. I do not have illusions of grandeur on what my truck isint and before I start buying suspension and drivetrain upgrades, I will just see what she can do.

Maybe I don't need to do anything to it and it is already perfect...(just kidding, I can't leave anything alone)

 

Wrangler is without a doubt very offroad capable and more than a Tacoma is. For what you want a Tacoma will be fine. For me once JEEP removed the 4.0 I6 and put In place the 3.8 from the minivan it was all downhill. The older JEEPS are very reliable in my opinion minus the ones in the late 80s and early 90s with the RENIX fuel injection. If your going wrangler I'd go 07 and below. Every mom here has a wrangler which I guess that's why they put the minivan motor in it since it would be an easy transition for the moms because it's the same cute power.

 

Tacoma can't do this! or this but the tacoma will be easier to drive daily! I enjoyed my Jeep but damn the tacoma is easier on the work commute!

 

Why can't a Tacoma do those things? I don't get it....

 

What I think he is saying is
IFS vs straight axle
Straight axle has much more flex travel for Wheeling
But can a jeep do this?

 

Well sure we all know that but a Tacoma can certainly do the obstacles in the pictures

 

You can drive a Prius down those obstacles difference being are you going to do it with ease and how much are you going to f up specially on a 3rd Gen because we are talking about 3rd gens here lol don't get me wrong I love my tacoma but when we hit these type trails I leave that joker at camp! as far as being able to drive the tacoma to work and doing some mild off roading its awesome