Hi everyone.
First, I have to thank the community for the amount I have been able to learn here just lurking for a bit. Clearly there is a lot of specialized experience here. So, I am searching for a TJ series Wrangler — mostly because I have been taken down a rabbit hole by a random decision that my fiancee and I made one day for her to test drive a 2025 2-door Sport. Really peppy I-4T and I was impressed generally, since I am a Toyota guy (4R and Tacoma). She fell in love with the little thing. Also with the electric mojito color (or whatever it's called). We talked about how ever since she watched Daisy Duke in her CJ7, she knew she had to eventually have one. OK, so that's my cue, right?
That said, this would be a very occasional driver — and probably have to replace the '09 Mini S Cabrio I have "rebought" over the last 3 years of ownership. So I am no stranger to finicky vehicles or ones that seem to require a lot of resources and attention. It is a hoot to drive, but that BMW/Peugeot direct-injection engine is difficult to maintain, as is the rest of it. And I cannot do anything with it myself, so I would up paying Mini specialists ($$$). But it's charming in addition to being annoying. So I feel I am well-prepared for Jeep ownership.
In any event, ~$30-35K is a lot for an occasional driver, so I started to research used Wranglers and the various generations. I have now gotten to the point where I have honed in on 2002 as my ideal model year, because I can find the AMC I-6 with the 32RH 3-speed, which sounds much preferred to the 42RLE. Looking around, the only good examples possibly without rust within 200 miles are a Sahara and a Sport that have been used as summer beach house vehicles and garaged the rest of the time. Am I doing myself a disservice by not looking at the 42RLE versions?
I realize I am asking the wrong crew whether a JK or newer generation would be a good idea, but short of getting one with a warranty, I feel like I am pigeonholing myself.
Any help, scorn or other responses appreciated!
First, I have to thank the community for the amount I have been able to learn here just lurking for a bit. Clearly there is a lot of specialized experience here. So, I am searching for a TJ series Wrangler — mostly because I have been taken down a rabbit hole by a random decision that my fiancee and I made one day for her to test drive a 2025 2-door Sport. Really peppy I-4T and I was impressed generally, since I am a Toyota guy (4R and Tacoma). She fell in love with the little thing. Also with the electric mojito color (or whatever it's called). We talked about how ever since she watched Daisy Duke in her CJ7, she knew she had to eventually have one. OK, so that's my cue, right?
That said, this would be a very occasional driver — and probably have to replace the '09 Mini S Cabrio I have "rebought" over the last 3 years of ownership. So I am no stranger to finicky vehicles or ones that seem to require a lot of resources and attention. It is a hoot to drive, but that BMW/Peugeot direct-injection engine is difficult to maintain, as is the rest of it. And I cannot do anything with it myself, so I would up paying Mini specialists ($$$). But it's charming in addition to being annoying. So I feel I am well-prepared for Jeep ownership.
In any event, ~$30-35K is a lot for an occasional driver, so I started to research used Wranglers and the various generations. I have now gotten to the point where I have honed in on 2002 as my ideal model year, because I can find the AMC I-6 with the 32RH 3-speed, which sounds much preferred to the 42RLE. Looking around, the only good examples possibly without rust within 200 miles are a Sahara and a Sport that have been used as summer beach house vehicles and garaged the rest of the time. Am I doing myself a disservice by not looking at the 42RLE versions?
I realize I am asking the wrong crew whether a JK or newer generation would be a good idea, but short of getting one with a warranty, I feel like I am pigeonholing myself.
Any help, scorn or other responses appreciated!
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