Wrangler or Tacoma?

I've had three Wranglers in the past and I recently switched to a Tacoma for its improved utility and towing capabilities. In other words, my motivations were mostly practical. I have been fairly impressed with the truck so far, and I've built it up well enough to satisfy my urges to go offroad from time to time. It can easily handle everything I need it to handle... for now.

I often do miss the added fun factor you get with the doors off and top down on a well built Jeep, though, so I'll almost certainly pick up another Wrangler someday -- maybe an older project CJ7 or something similar that would simply sit alongside my truck in the driveway and serve as a summer toy.

This was what my driveway looked like just last year when my Taco was brand new:

 

I do miss that summer cruising with the Jeep stripped down.

One day.... Probably get another LJ if I can find one. And the mulah to swap out the junk front end.

 

Wife wanted a convertible. I took this as my moment to strike and bought an '04 TJ Rubicon. I've had three Tacomas (still have the '18) and they are definitely reliable/practical but this Wrangler is fun as hell. Front and rear lockers, disc brakes all around, small lift and 33's with no chopping, top and doors come off. I won't go any newer than '06 but I'll always have one from now on.

 

I'm kind of infatuated with the Gladiator, but the $$$$

 

Base sport- $34k.
Base Rubicon- $44k.

Why are people scared of the price?

 

It is a beast of an offroad truck but if they cant make a vehicle that they've been producing for decades reliable i sure as hell wouldn't want to be the guinea pig testing the new truck lol

 

I know right.

Because there's never been a single recall in 3 generations of Tacoma's.

 

Drives like trash on the road. Steering wanders everywhere. Downright scary above 65mph. Noisy. Hard tops leak. And it's still a Chrysler product, Soo......

Looks cool.

 

I felt that one. Alternate between vehicles, I've got a YJ and CJ5 as well as the Tacoma. But to be fair, most new Jeep owners don't wave anyways. Bunch of dumb middle aged women who think it'll save them from their own desperation.

 

A Wrangler Unlimited passed me on the freeway in Austin, TX last week doing at least 85 mph... I laughed and thought damn he's crazy to drive that thing 85+

OP....That being said, I drove more than a few Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons before I purchased my new Taco. I could not find a pre owned Rubicon JK that had good enough road manners for me (for daily driving).

Drove a couple of brand new Rubicon JLs and while I feel they are much improved over the JK in many ways, I just did not FIT well inside the Jeep. I'm tall and not skinny. The site lines out of the Wrangler where not good either. I had limited visibility being 6'1 and long in the torso. Yes, the seat was all the way down.

Now at the time I was vehicle shopping I owned a fullsize truck. The practically of a Jeep (or lack therof) definitely crossed my mind. Even so, it was not a #1 factor.

After realizing Toyota offered a more adjustable seat in the 2020 Tacoma and upgraded LED headlights, I went to check them out. Then I realized the dealer had a 6MT so I drove that and also drove a new 4runner.

Overall the Taco had the best road manners with the capability to go offroad, AND do work when needed. I was sold. I always liked Toyota and been around friends who owned Tacos and Tundras, but I only ever owned a well used 1st gen Tundra before now.

TLDR:
If you want the best vehicle for daily driving, known reliability, doing practical tasks, AND off roading: TACOMA TRD OR/PRO

If you want the most capable offroad vehicle, acceptable road manners, and don't care as much about long term reliability or doing work: JL WRANGLER 4 DOOR RUBICON (unless you are very tall, the JK will be slightly better).

 

I have both, a 2013 jk rubicon and a 2016 dc or trd 4x4. Neither has had any reliability problems. Taco is much more useful, especially with 3 in the back seat.
Also much quieter on freeway and comfortable on long drives. Jeep is much more fun, especially with soft top down.
I can flat tow Jeep behind my motorhome, which I can’t do with taco. My dogs like the jk better with the rear seat gone , top gone, and net over the back. I will not let my dogs ride in open pickup bed. If I only could have one, probably the taco would be my choice.

 

My girlfriend has badly wanted a Wrangler off and on, but all of the horror stories over on the JL forum have kept us away. Mind you, they still love their Jeeps. But they have serious issues nonetheless. They’re like the opposite of the people here, who have tiny annoyances and bitch like they’ve got a lemon.

One thing that I found interesting, a quick search on Autotrader shows 29 BRAND NEW 2018 Wranglers still sitting unsold on lots. Yikes. For comparison the same search shows only 1 unsold 2018 Tacoma, a highly optioned 2wd DCLB Sport so unsurprising.

 

I love the jl rubi. If they weren't 50k I'd buy one Also love my Tacoma. Too many people on here act like it's against the rules to like a jeep. They are overpriced imo.

 

When I bought my 2013 jk rubicon new, I read all those horror stories. I bought an unlimited mileage lifetime warentee. Been 7 years and haven’t had to use yet.
Probably will keep till I pass.

 

How much did that cost?!

 

Retail 4k
I paid 1700
But since will cover major stuff, and I planned on keeping, good insurance, especially if you read the horror stories.

 

They stopped offering the lifetime warranty because they were losing money on them.

Who'da thunk that FCA engines would have issues (the engine sediment was still an issue up until 2018, when I got rid of my Jeep and stopped following their issues)

 

I like comparing the Tacoma to the Jeep because they both off road but do it so differently.
The Tacoma is longer and more stable making it track better when it’s slick. The Jeep likes to crab and slip under these conditions, it’s fun when goofing around but could be serious when it happens unexpectedly.
My truck is stock height and has been dragging nose and tail all over the trail something the Jeep never does. And probably the biggest difference was I don’t hose out the interior of the Tacoma when I get home.

 

Have any links? my GF is looking at 2016 jeeps

 

I bought back in 2013. Don’t know if you can buy a lifetime unlimited mileage anymore. I bought at dealership. Had to go to a fca dealership every 5 years for an inspection.