Darn all, I just spent fifteen forevers reading this thread. I second everything UTAH said. I find his opinion very level headed and sane. LOL Not that the rest of you aren't sane, but good god you are worked up over this stuff.
A jeep is a jeep is a jeep. As far as I am concerned, Everyone has thier own personal reasons for why they have the jeep they have and why they like or dislike it along with others. That is opinion though and thank god opinions don't make the world go around.
As far as my story, I have a TJ and personally, if anyone cares to know I am an honest person and I will tell you I bought it after carefull consideration of older CJ7's and 8's for two years. I could not find a Jeep in my price range (cash) that wasn't rusted out or needing tons of work which I for several reasons; wouldn't be able to do.
I am not looking to climb mount everest or to have a luxury vehicle. I find my TJ fits me right in the middle of the road. It lets me get offroad and tear up some mud or climb a rock or two and it lets me have a/c, heat and heck even cup holders. All this I get with a car payment, yes but since when have I been without one since age 17? I work two jobs and I can afford it, and yes its a preference. The car payment for me is gladly exchanged for a warranty and a brand new jeep that I can be the first owner of and care for like I want it cared for and mod it like I want it modded.
Daily I am learning more about my Jeep and other Jeeps and someday you watch and see if I don't have that CJ7 or 8 <sigh> in my driveway along with my TJ and maybe even my comfortable car. I don't ever plan to give up Jeeps now that I have one. I had wanted one since 16 yrs old and It is something I am not willing to give up now or ever. Everyone should feel t hat way about thier jeep and feel that as stated above in this post, IF you have a JEEP sticker on your JEEP be proud of the history of ALL Jeeps, they are all in the same family and deserve that.
Take care all and JEEP ON!
Lady