Wrangler or Tacoma?

AMEN


What shocks me is that the Wrangler is such a SIMPLE machine. Why can't FCA build a quality product?????? Its not like a S Class or complicated 7 series!

 

This is probably more of a long-winded non-answer than anything, and it echoes many of the comments already made in this thread.

I've owned a '93 YJ Wrangler for the past eight years and my Tacoma for a month and a half. The YJ was my daily driver for about six of those eight years but now is pretty much a toy. Save for a few things early on (water pump, radiator) virtually all of the non-maintenance repairs were entirely my own fault - either the result of modifications I've made or abuse brought upon the machine at my own hand. No, it is not the most practical or comfortable vehicle by a long shot, but I still love it and will be hard-pressed to ever get rid of it. It's also 24 years old and therefore of no comparison to any current-production vehicle.

The Tacoma has been great so far, but I appreciate it for different reasons. It's more comfortable, can carry more, and doesn't require ear plugs for long trips at highway speeds. I've been fortunate enough to continuously have a pickup for truck things and the YJ for whatever the hell else I want to do, though once the Tacoma is paid off I plan to start tinkering with it as well.

The Jeep in question, last July:



And perpetuating a stereotype, how she sits now:

 

I had a 2016 taco and traded it in for a 2000 wrangler. Obvious differences aside, I have no qualms with the jeep and it has been wheeled hard by the previous owner and there are no major issues at 125k miles.

I think the reliability is completely skewed here. I see just as many wranglers on the road and trails as I do Tacomas. Never seen either broken down, although last week i did see my first 3rd gen broken down on the highway. I know people with wranglers that have had zero issues. I know people with older/new Tacomas that have had plenty of issues. And vice versa. I traded my taco in because it had ridiculous issues for a new vehicle and the engine management sucked. I actually like driving the jeep more than the taco and appreciate getting some low end torque back in my life.

It is definitely more of a toy/weekend vehicle though. I got a smaller daily driver to spend most of my days commuting in (due to gas mileage) but I have no problem commuting to work in the jeep. Some things that people complain about with jeeps I had show up on the 3rd gen Tacoma within 1 year of ownership....

 

I had a supercharged 2011 JKU on 40s. It was built (welded in case, swapped both axles, rev, hydro assist, race seats, deadlocks, and a ton more upgrades). I traded the jeep in for my 2017 offroad in September and could not be happier. Don't get me wrong I am under no delusion that the truck is as capable offroad, however I do a lot more thnan spend time offroad. I have been able to haul stuff, helped with my house move, and my wife and I take it everywhere (she has a 2016 Cherokee trail hawk). I don't plan to go back. I do plan a lift and wheels/tires this month and the weld on sliders are in the garage ready to be welded up. The truck will see dirt also.

 

I love my Jeep more for off roading and the "jeep wave" from every jeep I pass, I love my Tacoma for how solid it feels and how it has more room for my camping gear. Jeep aftermarket accessory options are phenomenal compared to Tacoma. So I own both, love both, I drive the truck and my girl drives the Jeep. I am looking forward to the new model Jeep for 2018 and 2019 the Jeep truck.

 

I need a Jeep and a beach full of chicks.......

 

Buy a Jeep the chicks will follow

 

I have a 16 Taco TRD and my wife has a 13 2Dr Wrangler. I pretty much hate driving her wrangler compared to my Taco, better in so many ways. That being said, no matter how much better the Taco is, it can never be a "Wrangler".

 

I couldn't agree more. My 2017 Wrangler has its own feel and personality. I do have to say though I just installed rancho 9000xl 2 inch lift with bigger wheels and tires and I have to say it drives and feels a lot better in the Jeep. And I'm comparing that to the OME Bp-51 in my Tacoma. But I know with the bp51 I can kill the Wrangler when going fast on trails even though the Rancho in the Wrangler did pull away from a bunch of trucks a couple weeks ago. The interior in my Tacoma though I feel is superior but I also have the tech package so that might help.

 

Teehee....my babies

 

I didn't really have a choice in switching.

Well, I guess I did actually. Some drunk chick ran into my parked '05 Wrangler TJ. The reason I picked the Tacoma over the Wrangler is because they both have oft-road capabilities, a ton or mods etc. But the ultimate reason is because I was going to be a homeowner in the next 2 years and would definitely want a bed for moving, renovations and that kind of stuff. I bought my Gen 3 with the insurance money and haven't looked back!

 

This past October found me car shopping for the first time in 10+ years.


I'd been driving a Frontier crew cab 4x4 manual since buying it new in 2007. It was a super vehicle and handled everything I needed from it.....daily driver, light utility trailer/small boat towing, mild offroading for hunting & fishing, etc.

That truck ended my near constant car flipping that would occur every couple years.

I ran Firestone Destination AT's on it and was very impressed with it's offroad performance down at the the hunting club....located in a swamp. It never got stuck and got me to/from some spots with routine ease that many used their ATV's for. I found myself taking my ATV less often.


I wanted to replace the Frontier 4x4 with something that met my needs with similar performance but more room. I'm facing both knees and right shoulder being replaced in the near future and wanted more room and and automatic this time.

