The Jeep is fine... buy it. As for a 4 door vs 2 door. You need to ask the following question.

How much does ride quality affect you... 4 door if you want a smoother ride... 2 door if its not as important to you.
How much off roading are you going to do. 2 door performs better but both are very capable vehicles
How much stuff are you going to carry... that's a simple one.
Do you plan on sleeping in the jeep when camping... You can in the 4-door
If you want easier access to the back, get the 4 door.
Dealing with heavy traffic... the 2 door is better in manuvering

 

It is debateable weather the 2 door is that much better then the 4 door. The 4 door can make some sections of the trail look like a walk in the park because of the long wheel base....it goes the same for the 2 door, sometimes the 2 door because of its shorter wheelbase can make certain parts of the trail look like a walk in the park

 

Here's my .02. All good questions and thoughts by the others, but I chose the 2 door 4 months ago, and now I'm taking a hit on that purchase to trade it in on the 4 door. I know you can't look into the future, but our needs changed and we needed the 4 door. If I had just paid the extra then, I'd be a happier camper right now. Think real hard on your answers to the 2 vs 4 debate.

 

Hey that's a great idea about using the seats for game days!! Why didn't I think of that???????

 

Sorry - have to disagree. The 2-door is better at almost everything compared to the 4-door, but the difference is VERY small. The breakover angle of the 2-door is one of the biggest reasons for the advantage.

 

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I got my JK Unlimited in April and already got over 12,000 miles on it! Got TF BB and some other unnecessary stuff installed. My JK has been to several moderate trails (nothing crazy)... covered in dust etc. So far, my JK has no problem whatsoever. Never had stall or any other electrical problem. I'm very happy with it! If I had to do it again, I'd get a JK again.

We (my wife and I) don't have any kids, but we got 4-door so that my dog can sit comfortably/safely in the back seat (see my pic gallery) and still get a lot of room in the back for gears (backpacks, trekking poles, dog supply, water, emergency/recovery gears etc.).

As MJS_Jeep_888 said, 2-door might be a bit better on the tough trails, but 4-door can handle most of the places 2-door can go (especially with a bit lift and bigger tires). WOL and other member's pics prove that. One thing I personally noticed is that some trails here in WA goes up the mountain (gain few tousand feet) and very steep narrow switchbacks and sometimes on the steep slope. If I decide to turn around by any chance in those places (because of the big fallen trees, wash out and so on), it makes very difficult do so with 4-door. With 2-door, it probably a bit easier to turn around since it's much shorter.

Some trails here are like these and very narrow which makes "U-turn" very difficult and/or almost impossible with 4-door (even 2-door would be difficult):

 

Oh, and I haven't done it with JK, but I like to sleep in the back (fold the rear seat) at the trailhead before climbing... In order to climb Mt. Whiteney, Mt. Shasta etc. in one day (it's hard to get a overnight pass... lottery system) you usually need to sleep at the trailhead (also it gets you acclimatize), wake up around 2:00~3:00AM and get going ASAP so that you can summit and get back down by the end of the day. 4-door gives a lot of space in the back to sleep comfortably.

 

Knock on wood I have had my Jeep for 5 months and no problems. I have the Unlimited. I had several sports cars over the years. My favorite was a 2001 Camaro SS. It had enough room for my wife and small daughter. But as my daughter got bigger and the Camaro got smaller and gas prices went up it had to go. We got a 4 door VW that got 45 MPG. Basic transportation, still small but much more room that the Camaro. I had wanted a Jeep for many years but the size was a problem. When the 4 door came out it was perfect. The VW is my commuter car and the Jeep is a 3rd vehicle. I would never have bought the Jeep if it was a 2 door car because of size. I also had a Grand Cherokee at one time. But will all that said the Jeep is a vehicle that I am obsessed with. My wife is jealous of it I think. To be able to put the top down and ride around is awsome. I have had allot of cars over the years and I would not trade any of them for it. The Liberty is a Jeep but it is not the same.

Try to look down the road. Do you want to give up your car for something bigger down the road? The VW is good on gas but I don't like driving it. I love to drive my Jeep and I cost 3 times as much to drive. I personally would not worry over 3 or 4 miles a gallon unless you drive that much.

I have worked in Baltimore for 13 years. I can't remember any soft top Jeeps being damaged or broken into. Not to say it doesn't happen. I drive my Jeep into work sometimes and have had no problems (again knock on wood).

Disclaimer: This was not meant to offend anyone(ie Liberty owners)