Wrangler or Tacoma?

I've talked to a few guys who know their stuff since I got rid of mine, and the consensus is that a good quality 2 or so inch lift, replacing most if not all of the suspension might have solved my issues. Oh well haha.

 

Even guys forking $55,000 for a brand new JLU are having to go back to the dealership to get the steering looked at because their Jeeps wander all over the road. After all the flak Jeep got for increasing the rake of the windshield...windnoise hasn’t gotten any better! And how do you make a larger vehicle feel smaller inside...?

Apparently no one even tested the Rubicon fenders: they trap all sorts rocks, dirt and debris where the fenders meet the metal panels.

And after 80 years building these things Jeep still hasn’t figured out how to build a top that doesn’t leak, how to weld frames, or how to align body panels properly...

 

Yep, If you go with a lift, most of the steering components will have to be replaced too. That’s what made my jerp highway safe haha

 

Idk the factory top on my 06 didn't leak. And I'm pretty sure it was quieter than my buddy's 2011 JK (don't even get me started on the faults of the JK.... Oy)

 

I have a bed lined floorboard with no carpet and a trektop nx and yes.. it’s loud over 50mph. Good side if that is no one calls me when I’m in the car for anything because they know They won’t be able to hear me over Bluetooth

 

So nothing about reliability, just some preferences aren't met. Yeah I would prefer my taco seat was a little lower. No vehicle is perfec . They're all designed with compromises.

 

When I bought my JK, the salesman gave me the full debriefing on leaks, wind noise, on-road handling, etc even though I owned a suzuki samurai & have been around CJs & TJs for decades; that's just how inundated they are with NVH "my vehicle is not perfect" complaints.

 

Either that or he was just trying to sell you the undercoating and the fabric protection

 

Yes they are.

But the more FCA jacks up those prices, those “compromises” become harder to swallow.

 

haha! I used the "Tread Lightly" affiliate rewards program pricing thankfully, to their credit a zero BS transaction.

 

As a prior JK owner I can verify that Wranglers can’t be topped for open air driving fun. It looks like Ford will finally be giving the Wrangler some competition next year with the new generation Bronco coming out in 2020.

 

Ehem...Bronco was delayed again...to 2021 or 2022...at the earliest.

 

Actually it can if you only drive on the street.

I had a 2017 Wrangler. Built like a Fiat unfortunately.

I now have a PRHT (Power retractable HardTop) Mazda MX5

Removing the top off the Wrangler was the biggest draw for me (I already had an off-road worthy vehicle) but it was a hassle and took 2 people unless you had a lift.

My Mazda top removes at the press of a button in 12 seconds, is always with me in case of an unexpected shower, and locks up as solid as any other car when having to go downtown.

The terrific MPG is also a plus.

The only real drawback is a relatively smooth dirt road is the extent of its off road capability.

 

Best of both worlds

 

New wrangler has a power top. (Being a smartass here)

Mazda MX5 to Jeep Wrangler is apples to pancakes

 

While I do agree that every brand has its own quirks/problems, not all brands are equal in terms of reliability.

Toyota's Tacoma and Tundra and 4runner have consistently been ranked high (often at the top) of the reliability rankings. If you go look at the NHSTA website for recalls and TSB's and complaints, the Tacoma usually, though not always, fares better than all other midsized trucks and SUV's. Yeah, the frame rust was a big deal, but that was also over 10 years ago...since then the Tacoma has had relatively few issues, and those it did have were limited to certain production runs and were quickly addressed. The new Jeep JL may only have a few recalls at this time, but there have already been owner reviews noting build quality issues (interior components falling apart, weatherproofing strips starting to fail, cracked windshields) within only a few months of ownership:



The Jeep is a great offroader, but it just is not built with the same durability and longevity in mind that a Tacoma is. FCA builds these vehicles with the expectation that initial owners will keep them for 5-6 years tops. There is a reason why Jeeps are fairly cheap to buy on the used markets.

 

The hell is with that guy's shorts...

I'd probably own both a jeep and taco if I had the money. Taco has much more utility but a jeep looks fun as hell to drive around without the top on nice days.

 

It’s a blast with no top and doors. But when it’s 95 out and you’re sitting in traffic it can get a little hot

 

That's my long term plan. Secure a 94 or 95 YJ (with the larger brake booster) 5spd soft top and it'll be the weekender.