I will give Wrangler owners credit, many of them that I know actually take their Jeeps off road. As soon as I get home from my current work trip I'm headed to a nearby offroad park with a buddy that owns a new 2011 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, he's eager to see what it can do. I'm eager to show him up with my cheap old Land Rover. ;)

I'm going with the Jeep as well. I am biased, having my sixth Jeep Wrangler (2005 Unlimited) parked out in the driveway, but there's nothing quite like a Jeep. Doors off, top-down in the summer, 4x4 engaged with the hard-top on in the winter... it's the best of both worlds. The Jeep community is friendly (as mentioned previously) and the vehicles are agriculturally basic so seldom break down. When they do, parts are dirt cheap and there's a world of enthusiasts out there to help you out if you're a DIYer, and if not, any corner garage in the continent can get you back going.

How easy would it be to get your Cayenne S fixed in Armpit, Arkansas when the plastic coolant hoses inevitably crack and fill your engine valley with anti-freeze?

Fellow Jeep owners, this is for you! SmileWavy

Classic Cherokee is pretty good too. Avoid the Grand Cherokee,totally different and not nearly as reliable. The original post refered to buying a new Wrangler vs old Cayenne didn't it?
A Rubicon has a much stronger front axle (Dana 44 F & R instead of Dana 35 F & a Dana 44 rear. It also has electric lockers F&R and 4.10 ratios, better shocks and knobby tires. in the package.

To be fair, the Cayenne is no POS vehicle. I'd own a used one w/o hesitation, especially if the known issues were dealt with or the price allowed doing them. (Like the plastic coolant hoses). They are tougher than all get-out and every single person I've known who's owned one praises it to the high heavens. I could care less about image or what some stranger thinks of my vehicle choice, I've heard that they drive better than you can believe. :cool:

I would have to vote Jeep. But I am biased.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317603430.jpg

Yes, yes, yes! Jeep owners are almost always willing to get some mud on the body and most are even pretty cool when my 30 year old, 70hp rover shows em up!

My turbo is like driving a 930...except better fit and finish, great heat and air, room for 5 and luggage, faster, more comfortable, all wheel drive, and pulls a 7200lb trailer.

Totally agree, as they get cheaper I'm paying much more attention to them. But would you recommend a used one to a non-DIY non-car-enthusiast that is 60 miles from the nearest Porsche shop?

The only person I know with a Jeep Rubicon is an 18yr old college girl... I guarantee you hers will never go off road in her hands...

Areed but when she trades it in. It will bring good money because someone who wants to get it dirty will want it. One lady owner since new never offroad etc. We also have ours equipped with 2 tops. The 3 piece hard top and the full convertible top. I have never bothered to even unwrap the soft top. BUT as the saleman pointed out when we ordered the Jeep when we trade it buyers will want a soft top.