Going buy a JEEP adviced needed!

I am wanting to get a Jeep for myself soon. And I was needing advice on what the best one to buy used. I don't want a lift kita and would perfer a hard top. I have always wanted one so I can pop the top of in summer and feel safe driving in winter. This will be a second vehicle for me, main vehicle is a 2007 Jeep Patriot, that I'll let my 16 yr old son drive when he behaves.HAHA Would rather have a automatic and I will be pulling a jon boat to the river on my days off. I am not really mechanically inclined, can do basics like brakes, change oil, change tires and muffler repair. So any advice on what would be the best one to get would be greatly appericated! Thanks  

YOU CAN GET A YJ PRETTY CHEAP (THE WRANGLERS WITH SQUARE HEAD LITES), ID GO WITH A 6CY IF YOUR GONNA PULL ANYTHING WITH THE AUTO. ASLO 97 AND UP TJ'S ARE GETTING PRETTY CHEAP  
"WHEN IN DOUBT TACH IT OUT!"

Price is going to be your biggest decision up front.

A couple year old TJ ('97-'06) that isn't beat to crap and will not require you to do a bunch of work on it will run you 10K plus.

A YJ ('87-'95) is probably too old for you and they don't ride very nice and you might get tired of the YJ ride real quick. But they can be had for 4k-6k. But they're a 14-22 year old vehicle.

The newest ('07 & up) is a JK. They are actually very nice cars as far as driving around. You can find them for less than 20K but probably not 15K.  

.oO(Hee hee, he called a JK a car...)  
2001 TJ Sport
- 4.0L I6
- Sport Wheels w/ 30 x 9.50
- Half Steel Doors
- Soft Top
- Daily Driver
- Standard Tranny
- 3:73 Gears

tavic:
.oO(Hee hee, he called a JK a car...)

That was intentional. I went back and italicized it.

But I think they are very capable Jeeps.  

Just remember that if you get a Hard top you can't just "pop the top" - you'll have to get a friend or two to help remove it, then store the huge top somewhere.  I'd suggest getting a soft top, that you can drop down anywhere you are, and replace if it starts to rain.  

Hard tops don't really make your Jeep any safer than a soft top - just remember to wear your seat belt.  If you are worried about safety, get a TJ with air bags.  

get a tj, it rides SO much nicer than a yj. i paid a little over $7000 for my wifes 99 with a 2" lift and it's not beat to death. you could buy an after market hard top that's a 2 piece......the front section comes off making like a big sun roof, but i'd stay with the soft top if you don't have room to store a hard top.  
I work to support my Jeep

If you get a jeep don't forget to wave at other jeeps.(lol)  
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5.5 rubi longarm, dana 44's, cromoly shafts,currie HD stering,currie antirock,warn powerplant,warn bumpers,4.88 35's

I swear Jeeps are like motorcycles. If you own one...you wave at each other...  
2001 TJ Sport
- 4.0L I6
- Sport Wheels w/ 30 x 9.50
- Half Steel Doors
- Soft Top
- Daily Driver
- Standard Tranny
- 3:73 Gears

Went out for a ride on my Harley this weekend and there were so many bikes out that is was getting dangerous trying to wave at all of them.  
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5.5 rubi longarm, dana 44's, cromoly shafts,currie HD stering,currie antirock,warn powerplant,warn bumpers,4.88 35's

i have a great 2001 jp wrangler sport for $8900.00 71,600 mi.great shape very dependable. fun and save to drive all year long. can check it out at yahoo autos or cars.com pekin,il 61554 thanks cory