"cazzyodo" (cazzyodo)
01/14/2014 at 11:35 • Filed to: Help
2
26|
"cazzyodo" (cazzyodo)
01/14/2014 at 11:35 • Filed to: Help | 2
| 26 |
Yesterday featured a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from me about my weekend test drive of a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. To reiterate, I love trucks and always have. The Wrangler had been on my radar for my car search last year but I went in another direction entirely (for reasons I actually forget).
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I love how this looks. Really. The hard top calls to me, the modularity is appealing and many people that know me are waiting for me to get a truck again (drove one in high school and apparently the ST isn't quite "me", whatever that means). I want one. Two car garage is out of the question because 1) I don't have a garage and 2) I don't have the money for two cars.
I'm prone to fleeting fancies so perhaps this will pass but my love of rugged vehicles suggests that it will not. So, I am indulging my fantasies. Some background:
I bought my ST in June after an extensive car search last year. It is fast, fun, puts a smile on my face every day but terrifies me with low ground clearance and I feel it is a shame that I do not use it to its potential. My commutes are such that I cruise around town in 6th at low rpms. Trips on the highway are fun but short...longer trips are not along the deregulated autobahn so any sort of speed that this is made for is unattainable (without being an absolute Masshole endangering the lives of others). It is a beautiful car outside with so many bonuses inside. Note: if my hair stands up a little it rubs against the ceiling haha.
The Wrangler has been a thing of my fancy for years. It is rugged, it is basic, it is everything the ST is not. It doesn't have all the fancy gizmos that other modern cars have (a quality that was very appealing to me because basic means less things to worry about). It has the ground clearance. It can hold my snowboard (the ST can as well, actually). It doesn't make me pee my pants whenever I go over a speedbump. It will encourage me in my outdoor endeavors. It also fits my frame better. But it doesn't have the same kind of "stuff" that I've grown accustomed to from the ST.
I looked up the value for my ST (nada and kbb, but I'm kinda sick of kbb...). The ST is currently valued greater than what is on my loan. Cool! That doesn't factor in the tax I had to pay, though, so not cool. But for simplicity sake in this hypothetical situation, let's say that doesn't matter. So...I could sell the ST (to a good home) and find a used Wrangler for less, have a lower monthly payment and use the excess from the ST sale to cover tax.
The lower monthly payments is appealing because I will be moving apartments in the summer and no matter where I go the new place will be more expensive.
Now, this is just a hypothetical situation. I'm not acting on anything and even if the perfect situation was to align I do not see myself with a Wrangler within the next 6 months.
Part of me thinks it is a great idea. Part of me thinks it's a cop-out from my previous buying experience. Part of me thinks I should have done this initially. Another part of me thinks that I would regret selling the ST (if I were to act) 6 months later and I would be back where I started.
I've been asking outside opinions on my thought process and my girlfriend suggested making a post in Oppo where opinions run rampant and knowledge is greater than my own. Any opinions or input would be greatly appreciated. I did not have extensive time in the Wrangler so I can't speak for daily driving. I just need to get this out of my system.
Thanks guys.
images are all GIS'd.
Tom McParland
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:39 |
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How long have you had the ST?
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:41 |
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At one point, I too wanted a Wrangler. I ended up with an F150 instead.
If I want something like a Wrangler in the future, I'd likely start looking for a Series Land Rover to restore.
Likely I'll have to excise the Lucas electrics, but the extra Britishness appeals to me.
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cazzyodo
> Tom McParland
01/14/2014 at 11:42 |
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This is the sad part...about 7 months...
I said I had a problem!
AeroEagle333
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:45 |
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I know nothing about newer Wranglers, but my dad used to own one (late 90s) and it was woefully under-powered. I'd take one as a second vehicle, but I wouldn't want to DD one.
FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:46 |
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Just keep in mind that Wranglers have some of the highest resale values of any car out there so buying new might make more sense than used. Otherwise I 100% support you in your decision to go wranger. You'll have more fun. Just picture yourself in the summer driving with the doors and roof off.
HammerheadFistpunch
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:46 |
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I sold this
Xt 5sp
For this
And made about 5 grand....which I have spend updating and repairing it.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:47 |
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Well, as a guy who has always had SUV's (2 different blazers, an 88 2 door s10 and an 04 4 door s10) and 4x4 who went to a FWD car I know how you feel.
I miss my 4x4 at this time of the year pretty bad sometimes, and it does feel weird being so low, I currently DD a 2007 Mercury Milan V6. Wehn I'm ready to buy again in 3-4 years, that new GMC Canyon is very high on my list, that or I stick with car and go ATS or CTS.
Know that the MPG is going to slap you in the face in the Wrangler. Know that things like tires cost a shitload more for an SUV, and it's a Wrangler so you'll get good tires lol. So the monthly payment might not help you as much as you think.
Also the Wrangler is pretty slow, not incapable, just not fast. Just some thoughts for you!
timateo81
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:47 |
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Try a different approach: instead of trying to find the "perfect" car (you won't, and that's the problem), get rid of the ST, forget the wrangler, and buy something you know you won't like. This is the best way to avoid daily disappointment - setting low expectations.
