Why not get a Jeep?

I use my taco as an SUVs with a bed. I haul a lawnmower for my properties, tools for maintenance hvac, kids to day care, and I pull some small trailers when the taco comes up short. If you want a $40k convertible, then buy a classic and baby it. What about an old fj40 and the taco? Jeeps break and Chrysler is pitiful. My uncle has a brand new jeep Cherokee that has been in the shop more than on the road. Less than 12k and the engine has been opened 3x!

 

Not by much though. Toss reliability into the equation.

 

Ew - we don't use the "C" word, that's not a real Jeep! That's a Fiat through and through lol.

The old FJ is a hell of an idea. Can they be had for a decent amount of money, or are they all uber-collectible now?

 

I have both. Tacoma for Daily Driving and towing and a TJ for off road.

 

Ill say this about my 2014 taco, it has as much "wrangler rattle" as my jeep. the windshield, the windows, the door seals, the seats, the dashboard. might even be worse. Its also been in the shop for a crappy clutch 2 times already.

Now my 2003 taco was the shizzle, bad move by me on getting rid of that one.

 

Was thinking something else too. An FJ would be badass.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-classics-eye-candy.375957/page-7#post-11009732
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/decision-to-purchase.401971/#post-11191966
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/decision-to-purchase.401971/#post-11192313

 

My first car out of college was a wrangler. What a mess. I bought it brand new and had power steering problems, electrical issues, and the brake lines burst all within the first year. Never went off-roading.

I traded it in after a year and a half cause it wasn't worth it. I spent more time at the dealer getting it fixed than actually enjoying it on the weekends

 

Really? That's too bad! My first car in college was a Wrangler, and it was incredible. Actually, it's what started my love affair with Wranglers in the first place. Not an issue to be had, minus one water pump - and I beat the hell out of it, drove it across the country loaded w/ friends and too much stuff. I guess ya can't win 'em all!

 

Alright, the solution to this might just be getting a cheap older Wrangler - thinking early 90s - to get my 'Jeep fix', but keep the truck.

Someone argue with me.

 

International Harvester Scout II

Some day I will own one...preferably with the 345 or 392.

Problem with these things is body rust. The remaining ones are either down south and original or up here and restored going for big money. Or they are up here and half the floor is gone still going for a few thousand.

 

IMO wranglers are the ultimate poser, wanna be tough vehicle. Yeah, they look cool especially with big wheels and tires, but for pretty much any purpose you can get a better vehicle. Also, Jeep in general have some of the worst reliability records of any manufacturer.

 

JEEP
just
empty
every
pocket

 

I mean, let's be realistic here. There's certainly a market for them - Jeep is selling them faster than they can make them. So aside from everyone wanting to be 'posers', there's certainly some draw there.

We have agreed that Taco is more reliable than a Jeep. However, I have no clue where you get the statement that Jeep in general have the worst reliability records of any manufacturer. The 4.0L I6s in the 97-06 Wranglers are pretty bulletproof, reliability-wise. I can think of many other manufacturers I would avoid over a Jeep.

It sounds as if you dislike Jeeps in general, which is cool - your opinion. But let's stick to facts and not random flame-throwing here, please.

 

Name one vehicle more capable...

 

More capable for what? On road, nearly any other 4x4, suv, or pickup. Offroad? Take your pick, I'd say a trd tacoma with locking rear is easily as good as a wrangler. You tell me what a wrangler can do that nearly anything else with 4x4 can't.

 

I had a 14 JKU with a3.5" lift and 37's. It was far more comfortable to drive than my Tacoma. All my Tacoma has it 285's, billies, and dakars.

Too many people buy crappy lifts for their jeeps. I would love to know what lift you had that made you want to rent a car...

 

Specific vehicles for specific purposes fan here.

1) CUV for more than 2 people, road trips, local hauling of things needing to be secure or dry. Reliable, comfortable, reasonable MPG. If I did this more, or wanted to regularly have more than 4 people, it would be a minivan, Sienna or Oddesy. The newish ones will even out handle old Porsche 911s on the autocross course (per Grassroots motorsports). I don't care much about what others think of what I drive, so I'm not 'minivan phobic' like many around here are.

2) Convertible two seat sports car for the top down urge, local commuting, HPDE and autocross fun. Also used on road trips (with judicious packing) to the mountains of NC/Tenn for some spirited fun. Pick the right one and you have reliability, aftermarket support, simple to work on, cheap to race, good MPG, and envy from the appliance sedan guys.

3) Small pickup for hauling normal DIY building materials, bikes, kayaks, etc. One that is reliable and comfortable enough to use on 3-5 hour road trips to get to other locations. Pick the right one and you get reliability, adequate capacity, and decent MPG.

For years I had only 2 vehicles and a utility trailer in place of the truck. It was a great option, cheap and easy. Sometimes I still miss it.

But I have found that I can own 3 'dedicated' vehicles for a TCO less than most folks spend for 2, and some folks spend for 1. Because I'm willing to drive older, higher mileage and DYI most maintenance, repairs and upgrades. In fact, I can have decent examples of all the above for less than a new Tacoma.

Sorry for the ramble. Point is, if a Jeep fits a specific functional goal, by all means proceed. It just doesn't fit anywhere in my goals. Even if it was uber reliable, I have no need for a short wheelbase, limited capacity 4wd vehicle. (Today anyway)

Even my deep woods hunting friends have moved on to ATVs, and my friends that own ranches are using either beater trucks or ATVs/trailers as well.

 

Haha, very true! The mods never end!

That's another HUGE thing - the aftermarket availability for Jeep is pretty stellar.