Why not just buy a new Rubicon?

Ive got a 92 with 65k miles, on 33's, 4:56's, Detroit rear locker. Get you an older one to play with. Wouldn't want one as a daily driver.

 

I need something that can actuall tow some weight. Those jeeps cant tow crap. Standard tow capacity is 2000lbs (you have to be kidding) and you can upgrade to 3500 (still a freakin joke).

My minivan can tow as much

 

That is why they have warranties. Also careful on the "initial quality" that is not long term dependability.

IQ stuff includes "excessive road noise" and what not.

 

My friend has A Rubicon, now it sits in his driveway because he has to rebuild the front and rear drive shafts.

 

Its not designed as a tow vehicle. I also suspect that 2,000lb has more to do with the hitch and wheel base then with the frame, engine and brakes.

A Wrangler is a the sports car of the Off-Road world. If you want a capable showroom stock truck that seats four, is a convertible and costs only $25,000, there is nothing else out there.

It's also number 1 in resale.

 

Did his frame-rails rust out.

 

LOL

 

o snap, thats a heck of a pic.

 

dang, got my links messed up...how do i edit?

 

dooo it! if I didn't need the bed space i'd consider it. my brother has a jk, what a blast to drive offroad!

 

Let me guess... You're this guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZKShqlmsHY&list=FL-ZvLaO3TnBV3nLv5i4QUhQ&index=78&feature=plpp_video

 

I had a 06 Rubicon, Last year of Old body Style . Best Engine also my opinion. Offroad nothing compares, but not a daily driver. I have two family members with the new 4 doors. Nothing but problems, electrical, transmission, and exhaust manifold cracks. Still miss the 06 Rubi, Had fun at Dumont Dunes pulling out all the fords and chevys buried in the sand
"Nothing lasts like a Toyota" !

 

The Jeep Unlimited (4 door) is maybe the actual comparison. Only the 4-door Jeep has the versatility of a Tacoma AC or DC. The Jeep Unlimited is probably a more capable off-roader, but it doesn't have a truck bed. You can't throw rocks, sand, gravel, or whatever into the "bed" of a Jeep then hose it out in 5 minutes so it's ready for people to occupy.

I like the shorter length of the Jeep, shorter front and rear porch, but it's not the multi-purpose vehicle the Taco is. And of course quality and resale value, add in the horrendous road noise of the Jeep, and add in the initial cost is much higher.

The Wrangler/Rubicon is an SUV, it's not a truck.

 

Sounds like the Honda commercial.
"Our car is reliable!"
"Is it as reliable as that Honda?"
"If there's a problem, the warranty will cover it"
"So you're saying the warranty is reliable?"

Sorry.

Warranty doesn't help in the middle of the desert in 100 degree heat.
Warranty is a pain in the ass when you are on your way to work at 5am.

I'd rather have a vehicle that doesn't NEED to go to the shop.

1994 Toyota pickup - warped exhaust manifold at 120k. Clutch at 180k.
2000 Echo - Never in the shop, gave it to daughter with 70k on it.
2003 Tundra - Never in the shop
2004 Rav4 - ECU took a shit when it was a month old. O2 sensor at 30k. Has 120k on it now, never been back to the shop since the O2 sensor.
2008 Tacoma - Never been in the shop. Previous owner had the accelerator recall done.


Office manager at my last job bought an '05 Rubicon. In for service 3 times in the first 6 months she had it.
Wonderful... she didn't have to pay for the repairs.
It screwed up her weekend plans and she did have to pay for a rental car to get to work.

Okay, so the IQ is not long-term... but twice the problems right out of the showroom from the best to worst on that list does not bode well for long term reliability.
Are these problems due to shoddy manufacturing, or poor engineering creating a failure-prone assembly?

As well it should. Initial quality problems are initial quality problems.
Everyone is on the same playing field. Jeep buyers are no more likely than Toyota buyers to report "excessive road noise"... if anything, perhaps less likely.

But no... what we see on that list is the customers who would generally be less tolerant of what many might consider to be "picky" issues.... THOSE cars are ranking higher.

Lexus, Jaguar, Porsche, Cadillac, Acura, Infiniti, Mercedes, BMW, are all in the top 10 with Honda and Toyota making up the other two.
THEN you get to Mazda, GMC, Nissan, Ram, and Chevy.

 

Wow. The numbnuts in that video may be the dumbest bastard I've ever seen. Just frigging wow.

As to Jeeps, I've owned two (CJ5 and TJ) and I'd gladly own either one of them again. Nothing after 2006 though. The new ones are crap IMO.

 

I love Wranglers, I really do BUT...I just can't trust them! I have 130+ thousand miles on my Tacoma and haven't had any issues that weren't my own fault. Besides that...batteries and tires

BUT, it's your decision bud...do what makes you happy! Your not gonna get too much Jeep love on a Tacoma site.

My dad has a 04 Wrangler and he hasn't had many problems with it at all, just maintenance stuff....but he always tells me he wishes he had bought a Tacoma.

Good luck man!

 

Top Gear didn't pick Toyotas to drive to the North Pole for no reason. They coulda picked any vehicles on the planet, and they didn't pick Jeeps.

 

i see what you did there

 

I don't appreciate you posting this picture.