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Tom McParland
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:48 |
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Ok...normally you are going to take your greatest depreciation hit within the first year. But since the ST was a limited run, it might not be as bad as normal because there will be a market for these things for people who can't get them from dealers. Anyway, you are right KBB and NADA are sometimes off the mark. Edmunds TMV is more accurate (sometimes the prices are even more than KBB) but run it through their metric to get an even better concept of what it is worth. Also if you were really serious about a Wrangler, wait until those "hot times" to buy like President's weekend, Labor Day etc...and before you trade throw the ST on Craigslist for a "high" price just to see if you get any bites.
Nothing
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:48 |
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Oddly, I found myself wanted the same vehicle recently. Probably due to the time we spent at Jeep dealerships while my wife was shopping Grand Cherokees. I floated the idea of trading in my Tundra and was immediately shot down. I even offered to send the in-pieces Miata out the door as well.
If I were to get one, I'd buy new. In Colorado, at least, the Wranglers hold their value so strongly that the nearly 2k or so savings over a new isn't worth it. One dealership had 2 2013 Saharas in the Dune color they were advertising for $25k. I was quite tempted. What will stop me is that I couldn't help tinkering with a Wrangler, given the huge aftermarket and it'd turn into a project vehicle. I don't want a "new" project vehicle, especially one that would be my DD. Maybe I'll expedition equip the Tundra...
JasonStern911
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:49 |
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Since you asked to be talked out of it:
You'd be trading a faster vehicle for a slower vehicle.
You'd be trading a better handling vehicle for a worse handling vehicle.
You'd be trading a fuel efficient vehicle for a fuel inefficient vehicle.
You'd be trading a lighter vehicle for a heavier vehicle.
If you use the Jeep as it was designed instead of how a soccer mom uses it, you'd be trading a more reliable/less maintenance required vehicle for a less reliable/more maintenance vehicle, if for no other reason than off-roading taxes the suspension.
But ultimately, you are comparing two different types of vehicles. I have an XTerra and I love it. it's cheap, reliable, and makes having a dog and owning quads, street bikes, and a 911 practical. But I would hate for it to be my only vehicle as it is not a fun vehicle to drive, but more of a vehicle I can drive to have fun at my destination if that makes any sense.
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cazzyodo
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
01/14/2014 at 11:53 |
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You're killing me! Haha...my buddy went with me and we got dinner with someone else after. He looked at me and said, so when are you getting that so we can go rock climbing?
JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:54 |
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Hey I've had my Civic for 4 months and I already want something new
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cazzyodo
> JasonStern911
01/14/2014 at 11:55 |
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Thanks for all that. Every part made sense
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cazzyodo
> Tom McParland
01/14/2014 at 11:58 |
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Good points.
Like I said, it is a hypothetical situation so the whole "wait for a hot time to buy" thing should help cool my jets a bit. I tend to overthink things and get carried away easily (if you can't tell).
CAR_IS_MI
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:58 |
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I will talk some sense into you...
This is...
a...
Great! idea. (no that's not sarcasm)
I made a similar move , where I ditched an almost new Audi S4 which I owned for all of 6 months for a 2014 JKU.
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And I couldn't be happier with my decision .
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And if that's not enough to convince you, here is another Oppo user with a similar situation.
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cazzyodo
> CAR_IS_MI
01/14/2014 at 11:59 |
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I'll be honest, I was waiting for you to chime in. Loved your pictures the other day (or maybe yesterday) and they didn't help me haha.
I meant to ask for others who faced a similar situation so thanks for that link as well. Now excuse me a moment, I have some reading to do :)
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Tom McParland
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 11:59 |
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Especially now not a good time...after the "winter vortex" a lot of people are rushing to dealers for 4WD. Wait till the weather warms up a bit.
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cazzyodo
> Tom McParland
01/14/2014 at 12:02 |
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You, good sir, are my voice of reason when my mind is caught in a whirlwind of possibility.
Textured Soy Protein
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 12:03 |
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Figure out these numbers...
A) Total amount you've spent on the ST so far.
B) Total cost of remaining payments on the ST.
C) Likely sale price of ST minus payoff amount on your loan.
D) Total cost of Wrangler (i.e. taxes, down payment and total loan payments).
Looking at A+B vs. A+D-C, which is more?
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Tom McParland
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 12:05 |
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That is why I do what I do...I don't have any emotion in the game, so I can provide some clarity.
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cazzyodo
> Textured Soy Protein
01/14/2014 at 12:11 |
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I haven't reached contemplated (fully) each part of that but good reminder. Thanks.
jariten1781
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 12:33 |
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You can always throw the ST up on craigslist with an offer to swap titles with someone with a Wrangler to see if anything truly tempting pops up.
JEM
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 13:08 |
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As someone who lives in Mass. and went from a hatchback to a '96 Jeep Cherokee as a DD two years ago....
Yeah I got nothing.
Probably going to pick up a car to DD again this spring so I don't put too many miles on the Jeep. I do *NOT* look forward to having to dodge potholes again, especially with the way this winter has been going.
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cazzyodo
> Nothing
01/14/2014 at 13:15 |
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I wish the Saharas in my area were running at $25k. Most Sport models run into the 30s and it makes me sad. I think that's what sent me away from the Wrangler when I was looking last year.
Simplify, then add beer
> cazzyodo
01/14/2014 at 16:45 |
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I own a non-ST version and a Wrangler. Guess which one I look back at after I park it?
The Jeep. Every time.
Wranglers are some of the most customisable vehicles on the planet. You can pick something up for a decent price, spend a little bit on it, and make it yours.
Who cares if you don't get off road every weekend. It's just a fun 4wd to cruise around in.