If you 're really looking for "Life advice based on experience" :lecture:
I love my XJ just I have had it for a few years now and Im sick of sinking money into it when Im never going to get a good return on it. I bought it for 8k in my sophmore year of high school and now its worth 3500 and trade in value is even less.
Car payments NEVER go away. As long as you own a vehicle, you'll pay monthly for it. Weather that payment is in a loan payment and full coverage insurance, or continued maintenance/replacement of worn components,(or all of the above) the money drain never stops. If you don't spend the money on maintenance for a paid off car, it looses (sometimes quickly) it's utility (and value) as transportation.
You postulate trading a used car for another used car, in the hope that the new(to you) car will have lower maintenance costs then the one you own.
As stated, a car is a depreciating asset. No matter how much or how little you pay for a car, it's value as a means of transportation always diminishes over time. For the "best" return on value, you need to plan to buy a vehicle used, but still "young" (to avoid that first major depreciation hit), and plan on trading/selling it before major service/replacement is required. You pay cash (no interest loss) and you don't pour money into it (it's a depreciating asset, remember) on unneeded modifications.
"Collector" pricing/value does not apply. When you look at values of cars in the collector market, you have to remember: these cars ore no longer a means of transportation. They're not valued based on their use as transportation, but as collectible artifacts. At this point, using them diminishes their value.
...,truthfully I wouldnt trade my Xj for the world just have to look at what Im going to get money for when I need a new car,...
If you're not going to trade it in, what's the point of this thread?(serious, not sarcastic.) You've already made a mistake, value-wise. You're emotionally attached to the Jeep. If all you want is value out of it, you look at it as a tool, and you get rid of it when it's utility starts to drop. Rough guess based on stated price paid, you bought your jeep when it was 4-6 years old. Now it's 10-13ish? The VW is roughly the same age. If you're thinking about trading for value, what makes you think the VW is going to need any less maintenance then the XJ, or be worth any more when you inevitably trade/sell it?
Just because you fellas dont think ahead like what youre gunna get for the car in 2 years doesnt mean I have to think that way too,.../QUOTE
QUOTE ...,And its not a major life decision, I figured some people on here have some life experience and could help me out a little but no I get the group of retards who just insults the OP.
Final advice: This is the internet discussion board. Having a name calling/screaming match in person is counter-productive. Typing a screaming match is a total waste of time. If you don't like a response, just ignore it.
