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Suggestions please

5K views 87 replies 40 participants last post by  usaf1024 
#1 ·
I don't know anything about Jeep Wranglers. My teenager wants one. Why? Because it looks cool of course. She, yes she...is obsessed with the Jeep. I want something reliable and safe. It was either the Jeep or a Nissan Altima. I would assume the Jeep is better in snow and ice?? Next, what model is best? I have no idea what the difference is between a Tj or yj. I would like to stay under $10,000 since this is her first car, so it would be used. What years and models are best? I'm in Tennessee. Need your honest opinions!! Thanks
 
#2 · (Edited)
Jeeps are actually known in the insurance industry as safer than average when compared to cars. They have a heavy steel frame and heavy steel body that protects occupants better than the typical crackerjacks box unibody car does. Insurance actuarial tables show that when occupants are injured, they are on average injured less in Jeep Wranglers than in cars. Wranglers also weigh more than the average car does and you know who wins when a heavier vehicle collides with a lighter vehicle.

I'd rather my 21 year old son be in my Jeep than in a car, that is for sure.

YJ Wranglers are 95 and older and have rough riding leaf spring suspensions. I wouldn't wish one of those on anyone I liked. TJ Wranglers are '97 and newer and have much better coil spring suspensions. They handle better on the road and they do better offroad too.

So I'd stick with a '97 or newer TJ and personally, I'd go for one between '97 and '02 since a lot of things happened to 2003 and newer TJs that made them a lot more complex, harder to work on, and less reliable. My '97 TJ was stolen two years ago and my '04 replacement TJ has more problems than my '97 did.
 
#4 ·
My wife and I just turned in our 2009 Nissan Altima after leasing it for three years. We will get another one in about six months. We also have two Jeeps. One is a 1989 YJ and the other a 2004 TJ Rubcion. Neither Jeep is a daily-driver. Of course, the Wrangler has the "cool factor" and as teenager, that is sooooo important. But, if practicality is your game, go with the Nissan. Altima's get tremendous mileageand they are extremely reliable. We live in a area with an average yearly snow fall of over 250 inches. Our terrain is extremely hilly also. We put four dedicated snow tires on our Altima (even though it was only front -wheel drive) and my wife made it every where she had to go. There were a few wicked storms where she took the Jee or my Nissan Titan truck, but for the most part the Altima got where she needed to go. The Jeep will get horrendous mileage. Insurance will be cheaper on the Altima as it is considered a sedan/family car (at least with my insurance companies). I paid less in insurance for our new Altima than I did for the 2004 Wrangler. Again, if practicality is what you are looking for, go Nissan. Gas prices are never going to get below $3.50 again. I love my Jeeps, but if I was only able to choose one vehicle to drive every day, it wouldn't be a Wrangler. I can give many good reasons for that.
 
#6 ·
I got my 97 TJ in 2001 when I was 18, and it has been my daily driver since. I have enjoyed every minute of it and would recommend it to anyone.

For sure get a TJ. I have driven a few YJ's and they are not forgiving on the road.

As long as seat belts are being worn the TJ is a very safe vehicle. Keep the oil changed on the 4.0 and it will be a reliable vehicle.
 
#9 · (Edited)
The insurance actuarial tables I mentioned above that classify the Wrangler as 'safer than average' and 'cause fewer serious injuries than average' don't lie.

There are some uniformed or ill-informed people that base their unsafe opinions on outdated information that doesn't apply to modern Wranglers. That was only true of old early model CJs that in some conditions, were more prone to rollovers than cars are. That isn't the case with modern Wrangler TJs and JKs that are very safe and indeed safer than most cars.
 
#8 ·
Who is telling you they aren't safe and why?

As Jerry said... Steel frame, steel body, and I'll add roll over protection (cage). Take it from someone who had a wreck in a Jeep. A 16 yo girl pulled out in front of me in the rain. It was dark and the car (Nissan Maxima) was black. I hit her going approx 40 MPH and although my Jeep was totaled that Nissan was TRASHED and she ended up in the hospital.

I can't say I'd have fared as well had I been in an Altima... I would have likely been sent to the hospital as well.

Also keep in mind the I6 in the Wranglers is one of the most well balanced engines ever made and if properly maintained will easily see 200,000 plus some.

Happy hunting and I hope she likes her Jeep! :thumb:
 
#10 ·
No matter what vehicle your driving, they are all unsafe when you put 'em upside down into a big ditch, or rear-end a school bus at 55 mph... Do yourself a favor and put some extra time into teaching your teen accident avoidance and common sence when behind the wheel. And remember, texting kills more people on the road now then drinking and driving... they need to know that kind of stuff. ;)

That aside,

I have a 1994 Wrangler YJ, have had it for a few years and have done a lot of research. I do have to admin I agree with Jerry, go with a TJ 97-2003. You won't be dissapointed.
 
#13 ·
I've been driving Jeeps on and off since I started driving (at 15). I'm going to back much of what they said above. Get a low mileage TJ (2000+ if you can find it) and she should be fine. All the cool of a Jeep plus those "unnecessary extras" like doors, a top, air conditioning, etc.etc.

