Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I like the idea of owning the Jeep AND something else. I've owned my Jeep for 7 years now. There is something to be said for a vehicle you can buy with cash, own for 7 years, and it still runs great and is fun to drive. I haven't really had to put a ton of money into mine, so that has allowed me to afford other things. Like you mentioned, this thing is really unstoppable in the snow with the right tires. A very simple and utilitarian vehicle that does it's job well, besides fuel mileage of course. I tow a small trailer with mine, carry kayaks, go camping, etc, and with a seat swap from a Grand Cherokee it is very comfortable on long drives.
With 170k, mine is getting a bit old. It hasn't skipped a beat, but I'm looking at getting a daily driver in addition to the Jeep. Something that will handle commuting a bit better and help keep the miles off of it. Maybe a 5 speed Honda Civic or Jetta or something. My Jeep is simply too valuable to me to get rid of. It's probably worth ~$3000, but taxes are cheap, insurance is cheap and it's always been paid for. If I got something that would completely replace everything I do with it, I'd be looking at a newer Grand Cherokee which is expensive and some argue not as reliable.
Believe me, I'm an XJ fan through and through, aside from the mileage. Though, this one in particular has cost me a bit of cash thanks to a few issues because of the rust. I purchased it in 2015 and since then, I have put half of the sale price back into it via routine maintenance and preventative repairs (no necessary repairs!!!).
Running some numbers (purchase price, 18MPG @ $2.17/gallon, current amount spent on repairs and maintenance since purchase averaged out monthly, etc...) through a
Cost-To-Own calculator, I find that it's costing me about $3247/year to own the XJ (this does not include registration, insurance, tax) and I've spent about $2400 in gas.
If I sell it for the same price I purchased it (aka have owned it for 2 years), the calculator says that it'll have cost me just $495 to own it (this, I don't understand). If I keep it for a total of 5 years and assume gas prices and maintenance costs stay the same, I'll be looking at total cost of ownership around the $16K mark. Food for thought! But remember... always salt your food