Wrangler, 90 or other
Discussion
I’m looking for a smallish 4x4 convertible.
Around about 5k budget.
It’s more of a summer toy than a serious offroader, but will be used in the winter when the weather is rubbish and for occasional trips to family which requires several hours on the motorway followed by rutted lanes and gravel tracks.
I’m thinking of a Wrangler TJ or a Landy 90.
I think the Wrangler is ahead at the moment based on comfort.
Also, I quite like the sound of the 4L straight 6.
Is there anything else worth considering?
Should I look at a specific version of the 90 that actually had space for a right arm?
Does anyone know if a Wrangler TJ is actually a thing you could drive on the motorway at a decent speed. (an unmodded model).?
Should I just forget this idea and get an MX5 instead?
Around about 5k budget.
It’s more of a summer toy than a serious offroader, but will be used in the winter when the weather is rubbish and for occasional trips to family which requires several hours on the motorway followed by rutted lanes and gravel tracks.
I’m thinking of a Wrangler TJ or a Landy 90.
I think the Wrangler is ahead at the moment based on comfort.
Also, I quite like the sound of the 4L straight 6.
Is there anything else worth considering?
Should I look at a specific version of the 90 that actually had space for a right arm?
Does anyone know if a Wrangler TJ is actually a thing you could drive on the motorway at a decent speed. (an unmodded model).?
Should I just forget this idea and get an MX5 instead?
For the off-road use that you describe both are easily capable, even in standard form. However, I'd recommend the Wrangler - you should be able to pick-up a clean TJ for your budget.I owned one of each for more than a few years and it's the Jeep that I'd go for again. The soft top in the Jeep is well fitted and keeps the noise and flapping to a minimum - it's more than a five minute job to drop the top though. The 4.0 L straight six is a great engine and will last for hundreds of thousands with basic maintenance - it's a bit thirsty, particularly when you start modding - increasing tyre size, etc. Standard - it'll cruise at 70+ on the motorway at very low revs in relative comfort(standard gearing is 3.07:1). The front seats can be a bit soft and lacking support over long distances, but easily improved upon.
Things to watch out for..
The exhaust manifold is tubular and prone to cracking - it's not too expensive but is a pain to replace
Front wheel bearings - the whole hub has to be replaced
Front brakes can be prone to sticking
Gearboxes get notchy if GL5 oil has been used (it eats the white metal in the syncromeshes)
Beware of cheaply installed lifts > 2 inches - you can get rear prop 'throw' if a double carden rear prop with slip yoke elimination has not been installed.
Check the heater operation in all positions - the early TJ's used vacuum switches to shift operation and they can break
The early mobilisers can be a real pain and can leave you stranded if they start to play-up. (they can be bypassed)
Check the hood and all zips for smooth operation, it's frustrating when they start to jam
Lift the carpets in the footwells and check for rust
It sounds like a lot but I wouldnt worry too much - they're generally very reliable well-built vehicles. I'd put the quality miles ahead of any Land Rover product.
They're great fun - here's one we modified earlier.
Things to watch out for..
The exhaust manifold is tubular and prone to cracking - it's not too expensive but is a pain to replace
Front wheel bearings - the whole hub has to be replaced
Front brakes can be prone to sticking
Gearboxes get notchy if GL5 oil has been used (it eats the white metal in the syncromeshes)
Beware of cheaply installed lifts > 2 inches - you can get rear prop 'throw' if a double carden rear prop with slip yoke elimination has not been installed.
Check the heater operation in all positions - the early TJ's used vacuum switches to shift operation and they can break
The early mobilisers can be a real pain and can leave you stranded if they start to play-up. (they can be bypassed)
Check the hood and all zips for smooth operation, it's frustrating when they start to jam
Lift the carpets in the footwells and check for rust
It sounds like a lot but I wouldnt worry too much - they're generally very reliable well-built vehicles. I'd put the quality miles ahead of any Land Rover product.
They're great fun - here's one we modified earlier.
I'm still tempted by the 4 door Wrangler as a family car, camping carrier and fun. Waiting for the prices to drop further but I have seen 2007 models for £9k. Only thing is the 2.7L diesel is pretty asthmatic and I drove a 3.8L on holiday last year which was much nicer but pretty thirsty.
Does anyone own or has owned a 4 door and what are your experiences?
Does anyone own or has owned a 4 door and what are your experiences?
croyde said:
I'm still tempted by the 4 door Wrangler as a family car, camping carrier and fun. Waiting for the prices to drop further but I have seen 2007 models for £9k. Only thing is the 2.7L diesel is pretty asthmatic and I drove a 3.8L on holiday last year which was much nicer but pretty thirsty.
Does anyone own or has owned a 4 door and what are your experiences?
My 2p as a potential owner who bought something else...Does anyone own or has owned a 4 door and what are your experiences?
They're not especially big inside, and there's no (AFAIK) possibility of a roofrack. And the tailgate is a faff as you have to open the bottom to move the spare to open top section
The 4 door wrangler has 2 things in its favour.
It’s a soft top.
It’s the only soft top with three seats in the back.
If you want a soft top 4x4 for a family it’s the car for you.
If you want a hard top then there are a lot of other options.
Also, I think the early ones are quite nice and the new ones are nice.
But, there was a version in the middle that’s been put together by a blind cobbler.
It’s hard to put my finger on, but it just felt ugly to sit in.
It’s a soft top.
It’s the only soft top with three seats in the back.
If you want a soft top 4x4 for a family it’s the car for you.
If you want a hard top then there are a lot of other options.
Also, I think the early ones are quite nice and the new ones are nice.
But, there was a version in the middle that’s been put together by a blind cobbler.
It’s hard to put my finger on, but it just felt ugly to sit in.
Snowboy said:
The 4 door wrangler has 2 things in its favour.
It’s a soft top.
It’s the only soft top with three seats in the back.
If you want a soft top 4x4 for a family it’s the car for you.
If you want a hard top then there are a lot of other options.
Also, I think the early ones are quite nice and the new ones are nice.
But, there was a version in the middle that’s been put together by a blind cobbler.
It’s hard to put my finger on, but it just felt ugly to sit in.
That's one thing IMO It’s a soft top.
It’s the only soft top with three seats in the back.
If you want a soft top 4x4 for a family it’s the car for you.
If you want a hard top then there are a lot of other options.
Also, I think the early ones are quite nice and the new ones are nice.
But, there was a version in the middle that’s been put together by a blind cobbler.
It’s hard to put my finger on, but it just felt ugly to sit in.
The final nail in its coffin from my perspective is that I couldn't fit three in child seat across the back, although they're approaching booster seat age so I'd consider one again.I could get 3 child seats in the back of my old Disco 3 but not in the Range Rover Vogue that I got to use after another of the Disco's breakdowns. Think it was the curves and the bolsters of the Connelly cream leather
Surprised at the Wrangler though as it looks like 3 full size adult seats back there.
Surprised at the Wrangler though as it looks like 3 full size adult seats back there.
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