Apparently I get way too attached to my vehicles. I just bought a Jeep Wrangler TJ. 1997, 114xxx miles on it. The 4.0 6 cylinder Sahara version, stick shift. I've wanted one of these since I was fifteen years old.
I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 250xxx miles on the body, probably 130xxx on the transmission and engine, which were replaced in 09 or '10. It's a good Jeep. I love it. I have everything on it just the way I want it. But I have to sell it to pay for the Wrangler. I don't want to sell it. But part of the deal for getting the Wrangler (with my dad) was that I sell the Grand Cherokee (hereafter referred to as the ZJ)
I put it up for sale on CL, but no serious hits yet, and the more it sits in my driveway and the more I drive them both, I've realized I don't want to get rid of it. I love this Jeep. Probably too much. Never mind that it could crap out on me with so many miles on it. Never mind that keeping it means putting a new engine and transmission in it in the not too far future.
Never mind that I talked my dad into the Wrangler because of those factors with the ZJ, I can't bring myself to think about selling it to anyone. I'm actually considering selling the Wrangler instead and giving my dad his part of the money back. I don't know what to do at this point.
Because I begged and pleaded and groveled to get this Wrangler, and I just... don't love it. I love driving a stick again, but I don't love this Wrangler. It's even the same color as my ZJ, which sort of but not really doesn't help.
I have no idea what to do. Do I put the Wrangler up for sale and see which sells first? (The Wrangler will. More people want the TJ than want a ZJ) Or do I sell the ZJ and hope I fall in love with the TJ?
I've wanted one for so long, and now I just feel sick about the whole thing because I don't love it. It's a nice ride. It needs a little more work, but nothing I can't handle. But I just.. I don't know. I need some guidance. And I can't talk to my family because for the last month they've listened to me about how much I wanted a TJ, how awesome they are, ect.
So I feel like an a$s. I made a pros and cons list for each
ZJ Pros
More luxury.
Leather seats.
More crate room.
Aux input.
Easier to drive long distances, since it's an automatic.
Good tires that will last a long time still.
I know this car inside and out.
Great sound system I upgraded myself.
New spark plugs and wires run
ZJ Cons.
No idea how much longer the engine and trans will last.
Needs a catalytic converter to pass emissions.
Ghetto headliner held up by push pins.
Weird electrical short I can't track down.
Doesn't offroad as well as the TJ.
Gas hog.
AC Line has a leak somewhere and needs to be charged about every two months.
May have a vacuum leak somewhere, it's throwing the P0420 code, though that could be the cat, an o2 sensor or a vacuum leak, or an engine misfire.
Not worth much money. Doesn't hold it's value. There's a recall on them right now, but mine isn't affected. It's scaring people out of buying them though.
TJ Pros
Newer vehicle
Stick shift
Does have cruise control
Better offroad handling.
It's cooler.
Has many less miles on the car than the ZJ
Brand new wiper motor, radiator and TPS sensor.
Passed emissions with ease.
Easily modified with plenty of aftermarket parts, so I can put a small lift on it
No rust on the body.
New spark plugs and wires run
Holds it's value way better, and is worth three times what the ZJ is worth.
TJ Cons
I don't really love it.
If I put a lift on it, it will also be a gas hog.
Can't take the hardtop off by myself. Soft top is 500 dollars
Needs four new tires and a new spare because of dry rot.
Leak somewhere in the windshield gasket. Not hard to fix, but annoying to find puddles in my floorboards.
Smaller. By a LOT. Two crates, max will fit in the back.
Needs smaller items like the gas arms for the back glass
Needs privacy tint on the windows.
Easier to break into/steal out of.
Weirder to drive because of the shorter wheelbase. Steering is touchy, though this could just be me getting used to driving it.
If you read all this you get a cookie.
TL;DR
Wrangler vs Grand Cherokee???
I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 250xxx miles on the body, probably 130xxx on the transmission and engine, which were replaced in 09 or '10. It's a good Jeep. I love it. I have everything on it just the way I want it. But I have to sell it to pay for the Wrangler. I don't want to sell it. But part of the deal for getting the Wrangler (with my dad) was that I sell the Grand Cherokee (hereafter referred to as the ZJ)
I put it up for sale on CL, but no serious hits yet, and the more it sits in my driveway and the more I drive them both, I've realized I don't want to get rid of it. I love this Jeep. Probably too much. Never mind that it could crap out on me with so many miles on it. Never mind that keeping it means putting a new engine and transmission in it in the not too far future.
Never mind that I talked my dad into the Wrangler because of those factors with the ZJ, I can't bring myself to think about selling it to anyone. I'm actually considering selling the Wrangler instead and giving my dad his part of the money back. I don't know what to do at this point.
Because I begged and pleaded and groveled to get this Wrangler, and I just... don't love it. I love driving a stick again, but I don't love this Wrangler. It's even the same color as my ZJ, which sort of but not really doesn't help.
I have no idea what to do. Do I put the Wrangler up for sale and see which sells first? (The Wrangler will. More people want the TJ than want a ZJ) Or do I sell the ZJ and hope I fall in love with the TJ?
I've wanted one for so long, and now I just feel sick about the whole thing because I don't love it. It's a nice ride. It needs a little more work, but nothing I can't handle. But I just.. I don't know. I need some guidance. And I can't talk to my family because for the last month they've listened to me about how much I wanted a TJ, how awesome they are, ect.
So I feel like an a$s. I made a pros and cons list for each
ZJ Pros
More luxury.
Leather seats.
More crate room.
Aux input.
Easier to drive long distances, since it's an automatic.
Good tires that will last a long time still.
I know this car inside and out.
Great sound system I upgraded myself.
New spark plugs and wires run
ZJ Cons.
No idea how much longer the engine and trans will last.
Needs a catalytic converter to pass emissions.
Ghetto headliner held up by push pins.
Weird electrical short I can't track down.
Doesn't offroad as well as the TJ.
Gas hog.
AC Line has a leak somewhere and needs to be charged about every two months.
May have a vacuum leak somewhere, it's throwing the P0420 code, though that could be the cat, an o2 sensor or a vacuum leak, or an engine misfire.
Not worth much money. Doesn't hold it's value. There's a recall on them right now, but mine isn't affected. It's scaring people out of buying them though.
TJ Pros
Newer vehicle
Stick shift
Does have cruise control
Better offroad handling.
It's cooler.
Has many less miles on the car than the ZJ
Brand new wiper motor, radiator and TPS sensor.
Passed emissions with ease.
Easily modified with plenty of aftermarket parts, so I can put a small lift on it
No rust on the body.
New spark plugs and wires run
Holds it's value way better, and is worth three times what the ZJ is worth.
TJ Cons
I don't really love it.
If I put a lift on it, it will also be a gas hog.
Can't take the hardtop off by myself. Soft top is 500 dollars
Needs four new tires and a new spare because of dry rot.
Leak somewhere in the windshield gasket. Not hard to fix, but annoying to find puddles in my floorboards.
Smaller. By a LOT. Two crates, max will fit in the back.
Needs smaller items like the gas arms for the back glass
Needs privacy tint on the windows.
Easier to break into/steal out of.
Weirder to drive because of the shorter wheelbase. Steering is touchy, though this could just be me getting used to driving it.
If you read all this you get a cookie.
TL;DR
Wrangler vs Grand Cherokee???