Hi all,

Newer than new here. I found this site on a Google search as part of my prepurchase research.
In no particular order, I'm considering the JKU, the Taco double cab, or the FJ.
So far, they each seem to have their own strengths and weaknesses -to varying degrees.

On looks alone, I've always admired the Taco from afar. But honestly, I don't really want or need another pickup.
(I've had one from Ford and one from GMC in the past and was less than impressed with both).

I've also been an casual admirer of the Wrangler for many years, starting way back when it was known as the CJ-5.
But I could never get my head around the boring interior and dash layout. So glad to see that has changed in the last year or two!

Whie I can't ever see myself doing any hardcore off-roading with it (think wayoflife and gang), I will be needing
something to get me into areas with numerous unmaintained fire roads and the like. The Subaru is out as I've done
the whole family thing and don't want another station wagon. This will also be my DD for the next few years, so I've that to consider, too.

But I digress...

I've been on the forum(s) here for 2 or 3 weeks and have picked up a lot of info. Some of which makes sense, and some that doesn't.
About the latter -and that's really what's been on my mind the past few days- what I've come away with is this:

*Domestic build quality is still crap (I'm speaking of OEM stuff here. I've no experience with the aftermarket world):
The whole DW/klunky steering/bad boxes and shafts thing comes to mind right off.

*Dealing with Chrysler on warranty issues is annoying at best, and their after-sale customer service is terrible.

But then in the very next breath, folks are just as quick to say how much they love their Jeeps. It's their 3rd/4th/5th/whatever and they'll never consider anything else.
And I may be wrong about this, but I could swear that *sometimes*, the praise comes from the same folks who are -as one poster put it- ready to drive the thing off the nearest cliff.

Is THIS what they mean by 'It's a Jeep thing. You wouldn't understand.'? I dunno.. maybe I need more enlightening .
That said, I should add that 90% of my 'research time' has been spent on here on JK-Forum. I've had two near-sleepless nights
after reading the 'klunky steering' thread and Eddie's warranty thread. And still.. I keep logging in. The one time I did check out the FJ forums, it was
to read the 'why did you buy your FJ?' thread. Several people mentioned they liked how it was easy to 'personalise' and 'make it truly their own'.

Huh..??

How on earth do you do that with such a fugly cookie-cutter product as that?? The doors don't come off, the top is stuck on... and the color selection blows chunks.
But I digress again .

My purchase is a good 18-24 months out. I know a lot can happen in that time. But hey, I like to start early. In the mean time, I'll keep reading and watching the Project JK videos!

 

JK is my first jeep and I love it, Im not afraid to work on it one bit. And there seems to be a vast amount of knowledge out there to help you troubleshoot anything that may come up. I was reading that the FJ is one hell of a smooth ride out on the trail, but other than that I really havent heard much more. I just love my JK unlimited, and when I bought it in 09 Chrysler was in the tank, so I figured instead of bitching about the economy I might be able to do my tiny part and buy something made in the U.S.A
If you wan't to know what the "Jeep way of life is" check out this thread
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...-amp-Beach-Run
rent a jeep for the weekend and come along.

 

Keep in mind too that once the warranty expires, Toyota parts are expensive as hell. Besides, the FJ's are just 4WD, Wranglers are 4WD AND convertible! As far as reliabilty, Jeeps can't be that bad. If they were, there wouldn't be so many on the road.

 

I know it's at the other end of the spectrum, so to speak, but if Jeepers are anything like Miata freaks, I've a pretty good idea of the 'community' aspect of 'It's a Jeep thing'. I'm also a member of to Miata clubs and am currently in between Miatas and certainly plan to return AFTER getting whichever 4x4 I end up with.

Been to Long Beach/Nachotta/Oysterville a number of times. I'd likely consider this trip were my schedule not so heavy just then. That and I've yet to find a place that will rent a Wrangler. Closest I've seen yet is Vegas. Fortunately, I do head down there once or twice a year.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that this is predominantly a tech forum so people come here with problems to bitch about and find the solutions for and someone in the same boat so they don't feel alone in the world. Now that that's out of the way, this is my first Jeep and I love it. You're definitely going the right route in starting research early so you actually know when some of these issues get ironed out, and what new options are coming out. In any event welcome to the forum and I think you'll find your way into a JK when decision time comes.

 

I was in a similar boat as you FJ vs Wrangler. I was easily convinced that the FJ kicked the wranglers ass so I was very close to buying one. In fact the toyota dealership and jeep dealership were next door to each other. Then I called my dad to help me negotiate a price for a FJ but then he told me to go next door and give the Jeeps a chance I did, took it for a test drive, it was a little bumpy at first but I fell in love in 20 minutes. I didn't really know that the JK was out I still thought all of them looked like TJ's so I was impressed by the way it looks and the capability and simplicity of the whole thing.

So I went back to the FJ salesman and told him I was not going to buy it then he was continually dissing the Jeeps telling them American PIOS saying the technology behind it is decades old, build quality blah blah blah. He even said an idiot would pick a Jeep before an FJ. So I bought the Jeep had my dad put the doors in his truck, the dealer put my top down for me, and then I drove to the FJ guy and made a nice gesture.

I was seriously so close to signing my name on that paper for an FJ, I'm so happy I bought the Jeep.

 

I thought the FJ was being discontinued - guess it was just a rumor.

 

Just came across this. You could have shown up in a Miata. We would have accepted you, attached a tow strap and towed you through the sand!