2013 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

I wish Toyota would build a new equivalent to the 1st generation 4runner.

Make it a simple 2 door SUV based on the Regular cab chassis, same styling as the Tacoma. Removable hard top, power rear window, fold flat/forward rear seats. 2.7L/5spd.

I would buy one right now, it really makes no sense to me why they don't do this anymore?

 

I've always been a fan of Wranglers (I'd bet most guys on this forum are)

lol

 

Yes, you have to look at it as a $30,000 option; what an awesome rig though. 5 years down the road maybe....

 

Seriously, virtual mocking now? That's classy!

I wanted one as my first new vehicle in 99, but I bought a Cavalier because it had better gas mileage and I could afford the insurance, in '01 I bought my first Tacoma and was sold on Toyota quality, ended up buying an '03 4Runner too (thankfully bought an extended warranty covering both catalytic converters.) Since then I became accustomed to creature comforts like power windows and locks, and the Wranglers never offered them...at least not til '07 and I'd never buy a first model year changeover again. Waited til '09 and test drove one and I was pretty unimpressed by the drivetrain and the interior was nothing special; bought a Tundra instead, then got a great buy on a preowned 4-door Tacoma, then another great deal on the 12 I'm driving now. When I finally drove the 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, I couldn't think of any other excuses, except the bed and I think I can live without it now.

I brought my question to a Toyota forum because I have always liked and had good luck with the Toyotas I've owned and trusted much of the info I've gotten from all of the TW members. It still blows my mind how many haters there are based on merely a brand name.

It's a great time for us as consumers in the automotive world because there are SO MANY great vehicles out there. It creates competition between manufacturers for our hard earned dollars. As a result, they keep offering better and better vehicles. Regardless of brand name, he who makes the best vehicle to me, wins.

The Pentastar is now in it's 2nd model year for the Wrangler and 3rd for Chrysler, also the third year for the new interior so the little bugs should be gone. And for those wondering:

* The new Pentastar is manufactured in Michigan
* The 5 speed automatic transmission is made in Kokomo, Indiana
* Final vehicle assembly in the Toledo, OH plant...same place they used to make the CJs



So, haters can hate, but this still means something to me....kind of like extra credit

 

I like the new Jeeps, and the fact the motors are made in the town I was born in helps a little more. I drive a Tacoma because I have had nothing but good luck with them for the past 13 years. But the more I read on here and other sites Toyota quality has fallen off in the last couple of years. I say if you like the JK get it man. The color is awesome btw.

 

No time to hate. Just the facts:



2013 model year information extracted from PDF available at http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/Part+583+American+Automobile+Labeling+Act+(AALA)+Reports

IMHO, no significant difference.

Mike

 

Yeah, the color helps a bit too, like the green Toyota never made.

SEMA Green? Not quite, but close.

 

See, now that's a good post. Thanks Mike. Always good to be informed. That's a HUGE U.S. percentage for the Tundra.

In what other countries does Toyota sell the full size truck?

 

I'm a fan of Wranglers and Tacomas

However, I despise the idea that you should base a vehicle purchase off of what country the car was made in. Yes, we all love America, but I get a lot of shit from people cause my Tacoma is "foreign"... I say so what?! I have friends that refuse to drive "foreign" trucks, so they end up with POS Dodges and Chevys.
Why buy a shittier vehicle just because it was made here?

That being said, the new Wrangler is a nice vehicle and whether you get it or keep the Tacoma, you made a good decision.

 

I've read the Pentastar 3.6L is also assembled in Mexico as well as Michigan. My Tacoma was assembled in Texas. Seems like if its such a big deal you would have checked that when you bought the truck?

The reason you are getting haters is you asked why you should buy a Jeep on a Tacoma dedicated forum, and why you figured you'd get majority of good advice, the world may never know lol.

Not hating, just stating that the responses here are well within the norm. Same thing happens if you own a Jeep and post why you should get a Tacoma on jkforum.

Seems like you made your decision on the Jeep from page 1 though?

I'd love to have a wrangler to do some serious wheeling, and maybe I will one day. Gotta focus on that 1st gen 4Runner I want first

 

Mind still isn't made up man. I've told you that already. Just checking all my sources.

