If you want a new JK get the new model. But you can pick up a builder YJ for 2 grand and throw few more into building it and have a serious rig.
i've got a buddy with a 89 yj.
he's got a 360 in it and a bunch of other mods, another guy I know has a cj that weighs 5,300lbs, he has got an lt1 corvette engine and 1 ton running gear in it.
both those guys go to moab every year