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Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler

541 messages,  Last post on Apr 04, 2013 at 2:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler

Messages Page 50 of 55

#485 of 541 interested in a wrangler by jeepboy08

Feb 01, 2008 (6:24 am)

As the title says, I am going to buy a Wrangler, but first, I want to talk to people who have bought wranglers in the past.
  
here are my main questions:
  
1) I drive a 2005 Dodge Neon SXT, 5-speed manual, and I have never driven a manual SUV. Is it much different than that of a sports car?
  
2) Pros and Cons of the 2007-2008 Wrangler?
  
3) We also own a 2005 Jeep liberty, Special Edition, 3.7L 4X4, 5-speed manual. Does the 2008 Wrangler drive anything like the 2005 Liberty?
  
 Please answer ASAP!

#486 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [jeepboy08] by fourx4ever

Feb 01, 2008 (9:15 am)

Replying to: jeepboy08 (Feb 01, 2008 6:24 am)
Well first of, all the Wrangler you are looking at is a 6 speed not a 5 speed like your Neon. The other thing you will notice is the shifter throws are longer on the Jeep than what your Neon's are. It will have a different feel however its nothing that a few hours driving to get used to it won't cure.
 
The pros: World class best off-road ability, A convertible with a soft top and a hard top if you order it as such. A 6 point roll cage which enhances safety on and off road. The only 4-door convertible currently being produced, again if you order the 4-door. Very good visibility for on and off-road precision driving.
 
Cons: It has a V6 - the old Wranglers had a much better In-Line 6, however rumors are that a nice little diesel is on the way for next year. It will not be as comfortable as many cars for 4 and 5 hour road trips.
 
I have not spent much time behind the wheel of a Liberty, however I think you will find the Wrangler quite a bit different. Obviously even the 4-door wrangler is different from the 2-door.
 
Best thing to do is go test drive a 2-door and a 4-door. And pick the one that best suits your needs. I would highly recommend the Rubicon package. For the little bit of extra money you get a lot of off-road goodies that will cost literally about 5 times the money to add on later.

#487 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [fourx4ever] by jeepboy08

Feb 01, 2008 (10:13 am)

Replying to: fourx4ever (Feb 01, 2008 9:15 am)
That's great information. The reason I need all this information, is because my son is turning 16 pretty soon, and his WHOLE life, literally, he has wanted a wrangler. What is the difference between the Rubicon and the X model, besides the off-road capabilities?
 
(he wants two-door)

#488 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [jeepboy08] by islatas

Feb 02, 2008 (12:11 am)

Replying to: jeepboy08 (Feb 01, 2008 10:13 am)
I can help (I hope)!
 
First of all, your son is very lucky. My Dad has an '05 Liberty CRD Limited and it drives great as you know. I have a '97 with 153k miles and an '00 Wrangler Sport with 104k miles, both TJ's with the simply bullet proof 4.0 l I-6. I rented an '08 Wrangler X, the new JK, for a week when I was on vacation and was so impressed with it that I had to check the Jeep site to see what the differences were. Every iteration of the Wrangler/CJ improves dramatically in on road manners and off road characteristics. It drives like a truck, but the coil over suspension is forgiving unlike the leaf springs of the YJ and older and the vehicle did not wander a bit. The new JK X model you're looking at is outfitted with several of the goods that the previous generation TJ Rubicon was. The front differential is the newly revised Dana 30 and rear differentials have been beefed up on the base Wangler to the legendary Dana 44 bone stock! The new Rubicon is simply amazing, but at nearly 30k it's a bit pricey and its resale will take a noticeably larger initial hit vs a Wrangler X. I guess it's because that Rubicon means business and everyone knows it's going to have a fun life.
 
For a beginner driver, I would not recommend the Rubicon as a starter vehicle. It's a little too much truck for someone that young. Remember, the more capable it is the further off road you get stuck, haha. I recommend getting the X. If in a few years you still want the Rubicon, sell your X for a surprisingly high resale and pick up an '08 Rubicon for about $10k less than when it was new and someone was already courteous enough to break it in a little for you . It's win- freakin win. I'd like to add that my bone stock '00 TJ is amazingly capable and can readily keep up with my modified '97 even if it has to work a little harder to do it. The Wrangler will amaze you!
 
I hope that helps a little. Good luck with your purchase!
 
(I agree, stick to two doors)

#489 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [islatas] by jeepboy08

Feb 02, 2008 (9:07 am)

Replying to: islatas (Feb 02, 2008 12:11 am)
WOW! That helped a ton! Thanks. What options should I get? Or should I just stay original, and go NOTHING fancy, and get completely stock, 4X4?
 
I love the liberty, drives like a dream.

