Debating trading in Tacoma for FJ or 4dr Jeep

Sorry, still think jeep sometimes... JK refers to the wrangler models from 07 to current kinda like how we say 2nd gen here. Sahara is like taco sport and rubicon would be like the taco offroad, more or less.

 

Ahhhh! Makes much more sense now.

 

I think it would be tough to go from a truck to an SUV. No bed, and as mentioned earlier, the towing would be lacking. I recommend a DC 4WD OffRoad Tacoma!

 

Maybe it's been mentioned but I didn't see it when I skimmed really fast and it wasn't one of your options...

Can you have two vehicles? You're so close to paying off a very reliable vehicle. Why not just pay it off and then start saving the cash you were making payments with. Then buy a dedicated 4x4 rig of choice with the cash.

Without that monthly payment, you'll save up cash quick and will keep saving cash after you buy a 4x4 that you'll be able to keep modding it to your liking.

 

What about option #4?

Keep your 2wd tacoma and buy a cheap TJ, YJ or CJ (older body styles of the Wrangler).

I go off-roading quite frequently with a friend who has 4-door JK Rubicon on 37s. And my 1989 YJ on 33s will actually go a lot more places than his Jeep. It's not because my Jeep is more capable, it's because I don't care if I break my Jeep. He DDs his Jeep, I've got a Tacoma that I use to drive to work. I personally find it much more fun to go off-road when you afford to have the vehicle on jack stands for a couple weeks.

EDIT: oops, I'm apparently too slow typing on my phone.

 

I own a 2012 Jeep Sahara Unlimited and a 2013 Tacoma Sport. Love them both. Jeep has come along way and i find the ride is nicer than my taco and more pep (285hp/260tq vs 235hp/260tq). Gas milage is the same i get 26 hwy out of both. Road noise isnt all that bad but what do you think its going to be like with a non insolated shell, tacoma isnt all that quiet either. As for soft tops they are simple to take on and off once you know how. For off roading , my jeep is hands down the better rig, taco does well but the jeep just goes further. As for a DD the jeep is great, we even use it on long trips and its comfortable.
As stated before test drive each and go with whats right for you, this is just my opinion on the Jeep/Taco thing since I own both.

 

I bought my 2011 Dbl Cab Sport at the end of August last year. I traded in an 04 Wrangler Sport (TJ) with a slight lift and 31's with less than 85k. I had it for less than 2 years and originally bought it when I still had my 1st Gen Tacoma so I had the best of both worlds...for awhile. I had always loved Jeeps for as long as I can remember and wanted one badly. On the other hand when I bought the Jeep I couldn't really afford a new Dbl Cab at the time like I truly wanted so a Jeep it was. I have always loved the lifted Jeeps and still drool when I pass by Rubitrux in nearby Boone, NC that deals in conversion kits for Jeeps and lifted ones as well.

Having said all this I spent quite a bit of money on repairs on that Jeep...it was like a love/hate relationship...I loved the idea of the jeep...cruising with no doors and top..sun shining..on my way to the beach...blah blah...but I hated always having to fix something. My best friend has a 4 door Sahara with hard top and it's very nice don't get me wrong, but Jeep has simply left a bad taste in my mouth. Having said that if I were rich I would still have one just as a fun vehicle but never my DD. There's nothing like a Jeep IMO even being a die hard Toyota fan.

My best friend with the 4 door has had no problems so far and loves it. Unfortunately the dealership did not say anything about the new Pentastar engine coming in 2012 so he bought the 2011 Sahara at a deal but was pissed that they neglected to leave that small detail out about the engine switch coming soon.

Personally, I would buy another Tacoma, like another said with the TRD Off Road Package and 4wd and a Dbl Cab. They are out there, just gotta look. I am on my 3rd Tacoma now, and actually just bought another regular cab 4wd for the wife a couple weeks ago. So I guess 4 now. If the 2nd Gens last like the 1st gens do, I will be happy. I can't say anything about the FJ though...I think they are cool as hell is about all. I know a couple of acquaintances that have one that love them..but then they don't do much off road either and don't use the back seat often (no large family).

In the end it's your money, you are the one driving it. Personally although the jeeps are cool I would stay away. I would test drive an FJ with your family and go from there. To me, even though you're a tall guy I would get tired of leaning into a vehicle strapping kids in when you could just open a door and be right there.

Good luck!

 

I recently sold my 2005 Tacoma and was faced with a similar dilemma (though at least my 2005 was paid off).

I eventually decided I wanted to buy new (since it was going to be a daily driver) and stick with Toyota. Went back and forth between getting another Tacoma or the FJ. In the end, I went with the Tacoma, mainly because the dealership near me didn't have an FJ's with all the options I wanted, but did in a Tacoma. In the end, sometimes I wish I had gone the other way, but only because this is now my 3rd Taco, so it may have been nice to get a change of pace...

 

Test drove a Jeep sport last night. Started it up and it the motor was tapping like crazy. It just came back from someone else test driving it so it was already warmed up. Took it on the highway, it would not go into 5th gear. Parked the Jeep, said thank you to the salesman, and decided to try a Tacoma.

I am now waiting to see if my dealer can get his hands on a 2.7 4x4 access cab. That little motor is amazing. It has a lot more pep than the 3.6 jeep motor.