Affordability: Tacoma vs. Wrangler

It's funny how people on this thread praise the Taco and hate the Jeep, but in 90% of the other threads, they hate the Taco...

 

It's not a Wrangler but I owned a Jeep Cherokee many years ago. That was probably the worse new car purchase ever. When I first test drove it, it was very nice. The room, comfort, power, looks, etc. But through the first year of ownership, it had nothing but issues. Most of which the dealer could never resolve. Didn't want to deal with it anymore so traded it in. I considered the Wrangler for a hot sec but then was reminded of all the issue the Cherokee had.

 

I owned a 2011 Wrangler, and the Taco is leaps and bounds better IMO. Better road manners and MUCH quieter. That said, I didn't have the Pentastar engine and put 35's on it. You want to talk about gutless, driving I80 coming from Wyoming saw semi's passing me up the hills. It was rough, and definitely needed to be re-geared. I LOVED the way it looked though and was a blast offroad. As for resale, I actually sold my Jeep for what I was into it 100%. Bought it used with 10K miles and then modded. It also helps that I live in Utah and Moab is only a few hours away.

 

Look where Jeep sits in CR ratings; second to the bottom of all vehicles sold in North America. Who
is at the bottom; Fiat. The owner of Jeep.
I wouldn't buy one unless it had a lifetime warranty. No scratch that, I wouldn't want to spend
all that time at the dealership.

 

Most of the horrific reliability issues with Jeep are with the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee lines.

The Wranglers are comparatively simple and there is just not that much extraneous stuff to go wrong.

A Grand Cherokee is a rolling shrine to electronic whiz-bang gee-willikers techno-crap, which has a propensity for failing.

 

I said the same thing like twice in this thread. Amazing. Didn't see it coming. I'll say it again for all that are hammering reliability issues with the Jeep:

Jeeps have had huge issues with brake recalls, rusted and rotted frames, tranny issues, and leaf spring issues... oh crap wait, that was the Tacoma. Oops my bad.

 

I have a new 2017 TRD OFFROAD just getting started with it. But also have a 2014 JK I built.. got probably 17k aftermarket in it and more to come.. I'm sure the TRD will be similar. Can't wait to start the Toyota building.

 

Have owned two JKUs, a 2008 and a 2012. The 2012 with the new motor/interior was a great vehicle. Leaps and bounds better than the 2008. Check engine light came on from time to time, but it's a jeep so whatever. Had a 3 inch lift with 35s on both. Actually sold the jk to pick up my 17 trd or 4x4, to try something new. So far the tacoma is great, I'm not regretting it at all, although I know for sure it will take a lot more to make it down trails I would do in the jk. Bottom line, if you want to hit decent trails and not spend a ton on mods, get the jeep. If you prefer a more reliable, smoother riding, easy trailing, then get the tacoma. After owning both, there is really no comparison, totally different vehicles. I for sure see myself back in a Jeep

 

I echo this sentiment. I had a 2012 Ram 1500 and it ended up being a nightmare. Sure, it was real nice when I got it. Comfortable, powerful, smooth and quiet. But it had a ton of problems in the 25k miles I owned it. Wind whistle from the drivers side mirror ($800), Failed TICM (the electrical control center that cost $1500 to fix), the seats started ripping apart with no abuse, transmission was abysmal and starting to slip. That's just a few problems I had and the truck had barely any miles on it. That experience certainly did not give me faith in buying another FCA vehicle.

I traded it for a Tacoma and I'm loving the Taco. It feels much more solidly built and it hasn't had any of the typical issues people post about on here. It does only have 2500 miles, but I expect it'll give me many trouble free miles and years.

 

It's all about what you want to do. Do you want to build a rock crawler (Jeep) or sand pounder with light rocks (Tacoma)? Both will cost about the same to modify for true offroad experience. Thats why I have both now so I can do anything..

 

I wonder if it was as bad of a nightmare as guys out of the Tacoma for a year plus because the frame was so rotted and they were waiting for their frames whil stuck in a Yaris all that time.