The very first vehicle I looked at was the 2017 Jeeps Wranglers & Wrangler Unlimited's. Very cool looking exteriors....when equipped with the upgraded wheels & tires.

Getting into them was another story entirely.....for me at least. The knee bend required to clear the door wells was not comfortable for me at all. I'm 6'4" and the left knee is the worst of the two.....first to be replaced. The extra cargo room and easier to access backseats of the Unlimited models was where I would want to be in the Jeep....but then going with the auto, hard top and the wheels & tires that looked good to me would have the price well above what I was hoping to spend. Then there was the livability issues with the door wells.


I test drove the full sized RAM, Tundra and Titan trucks. There were things I liked about each.....and some dislikes. When I started looking at the 4x4 models the price was above my budget.


I then found my way to the 2017 Tacoma's that were on the Toyota lot....right after test driving a Tundra.

I was impressed with the legroom and easy access to it. It was like my 07 Frontier in the sense that it was the perfect height for me to simply approach and park my arse in the seat and rotate in. More door well clearance than both my old Frontier and the Wranglers I'd looked at. Headroom was great. Seats were comfortable and the reach to the steering wheel was fine....even with the short throw tilt & telescope, lol.


Two things have become quickly apparent.....


This is what my commute home from work now looks like:









Because of my shot out knees....I often wasn't even able to make it fully home from work in the Frontier before having to pull over and walk around. 49 years old and my knees are like 80. Shortly after owning my 2017 Double Cab SR5 4WD I made this drive in it.....non-stop:








Very comfortable.


I haven't upgraded the tires yet as my hunting this year will not be happening.....but next year some AT or MT rubber will be happening. I'm sure it'll hit my fuel efficiency a bit....but, I'm confident that it'll still be better than what I'd be getting from that Wrangler Unlimited.

Comfort, peformance, reliability and a truck bed all factored into this decision.



Wife also took notice and decided to replace her 2008 Maxima with a 2018 RAV4 Limited. I am so glad that she did. The Maxima was so low slung...it was like standing up from a sports car. Her new SUV is easy access and more roomy. The backseat room is impressive in the RAV4...reclining rear seats really are nice.

Once again we are both driving the same brand that are one model year apart. Hoping we get 10+ trouble free years from these.

 

Traded my 2010 Wrangler with 50K miles for my 2017 TRD Sport 4X4. Wrangler had stupid quality issues, fun in sand for beach driving. Highway driving poor at speeds over 60 mph. Taco so much better on highway, and just as fun on the beach driving on sand. Drive what you want as long as you really enjoy the ride. For me, Taco....hands down

 

I traded in my 2012 Wrangler unlimited for my Trd pro. I had the jeep lifted with 35’s. I will be honest I loved my Jeep and I had a lot of fun in it. But ultimately I want something with a little more creature comforts. You know the leather seats with heat. The roof that doesn’t leak. And I quiet ride.

So I went with a pro. And I am leaving it stock. It is capable for what I need right out of the factory. With that said every taco that drives by lifted makes me want to change my mind. But I am holding strong. I also love having a truck bed again. And I can tow more than a jet ski.

If I were buying something to use 80% on the trail I would go with a Jeep. Everyone talks about them costing a lot to keep running but the newer ones are not money pits. If anything they are super easy to work on and a hell of a lot cheaper to set up for the trail. But if you have the money to fix up a taco. I do believe they will outlast the jeep and fit more of your lifestyle than just out on the trail.

Good luck. And sorry for the long wind.

 

You summed it up perfectly. No leaks, and quiet ride. And for heated seats...I had aftermarket kits installed on my front two seats. They work great!

 

This. I’ve always been a Taco fan growing up and have owned pretty much every generation since my first 1996 pick up. But I ventured into a 2015 Jeep Rubicon four door a few years back and loved it. Such a better vehicle for off roading and way cheaper to upgrade! The ride was comfy on road too but not perfect. A lot of these people saying there not comfortable are probably taking about the older ones which were very uncomfortable. The new Jeep JLs looks awesome and I think will be even more comfy on and off road. With that said nothing beats an actual truck and love my 17 so far. Just hate the price and hassle to upgrade the Taco vs a Jeep.

 

Yup......you both nailed it down tight, in my opinion.

I love the looks of the Jeeps....but the livability as a daily driver with a 45 mile round trip commute (1/2 is interstate) just nudges me in the Taco direction.

I went with some aftermarket seat covers that I'm really liking.....and damn glad I went with the heated front seat option. It's the ticket on a sore back after a 14 hour shift at work.

 

Damn good looking truck, right there !!!!!!

 

HAD a Jeep. The only worthy jeep is one so modified it really isn't a Jeep anymore.

 

I've owned a YJ, XJ, JKU, Commander, 5th gen 4runner, 2nd gen and now 3rd gen taco with many others in between. Would I buy another Jeep? Hell yes, just not a pos commander. Another taco? Ofcourse. Truth be told, they all suck for their own reasons. I like the on road manners of the taco over the JKU. However, the JKU with the 3.6 and 35"s had more power and better mpg than any of my Toyotas. That probably doesn't help at all.