OK, I know this is a thread about TJ's , but just curious if anyone's ventured over to ownership of a current Wrangler, and what's your opinion of the new versus our old beloved TJ's? Would anyone think about moving on to one of the new ones? I don't want to be sacreligious here; just wondering. I love my recently purchased, high-mileage Wrangler Sport, but thinking a new (or newer one) would be better suited for the long run, since I'm not keen on required maintenance, modifications, or any other necessary work needed to keep an older vehicle running. I just want a ride I can enjoy on/off road without too many worries, and yes I'm aware of the Jeep/StelInatis reputation for qualty control, or lack thereof. Thoughts?
New Jeeps
- Thread starter bobbyo
- Start date
I rented a JLUR in Moab for a few days 2 years ago when I broke my TJ. Nice, capable and totally not my thing. For example, the electric sway bar disconnect kept turning itself back on anytime you went over 10 mph.
If I was going to buy a newer vehicle because I wanted more comfort and reliability, a Jeep would not be my first choice. Baseline 2-door sport is like $35k. What am I getting above and beyond my current TJ for that much cash? Better sound deadening and a back-up camera? You could argue better off-roading capability with the traction control I suppose. The cost to benefit ratio going from a TJ to a JL doesn't make sense to me.
The only modern vehicle that appeals to me for what I do is the Ineos Grenadier. But at around $80k that won't be happening anytime soon.
The only modern vehicle that appeals to me for what I do is the Ineos Grenadier. But at around $80k that won't be happening anytime soon.
I love my TJ, but before buying, I considered a 3.6 JK or the cheapest JL I could find. Turns out the JL was just too far out of my price range at the time. I tried to convince myself to go with the 4-door JK as they're more spacious and comfortable for a family of 3 plus a 75 lb dog. But I just really wanted the simplicity of a TJ.
I wouldn't be opposed to moving up to a newer Jeep down the road. And if we only have the one kid, I will likely try to get my wife into a 4-door Wrangler when we eventually have to replace her Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (which we absolutely love and have no desire to replace until it dies).
I wouldn't be opposed to moving up to a newer Jeep down the road. And if we only have the one kid, I will likely try to get my wife into a 4-door Wrangler when we eventually have to replace her Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (which we absolutely love and have no desire to replace until it dies).
Had one and wouldn't own one again. A TJ is the perfect utilitarian vehicle. The new ones have some improvements but they don't do any one thing particularly well.
They try to be a jack of all trades in many ways and because of that they are a master of none. In addition they're grossly overpriced.
TJ FTW!
They try to be a jack of all trades in many ways and because of that they are a master of none. In addition they're grossly overpriced.
TJ FTW!
Depends on what you plan to use it for. My TJ is a hunting, wheeling and open-air weekend cruiser when the weather is nice toy, not a DD. I looked at used JKs, but they just felt like bulky, plastic cars with electrical problems. My TJ had been well maintained before I bought it and in the nearly ~8 years I've had it, I've done nothing but basic, preventative maintenance and it's never had a problem - the 4.0 will go forever if treated right. Sure, wear items will have to be replaced, but that's on any vehicle.
I test drove a 2dr JL 3 or 4 years ago. It was a little quieter and more comfortable on the road, no question, but for the price and chance of some of the potential problems you hear about, that experience confirmed the TJ continues to be exactly the right choice for what I want to do with it.
I test drove a 2dr JL 3 or 4 years ago. It was a little quieter and more comfortable on the road, no question, but for the price and chance of some of the potential problems you hear about, that experience confirmed the TJ continues to be exactly the right choice for what I want to do with it.
i had a JK in 2012-14, loved it and didn’t know any better as was my first Wrangler. Was my DD and mildly built on 35s, wheeled it all over Arizona and some of Moab. 36,000 miles in 2ish years and no serious issues. I had what was then available, a lifetime warranty so I felt protected if something did go wrong with it. Sold it when I moved to MN and rented jeeps for trips back to AZ or Utah.