As much as I love my YJ, I do miss the comfortable street ride of my stock TJ.
 
#14 ·
I read other posts stating the jeep wasnt "as safe" as a car..anyway, she will primarily be driving to and from school and work. If the weather is bad here, (icy roads) schools usually close. but I do still want her to have a vehicle "able to" handle snow and ice. No "taxi cabbing" for her friends, so interior space isn't an issue. Want something easy to work on and reasonable (cost effective) to fix. Not concerned by being able to go fast on the interstate...
I must say, I also considered a land/range rover as well.
 
#17 ·
Based on the driving that your daughter will do, I love the idea of getting her a Jeep TJ. If interstate driving in the wind and snow, you need to take your time. I used to drive 50 miles one way to work on the interstate in Wisconsin. 2 inches of snow and a strong side wind was brutal.
 
#20 ·
I've been driving Jeeps on and off since I started driving (at 15). I'm going to back much of what they said above. Get a low mileage TJ (2000+ if you can find it) and she should be fine. All the cool of a Jeep plus those "unnecessary extras" like doors, a top, air conditioning, etc.etc.

As much as I love my YJ, I do miss the comfortable street ride of my stock TJ.
Thank you :)
 
#22 ·
I love my tj. I can't say anything about the altima since I've never even been in one. But, if you get a manual, the ability to text while driving goes down until in 5th. I bought mine 6+ months ago, my first vehicle, and wouldn't want to drive anything else.
 
#23 ·
You asked this question on a Jeep Wrangler forum?:rofl: The folks here might be a bit partial. However, I just got my 1st Jeep last year (I'm near 70 yrs. old) and I can honestly say, it is a good safe ride and a heck of a lot of fun. If your kid is going to be on the road with the other idiots, she may as well enjoy the ride.
 
#24 ·
Get the Jeep fun vehicle to drive top off in summer and 4x4 in winter. Plus mom will probably love it and drive it as much as daughter! lol
Like mentioned before not greatest on gas but doing the driving she is doing shouldn't be a big deal. Very safe vehicle but as every car its only as safe as the driver!
 
#25 ·
Though my jeep is my daily driver, and I have armored it up. Even stock I think I would have preferred to get into an accident in the jeep vice and compact car.
But I guess it all comes down to one question.
Who's paying for gas?
Her=Get her the Jeep:dance:
You=She get's the Nissan:rofl:
 
#33 ·
What's wrong with manual? Yes Automatic is easier but as a with the gearing and torque that TJs have learning in a TJ is the way to go. I have taught 2 people to drive manuals in my Jeep and they say it was way easier then anything else they have tried to drive.
And yes I wheel the snot outta it (no mall crawler here).
I haven't lived in the snow for a long time but wouldn't a stick be better in the white stuff?
 
#80 ·
My "car" is a manual. I learned when I was a teenager by force... I was given a 5 speed. I either had to learn or not drive my car. Needless to say, I learned quick! I'm certainly not going to put that Kind of pressure on her. I'm glad I learned. Most cars I've owned since then have been manual. They were cheaper to buy too :)
 
#34 ·
here is my two cents, i'm new to jeeps so i'm not as biased as people that have had them so long it's in their blood. I happen to own an Altima too and For straight up seriousness, get her the Altima, the younger people think our Altima is cool and a few 20's at work have them and they are safe. Don't get me wrong, i luv my jeep but no matter what anyone says they have a high center of gravity and if you react and cut the wheels without thinking IT WILL FLIP OVER. They are hard to stop even with all wheel disc brakes. When researching our purchase, doing the reports, 75% had at least minor front end collision damage... they do not stop fast. It's her life on the line. Maybe get yourself a jeep as a toy and she can take it out on occasion that way everyone can enjoy it. OH. don't buy 2003 up. mine is an 03 and aftermarket parts i'm finding are not made for 03 up and if so, they are expensive. I just spent time and energy returning 4 different parts because the catalogs say sure it fits 03 but doesn't. I hope this helps you. and don't forget, just get her the altima and you the jeep...
 
#35 ·
the younger people think our Altima is cool
No they don't :rofl::rofl::rofl:
Don't get me wrong, i luv my jeep but no matter what anyone says they have a high center of gravity and if you react and cut the wheels without thinking IT WILL FLIP OVER.
No it won't. If it did, do you really think it would be on the road and not be recalled?
They are hard to stop even with all wheel disc brakes. -snip- they do not stop fast.
This is true! But they also don't go fast. It's hard work to get a Jeep up to 80.
When researching our purchase, doing the reports, 75% had at least minor front end collision damage...
I can't disprove this but I would like to see these reports. You know they say 95% of all percentages are made up.
OH. don't buy 2003 up. mine is an 03 and aftermarket parts i'm finding are not made for 03 up and if so, they are expensive. I just spent time and energy returning 4 different parts because the catalogs say sure it fits 03 but doesn't.
nissanman1 your doing something wrong.. (Besides preaching Nissian on a Jeep site:whistling:)I have an 05 and have such a selection of parts and manufacturers that it takes me weeks just to decide what I want.
 
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