3 Generations of Jeep in a Week (Daytime Share)

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
05/13/2020 at 11:02 • Filed to: None

As my hunt for a Wrangler drags on, I had the privilege of driving a TJ-U (LJ), JK and a JL this past week. All 6 speed manual two door base models. My neighbour has a YJ, I feel like I should ask to drive it, just to round out the week.

Fun fact, only the LJ had AC! (Yes, I am buying another car without AC, but this time, the roof and doors come off!)

I also drove them in descending order of “newness”, which gave a kinda neat “de-evolution” feel to my test drives. I shall give my thoughts on each.

2005 TJ Unlimited (LJ)

I saw this online at 10pm on Saturday night. I drove 45 minutes each way to check it out on Sunday morning, but sadly, by early Monday morning when the dealer re-opened the “Jeep People” had found it and many, many offers had been made (sight unseen, without test drives!)

64,000km/40,000 miles at a $15,000CAD or $10,700USD price, this was way undervalued.

I didn’t have the immediate capital to move on it, as about half of my money is in the form of a white Kia Forte, so I couldn’t compete with the dudes waving around $18,000 certified cheques.

I did however, get to drive it with my wife on Vancouver’s beautiful North Shore. For that half hour, I was, in my mind at least, a TJ owner and very proud and happy.

It was pretty, but the clutch was heavy (compared to modern vehicles), as was the steering. It would be a hard DD and take a pretty TJ out of circulation.

Obviously, convenience wise, it was pretty sparse, but as mentioned above, it had AC.

2018 JK Sport

First off, this example was a POS. Something tramatic had happened to this Jeep, you could tell. Secondly, the dealership was a dump and the salesman didn’t give a FUCK about the Jeep or me. VW dealer, so we took the Sportwagen to at least, I dunno, demonstrate I had a VW?

Despite the relative shitty quality of both the dealership and Jeep, it was still priced at $25,000.00 CAD. I pointed out some damage and the ratty quality and said I wouldn’t pay more than $21,000.00. They wouldn’t budge from $24,000 and honestly, given the incentives right now, it would likely be cheaper to buy a new JL.

Driving wise, you get the same sorta vauge shifting as in a TJ, slightly lighter clutch and everything else is kinda meh. This was a 2018 with 30,000km or 18,500 miles again for $24,000CAD or $17,000USD.

To be honest, it is stunning how little you get in a 2018. No Bluetooth, no AC, no power windows and the same key as I got in the TJ. The interior is straight outta 2006 without any updates.

I’ve driven a few JK’s before and loved them, but with the improvements of a JL and the limited price difference, I don’t understand why people still pay good money for these.

2019/2020 JL Sport

I didn’t take a photo of this one, but I am 95% sure I am getting a JL now. Maybe not for a few months, but it will come (pending plauge/financial ruin/war)

I test drove this, black on black combo, two doors and a six speed. The transmission is MUCH improved. Feels like I’m driving a car, but the clutch is kinda weird. I’d get used to it. Driving again, feels like a car, with a great turning radius and a pretty stiff but comfy ride.

Android auto, a backup cam and push to start are all on tap and the folding top seems pretty intuitive.

Also, my dad has taken lots of rubicon bits off his JL and offered them to me for free, so that’s a bonus.

FCA Canada has some pretty delicous deals on right now, but I will likley lose a grand on the Kia, but...that’s pretty good for two years of ownership on a new car.

I am going to write a post on the 3 vastly different dealer experiences sometime soon as well.

DISCUSSION (25)

Captain of the Enterprise > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/12/2020 at 23:27

I like them And nice write up, but I honestly think it would be better to save a little longer and get one with A/C. It will make it better to live with and help with resale. I do think the manual is cool though.

Just Jeepin' > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/12/2020 at 23:29

As far as I can recall, I’ve only driven three generations of Jeeps: two TJs, a CJ-5 for about 5 minutes (no power steering and big tires so my back was warning me of impending doom) and an XJ.

So you’ve tied my 6 years of Jeep ownership already.

fintail > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/12/2020 at 23:32

I like the suddenly-its-1998 upholstery in that 05.

You may eventually regret not having AC.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Captain of the Enterprise
05/12/2020 at 23:33

Honestly, it is hard to find the Sport S (with AC) in a two door manual right now. Automatics? AC is no issue, even in the base trim.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > fintail
05/12/2020 at 23:40

I think he does it on purpose so he can justify buying something again in 2 years.

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/12/2020 at 23:44

Self-enabling chronic car buyer.

At least these have crazy resale.

Gone > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/12/2020 at 23:51

Never driven anything newer than a TJ, so no opinion . The JL is probably better than the JK however.

YJ ’s are the best CJ’s. Small, fun, light, easy to drive.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/12/2020 at 23:57

Ha try finding a single non factory AC car from this mill en nium in Georgia. I find that astounding about the lack of sweet sweet artificial cooling.