Got the bug to own again in 2021 and bought a used 3.6 2018 JL for a DD and to take on wheeling trip. Also trouble free over 40,000 more miles but not a great cross country vehicle comfort wise, especially since I got a 2 door with very limited space. Was handy as a snow plow in the winter, really enjoyed it but too small and didn’t want to build it up much and still drive it daily here in salty MN.
Traded that in for a 2.0T 2024 4 door recently to DD. Great pricing was available to get rid of the last 2024s. I love the safety stuff for my commute and some of the creature comforts. Will also use it for mild wheeling and longer road trips with the added space, no need to trailer it. It is a rubicon in 35s, very capable out of the box but putting some sliders, a winch and changing out the bumpers. Got an 8Y/100k warranty to put my mind at ease for the potential modern tech glitches. Moving to AZ in the coming year so hopefully it will not be a victim of the road salt before get out of here.
All that said, for wheeling I’ve got my 06 LJ and just tested out my build in Moab and it is the way to go for if that is your use case. It is noisy, slow, hard to get into and things are going wrong that need to be fixed but I love it! You are way more connected to the trail, less insulated then with a newer Jeep. I can do whatever I want to it and not be concerned about long dealer repairs or being able to mod or fix it myself with the great help of this forum at my back. Also the online (and in person) community is awesome, way different than the often clueless or aggressive JK/JL online crowd. And no ducks for those who are wondering…
Got the bug to own again in 2021 and bought a used 3.6 2018 JL for a DD and to take on wheeling trip. Also trouble free over 40,000 more miles but not a great cross country vehicle comfort wise, especially since I got a 2 door with very limited space. Was handy as a snow plow in the winter, really enjoyed it but too small and didn’t want to build it up much and still drive it daily here in salty MN.
Traded that in for a 2.0T 2024 4 door recently to DD. Great pricing was available to get rid of the last 2024s. I love the safety stuff for my commute and some of the creature comforts. Will also use it for mild wheeling and longer road trips with the added space, no need to trailer it. It is a rubicon in 35s, very capable out of the box but putting some sliders, a winch and changing out the bumpers. Got an 8Y/100k warranty to put my mind at ease for the potential modern tech glitches. Moving to AZ in the coming year so hopefully it will not be a victim of the road salt before get out of here.
All that said, for wheeling I’ve got my 06 LJ and just tested out my build in Moab and it is the way to go for if that is your use case. It is noisy, slow, hard to get into and things are going wrong that need to be fixed but I love it! You are way more connected to the trail, less insulated then with a newer Jeep. I can do whatever I want to it and not be concerned about long dealer repairs or being able to mod or fix it myself with the great help of this forum at my back. Also the online (and in person) community is awesome, way different than the often clueless or aggressive JK/JL online crowd. And no ducks for those who are wondering…
I say it depends on what you want to use it for. I love my LJR and it’s my daily go to. It’s also my preferred Jeep for off roading.
That said we have a JKU and JT. The JKU is the wife’s and she likes it, guess that is what matters. Personally I’d sell it and fine her a nice TJ / LJ.
The JT is primarily for hauling the camper, runs to the hardware store etc. It will also be our long trip vehicle (unless it’s a Jeeping adventure). We have a trip planned for Disney late this year and will take the JT. We don’t have any real plans to off road in it much. Bought it used (2021) with 29K miles so far has worked fine minus a bad gas cap.
That said we have a JKU and JT. The JKU is the wife’s and she likes it, guess that is what matters. Personally I’d sell it and fine her a nice TJ / LJ.
The JT is primarily for hauling the camper, runs to the hardware store etc. It will also be our long trip vehicle (unless it’s a Jeeping adventure). We have a trip planned for Disney late this year and will take the JT. We don’t have any real plans to off road in it much. Bought it used (2021) with 29K miles so far has worked fine minus a bad gas cap.
And it draws a crowd when shit falls off!
