[AFiendishThingy]

Hey guy and gals, new to the site and the world of jeeps and I want you to talk me out if something. Lots of words, but short story is at the bottom.

First off, I have loved the four door wranglers since they have come out and wanted to buy one. Recently, I have decided to buy a used one, since they are significantly cheaper than new and it is what I can afford.

Anywho, back to the original piece. I keep scouring the internet and lots for a 4 door, 4x4, manual trans, with absolutely no luck. So I decided automatic is fine(if i have to). Now, I can't find a 4x4(in my price range)! Who in their right mind would think that would be difficult? I keep thinking of just buckling down and getting the 2x4, because they are significantly cheaper.

I am looking to finance 20k out the door, that is at the most, I want to spend more like 18-19k. I found a low dollar 4x2 for 16k and another one with power windows and whatnot for 17k. Found pretty much what I am looking for for 22k (2008 4x4 manual trans). I am trying to keep my payment at pretty close to $300/mo, which is why I set my range at that.

I do not necessarily NEED 4x4, but I don't really need a jeep either. I plan on daily driving it and camping and minor off-roading, but I want the capability of going in snow and the like.

TLDR: Cannot find the 4x4 in my price range, keep finding 2wd. Do not need 4x4, just want it. Not looking to spend a fortune on a used truck.

What do you guys think? Should I save up more for a down paymeny(have $1000 now with great cosigner)? Should I just buckle and get the 2wd?

 

[DFW6ER]

Save more money and get the 4WD Wrangler.

 

[JACK3D]

In my opinion, you will greatly regret buying a 2WD Jeep. Do you have to have 4 doors? Why not spend the 17K on a very nice 2 door. You could find a Rubi, or Sahara in that price range.. I would never want a 2WD Jeep.. EVER

Come to think of it, I didn't even know that a 2WD Jeep was an option..

 

[Wade88]

There is no way I'd get a 4x2. Many reasons, but mainly resell value. There is a reason they are cheaper. Just my opinion

 

[AFiendishThingy]

Save more money and get the 4WD Wrangler.

Short sweet and to the point, I like that. That's what I was thinking, I am just in the excited phase where I just want it right now. Since the short amount of time I have posted, I broadened my search to farther and have actually found better deals! Crazy what an extra 50 miles of travel can find. I think I will attempt to save a few more dollars and just get exactly what I want for the payment I want, but no promises are being made. If I find something I for sure want, I might jump on it.

 

[AFiendishThingy]

One more thing, what price difference should I see between hard tops and soft tops? Which is better in your experience?

Found this:
http://tinyurl.com/k42lkol
aaaaand this:
http://tinyurl.com/mjsu3vb

Thoughts?

 

[AFiendishThingy]

In my opinion, you will greatly regret buying a 2WD Jeep. Do you have to have 4 doors? Why not spend the 17K on a very nice 2 door. You could find a Rubi, or Sahara in that price range.. I would never want a 2WD Jeep.. EVER

Come to think of it, I didn't even know that a 2WD Jeep was an option..

haha, right. I usually think of 2wd jeeps as freaks of nature, but I think I was/am excited about getting something. I don't need the extra doors, I just want them for when I go camping and hauling people. I read a thread on here about camping inside it with an air mattress and thought that would be awesome(i know camp outside or in a tent yada, yada, yada, to each their own).

 

[DFW6ER]

Hard tops add a bit more security...whether that's perceived or real is up for debate in several threads on this forum. Also Hard tops are a tad quieter and warmer than soft tops in the winter. OTOH, they are heavy/awkward to remove unless you have a hoist. I've got a hard top and only use it when it's too cold to run topless or when rain is in the forecast or when it's over 105F (so I can run the AC).

 

[JACK3D]

haha, right. I usually think of 2wd jeeps as freaks of nature, but I think I was/am excited about getting something. I don't need the extra doors, I just want them for when I go camping and hauling people. I read a thread on here about camping inside it with an air mattress and thought that would be awesome(i know camp outside or in a tent yada, yada, yada, to each their own).

