I have owned both. my first car was actually a Jeep Wrangler Renegade. I loved that car, but it was a piece of crap, who knows maybe it was a lemon. A couple of years ago a bought a 02 TJ and that car was my baby. I loved it. Then I decided to roll it off the top of a 10,000 foot ridge in CO when there was still some snow on the ground.
I didn't have the coin to pick up another Jeep so I picked up a 97 D1. Blew an engine while driving cross country. It was my fault, I let my wife drive for a few minutes so I could close my eyes and she overheated. Of course ruined the block. I bought a 2000 D2 and loved it. 33"'s, Old Man EMU, TOm Woods, Brembo brakes. While the 97 dropped fluids like an un potty trained four year old, the 2000 was relatively clean, blew a lower radiator hose, and wait for it, blew the block.
Bought an 04 D2 from a dealer, not even 50,000 miles on it. Bone stock but slick truck. Pulled out of the driveway, oil light came on and started chugging. Brought her home and she was empty, evem though she didn't leak and I had just changed it a few weeks ago. Anyone guess what happened? Yup, blown engine.
I now have a JK and love it. I thankfully, and knock on wood, have had no issues other than a blown tail light. And I ride her hard.
I like both platforms. They are both very capable vehicles offroad. Rovers are easliy more comfortable and refined. They also had way more space, especially when compared to the TJ. I am not a fan of the power of the engines of either the TJ or pre Pentastar JK, but Rovers have a major drawback. The aluminum blocks make the engines like a glass slipper. Anything happens and the block is gone.
The current JK platform is much bigger than the TJ but still smaller than the Rover. While it has less capacity it does make it more nimble on the trail. But it is tough as nails, I pound on it and it just keeps going. Under powered, yes.
But I still catch myself looking at a Disco when it drives by, especially if it is all kitted out. And I would by a Defender in a heartbeat if I didn't have to sell my house to get it.
For now at least I am loving life with my JK. Which never sees a trailer mind you. I have also driven it cross country from San Fran to New Jersey, and then up to Maine both on Moves. To Maine pulling a trailer. So far so good. My truck never sees a trailer unless it's pulling one.
