Please School Me- Jeep vs Toyota

[DavidBAz]

Jeeps, I don't know at all. Toyotas a fair bit.
Four wheel drive a little bit.
Desire: to go with wife and son on outings, but no
'rock-crawling, Moab slick festival' action.
Think- Arizona fire-roads for fishing, hiking and
prospecting.
Now, it wouldn't take a lot to surpass the ability
of our '97 Maxima or '97 Altima. And I need to
sell one for a 4x4.
So- $$$. Jeeps appear to be inexpensive. But I
would need a daily driver. Some hauling ability
would be nice.
Tacoma (Tundra, 4Runner) or Cherokee? $5-8,000?
Thank you.

[TMAC]

I am kinda in the same position as you, but no hauling. I have owned Toyota trucks before. I think for what you want, you would be looking at a Toyota truck. Reliability and the ability to go off roading in the way you want spells Toyota all the way to me.

I am in a similar position but I have a smaller budget than you and want something I can go a little more aggressively off roading with AND to be my daily driver. I only live 4 miles from work now, so thats a bonus for me. I have decided on a 91-97' Jeep Cherokee (XJ) for the longer wheel displacement, very reliable engine in the 4.0L, cheaper price, availability of parts and modifications, off roading ability and cargo space for the kids and supplies like fishing and guns and such. I decided against a truck, mainly because I want enclosed space and a cargo area. I don't haul anything anymore and don't really want the open truck bed for storing anything while driving, (especially off roading as whatever you put back there tends to get really dusty very quickly). If I were to do that with the truck then I would need a camper shell and I am not into campers. We are looking to do more camping, hiking, fishing and shooting out here....So Jeep it is for me. I am currently looking for one below $4K. I do hear they tow really well though.

I think for versatility and budget you cannot beat a Cherokee, but the Toyotas are more reliable when kept stock.

[TMAC]

Jeep 2.jpg

Plus they look absolutely awesome when done right!! This would be my dream Cherokee!!

[Pokeguyjai]

Subaru Forester. Just got one as a DD and it is great!

[Jesuvuah]

Man, you just reminded me of the nightmare I have waiting for me on monday. A 4runner with a camaro engine in it with a wiring problem.

I would go for a jeep, but that is just me.

[B+Shooter]

Don't discount the Nissans. We have both a Frontier and an Xterra, and they are great vehicles for road use/outing use. The longer I drive mine, the more I love it.

[William Carter]

Plus 1 on toyota. Jeeps rank at or near the bottom in consumer reports and have for years. You will surely be able to get a better sale price on jeep, but there is a good reason for that.

[fidalgoman]

JMHO but having the experience of owning a number of Chrysler products and Toyota products from a mechanical frame of reference the Toyota's have been rock solid and the Chrysler products not so much. I like driving both products and never buy low end, but there was always the unexpected maintenance issue with all my Chrysler made vehicles. YMMV. Of course if you plan to radically alter said products then it's apples and oranges. Having owned a few mildly exotic cars, you pay the price as well.

[ordinarysaint]

If Consumer Reports is any kind of authority for you then buy whatever they tell ya.As for me I'll go with a Jeep any day.Ive got almost 222k on mine( 93 Wrangler).Ive driven it down to Lake Tahoe and back-about 2000 miles-with a 17 mile trip thru the Rubicon.Its my daily driver.It also has the added stress of turning 37" bias tires.The 4.0 motor has more poop to it than any thing Toyata can offer in your price range.If you go with a Jeep-for under $10000 Id look at a '99 or '00 Wrangler.They are coil sprung so they have a nicer ride than the 95 and older Jeeps.Make sure you get the 4.0 litre.If you can find one with a tow package they generally will have a lower gear set(higher numerically) that being 3.73 instead of 3.07.Good luck!

[MAK2263]

I've been a mechanic for more than 35 years and I drive a Toyota daily. 262,000 miles and counting on this one.