I had also considered the same thing. I could sell my FJ, pay out the loan and have enough remaining to pick up a nice turbo diesel 80 series. Then I remember that my old 80 cost me $5k in maintenance the first year I had it just getting it up to scratch. Add the higher chance of break downs with the fact that I'm driving twice as much per annum as I used to with my 80 and it seems more sensible to stay with the FJ even though it means ongoing loan repayments.
There is a problem, I work at a Jeep dealer and never before asked how much was for a unlimited wrangler until a few days ago I asked and boom! I can get a brand new Unlimited JK (sport but with power windows, mirrors, a/c and the hard top) With a rear factory locker, lifted with the new OME 4 inch lift, 295/70R17 Nitto trail grapplers, Rubicon sliders, remote starter, heated seats, ARB front bumper, trailer hitch, 6sp tranny. Cheaper by almost $1500 what I can get the FJ base package with a ARB roof rack and oem sliders.
I am a Toyota guy, always have been and I like the FJ better, love the looks and the Toyota "prestige" but some of my friends have JK Wranglers and nobody have had a problem with one, wedo the same kind of wheeling and those things stock with no lockers are so capable. In my opinion a bit more than the FJ because the solid front axle and the massive wheel travel.
Why I do like the Jeep:
-Its cheaper than the FJ and I can have it with all the toys from day one
-Working in a Jeep dealer I barely pay for oil changes and only pay 10% over cost for any part (oem or aftermarket)
-The roof thing is fantastic
-Aftermarket support
Why I don't like the Jeep:
-Its a Jeep and Im a Toyota guy
-Parts looks stronger in the Toyota but that being said I don't wheel every weekend and maybe one time during the winter
-I Just like the FJ better don't know why
So there is the question, What to do? Lifted, locked with some extras for a cheaper price or the mighty FJ but stock?
Just got the quote back and I can get the JK for 159 BW compared to 230 BW for the FJ
$1500 is nothing compared to long run maintenance/repair costs (Toyota reliability wins). I like the JK, from a distance, but wouldn't want to own one. The FJC aftermarket is plenty mature by now for almost anything you can think of.
$1500 is nothing compared to long run maintenance/repair costs (Toyota reliability wins). I like the JK, from a distance, but wouldn't want to own one. The FJC aftermarket is plenty mature by now for almost anything you can think of.
One of my neighbors drove his JK into my driveway for a head to head comparison. I agree with Rick, from a distance, the JK looks great. Once you get inside and drive it, I got a distinctly different impression, so did my neighbor.
Yet, to each their own, been through Jeeps (49 CJ2A and 74 CJ5), love the diesel option but once one puts all these eggs into the Jeep basket, I couldn't do it, IMHO...
Well the "you get what you pay for" is questionable. I wheel with a 07 Tacoma, 07 FJ, 2 Land Rover Discovery, 4 Wranglers (08, 07, 12 and 13), Isuzu Rodeo and a 98 Cherokee and the only thing the Wrangler owners have replaced is front u-joints in the 07.
Well the "you get what you pay for" is questionable. I wheel with a 07 Tacoma, 07 FJ, 2 Land Rover Discovery, 4 Wranglers (08, 07, 12 and 13), Isuzu Rodeo and a 98 Cherokee and the only thing the Wrangler owners have replaced is front u-joints in the 07.
I agree, I probably typed too quickly......but, personally, I've just had bad luck with domestic vehicles, the only one I never had a problem with was my 69 Z28 except that I sold it before the boom. I've had German cars, American trucks/cars, and Toyota's. The only one I'm still driving is a Yota.
Again, personal experience, and everyone has different experiences. JK's are everywhere, I'm sure they are as dependable these days as an FJ (close anyway there's just too many of them on the road, I saw 4 solid black ones driving home the other day, which you can take as good and/or bad.
I really don't think you can go wrong with either....
there's just too many of them on the road, I saw 4 solid black ones driving home the other day, which you can take as good and/or bad.
