Wrangler or 2000 Toyota 4Runner. Which would you choose?

I'll be honest, I'm a 19 year-old guy going into college and I'm far from knowing everything about cars. But I'm trying to learn more and this is where I am now.

I drive a 2000 Toyota 4Runner that I was lucky enough to buy from my dad for $1000 about a year ago (both of us knowing it was worth several times more than that, but he wanted to give me a deal so I would have a reliable car). It had just rolled over 100,000 miles at the time. What I'm wondering now is if it would be worth it for me to switch over to a Wrangler, which I think is a vehicle that suits me better than the larger 4Runner. I had a few questions I wanted to get some opinions on first though.

If you haven't noticed, I live in Vermont. I'm not planning on any off-roading or mudding. Essentially all I want in a vehicle is one that won't get stuck going up my dirt road in mud season nor in the snow during winter, and at a reasonable gas mileage for daily use. So far I haven't had any problem in that regard with the 4Runner. How would you say the Wrangler series compares in that regard?

I know there is no one precise MPG rating for every make of vehicle out there, but I'm wondering what difference I should expect. Initially I thought I would be more fuel efficient with the smaller Wrangler, but given that it's a 4.0 engine instead of a 3.4, I'm not sure that's true. From Internet searches I see 2000 4Runners rated around 19 MPG highway. From driving, however, I seem to get about 21 MPG on average. I've seen differing information about fuel economy on Wranglers, but what I've read ranges anywhere from 15 MPG - 19 MPG highway. So for those out there who drive them, do you think I'm going to match the mileage I get out of the 4Runner, or am I going to suffer in that area?

I know Jeeps aren't meant for speed. That's fine, I don't need to drive fast. What about long highway trips though? Should I expect any complaints from a Wrangler going 65-70 MPH for 3 or 4 hours every once and a while?

What about known problems? So far I've had essentially no issues with the 4Runner. Should I expect a Wrangler to be more maintenance?

Trade-in value is something to be considered as well. I have some money saved up, but being that I'm going into college, I don't think I should spend more than a couple grand after the trade-in value. The 4Runner is in fair shape given the milage - about 160000 now. It has no rust or missing paint on the body, only patches of rust on the rear bumper (admittedly one spot that's rusted through). The backseat heater is disconnected because of a leak in the line. One hubcap as well as a piece of plastic molding connecting to the baseboard are both broken after I slid into a snow bank last winter, but there was no other damage to the vehicle from that accident, not even a dent. I suspect an oxygen sensor may be bad as I can't seem to get the check engine light to go off. Other than that, I've had absolutely zero issues with the vehicle. I'm guessing I should be able to get at least $6,000 for it - maybe closer to $7,000 if I fix some of the superficial damages beforehand. Oh, and I also installed a 2,000 watt power inverter. I'm not sure if I should take that out or leave it in if I were to trade the vehicle in.

I guess my first reaction to the idea is that at this point in my life I'm lucky enough to have gotten a reliable car in the first place, and at such a good price. But if if you guys can persuade me that it would be an economical decision to swap for a Wrangler, I'm thinking about it. I just like Jeeps. Opinions?

My advice is to keep the 4runner. Not because the Jeep will be problems or be unreliable or because you will have to dump $$$ into it. With some basic maintenace, Wranglers are just as reliable as anything else.
I suggest keeping the Yota for these reasons:
1). You know what you have. You know you arent buying someones problems.
2). Wranglers arent the ideal "only vehicle". If you get a soft top, you wont be able to leave anything in it without worrying about it being stolen. Theres not much room in them.
3). The wrangler wont get any better mileage than the Yota, probably even worse because its a rolling shoebox.

Im a Jeep person and if I had to choose one vehicle, between a 4Runner or Wrangler, to drive everyday, it wouldnt be a Wrangler, and I certainly wouldnt pay more to drive the Wrangler.

My advice is to keep the 4runner. Not because the Jeep will be problems or be unreliable or because you will have to dump $$$ into it. With some basic maintenace, Wranglers are just as reliable as anything else.
I suggest keeping the Yota for these reasons:
1). You know what you have. You know you arent buying someones problems.
2). Wranglers arent the ideal "only vehicle". If you get a soft top, you wont be able to leave anything in it without worrying about it being stolen. Theres not much room in them.
3). The wrangler wont get any better mileage than the Yota, probably even worse because its a rolling shoebox.

Im a Jeep person and if I had to choose one vehicle, between a 4Runner or Wrangler, to drive everyday, it wouldnt be a Wrangler, and I certainly wouldnt pay more to drive the Wrangler.

Sensible advice. At some point though my 4Runner is going to lose all trade-in value, and I wonder if it would be more cost effective in the long run to swap it for something before it loses its value or if I would be better off to just run it into the ground and buy something else after. I guess the gas mileage is going to be the deal breaker though. I can't seem to justify bringing more expenses into my budget as a college student.

4Runners hold thier value probably as well or better than the Jeep. I would stay with the 4Runner. You will appreciate the larger size, quietness, and smooth ride of the 4Runner. I love my Jeep, but I wouldn't trade a 00'
4Runner in for one. There will be a lot of things you miss switching to a Jeep. I would kill for a 4Runner right now, but I do have 2 kids and one the way. I know you don't have that problem.