Why do you drive a TJ?

I drive TJ/LJ's for two reasons...

1) I sold my FJ40's and cannot afford to go buy another one. I had a 74 with a 450hp small block, 6" of lift and 36" swampers.
I also had a 77 with 40" tires. Toyota built them right. The drivetrain was bullet proof.
The prices that the FJ's are commanding now-a-days is sick.

2) I can't have anything fast, because of the problem I have with my right foot.
 
I drive a TJ because my CJ7 became unreliable. Now that I’m getting older and value comfort over off road capabilities I’m probably gonna get a JL in the next few years. I’m into Jeeps in general because my older brother looked at a CJ5 Renegade years ago. Sitting in it as a little kid lit the fire in me. When a friend bought a CJ7 and took me for a ride I was hooked and had to have one.
 
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Always owned FJ55’s, Taco’s, & Toyota pickups for wheelers. Always wanted that top to come off and not in a sawzall way. The TJ is so much more comfortable to drive in many ways. Even better than the Tacoma. The short wheelbase and 4x4ing is so much better compared to any of the rigs I’ve had. Like others mentioned a FJ40 was always on my list, but after driving a TJ I just fell in love with it. Had a friend with a CJ7 and another with a YJ in high school. Great memories with both those rigs.
 
Before I ever had a TJ, I had a "poor man's Jeep" Suzuki Samurai (for 6 months). I will never complain about anything on my Jeep again. A TJ is a Caddy in every way compared to that. ;)
Stats;
Carbureted 1.3-liter overhead-cam four-cylinder delivering 63 horsepower and 74-lb-ft of torque. Manual-locking front hubs were standard. It was noisy and slow—MotorTrend clocked it from 0 to 60 mph in 16.9 seconds.
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LOL I just sold a 1997 Geo Tracker so I could finally buy my Jeep!
I grew up on Long Island, never thought about owning a Jeep. Instead I had 3 Geo Trackers, they were great for New York Summer with the top down. Many years later when living in Pennsylvania I bought another Tracker. I loved them, the cuteness, top down or open with the windows out. But PA weather that allowed for that fun was short lived. Traded it in and then 9 months later moved to North Carolina and thought that it would be so great to have a convertible down here where great weather lasts 3/4 of the year. So I searched and searched for a Tracker because I was comfortable with it, I enjoyed them....I knew I would like it. My co-workers at the auto repair shop I worked at tried to talk me out of it...Get a Jeep they said, you'll like it better and parts are more readily available....Did I listen? NOPE...(mostly because my SO wasn't thrilled with how much Jeeps cost LOL) so I found a great 1997 Geo Tracker and bought it...cheap. Kept it for about 10 months and drove it nearly every day, and any day that was nice enough the top was down. Trips to the mountains along the Blue Ridge were even more amazing with the top down and the views all around, but the Jeep bug came back. I sold my Tracker to an adorable young couple who dreamed and searched for a Tracker for a while and I went in search of a Jeep. I looked at a few, and finally found my 2004 Wrangler SE a dirty mess lol. Super clean, no rust anywhere on the frame, soft top, half doors, 4 wheel drive, manual...I took her home and washed her good, took the top of the doors off that night to drive her out to go meet a girlfriend for dinner and as I was driving it hit me I LOVE THIS JEEP. I love it and I have no idea why I didn't get one sooner....She's at the shop getting some stuff...couple of new tires, the spare mount added on the back, new rear brakes, parking brake adjusted, as well as a new timing belt/water pump. Can't wait to pick her up tomorrow...I have a road trip planned with her in June down to the Florida Keys.
 
Been jonesing for a Jeep or Willy's pickup since high school. I settled on the TJ as I'm really too old for projects, although I'd still really rather have a flat fender or Willy's pickup. Still, the coil spring comfort cannot be denied, and having a real top with real air conditioning is a must here in Florida. I could do without the plastic dash, and really wish I could have a twin stick xfer case. But those are nits - I'm having fun fixin' 'er up!
 
Been jonesing for a Jeep or Willy's pickup since high school. I settled on the TJ as I'm really too old for projects, although I'd still really rather have a flat fender or Willy's pickup. Still, the coil spring comfort cannot be denied, and having a real top with real air conditioning is a must here in Florida. I could do without the plastic dash, and really wish I could have a twin stick xfer case. But those are nits - I'm having fun fixin' 'er up!
I know you like Mercedes. I could have got you this nice Unimog with only 20,000 miles on it for $15,000. The guy was an hour away from me. :)
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USA made, SWB, body on frame, independent suspension, easy to work on compared to newer 4x4s, deep aftermarket support and OBDII.

Having owned a ZJ and KJ, I will say that I do miss part-time 4wd in certain conditions and on longer trips the extra noise is fatiguing. I can live with both and get a big smile every time I air down.
 
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I started into the offroad world with my 2013 xterra. it was alot of fun and I miss the extra cargo space sometimes but it was IFS and limited. The aftermarket support was terrible and if you wanted to run 35's you needed to install titan suspension in the front. I came to a crossroad where i could spend 6-7k to basically get my xterra to the capability of an LJ on 33's or sell my xterra and buy a Jeep. I loved the xterra but I'm having alot more fun with the LJ.
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I always wanted a wrangler its long hood on a short wheelbase screams Americana, I had an FJ40 years ago as second best, dumped the roof and had a Bimini made for it and left it open all year round now they cost a lot more in Australia than wranglers!
Become a Fairweather only rider as I got older, my reaction time has slowed and eyesight not as good so I sold my bobber put my 650 Bonnie under covers and bought a TJ.
For me its the looks and design styling.
I should have bought soft top only with half doors, when you haven't got much space the hard top is a Pita to store so I havnt taken it off yet, but I still have the choice of change once I score some half doors :)
 
I started with VW bugs. And then a Suzuki Samurai. And now later in life i like the Jeep for its utility. Ive had lots of cars inbetween. But none as easy to work on. And without 50,000 parts all engineered to go bad at different intervals.

I will step up to an LJ eventually. But for now the TJ is like the Caddilac of utility vehicles for me.