TJ Considerations

[Ret Vet 007]

My wife and I are looking forward to buying our first Jeep very soon, but are also committed to living debt free. After looking at the cost of a new JK, we are considering a used TJ. Although I'm familiar with the JK's, I am not familiar with the pros & cons of a TJ. We will use it as a DD, with occasional off roading. Our budget limit is $17.5k and since retiring from the Army in July, want to enjoy a new hobby together. Thanks ahead of time for your help!!

 

[piginajeep]

Buy a 2 door JK instead. It rides nicer, easier to install bigger tires.

Just all around a better Jeep. You should be able to find one at your price

 

[piginajeep]

A TJ will require a couple grand to get it to perform as well as a Jk not to mention even with a long arm it won't ride as nice as a short arm JK.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Buy a 2 door JK instead. It rides nicer, easier to install bigger tires.

Just all around a better Jeep. You should be able to find one at your price

X2! I got my 2 door 2012 in July for just under 20k. You can probably get an 07-08 unlimited for around there but it will be a base model. Especially if you go with 17.5k cash.

 

[RockyJk]

Agree with what they said my jk was $19k with 22k miles on it

 

[Notajerryskid]

Since the release of the 2012-2013 jk's the sticker price for the older jk's have dropped. I suggest the 08 or newer 2 door. You can find them for a fair price. Being the owner of a TJ and a jk. I say JK all the way. They are much much better than a TJ. Imop. So many poole have them most budget parts are easily found cheap. For the money you save in initial cost you will spend in aftermarket parts to get it to perform like a jk stock. I have been amazed by several 2 doors and 4 doors that are stock.

 

[Ret Vet 007]

Good information!!

Thanks to everyone who weighed in about this, I appreciate it! I think we will continue to save beyond my original amount so I can get into a JK. Having drove a JKRU last year I immediately was hooked with the Fever, but knowing that our youngest son will be going off to college next year I decided to pass. Saving more cash will help me get a better deal while allowing me to dream about the mods I want to do once in our garage.

Stay Safe & Merry Christmas!
______
[OlllllllO]

 

[gouacats]

Since the release of the 2012-2013 jk's the sticker price for the older jk's have dropped. I suggest the 08 or newer 2 door. You can find them for a fair price. Being the owner of a TJ and a jk. I say JK all the way. They are much much better than a TJ. Imop. So many poole have them most budget parts are easily found cheap. For the money you save in initial cost you will spend in aftermarket parts to get it to perform like a jk stock. I have been amazed by several 2 doors and 4 doors that are stock.

I agree...I've had both setup about the same and the JK was much easier to setup the way I wanted. Not to mention, more power and better gas mileage. I got my 08 2-door with about 50k miles for $13.5k.

 

[ichthus]

Yup, no problem at all, finding a JK for $17.5. For that matter, I'd happily sell you my 08 for that . Values on 07-10 models have definitely come back down a bit since the 3.6 was released, but I think they're leveling off, thanks to the jumping TJ prices. Between the 2, a TJ might have a smaller trail footprint and offer cheaper mods, but the refinement and strength of the JK definitely makes it a better platform to start from.

 

[White_JKU]

yup, I agree with the others. My Ex has a TJ with a 4 inch lift and 33's .. shes got a couple thousand in aftermarket parts on that thing and it can't tackle half of the stuff my JKU does with only a few mods.
Ride quality is night and day different. JK all the way. Unless its gonna be a complete trail rig. In that case. Buy the cheapest thing you can get and spend the money on mods.