What about a YJ Jeep Wrangler?

[Schumi]

Alright, I've come to the slow realization that I may just need better personal transportation options than I current have on hand with my daily driver Lotus Elise and my motorcycle. And my S/o is turning in her Audi A3 lease in a month, so we need another vehicle.

I don't like buying things at random- I need some sort of connection. So I was thinking- back when I was a kid, my favorite TV show was MacGyver. And I always like the later YJ jeep R.D.A. drove in the series. The square headlight model. I remember thinking that when I grew up, I'd own one and be cool. Just like MacGyver. Don't judge me.

Looks like they were made from the late 80's to the mid 90's. 4 cyl or 6 cyl.

I'm finding it is really tough to find a Wrangler that hasn't been modified all to hell. I don't want huge tires, I don't want a lift kit... jesus.. why do they do that? I think all those diamond-plated up, lifted, bars-all-over cars just ruin it, unless you're 100% offroading it, which clearly most people aren't. Anyways...

Anyone think this is a bad idea? I'm a fan of minimalist vehicles, and I think an 80's Jeep Wrangler and a Lotus Elise filling my garage compliment each other perfectly.....

[porsche4life]

You want the 6cyl. The 4cyl is way gutless. Other than that they are stupid simple. We had a hard top '95 for a while. Great offroad, sucked terribly on the highway if there is any crosswind. This won't be a long trip vehicle, and the female might not care for it with the rough nature of it. Ac won't work great, same with the radio....

[Schumi]

Well, I really don't need any more practicality other than being able to hold the week's worth of groceries with 1 passenger. Which my Elise can't do.

And towing a trailer with my bike on it would be nice.

I will never have more than 2 people total in it and never need to haul anything larger than a toolbox or maybe my TIG welder.

So I probably shouldn't say 'practical' since that term is incredibly relative for me....

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

They are only slightly more practical than the Elise.

heh heh. That's what I was thinking, too. Elise, motorcycle, and a Jeep Wrangler. None of them are particularly "practical" in the traditional sense. Then again, you're only young and single once. Go for it. What's the worst that happens? You don't like it and sell it for about the same for which you bought it.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

Then you may like it. I'd drive a YJ and then a TJ back to back. The TJ is a much better ride.

Yes, the six cylinder TJ is a crude bit of kit, but it works well, and there even is a certain fun factor with the manual transmission. Not a bad second car.

[Adam]

Just don't go driving a new one first.

I often drive JK Wranglers, as my work has plenty of them, which we use for errands like getting lunch etc. They're a lot of fun, especially when the roof is off. I once drove an old TJ that we had (a special edition called a "Golden Eagle"), which was beautifully maintained, but it handled like a Wells Fargo stagecoach... almost the polar opposite of your Lotus.

Still, a cool car - but definitely a guy car... at least that's what my girl thinks.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Noah930

heh heh. That's what I was thinking, too. Elise, motorcycle, and a Jeep Wrangler. None of them are particularly "practical" in the traditional sense. Then again, you're only young and single once. Go for it. What's the worst that happens? You don't like it and sell it for about the same for which you bought it.

Thing is he isn't single, and the lady friend who is letting her A3 lease expire will be driving it. Like I said, most women won't put up with driving far in an old Jeep...

[stealthn]

I always thought they were too much money for what you get....

[johnsjmc]

I,ve owned both a yj and 2 tjs. I prefer the TJ . The early YJ carb six was upgraded to the efi 4.0 HO , with much better drivability and power/mileage.

[ckelly78z]

I had an 85 CJ that was a real handful on the highway in wind or on a rough road, I got to the point where I left it home in the Winter to drive my Dodge Caravan in the snow and ice......pretty bad, huh ?

A buddy has a 1990 Wrangler, and it is so loud inside with a soft top on, you can't hear the radio, or barely talk without raised voices. Don't get me wrong, these are alot of fun on a slow two laner with the top down and doors off, but to commute to work ? NO WAY

[jshape]

I've had my YJ - 6cyl 5 speed - for 10 years as a summer/cottage vehicle. It has 141,000 on the ODO and still is going strong. It's a bit leaky but is simple to maintain and fun to drive. I only put 1,000 or so miles on it each year but expect to have it for at least another 10 years.

[ChemMan]

Owned a YJ for years. The ride was rough. Mine was the carburated 6. I would have rather had fuel injection. A good friend of mine has the latest jeep wrangler. I am not sure what the designation is but it is worlds away from the YJ in terms of comfort. I would test drive a TJ and see what you think about it. One more thing about the YJ, getting up to speed of the expressway was a real challenge. Given mine was lifted and had the big tires and all that but even before all the modifications, it was a challenge to get up to speed.

[Eric 951]

Nothing wrong with the "right" YJ Get a 6 and manual. If you can find one get one with a hard top. If you get a soft top and want to buy a hard top later, you also need to get hard top doors. You can modify a CJ hard top to fit, but you still need to get the hard doors.
They are pretty reliable, and stupid easy to work on, and parts are easy top come by. Mileage isn't the best. Watch out for rust--if you find one with diamond plate corners and sills, check and see what that diamond plate is hiding.
The hardest part will be finding a good one which is reasonably priced. Ones that aren't modded or trashed seem to hold their value well.
Several months back when my wife's Cherokee bit it, I bought a '10 Wrangler as my her DD with soft top and only 10,000 miles. I wouldn't call it the most practical car, but it serves her needs well--she can fit the groceries in there, and if we need more room, the rear seat folds down and is also removable(as on the YJ). It did great during the recent heavy snows we had.
And I have to say it is alot of fun driving.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Another vote to consider 6-cylinder/5-speed only. Even with that combo it will struggle to do highway speeds and your MPG will be terrible. If you have oversized tires, forget about it. A 350 swap fixes all, and are relatively common. They are very cool in a singular purpose, rugged sort of way. It's a vehicle I've always wanted but haven't managed to justify yet.

And yes, McGuyver was awesome.

[Rot 911]

TJ is light years ahead of the YJ in engine, quality and looks. Also has a wider stance so less likely to feel "tippy" in the turns. If you can find one with the hard top you will be much happier driving on long trips. Soft tops, unless you have the full steel doors (that means lower and upper) are noisy as can be on the highway. Definitely get the 6 cylinder.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Driving a soft top on the highway is like driving a tent. Not a pleasant experience.

[MMiller]

Owned a few of them....can be fun transportation.

TJ over YJ please... Coil suspension vs Leaf Spring. Plus the square headlights were always a mistake on a JEEP.

If you must go YJ get the later EFI version....The early carbed one I owned stuggled to run right and it was an unmolested/stock one that my Dad had bought new.

regards,

Mike

[Rednine11]

4.0 6 Cyl 5 speed is the best combo if you can find it.
Check for rust on the frame around the transfer case cross member area and wheel arch in the back.

[Dantilla]

I have owned both YJs and TJs.

As stated above, the coil-sprung TJ is far more capable, both on road and off road.

Soft top vs. hard top-

90% of the road noise with a soft top is the doors. A soft top with hard doors isn't too bad.
When I drove the YJ with soft top for long distances, I used foam ear plugs to minimize the thrumming of the soft windows.

....And by "long distances" with a leaf-sprung YJ, that means anything over three blocks.

My wife's current daily driver is a TJ Rubicon, and yes, with a lift kit and big tires.

[scottmandue]

I know nothing about CJ or YJ but my friend had a Cherokee and it was practically indestructible.

Much better security than a soft top, more room, and I would think the S/O would prefer the protection from the elements.