 

Probably

 

I owned a 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara before I bought my 2017 Tacoma TRD Off-Road...

and it honestly depends on what you do with the truck.... if you drive it every day, daily commute (like I do) you'll find that you can get more "creature comforts" with a Tacoma

if you plan on lifting it, it's easy to get a Jeep on 35s or 37s, it's a lot of work to even put a tacoma on 33s or 35s

The Jeep will be better off road, but the Tacoma is a truck and will have more "utility" with the truck bed

Also, since an SUV is an option for you, take a look at the 4Runners as well....

-Someone who has owned or currently owns every vehicle that has been mentioned in this post.

 

I've been on the fence about trading my taco in for a wrangler. Been thinking about it for a few weeks. Really only haul bikes, kayaks and camping/hunting gear all of which the jeep could haul. My #1 concern over anything is Reliability. Haven't had any issues with my taco it's just racking up the miles over 150k. My gf can't drive a manual (she ain't learning on my taco)which causes a problem sometimes on long trips we can't take turns driving, or she can't even move it. So next ride will have to be an Auto

 

I have heard many members make the switch to a jeep/wrangler and many times that works for a while...but eventually many swap back. Since you mainly just haul gear around...is it the cool factor of a wrangler that you are seeking if you tend to stick to the pavement which is perfectly ok if it is. I only ask as it seems many come to miss the driving manners of the taco on road when they swap out.

I would recommend rolling around in a few jeeps on the road and get a solid comparison before you jump ship. The on-road handling is a big factor why I would never let go of my taco...it just feels great regardless of terrain...my buddies stock jeep felt like a stiff full size, but that's just personal preference at this point.

 

Wouldn't necessarily say the cool factor as many people around here in Taco's think they're super cool (including me). Only drove 2 wranglers so far one was a rental both drove decent on road. The highway ride in a taco isn't terrible but it's not necessarily the smoothest ride either so that argument is questionable. As far as reliability goes the taco has never left me stranded which is my biggest concern.
but the frame, seat belt, leaf springs, and exhaust hanger were all recalled. Also my rack was leaking power steering fluid ( easy fix straight line with no rack) dealer quoted me for a few $100, ac/ heater blower motor needed repaired, clock and interior lights quit working for awhile all is good now. So i'd be lying if I said my taco is bulletproof (but it's damn close and the most reliable vehicle I've ever had)

 

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As a former Jeep owner, I will never buy another... We have now had 5 Toyotas (3 Tacomas and 2 Corollas). The 4Runner may fit the bill if you don't need a pickup. Yes, they are expensive... there is a good reason.

 

I cant bash that although no vehicle is invulnerable to maintenance stuff. If the road manners are there...then maybe its worth checking out. Cool thing is the jeep can have a soft top which obviously the taco wont be able to compete with. I think for the guys who never wheel their jeeps likely have a more reliable platform and stuff, but Im strictly guessing at this point.

 

I will qualify my post in that we are talking ancient history for me... My Jeep was a new Cherokee Chief, in mid-1975, when Jeep was part of American Motors (1970-1986) between Kaiser and Chrysler. The warranty ended at 12,000 miles (or 12 months) and nearly everything failed (it seemed). When it wasn't in the shop, it was terrific and would go anywhere with its 401 V-8, and Quadra Trac Full Time 4 Wheel Drive. Fails in the two years I had it include water pump, window handles, radiator, transmission (GMC Turbo 400), rear window motor, low range controller, ugh!
I sold it and got a new Subaru 4WD Wagon, paid in full with what I sold the Jeep for... It was my first of three Subaru 4WDs... they were great... no stupid failures in materials or workmanship. Japanese made cars rock! Years passed and I got another American made vehicle... BIG mistake!!! Three transmission rebuilds on a Plymouth minivan... Never again!
Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda (and a Hyundai) I have owned were all great. The Jeep and the Plymouth were crap in quality.