Taco or Jeep?

Every time I see a bloke with a obese bird, i wonder what state his liver must be in to get up the nerve to climb aboard

 

Yes.

In the end, “dependability” is only one metric, albeit a very important one. If there was a “fun” study, that graph would probably look the exact opposite.

Also, cars are mostly about reliability while trucks are mostly about durability. When you own a Camry, it’s all about it starting every morning, the windows and door locks working, etc. When you buy a truck, it’s mostly about its ability to take a beating and keep on going. That’s why people love trucks. And Jeeps tend to be able to take a beating as well or better than most.

 

My brother owned a Wrangler, 2015-ish. It is a great ride when its summer, around town, with the doors off. But going down the highway, in the winter, its brutal. He said it was the worst car he has ever had. Just traded it in for a new Tundra and he way more money than he expected, so if you are buying that is a good thing, not so much for a lease. IMO, the Gladiator misses a little on looks. Reminds me of when Hummer tried to have a pickup. Havent seen one in person yet though.

 

Jeep fans that’s who. They say it all the time and I don’t know how they can with a straight face...

 

No doubt about that. Although, every time I go to Moab, I see more and more Rzr's. Smaller, lighter, faster, street legal.

 

Yeah. Jeeps are getting too big and expensive.

 

Sometimes Tacoma world is the twilight zone.

 

Ive written this before on this and other websites. I’ve been driving Toyota’s for most of my adult life not because I’m a fan boy but because they are incredibly reliable when compared to domestic vehicles.

Through my job I’ve been driving domestic vehicles hard under very tough conditions and also seen how they hold up under normal use from the admin position fleets. There’s a reason why the vast majority of my own personal use vehicles have been Toyota’s. I can also include my extended family’s and friends experiences to that.

Your mileage may vary but there is no way you’re going to convince me that Jeeps are even close to being as Reliable or durable as Toyota’s.

As a matter of fact Chrysler/dodge have always been the biggest pieces of shit bar none of all the domestic vehicles we are provided. The mechanics hate them because they are always having to do something to them.

I not a fanboy type either. If Toyota reliability shit the bed tomorrow, I’d be the first one off the boat. I think blind loyalty to any brand is idiotic. Performance is what gets my money. I couldn't give a flying rat turd about name prestige or reputation without it...

 

I spent 10 years in the Jeep forums and I don’t recall anyone ever saying that Jeep and Toyota reliability are equal.

What I saw many times was people say “Toyota quality is better, but they are ___________.”

The common arguments are:

Bland
Boring
Not as capable
Overrated
Ugly
Uncomfortable
Vanilla
...

The prevailing attitude on the Jeep forums is “Life’s too short!”

 

That’s crazy how perspectives are, from side to side. Because for me, yes. Life is too short to drive around looking like a Mickey Mouse off roader in a Jeep. Listening to Melissa etheridge and a don henley mix cd while bopping around some trail, then getting ice cream after the trail (yay ice cream! Who’s in?!) and then going home to schedule an appointment to have someone work on my Harley, because I don’t know how to. That’s how I see it. Different cultures, and I want nothing to do with that one.

 

Agreed. Life's too short to spend every other weekend at the dealer getting your Jeep fixed

 

I have owned both, Tacoma and Wrangler (TJ) I like both for different reasons. The TJ was a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited, dead reliable nothing but fluid changes 150K sold it and it held its value as well as any Tacoma. Ride was a jeep ride, short wheelbase and straight axle ride, not a deal breaker. It would go anywhere I wanted to go stock. The Tacoma has been reliable so far, but I have more little noises rattles and concerning issues with the Tacoma than the jeep (2016 TRD OR DCSB) The Tacoma has been to the dealer more than the Jeep for TSB's. The Jeep never went back to the dealer after I drove it off the lot.

I agree that Jeeps seem to have more issues overall, Jeep owners overall are a little rougher on them as well. I have found that Jeeps can be good vehicles when they are kept mostly stock. Lift them too much and all bets are off and a death wobble is in your future at some point. For those that say the older jeeps are better, a TJ is as old as I want to go for something that I expect to start and take me A to B. I have had 4 CJ's and currently have a 85 CJ7 I love them, but they are not a reliable vehicles and are great if you are willing to work on them (Kinda like an old Harley).

If you want a Jeep get one, I would however advise the Maxcare lifetime unlimited mile warranty with it. I wish that was possible for the Tacoma as well.

For me its a matter of bed or no bed and at the moment I really use the truck bed. I have a trip to Utah and Colorodo coming up soon and I admit that I wish I had my Jeep for this one.

 

Part of the reason your TJ didn't go to the dealership for any TSBs is because vehicles were much simpler then: no navigation, no radar, no BSM, no BLD, 3-speed auto, etc.

I agree that TJ was the sweet spot for Jeep in terms of exterior dimensions, overall simplicity and ruggedness, the 4.0 inline six, the introduction of the Quadracoil suspension, and all that.

LJs are still very desirable to this day. A 15-year old LJ in good condition still commands $20,000.

 

That was pretty much my Jeep same color (not a hardtop) I agree they were simpler, but the Tacoma has been in for transmissions and rear ends..lol

 

Yes after 2006 when they killed the 4.0L I6 the Wrangler went downhill fast. First the doggy 3.8L and then the troublesome 3.6L junk motor. Will never buy another one unless they put the 5.7L V8 in one.

 

New jeeps are trash, but hey you can fit 37's on em. That's why they sell.

 

This image popped into my head reading this post.

.....jitterbug.....

 

Yay look! We’re off roading! Isn’t that swell?! We got our Jeep and our vests....WHO WANTS ICE CREAM?!

 

Some strong opinions here about Jeeps haha.

I leased a full on pretend off roader JL Sahara spec. My Tacoma is also a lease. I dont keep vehicles long so reliability 10 years from now has 0 relevance. If it did, I wouldnèt have the Jeep.

But, anyways I do enjoy driving both, they are very different though. Taco is more relaxed, smoother, softer but much much slower. I got the 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder Wrangler with 8 speed auto and full time 4WD option and its is pretty quick, gets better fuel econ and has a nicer interior. I have no rattles, squeaks or leaks, yet. The Jeep also had much higher residual here in Canada so it is actually way cheaper to lease than my Tacoma. I do swap leases often so will see how long the Wrangler remains trouble free I guess.

 

Put a deposit on a Jeep. Dealer is giving me $36K trade on my Pro...which is about $5K higher than residual value. In other words, the Pro held its resale value like a champ. Next day I noticed that Forbes rates 2019 Jeeps (like I just committed to purchase) one of the "vehicles to avoid." This should be interesting...