I have a CJ5 and a CJ7. It depends on what you want, the CJ will be very tough but they handle badly compared to a TJ wrangler. The CJ is much easier to work on. CJs also rust very badly. The stock YJ (87-96) has a slight handling advantage over the CJ but they aren’t as durable as the CJ. A TJ (97-2006) handles much much better, but they are much more expensive. Do you want an automatic or a stick? If you want a stick shift then the CJ has stronger trannys available, if you want an automatic then go with a yj or tj because the transfer case on a CJ automatic (quadratrac) is junk. Air conditioning in a CJ is very rare too, so if you live in a warmer state you might want to consider this. If you don’t mind the handling, and can do your own maintenance, then by all means get a CJ. If you want something that is going to handle well on the highway I would go with a TJ. The YJ would be a compromise between the two.
My first car was a 1979 CJ-7.
My dad gave it to me when I was 14 and told me I could have it as long as I rebuilt it by the time I was 16, so I did. I was able to fix any problems I had after that.
It was a great first car. I still own it and am rebuilding it at the present (22 years later) with a Chevy drive train.
The CJ -7 is way better than the YJ Wrangler.
Your going to have trouble finding a decent CJ for $4000,a CJ in good condition is getting hard to find and when you do find one they are selling for high prices.You might be better off with a 1992 and up Wrangler,the nice thing about the 1992 and up Wrangler is fuel injection,wider stance,and made in USA.
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I have a CJ5 and a CJ7. It depends on what you want, the CJ will be very tough but they handle badly compared to a TJ wrangler. The CJ is much easier to work on. CJs also rust very badly. The stock YJ (87-96) has a slight handling advantage over the CJ but they aren’t as durable as the CJ. A TJ (97-2006) handles much much better, but they are much more expensive. Do you want an automatic or a stick? If you want a stick shift then the CJ has stronger trannys available, if you want an automatic then go with a yj or tj because the transfer case on a CJ automatic (quadratrac) is junk. Air conditioning in a CJ is very rare too, so if you live in a warmer state you might want to consider this. If you don’t mind the handling, and can do your own maintenance, then by all means get a CJ. If you want something that is going to handle well on the highway I would go with a TJ. The YJ would be a compromise between the two.
My first car was a 1979 CJ-7.
My dad gave it to me when I was 14 and told me I could have it as long as I rebuilt it by the time I was 16, so I did. I was able to fix any problems I had after that.
It was a great first car. I still own it and am rebuilding it at the present (22 years later) with a Chevy drive train.
The CJ -7 is way better than the YJ Wrangler.
Your going to have trouble finding a decent CJ for $4000,a CJ in good condition is getting hard to find and when you do find one they are selling for high prices.You might be better off with a 1992 and up Wrangler,the nice thing about the 1992 and up Wrangler is fuel injection,wider stance,and made in USA.