TJ vs JL

We have 3 cars and the TJ, a Yukon Denali, MB E350, and a Audi A5 Convertible, and when the weather is nice the first thing I jump into is the oldest vehicle we own the 05 TJR :cool:
 
Mike Zimmermann said:
I have an 02 Jeep Wrangler TJ, 5 speed manual, 4.0 and a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. As far as flash, the Rubicon turns heads. As far as fun, the TJ wins all day long in my book.

When I drive the TJ, it feels connected to the road, a bit grimy with a mix of smells from oil and old vinyl. It feels like a Jeep.

The Rubicon feels like a Cadillac, soft and clean with a buttery smooth clutch. When I drive it, I try hard not to yawn.

My wife loves the TJ because it's fun to drive. I asked her to describe the Rubicon and she said it's really nice and comfortable, dependable and safe.

My thoughts exactly.

Am I missing something?
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Your "connected to the road" comment was EXACTLY what my 16 year old new driver said after driving the '04 LJ that I got her and comparing it to our '18 JL. We all like any of the 3 TJ's we own better than the JL for around-town. Long trips- it has to be the JL for space and comfort.
 
Tob said:
Not mine.
I couldn’t care less about the million JK/JL’s I see rolling around every day. The only Jeeps that catch my eye are TJ’s and older.
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yup, and at least around here you don't even have to turn your head as there's one of them at every intersection. They were exciting 2-3 years ago when they started peaking out from the endless battalions of swarming JKs but they've since been relegated to dime-a-dozen status. Great looking vehicles, just no longer exciting. Seeing the ever increasingly rare TJ or YJ roll by, far more interesting.
 
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Here in Italy I receive a lot of appreciations and comments about my beloved TJ, but here is quite rare, I would say. The other day I drove it to Montecarlo where the standard car is a Lambo or a Bentley and nevertheless I received some “nice car” or similar comments, even if my TJ has quite an understated look.
Here a pic in the Montecarlo port
E6FBE965-6657-418E-91A0-8B4FDBC06554.jpeg
 
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Chris said:
Can’t comment on the JL but I owned one of the nicest JK Rubicons I’ve ever seen and while it was great to drive, it just didn’t do it for me like the TJ does.
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The TJ is the last Jeep that retains the character and spatial feel they are known for- the wider Jk/JL wheelbase may be part of it, and the plusher interiors-it is somewhat subjective but most people that have had several get this.

I feel fortunate to own one. The Rubicon ices the cake for off the lot capability.
 
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Mike Zimmermann said:
When I drive the TJ, it feels connected to the road
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I couldn't disagree with you more.

I would use lots of words to describe driving the TJ, such as:
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"Connected to the wind"? Sure. "Connected to the trail"? Probably. But "connected to the road"? No sir.

I used to have a 94 Civic. I could feel in the steering wheel the two slight dips in the road where traffic's tires normally run. I could put my tires within 2" of where I wanted them to be. At highway speed. By feel. I could almost feel when I was driving on a white vs yellow line. The car communicated to me so well I bet I could have driven all around town with my eyes shut.

But the TJ? The tall aspect ratio tires, the vague steering box, probably half the weight of the vehicle being unsprung weight, center of gravity so high, and a shape that catches the slightest zephyr. "I can't tell, did I just run over that possum or was that the breeze?" It is disconnected from the road, sir.
 
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Francesco.com said:
Here in Italy I receive a lot of appreciations and comments about my beloved TJ, but here is quite rare, I would say. The other day I drove it to Montecarlo where the standard car is a Lambo or a Bentley and nevertheless I received some “nice car” or similar comments, even if my TJ has quite an understated look.
Here a pic in the Montecarlo port
View attachment 272634
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That should be submitted for ride of the month!
 
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thomat65 said:
But the TJ? The tall aspect ratio tires, the vague steering box, probably half the weight of the vehicle being unsprung weight, center of gravity so high, and a shape that catches the slightest zephyr. "I can't tell, did I just run over that possum or was that the breeze?" It is disconnected from the road, sir.
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You haven't driven a Blaine built TJ clearly.

I invite you for a drive in mine. You'll be pleasantly surprised :)
 
TheBoogieman said:
Every time my brother wants me to drive his heavily modded 4 door to experience the power and ride quality, I tell him, "I already own a soccer mom vehicle that rides great . Mine gets 40 MPG and will outrun your Jeep too. It's a POS Scion I paid $3,000 for 3 years ago. I think it's funny that people spend thousands to make a TJ ride GREAT, but only for TJ standards. Giving that money to a homeless shelter or the ASPCA would be so much better spent.
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Thousands?

1629730419679.png
 
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I know I'm in the minority on this board now, but I just sold my LJ and will be taking delivery of a 2-door JL Rubicon next week. I just took a new job that will have a longer commute and will require more of my time. And since I shattered my finger this winter, my desire to wrench is pretty limited. So I'm going to go with a newer Jeep for now, and when I do want to work on something, I still have the '62 Willys pickup project with my father.
 
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I totally get where you are coming from. I bought my 21 Rubicon because I often need to drive long distances for work and I need a reliable car as well as fitting a family of 5. For me, to meet that criteria, I’d rather drive a new Jeep versus any other make/model. But, since I started this thread, I still go back to my opinion that if given the choice on which Jeep to drive, with the goal being enjoyment, my TJ wins every time.

I just wish that Jerry B had not referenced the “van” sound when talking about the new Jeep’s. Sure as sh—, I drove my Rubicon today and it sounded like a soccer mom’s van. Bummer.
 
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