May Sales Analysis: SUVs

You're probably right. But computerized design/production seems to allow a proliferation of models and variants. Decade by decade, there are more choices, not less. The only vehicle class I can think of where there is less choice than a few decades ago, is full-size vans. And even that's debatable. Another factor is that these are US figures. Some suv's, such as the Land Cruiser and Grand Vitara, sell well in other parts of the world. The Land Cruiser has sold in very small numbers for many years in North America, with no prospect of doing better. Perhaps Toyota can make money by selling a few here. No doubt some of the North American suv's sell in very small numbers in other parts of the world. What are the economics of having a toehold in some markets?

Pete, I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but... get the Jeep. At least it's an authentic sport-ute, that you can actually take off-road... versus the poseur FJ that's nothing more than a last-gen 4-Runner with overly-affected "macho" styling. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to serve the appropriate penance for anyone who actually recommends a Fiasler product. I'm gonna rent a Sebring.

Seriously - get a Wrangler. I own two of them and it's been a life changing experience. I like to say it's the most fun I've had doing the speed limit or less. The FJ was laughable competition for the Wrangler...it's only "advantage" was a more modern powertrain, but to me it's pointless since it has a fixed roof. One of the key things that makes the Wrangler fun is being able to take the top off and run doorless all summer and no modern FJ owner will be able to enjoy that.

Wheeljack has it right, the soft top alone makes the Jeep the one to get (unless you live up in the snowbelt somewhere or plan on driving it on the highway a lot, don't waste your time with the hard top). I'd go one further and try to seek out a nice pre-owned model somewhere between '91 and '06 with the 4.0 I6, the feel of that engine is heads and shoulders above the V6 that replaced it.

Agreed on the 4.0L I-6...it's a prime reason why I own two of them...an '02 Sahara and an '06 Rubicon Unlimted. The nice thing about Jeeps is that there always are some nice clean low-mileage examples around, usually purchased by wealthy folks to put at a beach or mountain home as a spare vehicle to use just during a particular season and parked the rest of the year. My '06 I just bought was someone else's toy and had only accumulated 9,300 miles in 4 years. If you do go for an older one, I'd suggest a 1997-2006 model with the coil springs - they ride much nicer and have better articulation in stock form for off road use.

Rob, I wheel with people of NMVJC and nobody there has a bad word to say about FJ. I already made a notice of Nullo's suggestion to go with the previous generation Jeep. It actually makes a lot of sense for one extra reason: most people might not notice it, but in the current Wrangler my head hits upon the roll cage. It was less of an issue in the previous one. I'm guaranteed to crack my skull when rear-ended in the new Jeep. By the way, soft top smells in New Mexico sun. It's not a bad smell, nothing like the chemical stink of a new vynil shower curtan, but it's unbelievably strong. It's impossible to get used to it. I remember some folks in TTAC comments complained about the rubber smell from the spare in Cherokee. Man, they never knew what real smell was. Neither did I, honestly.