XJ replacement...what would you choose.

[pikey77]

Alright I've been up in the air about buying something new to replace my 01 or just spending the money to fix the thing and keep it going.

Only problem is I'm having a hard time finding something comparable to the XJ. 4wd, 4dr, SUV that does good offroad stock and costs less than 40,000 bucks.

Closest thing I can find would be something like a 4runner or a FJ Cruiser. Both of which are 35 to 40,000 dollar cars.

I do some light off roading and trail riding...I've been looking at Tacomas as well but I use the cargo area inside so much I dont want to give it up.

 

[Eli Lilly]

The XTerra seems somewhat similar.

 

[bjoehandley]

I've Thought of looking at a Turbo PT Cruiser or HHR SS as a driver and keeping the XJ as a second vehicle.

 

[n1ywb]

I've Thought of looking at a Turbo PT Cruiser or HHR SS as a driver and keeping the XJ as a second vehicle.

lastara

Unfortunately trucks and SUVs command a premium these days. Everybody wants one.

I see enough 4runners and tacomas on the trails to think they must be pretty decent. Although Toyota's taken a shelling lately. Also I hear cheaper used ones are harder to come by after all the recalls, so many were scrapped. FWIW I think the tacoma 4x4 with TRD offroad package is one of the best stock wheelers on the market. Sits up high, fits 31's no problem, it even has a stock e-locker, super rugged. My buddy has one with a super charger and 2" lift coilovers and he beats the piss out of it and it just keeps going. I hate to say it but I have to fix way more stuff on my XJ than he does on his yota.

I saw some chevy trailblazers on the trail once, they actually seemed pretty decent, although they had aftermarket bumpers and some lift.

Older suburbans are pretty cool lifted.

What about a FS wagoneer?

 

[mercyNdjeepit]

I've Thought of looking at a Turbo PT Cruiser or HHR SS as a driver and keeping the XJ as a second vehicle.

::snort:: I bought my '98 XJ as an upgrade from my '01 PT...which is being donated to my younger brother. It's actually not a bad little car and for the most part handles pretty well and has a lot of doohickeys on the inside...buuuuuuut I get the same gas mileage in my XJ, I'm up alot higher, I can change my own oil and the 4x4 is a big deal during winters here. My PT got winched, dragged, and towed out of my *flat* driveway a few times this past winter.

If you like the visability in the XJ (I do...reminds me of my ole 91 explorer) dont go with an FJ. I've been in one and it seemed uncomfortably like driving in a tank...the windows are all very small and slitted and you just cant see a whole lot in them.

 

[Cottontail]

WJ or Commander would get my vote...

 

[Ralph]

How about a Wrangler Unlimited? I wouldn't mind getting a 2004-2006 model

 

[RichP]

TJ unlimited with a hard top, the extra storage space is nice.

 

[iwannadie]

If I couldn't go XJ I would look at a super charged Xterra. My sister has a 2wd NA and it is pretty sweet on the road, they never took it off pavement I don't think. Overall it's a nice SUV and the idea of a super charged version is awesome.

 

[Darky]

2007+ XTerras are nice, powerful, roomy, handle well in the dirt, and are well under 40k. A brand new one with the Off-Road trim level, and every option checked is $31,000.

 

[RichP]

2007+ XTerras are nice, powerful, roomy, handle well in the dirt, and are well under 40k. A brand new one with the Off-Road trim level, and every option checked is $31,000.

2006 Wrangler unlimited sport $18K, more crap equipped, more to break and fix.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/1774061266.html

 

[Ian Christiansen]

4-door JK Rubicon.

 

[Darky]

2006 Wrangler unlimited sport $18K, more crap equipped, more to break and fix.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/1774061266.html

It sounds like he's looking new though. Starting price on the Off Road XTerra is about 29k. Electric locker, hill start assist/hill descent control (auto only), clutch start cancel (stick shift of course), and Bilstein shocks. Everything the FJ and 4Runner have for less and a 4.0 V6 that makes 26 hp on standard gas. The Toys require premium to make full power.

 

[xjtrailrider]

Commander, I have one and love it! There are plenty of aftermarket support for it if you want to lift it. Plenty of skid plate options, sliders and bumpers.


Aside from the IFS front, it feels like a XJ, even gets bad gas mileage (but not bad for a 400hp beast!) but with a boat load more power.

My second vote is for the JK Unlimited but the "Gutless" V-6 is a little hard to live with after owning 4.0's for years. I'm speaking from experience, I have a 08' JK Sahara as well.

 

[RTFM]

1975 or older SJ (Full Sized Jeep Grand Wagoner)
No Computer - No Cat - No issues

 

[Ralph]

2006 Wrangler unlimited sport $18K, more crap equipped, more to break and fix.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/1774061266.html

Nice Jeep. Good price, features and it's even the right color (Raider Red).

 

[RichP]

Nice Jeep. Good price, features and it's even the right color (Raider Red).

All I need is $18K

 

[Handlebars]

Wranglers seem to be made out of gold judging by resale prices. I bought a 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland, fully loaded for $7500.

V8 power lets me pass motorhomes 3 at a time at 7000 feet elevation and it gets better gas mileage than my Cherokee did.

I do have to deal with the luxe leather/suede/wood interior, heated seats, his-n-hers climate control & power moonroof but I have adjusted to it.

Best of all, my wife and I can both sleep comfortably in the back, weather be damned.

This will be for "off-road touring". My days of doing Dusy-Ershim, Pritchett and Mt. Blanca are over. I've had it a month and done a 9 day trip with it already, no regrets at all. Best of all, it is still a Jeep!

 

[rocknxj]

TJ unlimited with a hard top, the extra storage space is nice.

Yup, that's my vote. But you can still find a good XJ and drop a rebuilt motor in it.

 

[xjtrailrider]

You could completely rebuild your XJ or another XJ for a fraction of what a new/newer Jeep would cost. I have less than 5 grand in the complete resto mod of my dads old 90 XJ that was in the ROTM last month.

But I really like the Commanders lifted, and I hear they wheel good. i haven't tried mine yet its too new. Here is "phunkeydude's" XK from CommanderForum. He just sold it to build a JK Rubi Unlimited with a Hemi but his XK was bad a$$!