And I did get lots of good advice, along with lots of crap to sort through. Like anything else, everyone has an opinion to which they are entitled.

When I bought the Tacoma in August, I guess I was a less informed buyer. Having driven the same generation vehicle previously, I knew a lot about them, and didn't feel the need to ask as many questions and believed the salesman when he told me "it was all built right here in the U.S." I know, I know..... but I learned from that mistake. And I'm not saying it would've been a deal breaker anyway.

And why do some Toyota owners have to hate Jeeps, just because um, they're a Jeep? Never understood that. I guess they should make stickers for some owners that say, "I hate Jeeps, it's a Toyota thing...."

Again, I came here because of the open-minded thinkers, which are still trickling into the thread, and through PMs

 

Also, based on the bulk of available info here, I always kind of thought of TacomaWorld as a Toyota Offroad Forum, which is another reason I came here.

Good luck with the 4Runner!! That would be fun.

 

Just seems like you really really want that Jeep hehe

At times I wished I had gotten a 3rd or 4th Gen 4Runner to have trunk space and a little more room for passengers, but when it came down to it I wanted something I would have from day one off the lot until it falls apart, and the Tacoma has always been a family favorite. Love my truck, especially when my rear passenger seats fold over and become my trunk. And damn are newer 4Runners insanely priced!

Toyota owners hate Jeeps just like Android owners hate iPhones and vice versa. It is the "other brand" and thus inferior in "every way".

But no Tacoma owner dare say there Tacoma is more capable stock offroad than a Wrangler. And if they do, they are talking out of their ass.

I still really like that Wrangler you are looking at for what it is. Did you ever say how many miles are actually on it? I remembered I had asked a page or so before but not sure if you saw it.

 

So why am I seeing a 5 page thread about a jeep on a Toyota forum? This should have been killed by the mods the first day/

 

Up until I sold my TJ for a 1stgen, I've always had Jeeps...CJ5, CJ7, and the TJ.

Myths - Chrysler ruined them - Chrysler engineered a functional hvac system that fit in the thing, so you didn't shiver anymore, added fuel injection to the 6cyl, and eventually put in a coil spring system. Coils rule offroad and are comfortable on the highway. Yeah, maybe not best for mall lifts, or rock gardens. Death Wobble - I have section of highway in my town that I can simulate this...replaced my worn shocks, stabilizer and a balance cured it. Reliability - None of my Jeeps have ever stranded me.

I've always liked the Rubicons because of the larger wheels, front and rear lockers, and rear discs. I miss my TJ for the ease of parking, slicing.dicing thru traffic and offroad capability. The Taco is great, but in my area, offroad means woods trails, and even though the Taco is a mini-truck it feels huge on trails. That green to my taste, is a funky color, but you gotta live with it. If the salesdude is giving you that much for your truck, he's not gonna move on the Jeep asking price, he's needs to make it up somewhere. While my V6 Tacoma is no hotrod, it does highway work better than my Jeep, tho I've not driven the new V6 Jeep. Yes, the wimmens love Jeeps, and the countless "topless" opening lines are fun too.

I just read an article recently, where a guy named the holy offroad trinity:Rover, Jeep Toyota...I agree. If the bed holds you back consider a trailer

 

Because they are Toyota fans.

Webster to the rescue:
Definition of FAN: an enthusiastic devotee
Origin of FAN: probably short for fanatic
First Known Use: 1682

Definition of FANATIC: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion

As a casual observer of culture, I am always amazed by people who think that the car that they drive (or any other object they own) helps to define them as a human being. People are defensive about these things. Like it or not, it is an (IMHO, unflattering and materialistic) part of American culture. We love our cars.

Mike

 

Cant stop untill it hits 100 pages, 95 more to go, so many people hating because he likes it, classic biased opinions

 

Go on a jeep forum, and ask them about buying a Tacoma.

 

Just take care of it and it will last you a long time. I use to wheel the crap out of my Jeeps, but I also took care of it in the same sense. Great vehicles.
Easy to modify...I am a solid axle fanboy
I believe you will enjoy it if you choose to get it.
Hell, if you don't like it...get rid of it!?
I was trying to find the Starsky and Hutch gif , DO IT DO IT

 

Sadly they are typically more courteous and encouraging than some of the TW family...