Just jabbing atcha. Was fun wheeling with you (all).
Thanks for your patience as I cleaned up my yard sale. Good to wheel with you too.
Have a 2017 two door JK for daily chores, bought used with like 80k miles. Like the leather seats and sound system. Has the 6 sp that jumps out of first and hard to get into reverse some. Wish I had an AX 15 instead or auto.
Also the navigation system went out and cannot be fixed. Use a Garmin in its place.
Also the navigation system went out and cannot be fixed. Use a Garmin in its place.
100%. All depends on what you're looking for.
For on-road driving the newer the better. Pretty simple.
Off road you need to pick what level of build you want. For a highly-modified jeep (ie, tons and 40s) where the entire suspension is replaced I think the YJ is a great value. Strong, boxed frame and simple dash. No need to pay more for a link suspension that's all going to be replaced anyway.
The sweet spot for the TJ maxes out at 35s with upgraded stock suspension. VERY capable off road, pretty good on road. You can find plenty of cool examples where people went well past this point, usually as a step-by-step progression as you don't really know where you'll end up when you start this hobby.
Good thread here. I have a 05 TJ Rubicon with 88K Miles on it. Second owner and it's still like new in many ways.
I have a 83 CJ7 that I've been working on little by little as well.
Over the years I've owned just about ever 2 door version out there sans the military versions and the 2A. I had a CJ5 with a 6" suspension lift and 35". Previous owner installed the high compression 401 in it (someone replaced the original with a Javelin variant and Autolite 4300) most dangerous vehicle I've ever owned. 4 CJ7's over the years and one of the only cars I've every bought new in my life, a 91 Rectangler... which went over 200K before I sold it.
I've thought about the newer ones but have never driven one. Good to hear that they are not markedly improved over the TJ.
I have a 83 CJ7 that I've been working on little by little as well.
Over the years I've owned just about ever 2 door version out there sans the military versions and the 2A. I had a CJ5 with a 6" suspension lift and 35". Previous owner installed the high compression 401 in it (someone replaced the original with a Javelin variant and Autolite 4300) most dangerous vehicle I've ever owned. 4 CJ7's over the years and one of the only cars I've every bought new in my life, a 91 Rectangler... which went over 200K before I sold it.
I've thought about the newer ones but have never driven one. Good to hear that they are not markedly improved over the TJ.
I test drove one. They're okay.
Extremely overpriced, and they're a figment of the utility vehicle they used to be. Very electronic, very overcomplicated. I think some of them are even hybrids now. Although, they are, AFAIK, one of the most traded in vehicles. People like the Jeep trend, but don't like how Jeep's ride and sound on the freeway lol. I guess some things didn't change.
I passed on it, too much money for something that isn't what I look for in a "Jeep".
Two door JK is not that far off of a TJ "jeep". Can find them now "reasonably" priced.
I got rid of my 2018 JLU Rubicon to buy a 19yr old Jeep Wrangler TJ.
Just look in the engine bays. They have more creature comforts. The seats are a little nicer than the JK's but actually I find the TJ's seats just as comfortable.
The cost of ownership is just 10X on the new ones. Lifts, parts, etc, it's all more. Don't think you won't be doing maintence just becuase it's new. Seeing a lot of other friends with newer ones still having issues they really shouldn't be at their mileage. Like dropping lifters and having warn cam's on the Gen III's. It's so bad, there is a nation wide backorder right now on the cams.
I had the 2.0L Turbo and that thing was great as far as power. But also.... why do you want to deal with a double over head cam in a Jeep?
Speaking of this, when the JK came out basically four doors became 85% of the segment. And I think it's higher now. But since the JL came out, sales have declined year over year and I suspect a part of that is the prices have gotten way out of hand.
JK was a little too old for me when I was looking. I wanted the factory warranty.
Similar experience with my 2021 JLUR. Another difference is my LJ was easier to work on, but the downside was I was always working on it.
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