How long will XJ's be DD's?

[Jump This]

Lets face it, gas will be at $6 by the fall and our beloved XJ's are not gas mileage kings.
I own three of them, and non of them are now DD's.
I also have a couple of F-250's, one of those being a diesel.
When the work trucks get replaced they will probably be downsized (keep one of the big guys for those heavy load days.)
Many of us own XJ's because they are cheap, but when you only can hope to get around 16mpg, will they still be so cheap to own?

What do you all think?

 

[Jes]

I dunno, I consistently get 20+ MPG out of my POS '93 and it's paid for.
Yes, a car that got better mileage would be nice but then I'd have a car payment and there's not many cars that I can fit all my tools and building supplies into/onto.

 

[5-90]

I don't have to drive about very often - and when I do, I usually need space. So, I'll keep the XJ.

Besides, no-one makes anything I like anymore. I may consider a mid-size Dakota or a Canyon pickup, but that's about it (and even then, I'm not a huge fan of the direction they're taking... And, OBD-II is a headache, I expect OBD-III to be even moreso. Bad enough I've got to deal with the Air Police - having a pre-OBD truck makes that a shade easier...)

 

[WheelinJR]

I sold mine and got the v8 WJ just in time. Gets WAY better mileage than an XJ on 33's oddly enough.

 

[socal billl]

My XJ has become my DD for the most part.I can use it for work 90% of the time and leave the 1 ton 454 in the driveway.

 

[woody]

I suppose it depends on what one "needs" from a DD. If I "needed" a true 4WD ute, there are few other vehicles which fit that role more efficiently than an XJ. However it's utility comes at a cost.

I pretty well parked mine about two years ago. We had it tagged/insured, but only put 3000 mi on it between 12-06 and 4-08, then I really parked it. I got spoiled riding a motorcycle...

Still though, a correctly-geared, good running XJ on normal tires should be getting better than 16mpg no? Maybe that should be my next project, a stock+ 2WD (6?)speed HOXJ.

<edit> see some others posted while I was mulling, my 89 MJ 4.0/5 on 33x12.5 MTs @ 4.56 got around 20 on the highway & 18 in town if I didn't go too wild.

 

[Bent]

Not sure of the exact numbers but the MJ (stock) gets pretty good mileage; it sees DD use. The XJ, not so good and as a result doesn't get too much DD use.

 

[woody]

Jes makes a great point about driving what's paid for vs financing a newer/more fuel efficient ride. I am very suspect of newer vehicles being reliable... so you may have a payment and a hassle. (Not that older vehicles don't bring some hassles)

I like old junk though, for some odd reason.

 

[Bent]

Jes makes a great point about driving what's paid for vs financing a newer/more fuel efficient ride.

Don't forget what a new vehicle does to your insurance.

 

[xjjeepthing]

As long as my commute stays the same 4 miles round trip it will my DD.

 

[jpcherokeekid]

Jes makes a great point about driving what's paid for vs financing a newer/more fuel efficient ride. I am very suspect of newer vehicles being reliable... so you may have a payment and a hassle. (Not that older vehicles don't bring some hassles)

I like old junk though, for some odd reason.

i like the older junk too, but the gas money your saving with the new car would only pay for half of the car payment per month. at least for me. im getting around 14-15 mpg all around in mine, 6in lifts 33's and 4.11 gears.

 

[GSequoia]

I'll drive them for as long as I keep having this compulsive need to buy any cheap Cherokee I come across.


(Won't buy any more soon. Holly's limited my vehicle cap at five vehicles. I did get a compromise and work ON-SITE into that deal, so I can have twenty vehicles as long as I park fifteen of them elsewhere!)

 

[IntrepidXJ]

i boughtmine to be my DD.....of course, i only have a mile commute now.

it may not stay my DD if i ned up getting a dual sport bike, though

 

[woody]

I agree with Jon that there is really nothing new that interests me very much. Some cool stuff out there, but at a whack price, and gawd knows what long-term nightmares keeping them running and operating.

At least (for many of us) we 'know the XJ' and could keep them rolling cheaper (and longer) than your average vehicle owner.

 

[Gritts]

The car world has slowly been going in the direction of alternative fuels and motive power for some time. This recent wholesale thievery :smsoap: by the oil companies has just accelerated the pace. As the XJ fleet continues to age sooner or later some other vehicle will take its place in our heart, maybe an electric Jeep that runs on water and farts.assgas: :flame: BUT FOR NOW I like my XJ. My family has two other newer vehicles (considerably newer) and what do I like to drive? My XJ! This car has been the least expensive, most useful vehicle I have ever owned. Period. My cherokee is nearly 20 years old and has any car company really built anything any better for the money? I can see the day rapidly approaching where I will no longer have a good reason to keep my Jeep. So I'll park it and sit in my rocking chair and just look at the damn thing.:cheers:

 

[Jump This]

It will come as a surprise to some of my SoCal brethren, but I have never owned a new car. Never wanted one either. I'm sure you know at least one person who is making $700 a month payments on some flashy truck or car. I'll wait until its a few years old, then buy one (although I don't own a single vehicle [baring RV and wife's car] newer than a '96.)
But the fleet is aging, I'm paying $4.89 a gal for regular out here and don't want to buy gas.
Although my Jeeps get twice the mileage of my trucks I drive many miles that just get me from here to there, no tools or baggage.
Maybe its time to get back on a bike...

:dunno:

 

[BIgDaddyChia]

Gas at 6 dollars a gallon by fall. What are you smoking. And My jeep gets driven every 6 months. So I am to concerned with it.

 

[Ryno XJ]

I don't do alot of driving, when I do I drive the XJ. If it's a long distance trip we take the wifes car, for comfort. The Chevy truck is always around for hauling and towing stuff.

Oh yeah I forgot, I may be picking up my second XJ on Friday so I'm guessing there will be more XJ driving time in my future!

 

[FlexdXJ]

I only average 7000 miles a year so i am not too worried about it. Plus since its not paid off i have no extra money for another vehicle.

 

[5-90]

Until Detroit can come up with a suitable replacement and/or I just can't fix the thing anymore.

Nice thing about working from home - I have a ten-foot commute, and I probably average driving about 3000 miles per year anymore - not including holidays and road trips (I abso-farkin'-lutely hate security at airports and such. Not because it's unnecessary, but because it's incompetent and couldn't catch a cold without written instructions in six languages.)

Does that answer the original question? I do sometimes do work outside of the house - which is what pushes up the mileage (between that and having to run the MIL about. Which is an enourmous pain in the arse, and I'm thinking it may serve me well to just buy a damn ambulance. Anyone know where I can score one cheap?)