At crossroads: 130K - keep or sell?

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smittyfromPA

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My 2005 KJ Renegade is at 130K. Its had a lot of work and $ put into it and I am asking for advice on keeping it or selling. I dont turn my own wrenches so $ can be an issue soon as I'm on original transmission, transfer case, and engine. 95% of the miles are highway, all fluids changed at suggested intervals (or sooner). Its only been going off-road 3-4 times a year during hunting season, some mud and rocks but nothing at all extreme. I'm looking at a 2012 unlimited Rubicon as a replacement. Although its nice not to have a car payment on the Liberty, I'm not getting warm fuzzies about using it as my daily driver anymore.

(not in signature - just had stainless steel brake lines and all new pads/rotors installed)

Keep or sell?
 

tommudd

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For me I'd say keep it, 210,000 and mine runs as good today as it did back in 2004. If it still runs good why trade it unless you just have to have a newer one. They break down just the same as older ones .
PLUS the newer Jeeps do nothing for me at all.
 

CzarKJ

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Really hard to say. Wranglers are nice but it is a much harsher DD ride. Also not having a payment is amazing. At the same time you get to live once so do what makes you happy! Personally I would rock the liberty until something major happens then switch.
 

CalcityRenegade

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Does the possible future repairs/service amount to the cost of a 2012 JK? All depends on what you want out of the vehicle, With my 2003 Renegade I have put about $10000 into it this year, Kinda committed at this point but I enjoy it and will continue to keep it going (Within reason), Do you plan on modding and wheeling the JK?
 

sota

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start socking away the monthly payment (rounded up to the nearest $100) in an account or sock drawer. when the first big expense appears on the horizon, decide if you want to use that money to fix or replace.
 

smittyfromPA

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I would keep the JK stock for a year while I save up for lift/mods. Another option would be to keep the Liberty and buy a little car to drive daily. I have also put about $10K (at least) into my KJ since it hit 90K so I do feel invested. Its just at the point where i fix or add something, then something else goes. It now needs all new front bushings and ball joints; I want to ditch the steel wheels for Moabs (and bigger tires!); needs a rear transfer case output bushing on the drive shaft; engine sounds a lot rougher (no codes though); I think I have a crack in my intake manifold; I'm getting a ****** shudder at 60-65, etc. All that and adding an ARB bumper = a good down payment on new (stock)Jeep.
 

tommudd

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10,000 in it since it hit 90,000 :favorites68:
Heck i haven't put that much into mine in the last 200,000
But from the sounds of it you are just like my one friend, everything is wrong with his now ( according to him ) since he has his mind set on a new one.
May as well just junk the KJ since you want a JK :shrug:
But again I wouldn't trade mine for a 2014 Rubicon,...................... would hate to trade down
 

tlrtucker

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The same advice I always give people in your situation is to keep your current vehicle, and start putting what the new payments would be into a savings account each month for a year. At the end of that year, if you haven't had to sink a lot of money into it, take that big savings account and throw it down as a down payment on your new rig. This also gives you plenty of time to adjust to life with a payment, and whether or not you want to take it on (unless you have to replace the motor and transmission in the same year it's ALWAYS cheaper to keep your old jeep versus buying a new one). After that year you'll know for sure if you want to stay with it or not.
 

CalcityRenegade

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10,000 in it since it hit 90,000 :favorites68:
Heck i haven't put that much into mine in the last 200,000
But from the sounds of it you are just like my one friend, everything is wrong with his now ( according to him ) since he has his mind set on a new one.
May as well just junk the KJ since you want a JK :shrug:
But again I wouldn't trade mine for a 2014 Rubicon,...................... would hate to trade down

He could always buy the JK and donate the KJ to us!
 

AutoXSS

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The same advice I always give people in your situation is to keep your current vehicle, and start putting what the new payments would be into a savings account each month for a year. At the end of that year, if you haven't had to sink a lot of money into it, take that big savings account and throw it down as a down payment on your new rig. This also gives you plenty of time to adjust to life with a payment, and whether or not you want to take it on (unless you have to replace the motor and transmission in the same year it's ALWAYS cheaper to keep your old jeep versus buying a new one). After that year you'll know for sure if you want to stay with it or not.


This is sound advice. A good plan
 

TwoBobsKJ

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There is no dispute: The cheapest car is the one you're currently driving. An average car payment today is over $350/month unless a huge down payment.

For just $200 a month over the course of a year I can plan on some pretty sweet upgrades to my KJ - and the insurance is way cheaper than a new vehicle would be.

My vote is to keep the KJ and save your $'s for a true emergency...

Bob
 
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Paul M

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Your least expensive vehicle is the one you are driving...the immediate depreciation alone is a deal breaker...unless you absolutely need something different, like a pick-up. Ours has over 130K miles and has had very few problems over the years that would warrant a new vehicle now. Why assume it'll get costly? Understand, EVERYTHING today is about marketing and sales - modern snake-oil to get you thinking your current [fill in the blank] isn't good enough or will start falling apart any second "so you immediately need a new one" is bogus thinking. Don't fall for it. Keep your KJ and save a part of the new vehicle monthly payment in case of repair.
 

smittyfromPA

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Thanks for the advice folks. My decision was made easy for me just yesterday. My wife's company is closing her office so she has anywhere from 60 days to a year at her current job. Definitely don't want a car payment now.
 

Cacher123

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260K, yes, that's 260,000 on my 03 Renegade. Starting to burn oil. Runs great but getting to the point where I'm replacing too many things too often lately. Not a speck of rust anywhere on the sheet metal though.
Replaced the coolant tub and hoses.
Just replaced the heater core (10 hours labor)
Couple months ago the AC unit was replaced....
Water pump last year.....
Radiator the year before....
Brake line last summer (that was interesting when it let go!)
And I don't know where the front drive shift went (been out for a while, then the mechanic closed)
What with gas mileage as it is (15 mpg regularly) I feel it's time I moved on.
I'm hoping I can get around $2500 for it. Put it towards a used car....
 
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