The first TJ was actually a 97 model. Even though it came out in the spring of 96 while you could still buy a 95 YJ that was also made in 96.
Faulty memory on my part. I knew they retooled right around there, changing the suspension, dash and headlights, and probably a few other things. I really liked my '98. It was black/black with a tan interior.
I don’t think that’s discussed at all anymore…my mother, who drives a 2003 Wrangler, rarely gets waves from JK drivers.
I’ve described my mom’s Jeep as having the aerodynamics of a barn door. 
(For comparison, I drive Grand Cherokees – '97 and '09.) For the record, her Jeep is lots of fun to drive; the six cylinder engine is actually quite nice on the highway. The heater is powerful; the air conditioner is currently down – first the compressor went out, then it turned out that the shop missed some pinhole leaks in the system. Like my '97 ZJ, any extensive air conditioner work in the TJ apparently requires removal of the dashboard. :eek: Otherwise, it has been a fairly trouble-free vehicle.
That’s a pity. I guess that’s a result of too many people buying the JKs for non-Jeeply reasons. Around my town, everyone, including the JK drivers, wave at each other. It leaves me feeling guilty for being anti-social if I miss one.
I agree with the adequacy of the heaters. I rode in a CJ once and hated it, you suffered every time you hit an expansion joint and the heater couldn’t keep up on a soft top in the winter. Then I rode in an XJ (Cherokee) and liked it so I bought one, it’s a mechanical twin to the YJ Wranger that suceeded it. Besides having one of the best engines ever made (that continued into the TJ) it had a ferocious heater. By contrast the WJ (Grand Cherokee) I have now can barely keep up in the cold.
The I6 4.0 really was a legend. It was the last of the American Motors engineering. It had a reputation for cracking exhaust manifolds and leaking oil all over the place, but would often go 300,000 before needing a rebuild. I got 240,000 on mine before I had to get rid of it because there were holes in the floor, but the engine showed no signs of slowing down.
It’s pretty much the only reason why I bought a Jeep in the first place. 
What about a compromise between the Wrangler and the Patriot (that thing really shouldn’t be called a Jeep) in the Liberty?
I drove one a few years ago as a rental and I loved it. It was a 2007 Renegade with the 3.7L motor, Selec-Trac transfer case, KC lights on top, painted forest green with 17" wheels painted to match the color, had brush guards on all the lamps, etc. It was a cool Jeep.
I honestly don’t see a lot of difference between a Liberty and the OP’s Ford Escape. Nothing really wrong with the Liberty for what it is, but the OP implied they wanted something a lot different, like a removable top or better off-road capability.
A Liberty is a more off road capable machine than a Ford Escape.
The FJ Cruiser and Xterra are worth considering for off-road driving, and the Liberty and any number of other mid-sized SUVs are terrific for very rough gravel roads, but when it comes to running about topless, or gettin’ down ta Bubba terrain, or messing about with a Meccano set on wheels, in Canada and the USA it’s the Wrangler.
Let’s put it another way. What mid-size SUV has you pacing about like a hound dog, thinking “I want to go for a drive. I NEED TO GO FOR A DRIVE!”
And now, if you’ll excuse me, it time for me to go for a drive.
Just an update, picked up my new-to-me Wrangler Sport today. I love it! It’s bright yellow/orange and a blast to drive. It’s a 2012 and still has a bunch of warranty.
JEEP
Stands for either:
Junk Each and Every Part
or
Just Empty Every Pocket
I drove Wranglers back to back to back, trading each one at 150,000 miles for the next new one and never had a problem other than tires and batteries. (Oh, and leaving the top down in a thunderstorm a couple times)
Congrats, Poysyn!
+1
Never drove one, but a few people at the power utility had them. I really liked that they put fog lights inside the front bumper and that they it seemed so much more durable than some of the other Jeep models I’d seen in prior years.
May you enjoy her/him/it on road, off road, and on the beach!
(Take some air out of your tires if you are going onto beach sand/dunes, but know where there is a working air pump for when you leave.)
Hey Poysyn, let me be the first:
WAVES!
Thanks! But I actually got three on my way home from work! I know Wranglers are not right for everyone, but I am having a blast!
Couple of updates of my own:
My JK Unlimited is now at 135,000 km, with that one-time burned out tail light filament being the only problem. Under regular wear and tear, I need a new windshield due to dings and cracking from stones kicked up by logging trucks on haul roads. Under abuse, I burned out the power steering while doing the left-right-left-right thing to keep moving along in show that was over the bumper – my fault entirely.
Philips now also offers X-treme Vision/Power +100 bulbs.Yes, they really are remarkable. Note, however, that bulb life is not as long as compared to the dim OEM bulbs. Replacement requires removal of the grille, but that is no biggie – just pop half a dozen plastic fasteners with a screwdriver and Bob’s your uncle. BTW, recent year JK/Wrangler size is H13.
Here’s hoping that you get a few more hot days this year for roof-down driving.
Hi Poysyn! waves