1997 TJ Sahara Ragtop bought new, still driven. Replacement? (See inside)

Howdy Folks,

I have a '97 TJ Sahara still going strong but mighty banged up over
the years.
2011 may be the year I replace it with- what other Jeep? Suggestions?

I have been over the web-site but I'm just wondering how Regulars here
feel
about all the choices out now that weren't there 13 years ago. It is a
Daily
Rider, primary vehicle for me. 3 kidz in college makes repairs few &
far
between over the years but it has served me well such as in last
year's
East Coast "Snowpocalypse"- It never quit and I was mobile when others
will still stuck in the Blizzard - Jeep! I could care less about GPS,
Sirius, or
other crap. My interior rear view mirror feel off a few years ago and
I've never
replaced it - I like the better view ! <grin>

How do recent Saharas, Unlimiteds, and Rubicons compare with my Old
Friend?

My Thanks in Advance,

Andrew

If you don't care about the latest and greatest features then why don't
you save some money and fix up what you have, 30+ grand for new, or 5 grand
and rebulid engine, tranny, diffs, another grand for a paint job and she
would be good for another 13 years. I hard wheel a 30 year old CJ7, although
there isn't much left of the 81 CJ anymore.
Greg

"rock_bustin" > wrote in message
...
> Howdy Folks,
>
> I have a '97 TJ Sahara still going strong but mighty banged up over
> the years.
> 2011 may be the year I replace it with- what other Jeep? Suggestions?
>
> I have been over the web-site but I'm just wondering how Regulars here
> feel
> about all the choices out now that weren't there 13 years ago. It is a
> Daily
> Rider, primary vehicle for me. 3 kidz in college makes repairs few &
> far
> between over the years but it has served me well such as in last
> year's
> East Coast "Snowpocalypse"- It never quit and I was mobile when others
> will still stuck in the Blizzard - Jeep! I could care less about GPS,
> Sirius, or
> other crap. My interior rear view mirror feel off a few years ago and
> I've never
> replaced it - I like the better view ! <grin>
>
> How do recent Saharas, Unlimiteds, and Rubicons compare with my Old
> Friend?
>
> My Thanks in Advance,
>
> Andrew
>

Greg wrote:
> If you don't care about the latest and greatest features then why
> don't you save some money and fix up what you have, 30+ grand for
> new, or 5 grand and rebulid engine, tranny, diffs, another grand for
> a paint job and she would be good for another 13 years. I hard wheel
> a 30 year old CJ7, although there isn't much left of the 81 CJ
> anymore. Greg
>
> "rock_bustin" wrote ...
>> Howdy Folks,
>>
>> I have a '97 TJ Sahara still going strong but mighty banged up over
>> the years.
>> 2011 may be the year I replace it with- what other Jeep?
>> Suggestions?

Got to agree with Greg. I've replaced more than a few bits on my
ZJ over the years. ^_^

However, if you are in the market look for a "lightly" used Rubicon.
They have a good amount of stuff right out of the box. I'd sure
be looking at vehicles at least a year old, that way you still have
warranty and the first buyer has taken the bulk of any depreciation.

Me, I'm just waiting for the 2011 Hemi Mustang to be a year old.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

"rock_bustin" > wrote in message
...
> Howdy Folks,
>
> I have a '97 TJ Sahara still going strong but mighty banged up over
> the years.
> 2011 may be the year I replace it with- what other Jeep? Suggestions?
>
> I have been over the web-site but I'm just wondering how Regulars here
> feel
> about all the choices out now that weren't there 13 years ago. It is a
> Daily
> Rider, primary vehicle for me. 3 kidz in college makes repairs few &
> far
> between over the years but it has served me well such as in last
> year's
> East Coast "Snowpocalypse"- It never quit and I was mobile when others
> will still stuck in the Blizzard - Jeep! I could care less about GPS,
> Sirius, or
> other crap. My interior rear view mirror feel off a few years ago and
> I've never
> replaced it - I like the better view ! <grin>
>
> How do recent Saharas, Unlimiteds, and Rubicons compare with my Old
> Friend?
>
> My Thanks in Advance,
>
> Andrew
>


IMHO, my '95 YJ turned over 300,000 miles on New Years eve, and I ain't
replacing her any time soon. Already added Sirius and GPS, so the new ones
ain't got anything I want.

--
Old Crow
'82 FLTC(P) 92"
'87 FLTC
'61 F-100 302/C-6
BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, SLOB#13, MAMBM

Old Crow wrote:

> IMHO, my '95 YJ turned over 300,000 miles on New Years eve, and I ain't
> replacing her any time soon. Already added Sirius and GPS, so the new
> ones ain't got anything I want.

Besides that, if you play hard enough to really need the new one you've
likely replaced just about everything at least once anyway - only the frame
is really that old ;-)

Hmmmm.... sounds like how I feel right about now.

--
Will Honea

Sorry, frames been replaced with an 86 CJ one, think only thing from
original CJ is hood and dana 300 transfer case.

"Will Honea" > wrote in message
...
> Old Crow wrote:
>
>> IMHO, my '95 YJ turned over 300,000 miles on New Years eve, and I ain't
>> replacing her any time soon. Already added Sirius and GPS, so the new
>> ones ain't got anything I want.
>
> Besides that, if you play hard enough to really need the new one you've
> likely replaced just about everything at least once anyway - only the
> frame
> is really that old ;-)
>
> Hmmmm.... sounds like how I feel right about now.
>
> --
> Will Honea
>

I'm grateful for your replies but it wasn't quite
what I was asking. My bad, try again:

How do the *current model* Jeeps compare
with older models in reliability, ruggedness,
features, bugs - if any, problems - if any,
Pro vs. Cons - if any ?

Most interested in TJ Saharas then versus
current models of Sahara, Rubicon, Extended.

*IF* you were to replace a '97 TJ Sahara and it
had to be a current model Jeep what compares
most favorably as per above?

My Ernest Thanks in Advance,

Andrew

> *IF* you were to replace a '97 TJ Sahara and it
> had to be a current model Jeep what compares
> most favorably as per above?

I'm keeping my '97 TJ. The new ones just don't look right...

rock_bustin wrote:
> I'm grateful for your replies but it wasn't quite
> what I was asking. My bad, try again:
>
> How do the *current model* Jeeps compare
> with older models in reliability, ruggedness,
> features, bugs - if any, problems - if any,
> Pro vs. Cons - if any ?
>
> Most interested in TJ Saharas then versus
> current models of Sahara, Rubicon, Extended.
>
> *IF* you were to replace a '97 TJ Sahara and it
> had to be a current model Jeep what compares
> most favorably as per above?
>
> My Ernest Thanks in Advance,
>
> Andrew
>
If you've got the $$ get a Rubicon (2DR). Then you won't have to worry
about, "Did I buy the best?"

<snip>

Hey Guys Thanks!

All the replies were helpful and I have an idea that the best way
into the future for my needs would be any of the following:

1. Keep the old TJ (fixed up)

2. New Sahara (2dr.)

3. Save for a Rubicon.

You pay your money, you takes your choices.
I don't think Extended would make me happy.

THX.!

-Andrew