KJ or JK need some comparisons

blacklock · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:36 am

I been looking at getting the KJ for a while then when the JK came out I really wanted it. I have driven both on the street for short test drives. I just wanted some info from members here that have went from the KJ to JK and what is better on one or the other. I did not offroad much when I had my TJ and would most likeley be the same with my next Jeep.

There is 4500 in rebates on KJ and nothing on JK so that was another driving factor for me to consider the KJ.

MacAttack · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:02 am

I think the $4,500 is only on the specific model shown on the Jeep.com site when you click on "Jeep Days".
-Limited 4x2
Otherwise the rebate is $3,500. Look at the invoice price on Edmunds and don't pay more than that. I think they're pretty desperate to sell them right now.

I don't know too much about the JK, but the Libby should get a little better gas......just a little.
I got the manual 2007 Libery 4x4, but I am the only person in the world that doesn't really like the manual.
Everyone else loves it.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:40 am

I understand your dilemma. :wink:

We just went through making some of your same decisions. Hands down, the new Wrangler is awesome.

It is more off-road capable than the Liberty. On the flip side, our new 2007 Liberty Limited is still off road capable (trail rated) and has a lot of nice features (Power Sunroof, Power Windows, Power Seats, Heated Mirrors, Heated Rear Window, Leather, Satellite Radio, Vanity Mirrors, All Speed Traction Control, Selec-Trac Full Time 4x4, Overhead Console, Traveler/Trip Computer, Tire Pressure Monitoring Display, Vehicle Information Center, 6 Disc CD Player, Infinity Speakers, Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels)

We traded our ’04 Wrangler Unlimited for the Dodge Cummins. We loved the Wrangler, but we felt that we could benefit from the extra cargo space the Liberty offers. Plus we didn’t like the Soft Top. The Hard Top fits our needs much better. We liked the CRD Liberty Diesel option and may have considered the 4 door Wrangler if it had a diesel option. We bought a used CRD, but it was a disaster. Regardless of the CRD frustration, we still loved the Liberty so much that we decided to trade the CRD for a gasoline Liberty. We really like the Liberty and look forward to keeping it for the long haul. It’s comfortable to travel in, very off road capable, various aftermarket parts are available, and most of all, the Jeep is fun to drive. You’ll be happy with either Jeep. If I were going to do minimal off-roading, then the Liberty would be my choice. If serious off-roading was going to be my future, then the Wrangler would conquer. Our Liberty is a daily driver but will slowly transform into an off-road machine

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:41 am

While both vehicles are very nice I think the choice should really be made on how you intend to use your vehicle:

1) The Wrangler is an off-road beast. I'm sure the new one is fine on the road, but to live with it as a DD for an extended periord of time would probably get to you. Or at least I know it'd get to me

2) The Liberty, while still able to go off-road, is more of a well rounded Jeep. It's a great vehicle to drive every day and still has enough capability to take 90% of people everywhere they want to go.

choose wisely.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:36 am

You answered your own question: "I did not offroad much when I had my TJ and would most likeley be the same with my next Jeep. "

The KJ is very comfortable on-road, while the JK is supposed to be designed for off-road, so comfort goes to the KJ. You can still go off-road with a stock KJ. If you plan to go hog wild when that once-in-a-blue-moon off-road opportunity hits you, then you may want the JK or mod the KJ a little.

alljeep · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:33 am

Just my opinion, the Wrangler is the only true soft top/sided vehicle you can buy on the market today. If you've driven a soft top before and REALLY liked it and don't mind the lack of security, foggy plastic windows in poor weather conditions, and noise in general - go for the JK.

If you're comparing hardtop to hardtop the KJ is VERY nice to drive to and from work every day. I've driven both the KJ and JK and I prefer the KJ in day to day driving. However, I'm HUGE fan of the soft top Wranglers and if I could make it work, I'd go for the JK. But, the sunroof option in the KJ makes the fun factor of the KJ go way up - while no substitute for my beloved soft top days of old, it's a nice option.

Do you plan on towing anything in the future? KJ does 5,000lbs, JK does 3500lbs. It's entirely your preference. Maybe you can rent a JK somewhere for a weekend to test it out...

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:59 am

alljeep wrote:

Maybe you can rent a JK somewhere for a weekend to test it out...

Not a bad idea, I’ve seen Jeep Rentals in the Rocky Mountain Regions go for $75 - $100 dollars for a full day rental vs. a Snowmobile that may rent for $200 - $300 per hour. :shock:

For $100 bucks a day, you could really have fun and get to know a Jeep well enough to decide whether it’s something you want. :wink:

Most Jeep rentals are near National Forests, National Parks, BLM, and other off-roading wheeling locations.

I’ve seen Jeep rentals in Moab, Utah; Red River, New Mexico, and other miscellaneous playground locations.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:10 am

IMO...the JK may be a little overkill when it comes to just driving on the street. The KJ is more of a DD that you can take off road where as w/ the JK it's made to take to the trail as soon as you pick it up. For the price (atleast I think I've read so) the KJ is a bit cheaper and with alittle extra $ spent on a small lift and wheels/tires I dont think you could go wrong. Perfect daily driver and then can be taken offroad. Plus the KJ is comfortable (maybe a little tight for some) and has some cargo room. I've heard the 2-door JK guys complain about not alot of cargo room. Guess you have to weigh your outcomes a little.

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:14 am

On the other hand, lift kits and aftermarket gear for KJ's suck (by 'suck' I mean your range of choices, not the quality) while there is just about anything you could want for the JK and that will only increase.

Personally, I would go with the JK 4 door with a hard top for the DD use but I do not know the price difference right now. You can get A/C, cruise and all of that for it. That should be nice enough for a DD yet your offroad potential for the furture is vast vs the KJ. Realistically, you are stuck with a small lift, tire size limits due to tiny fender wells and a weak front diff.

Gas milage is probalby about the same on the gassers.

Don't get me wrong, I love my KJ and it is very nice for daily driving and I am sure it has to be nicer than a JK to drive each day. But, you are very limited on mods and the JK has strait axles....nuff said.

KJ or JK need some comparisons

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