2012 Tacoma vs 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Owned both Jeeps (1979 CJ, and 2009 JK) and Tacomas (both gens), and I'd pick a 4.0 TJ as mentioned above as strictly an offroad vehicle (I haven't driven a 2012 Pentastar so I can't comment). But that's all it's really good for--off-roading.

As a daily driver and a multi-capability vehicle, to include excellent off-roading and proven long-term reliability, pick the Tacoma.

 

How crazy is that? I just get back on this forum a couple years removed (sold my 09 Tacoma) to read up on the 2012 Tacoma and run into this thread that is about someone debating EXACTLY what I am.

Here's my take: I currently have an FJC. It rides good, even lifted and weighed down by bumpers a winch etc. I think its all in what you like or need?? These are apples and oranges......BUT Jeep makes a conversion kit to turn a 4 door into a pickup. This is where I start "MY" which way should I go??? I plan on either buying and building up another Tacoma OR buying and doing the conversion on the Jeep.

HARD CALL...?...?.... THEY ARE BOTH GOOD VEHICLES.

 

I trade my jeep for my Tacoma.

I needed a truck and im not a fan of full size trucks but I loved my jeep.
And will have another but I will prolly get an older one so I can beat the crap out of it.

 

Well there ya go. That in itself is the answer. I keep thinking about the school bus accident and how the OP survived after that.

 

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a new 4 door wrangler on 40's but I would never drive it on the road. Like I said, very capable off road but very sketchy on road as far as safety is concerned.

 

Safety is first in my book. Yes, it's fun going off road but rather do it in a vehicle that can also withstand the hazards of street crashes.

 

I just bought a Rubicon Unlimited, will get it on Friday... I loved my 96 Tacoma then after serving me well for 13 years, I work as a forestry surveyor, I changed it for the 200& model and made all the modification listed... The fact is the new designed Tacoma is a hwy 4x4 not meant to go off road and plus the box design lets dust come in; impossible to keep a clean cargo when on dirt road ( can't believe no one has complained about this!). The new redesigned Jeep with the new motor is certainly the way to go if you are to do some offroad but still want a somewhat luxury suv... look at the available options on the jeep website... mine has them all, beside leather seat which I don't care for... Try both and decide but if you want to do offroad and have to sometime drive on gravel road... to there is only one logical choice....The 4 door Tacoma is way too long to get through water bars... offroad obstacle etc...

 

Kids.

I would put my kids in the back seat of the Tacoma. I won't let them go near a Jeep backseat. The safety ratings are way better on the Tacoma, best in class.

 

That is a great question! Bad luck? Poor quality? Abuse from previous renters? Meteor? Who knows? All I know is that I am out a few hundred $$$. The whole experience put a real bad taste in my mouth regarding Jeeps.

 

Last time I checked the interior of our Tacoma was plastic so not sure where you're coming from there. I like both and just gave my Tacoma 2010 TRD Sport to my wife and I just picked up a 2012 Jeep JKUR. It is very nice to drive, and isn't any harder on the bumps then my Tacoma was, Really! The dash looks waaay better in the Jeep then the Tacoma and dressed in Black leather is really sets the interior apart. I prefer to drive the Jeep, but seeing it's new, that's expected but the feel is better to me. I have 2200kms on it now and it rocks!
To each their own, but I wanted to keep the Tacoma in the family to at least have a truck to use for hauling stuff around.
To compare the Tacoma offroad to the Jeep isn't a fair comparison, different purposes and equipment and we all know the Jeep wins offroad.
The new engine in the Jeep is an absolute improvement and I find not gearing back to 5th on the hills if I want to maintain speed but If I want to accellerate and hard I need to gear back. It's comparable to what the Tacoma was/is getting for fuel mileage. Here in Canada I get 22-24 MPG in the Tacoma and 21-22 in the Jeep but it isn't broke in yet which I'm told will improve when it does. We'll see...
So, speaking from experience, both are beautiful rigs, get similar mileage but have different purposes/setup and drive nice so it all comes down to what you need to do with it, either should make you happy!

Here's ours!

 

You need to take into consideration, what you are going to do with the vehicle.
I love my Taco, but I think a Wrangler would be a blast to cruise around in with the tip and doors off. But I need a truck to haul and work out of.

 

It is a new engine that can not yet be programmed for different gearing or tire size. It has less displacement that the prior years. I just traded off my fully modded Ruby. Basically got sick of it. They are badazz offroad but lack in all other areas. JMO

 

I had a 98 wrangler. 4 cyl Manual, 4x4, soft top, 4" Lift, etc. Was a fun little Jeep. It was my first car actually. Was in highschool so the soft top was definitely a plus. I drove it 60 miles round trip to work and back then. Was LOUD with the soft top. Stereo was almost useless. couldn't haul anything, the 4 cyl was horrible for mpg with 33" tires. Lol. It was solid off road. Even with 4 wheel drive and open diffs. I had It for a couple years before getting my 01 Tacoma.. never looked back. Now Im on Taco number 3.

The jeeos are fun, especially the soft tops. I always had mine down here In Az. But practical for my.needs? No. But, your situation may be different. If you don't need a bed, or don't mind the noise, get a jeep. They are great offroad, but to me.. they seem more bare minimum and less practical than our tacos. Atleast if you go with the 2 door soft top.

 

Look at all the aftermarket for jeeps than toyota; blows us away. And just in comparison with his 06 Wrangler to my 08 Tacoma and what mods he has put on; they are much easier to work on as well as not having as much drivability issues. His was like plug and play and mine was like plug, what the hell is that noise, and that vibration...buy more mods take some off...better but still there...etc etc. I love my Tacoma, but hate this vib. issue. Lot more money and time has to be put in. Mind you that this is all my opinion and experience.

 

I wrote service for Jeep for a little bit and did see a LOT of cracked windshields; dunno why though.

 

I've had a lot of vibes too. Still do, no longer a diff vibe but something else the dealer can't figure out. Their solution "Vibrations are normal for Tacoma's with leveling kits and 265/70R17's"... Had Jeep released the 2012 with the new engine prior to me buying my truck I'd probably be rolling a fully color matched 2012 Rubicon.

 

Probably the same reason as the FJ? The nearly straight up and down profile doesn't exactly deflect rocks and pebbles on the highway...

 

Have fun fixing you jeep while my truck is still not broke. I have both 2010 Tacoma and 2000 Jeep. I will sell you my jeep.

 

I will say that you are right on this. Still don't like the vibes

 

My tacoma has already cost me more in repair bills than my 99TJ. Only problem with my TJ is I couldn't haul stuff around like my Taco...