Perhaps this is posted in the wrong place, but I think it fits. If you're just skimming, the models involved below are a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited, the Honda Fit, and the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
My current situation is this: I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited (Poppy Red) with just over 93,000 miles on it. Aside from some rust underneath and a bit on the lower portion of the doors (Ohio car), it's perfect in that way you want the next car you buy to be perfect: 1 owner who bought it off the dealer's lot where he was a mechanic, tons of service records showing great maintenance, spotless carfax, spotless vehicle, excellent UOA, came with a bunch of extra parts and wheels, etc... I purchased it in June of 2015 somewhat off the cuff. Spent a bit too much on it considering the rust. It's the second XJ I've owned. I kinda love it.
Lately, I've been thinking it's time to get rid of it. If you imagine a time vs resale value bell curve, I see it being somewhere near the top. Further, without going into detail, I've been thinking it wise to swap the XJ out for something more... practical. It gets between 15-18 MPG in the foothills of the Blue Ridge and about 18-20 MPG on the highway. You won't get much better in an XJ. But, you can get better than that in something else. Perhaps in something else that doesn't have future-rust issues either. Further, I've really started to miss driving a manual. I like to drive. I drive a lot. And for what it's worth, the XJ just isn't that much fun to drive anymore. It's a bit of a slug compared the '96 I had and furthermore, I drive it conservatively to save on gas. I'm not in a financial position to own two vehicles and that financial position is making me think more along the lines of current operating costs and future maintenance costs. As the XJ ages with the rust, things will need to be replaced. The oil pan for instance, to the tune of $580. My current brain sees the resale value dropping while maintenance costs will begin to escalate.
Enter in the mind games...
The other week, I rode in a buddy's Honda HRV. He had just bought it after his Honda Fit was totaled. It was a five speed and felt like a go-cart. He's a respected friend and was talking up the Fit as a good option for me so, I started to do some research. They seem to be everywhere and readily available for reasonable resale prices, get that great mileage, and have almost as much if not as much usable storage space as the XJ (that full size spare really gets in the way). I've always known Hondas to run "forever" if cared for (yes, this can be said for all cars). With a 5 speed and 30+ MPG, it started to sound like selling the XJ and getting behind the wheel of a Fit could be smart and perhaps also fun.
For the past few weeks, I've sat on this notion and keep coming back to: "But I just CAN'T drive that little thing!".
I'm not sure what it is...ego? image? admitting that cars are a hobby and not just a utility?
It's this case that is at the crux of my dilemma. People always say that dogs resemble their owners. I've felt the same way in regards to some people and their automobiles. Or, me and my automobiles.
I haven't yet abandoned the idea of a Fit, but I have given credence to the fact that I should like what I'm driving, or I'll not like it. And not liking what you spend so much time with can't do good things for the psyche. Enter stage left, the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
In 2006, I delivered a 5 speed, 2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback from Pennsylvania to Seattle after responding to a Craigslist ad. I remember it being a blast. So, I started doing some more research into them and it seems like a good compromise between practicality, reliability, economy, and fun.
With 22/29 MPG average throughout the years (excluding the 2012 and newer Skyactiv models) it'd be more efficient than the XJ, but very much less so than the Fit. The 3 seems to have a few more known issues than the Fit, but with any car that's 10 years or older, people seem to have found and figured them all out (hello '00 Corolla pistons). The Fit scores better on utility as well, but I do think the 3's 2.3L + suspension secure the driving experience win. They're also priced fairly reasonably for the mileages I'm finding (going to see a 1-owner 2006 with 155K on Monday that's selling for $2,900) and there are various trim options available, about which I must tell myself: "You can't afford the turbo, You can't afford the turbo, You can't afford the turbo..."!
And so it continues...
Would love to hear from anyone wanting to weigh in on these choices and especially from those of you who have thoughts on the whole psychology of why we drive what we drive.
Merry Christmas (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc...) all!
Last edited:
An an XJ has full-length unibody rails, so it doesn't fold like a pretzel when the rockers are gone.