#490 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [jeepboy08] by islatas

Feb 02, 2008 (10:45 pm)

Replying to: jeepboy08 (Feb 02, 2008 9:07 am)
You're welcome! If it were me, I'd go for the X with package S. It's a really good deal and packs on a lot of extras including air conditioning (I like it every now and then, but it's really for resale value), the sunrider softop (essentially a soft top with a folding front panel that mimics a sunroof = damn cool), temperature and compass gauge, and a full center console. Bypass the power locks and windows as they are near blasphemous in a Wrangler. Other options I would seriously consider are the Track-Lok Limited Slip Differential, and the 3.73:1 gears. They'll give you an extra boost of confidence off-road with only a minor hit to fuel economy and a measly $345 hit to the wallet. Front and rear tow hooks for $75 are also a good deal and may unexpectedly come in handy were you to get stuck. As for safety options, the seat mounted side airbags are good for peace of mind, resale value, and lowering insurance! Let's face it, any reduction in the cost of insuring a teenager is a blessing.
 
There is an electronically controlled locking rear diff available for about $800, but think long and hard about the kind of wheeling you plan on doing and whether you can justify that extra cost.
 
In general, all the options available are cheaper when installed by Jeep at the factory than you could buy and install yourself. However, if you add enough of these features you'll be in Rubicon price range before you know it.

#491 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [islatas] by jeepboy08

Feb 03, 2008 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: islatas (Feb 02, 2008 10:45 pm)
Thank you for everything! My wife and I went ahead and bought him the Rubicon yesterday. He LOVES it. I will post details on it later, he wants me to let him drive it now.
 

#492 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [islatas] by soonerdog

Feb 05, 2008 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: islatas (Feb 02, 2008 10:45 pm)
Along the same lines, as I mentioned above, I'm looking for an '03 - '04 Rubicon but the suckers seem to remain a bit pricey. I know basically nothing about Wranglers. When I had my old FJs, I resented people calling them "Jeeps", and here I am....
anyway, a quick lesson would be appreicated. I've Googled it to death, and I still can't find the exact differences between the X trim and the Sport and the Sahara. I know the Rubi has the upgraded axles. I have a chance at an '06 X w/ 20K on it for 13.5K, but what am I getting? I thought I read where the Sport has upgraded axles, also. Any info would sure help. thanx much.

#493 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [soonerdog] by fourx4ever

Feb 06, 2008 (11:40 am)

Replying to: soonerdog (Feb 05, 2008 5:37 pm)
Yeah Jeep guys didn’t like to hear an FJ refereed to as a Jeep either. Now I think the FJ guys don’t like their classic rigs being compared to an FJ Cruiser
 
Yeah Rubcons are on the pricey side. But then you’re not only getting much stronger axles front and back with lockers, but a much stronger transfercase with a low 4:1.0 ratio that yields a crawl ratio between 66:1 or 72:1 depending on the year of Rubicon you end up with. This is far better than what the regular Wranglers and most other good 4x4s offer – somewhere in the 40:1 to maybe 50:1. You also get the rocker skid plates (not that that’s a huge deal). However if you had to add all those things to a Sahara, Sport or X you would be over $10 000.00 in parts alone, never mind the labor. So in this sense the Rubicon is a hell of deal.
 
The model order in trim and goodies goes Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, X with the X being a base model. You’re not getting a lot of things in the X. I think the 6 cylinder engine is an option in it but other than that you get the 4. I don’t recommend the 4. The fuel consumption of the 6 is only a little bit more, and you get way more power. Other than the obvious engine and transmission options, the difference in the Sahara down to the X is mostly about trim, and creature comforts. Mechanically they could all be optioned the same at the time of purchase as far as I know.

#494 of 541 Re: interested in a wrangler [fourx4ever] by soonerdog

Feb 12, 2008 (6:43 am)

Replying to: fourx4ever (Feb 06, 2008 11:40 am)
A belated "thanx" for the info. I finally got around to reading some of the pages in this rather extensive thread - had some rather heated debates going on!
 You know, after 40+ yrs of this-and-that off-road, I know for a fact, no matter what you're using, it has to be maintained. My FJ 40s had to be constantly monitored, just like my '60 chevy 3/4 ton pick-up, just like my 61 dodge lancer. My '91 FJ 80 that I bought in '97 needed new window tracks, a new power mirror, and a rebuilt radiator - all before 111K miles. My '02 Tac has been pretty cheap - course it doesn't really get off-road too much.
 Anyway, you're right about the standard stuff on the Rubicon - compared to the other trims, it is a deal indeed. It apprears to me to be "over-engineered" which is exactly what I want. I'm presently at the point of purchasing an '04 with 45K. Again, thanx for the info.

Messages Page 50 of 55

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