You don't need 4 doors for camping.. I have one of these.. I open the tailgate and unzip and roll up the back window.. and you have an inside/outside the Jeep tent.. They are great. Mine was supposedly made for a Jeep Liberty, but it works with my YJ.

 

[Owen_TJ]

I'm with jack3d...why not look toward the 2 door and get a nice one for that price??

Then again, i dislike 4 doors so my opinion is kind of biased...

 

[AFiendishThingy]

Hard tops add a bit more security...whether that's perceived or real is up for debate in several threads on this forum. Also Hard tops are a tad quieter and warmer than soft tops in the winter. OTOH, they are heavy/awkward to remove unless you have a hoist. I've got a hard top and only use it when it's too cold to run topless or when rain is in the forecast or when it's over 105F (so I can run the AC).

My current car is a 71' beetle, so A/C? What is that? haha. With that considered, road noise, heat, and safety i guess are not news to me. Anything is a step up. And as for the cold, as long as the heater works, I actually like driving with the windows down and the heater up on cold days.

 

[AFiendishThingy]

I'm with jack3d...why not look toward the 2 door and get a nice one for that price??

Then again, i dislike 4 doors so my opinion is kind of biased...

I have seen those tents and considered it, but honestly I have only had small vehicles and could not take anyone with me (s10, beetle, motorcycle). I want the option of just loading my friends and our gear and going mountain biking or just having the option of sleeping in my car without taking the tent. Don't get me wrong, I like 2 doors as much as anybody else, but in this instance, I want me 4 doors

 

[JACK3D]

The tent in the first pic i put up was not mine.. It was from a friend of mine.. I deleted that pic, and posted one of my tent, when i remembered i had a picture of it.

I bout it from a guy on craigslist for $100. The tent I have is much larger than the one in the first pic. Not too bulky when rolled and packed either.

 

[JACK3D]

I have seen those tents and considered it, but honestly I have only had small vehicles and could not take anyone with me (s10, beetle, motorcycle). I want the option of just loading my friends and our gear and going mountain biking or just having the option of sleeping in my car without taking the tent. Don't get me wrong, I like 2 doors as much as anybody else, but in this instance, I want me 4 doors

There isn't anything wrong with the 4 doors.. I like them, they are sharp when done up right.. The new 2 doors are pretty roomy. Not like the 4 doors, but they have much more room than my YJ did. Before I removed the back seat.

 

[Duke-Willys]

CarMax has a few 4 door 4wd in your range in my area. Maybe worth a look where you are.

 

[jquinn83]

The heater in a Jeep on full blast will eventually drive you out of the Jeep if you don't turn it down, the type of top is irrelevant.

 

[AFiendishThingy]

CarMax has a few 4 door 4wd in your range in my area. Maybe worth a look where you are.

In my area they have close to nothing. I actually found some in autotrader, just a tad farther than I was originally looking, but worth the drive! I posted a couple I was looking at earlier.

The heater in a Jeep on full blast will eventually drive you out of the Jeep if you don't turn it down, the type of top is irrelevant.

Oh, of course, I wasn't too worried about that. Mainly just looking for differences regarding price in the two.

 

[4WDGroceryGetter]

One more thing, what price difference should I see between hard tops and soft tops? Which is better in your experience?

Found this:
*
aaaaand this:
*

Thoughts?

Is the silver one an X model with Rubicon stickers?
It appears you live in Cali. If so, I would opt for the soft top over the hardtop any day!
Our hardtop will only go on for snow.

 

[AFiendishThingy]

Is the silver one an X model with Rubicon stickers?
It appears you live in Cali. If so, I would opt for the soft top over the hardtop any day!
Our hardtop will only go on for snow.

I wouldn't be able to tell you, I really don't know the difference.
I live in S. California, about an hour and a half East of L.A., Depending on traffic.

 

[4WDGroceryGetter]

8,819 miles on a 2008 seems extremely hard to believe. Plus I am sure that is an X with Rubicon stickers on the hood. A bit misleading perhaps????
I'm sure someone in here is more educated than I on the matter.