I did like the write-up though, so good job. For DD, go new or go old and “cheap” but not that crappy mid 2000s FCA disguised as a 2018. My friend has a 2014 Jeep Patriot fwd 5 speed with AC but no power lock/windows and it’s an almost hilariously bad car. I imagine the Wrangler is just like that but worse in every respect until you get off the dirt road, though perhaps more fun all around.

412GTI > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 00:01

Yeah I’ve driven the above and agree with your write up. I never really enjoyed driving the JK’s. I’d rather have the older version if you’re not going to get any worthwhile upgrades.

The JL is SO worth the money. You can tell it’s a modern vehicle. I’ve driven quite a few manuals and I’m not convinced I’d get one over the very good eight-speed auto . The light clutch and long gears are kinda annoying to me but I can appreciate why you would want the stick.

For a Kia replacement, I think a JL makes the most sense!

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 00:02

I would have thought even just basic AC (no fancy multi zone or even automatic) would just be standard on anything this price point in the year 2020.

CRider > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 00:03

The interior is straight outta 2006 without any updates.

Ah, not exactly. Between 2007-2010 it looked like this. You also drove one with the Pentastar, not the gutless 3.8 V6.

Kinja'd!!!

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 00:14

I say this as a friend who also bought a car with a removable top thinking AC wouldn’t be important-

Get AC. Bigly regret on my part

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com
05/13/2020 at 00:56

Look at his Kia for example lol

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 01:11

I saw a new Jeep today with Willys on the side of the hood, that bugs me.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 08:11

This is excellent Oppo. I think you are wise waiting for a few months...if only because the new Defender might be out by then. And Oppo needs a dedicated cross shopper to determine which of these wonderful anachronisms is going to be THE ONE!

Given that neither are or will be available here with a manual gearbox (and both are priced at #fuckingstupid entry levels) ...then a Suzuki Jimny or a Mahindra Pik-Up is the only logical choice. No soft top though...

ClassicDatsunDebate > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 10:13

The JL has so many refinements over the JK of mine. And by refinements I mean a roof that will probably only leak a little bit, interior bits not made of the shittiest plastic and electronics technology invented post y2k.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > ClassicDatsunDebate
05/13/2020 at 10:27

Ever consider trading in your JK?

ClassicDatsunDebate > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 10:39

We’ve talked about it. We’ve debated trade in vs repair and Mrs CDD doesn’t want to part with it. It needs a suspension refresh, EGR, brakes and new roof seals but I’ve been kinda lazy to do the work mainly because it only gets used for local hops nowadays so the issues are starting to mount.

It’s only got 120k on it though which is crazy low for an ‘07.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/13/2020 at 10:57

How do you know my strategy? Also, two doors, so if we have kids, I have another reason to buy another car

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Just Jeepin'
05/13/2020 at 10:59

Never a JK or JL? You should! Just to get the experiance

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/13/2020 at 11:00

I like what the Willys editions bring (usually upgraded offroad bits with everything else being base model) but I would remove the graphics

Nothing > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 12:08

If I were to buy a JL right now, I’d get a two door Black and Tan. Good mix of standard features on that, granted it’s a bit more than the base sport. I really liked the JLU that I drove, both a base Sport and Rubicon. I haven’t driven a 2 door.

I’ve never driven a JK, but have driven a TJ, albeit years ago. I enjoyed it...much more truckish than the JL, but that isn’t bad. I would definitely have one as a third vehicle, but wouldn’t want it as my primary driver. I could easily see DD-ing a JL though.

sn4cktimes > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 12:10

I owned a 2007 base JK. It had more power than a TJ. Was easier to mod the suspension, bumpers and fenders. A few of the guys had TJs with lower ranges and lockers and I generally tackled harder terrain with the JK. The geometry of the suspension was just better as was the engine pickup.

I was always jealous of the Cherokee engines. So much more power.

The YJs were tractors. Lots of torque but no “go”. Leaf springs are a nightmare to off-road with, no flex. One guy changed his leafs to reserve shocks and coils, and stroked the 4.2L 258. He had a 4:1 transfer case and lockers, 38” tires, 6 ” lift. It climbed everything. It was a monster! I’d go that route if I ever owned another Jeep.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Nothing
05/13/2020 at 12:12

I’ve driven my dad’s Rubicon (JLU) and loved it, but I can’t afford more than a base model.

I am buying this as a replacement 4th vehicle. My goal is to have 4 cheap vehicles that each fulfill a specific niche, rather than a more expensive vehicle that only does one thing

Nothing > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/13/2020 at 12:26

That’s not a bad plan at all. Driving dynamics, I noticed no major difference when I drove the Sport vs the Rubicon...at the time I wanted a manual, and the dealer didn’t have a manual Rubicon, so I drove the Sport.

I’d have to do a mindset “swap” for me to get around getting a 2 door JL. My “new” vehicle would be the plaything, while I’d get something older that I could use to handle hockey duties, as hauling goalie gear and a kid in a 2 door Jeep wouldn’t work out well. That said, my wife has a perfectly capable Grand Cherokee that can do that...