The golden age of the auto industry was from around 1990 or so through 2002-2004. The cars built during this period were safer, more powerful, more luxurious, and more reliable than any other. If you take a well kept car from that time period it will be a nicer drive overall than many of the vehicles sold on the market today.
In the case of the Jeep Wrangler it goes to 2006. Proven 30 year old straight six engine with plenty of torque, solid metal bumpers, metal grill, metal fenders, heavy sheet metal on body, etc. From 2007 model year on; plastic grill, plastic bumpers, plastic fenders, thin sheet metal and a V-6 mini-van engine, because the older straight six engine no longer meets current emission standards.