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cj7 or cj5 for first car.

cj7 or cj5 for first car.
C

CJcountryboy

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Nothing yet, but not for long!
I can't decide wheather I should get a cj7or CJ5 for my first car. Now I know this may not be the best decision for a first car, but I am a very responsible person. I drive my dads car around our farm and at our local dirt pit. I am mainly going to be driving it around town and some mild offroading at some local jeep trails and around our house. My dad thinks I should get the 5 because that was his first car, but I don't where I would put things in it. The 7 has the advantage in more room, but I like the looks of the 5 better. Also the hardtops for the 7 are eaiser to come by. Thank you.
 
I have had both and for a daily driver the 7 is the best. You have a lot more room the trac down the road better they came with hardtops and doors so you can lock it up when parked. They just drive so much better for young driver. And they still do great offroad.
 
The joke that CJ stands for "cramped jeep" does hold some truth for the CJ5 and earlier models...If you are at all larger than average this may be something to consider in a DD...

I DD'd a CJ2 with a cage for a couple of years but I was 20-ish at the time. It would not be something I would try now 30 years later ;)
 
In all honesty, as much as I love my cjs, I would recommend something newer and safer for a first vehicle.
 
CJcountryboy said:
I can't decide wheather I should get a cj7or CJ5 for my first car. Now I know this may not be the best decision for a first car, but I am a very responsible person. I drive my dads car around our farm and at our local dirt pit. I am mainly going to be driving it around town and some mild offroading at some local jeep trails and around our house. My dad thinks I should get the 5 because that was his first car, but I don't where I would put things in it. The 7 has the advantage in more room, but I like the looks of the 5 better. Also the hardtops for the 7 are eaiser to come by. Thank you.
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I wouldn't think a hard top would be much of an issue in your neck of the woods, so I would go with what you like.. I'm a big guy, and can't imagine trying to get into a 5, I'd probably catch my butt on that door sill the first time I tried and ruin the body, lol... and a 7 would be a bit more stable..
 
Alot of people say a cj shouldn't be your first car, but my daughter's first car was a yj (not much better than a cj). I think it made her a better driver in the long run. I meen shoot if you can drive a jeep you can drive anything.:D
 
my first vehicle right now is a 7. i love it
 
I think if you stuck with a newer version with a disc/drum power brakes & power steering to make it more along the lines of most of the other vehicles the new driver would most likely have access, exposure, and experience with a later CJ would work fine for a new driver.
 
You sound like a pretty impressive young man. I would go with a CJ7 no doubt. Also the are pretty easy to work on with minimal tools. Get a good haynes or chilton manual.
 
Most first vehicles end up as a pile of Junk
between bad decisions caused by inexperienced drivers and lack of maintenance caused by lack of funds they tend not to be long lasting in teh primo department.
I would suggest a big truck with a proven motor, that way you will be safe and protected and the engines in trucks are usually detuned for low end power and tend to suffer abuse a lot more.
I would hate to see a old Jeep abused the way I abused my first car.
 
Ok, I found a CJ5 about 3 miles from me. Its in fairly good condition, the only problem is the drivers side floor panel has some rust on it and a few gauges dont work. We test drove it and it drove great, no problems with handling at all. I am planning on buying it and spending the next 6-8 months fixing it up. It is 3500 do yall think I should buy it?
 
get it
but lets talk about your friends ( and future friends )
they contribute......period
they help clean, with gas, with maintenance.....because....
they gonna say hay lets try this, lets go here,lets do this
NOPE Its your ride that you have to fix and maintain
of course dad will help but every time you "try" something, something wears down ......at the least
the trails near you are sandy thick brush right? and flat
sand can get everywhere (as well as mud) you got cleaning, relubrication of bearings etc. as well as oil changes and gas (here $3.65)
a nice ride you treat nice will stay nice
just my 2 cents
 
cerrajero said:
get it
but lets talk about your friends ( and future friends )
they contribute......period
they help clean, with gas, with maintenance.....because....
they gonna say hay lets try this, lets go here,lets do this
NOPE Its your ride that you have to fix and maintain
of course dad will help but every time you "try" something, something wears down ......at the least
the trails near you are sandy thick brush right? and flat
sand can get everywhere (as well as mud) you got cleaning, relubrication of bearings etc. as well as oil changes and gas (here $3.65)
a nice ride you treat nice will stay nice
just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Boy you sure sound like a dad. :notworthy:
 
cerrajero said:
get it
but lets talk about your friends ( and future friends )
they contribute......period
they help clean, with gas, with maintenance.....because....
they gonna say hay lets try this, lets go here,lets do this
NOPE Its your ride that you have to fix and maintain
of course dad will help but every time you "try" something, something wears down ......at the least
the trails near you are sandy thick brush right? and flat
sand can get everywhere (as well as mud) you got cleaning, relubrication of bearings etc. as well as oil changes and gas (here $3.65)
a nice ride you treat nice will stay nice
just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Don't worry, I baby my things. I always take care of everything I have. Plus my one good friend is an hour away so he won't influence what I do.
 
Do it! Right or Wrong life is too short for regrets. Be careful, do the maintenance and make it yours. I have recently gotten my first CJ 75 CJ5 and I am only 5'9" and I am squeezed in it and I still wouldn't trade it for anything. I am a weekend wrench turner and this site has helped me out more than I could ever explain. I am always thinking I bit off more than I can chew with my CJ. One step forward and three steps backwards. I then ask for help and this site always comes to the rescue and shortly there after my problem is solved and I did it with the help of others and it is AWESOME!!! Take care and good luck:ww:

PS Post lots of pics
 
Like was said above, I'd recommend a "throw away" car first because most teens with first cars end up trashing them. Myself included. However there are the rare few that take care and appreciate things. My son is the opposite of myself. His grandparents gave him an old 90's minivan and he really takes care of it a drives conservatively. I would have had it out doing hill climbs or redlining it on the freeway and wrecked in a week... that actually might have happened with my first car. Please don't tell my parents. :D
 
I would like to add... :)

I still own my first vehicle, my 72 CJ5 . I learned how to drive a stick because I bought it and needed to get it home! :)

This site wouldn't be here if I hadn't been hooked some 30+ years ago!
 
Razorfish said:
Like was said above, I'd recommend a "throw away" car first because most teens with first cars end up trashing them. Myself included. However there are the rare few that take care and appreciate things. My son is the opposite of myself. His grandparents gave him an old 90's minivan and he really takes care of it a drives conservatively. I would have had it out doing hill climbs or redlining it on the freeway and wrecked in a week... that actually might have happened with my first car. Please don't tell my parents. :D
Click to expand...

I am VERY different from most teens. I like to have my things in great condition. I have atvs that I don't take through mud because I don't want to mess them up. My parents think I'm slightly crazy because I like to have my so nice. I'm not the kind of person that like to mess things up I keep my things nice. I attend an online school so I have time to fix things. I appreciate things and take care of them.
 
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