XJ usage vs. gas prices

[casm]

Before going any further: please note that this is not a 'how much are you paying for gas' thread. There are several other of those out there, and this one is meant for answering an entirely different question.

Basically, what I'd like to find out is how the gas prices have impacted use of your XJ. Mine was my commuter / weekend wheeling vehicle right up until gas hit $3.00/gallon, at which point I went back to driving my car during the week. At least what I'm saving in gas commuting will let me go wheeling again, even if running the XJ daily isn't a practical proposition right now.

So... How have the prices affected the way you use your XJ?

 

[Craig96_XJ]

personally, it hasnt affected my driving that much- i DO, however, take it a little bit easier on the skinny pedal and try not make so many small trips, consolidating them into one, but overall ill still drive it whatever the price

 

[sidriptide]

you own something "non-Jeep"? :gag:

my XJ is my daily driver, and it gets better milage than the YJ so its my "econo-box".

 

[xjjeepthing]

My XJ is my dailey driver the only thing ive done is maybe be a little easier on the throttle and not running the a/c when its hot.i love my Jeep and i'll quit driving her when they pull my dead cold ass from the seat.

 

[casm]

you own something "non-Jeep"? :gag:

1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16. Good performance, good mileage. That thing will do Las Vegas and back on a single tank of gas with the cruise and A/C on at 82mph What was killing me on the XJ was the 60 miles a day in start-stop commuting - it was struggling to get 13mpg on average.

 

[Ivan]

Mine is my daily driver too for getting to work, but I also use it for work as well. That being said, my expense account covers mileage along with wear & tear. So, I'm not really that much out of pocket even at today's gas prices...

 

[RichP]

I reduced my cold calling, plan trips better and consolidate. I've cut my driving about 70%, use the phone now instead. Added a pickup and delivery fee of $15 for shop repairs which is pretty much all customers that need a pave over and don't have boadband access. Basically I went from ~4 fillups per week to 1 sometimes 2. Now when I go out on a service call I put together my 'info packs' and stop at business opportunities or perspective customers enroute or with slight detours.

 

[Darky]

Mine's my only vehicle so I still drive it everywhere, I just try to avoid excessive driving. Excessive varies depending on my mood...

 

[viperbaron]

I'm driving my '98 XJ with the 6cyl engine...MORE now that fuel prices have gone up. My other vehicle is a gas guzzeling F-150. The truck is parked in my driveway.

 

[Matt S.]

It is uninsured in the garage :tears: :tears: Still needs lots done to become a really comforatable wheeler. Dont have the time as of now. Gas is insane. Insurance was nuts. It is in a inbetween stage anyways. Can wheel, but not close to the goal.

DD is a Ford Ranger. 25 mpg and cheap insurance. Money I save is going to a welder, tubing bender, and a few misc metal working tools.

 

[BrettM]

I got an Accord early in the summer, so the truck sits in the garage now unless I'm going wheeling. If I haven't been wheelin in a couple weeks I miss driving it and go drive around town, but that's it.

 

[karstic]

I'm driving the Chevy a lot more (17mpg v. 11mpg)

 

[Sniggs]

I'm driving the Chevy a lot more (17mpg v. 11mpg)

the one with the tailpipe that goes woo-wooooo! ???

 

[Dirt]

2k civic (Fianceee's) goes with me everywhere now. Gf rides her bike.

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

my XJ is my daily driver, and it gets better milage than the YJ so its my "econo-box".

somthing aint right there seeming your XJ has 2 more cylinders than the YJ.

i drive my xj back and forth to work and bring my little brother to work. and i wheel it once a month.

 

[woody]

Mine's my only vehicle so I still drive it everywhere, I just try to avoid excessive driving. Excessive varies depending on my mood...

Same here...

I generally do all my public business at lunch or after work, so I avoid BS trips I don't have to take.

 

[8Mud]

I find myself being much more aware of the fuel I use. I have made serious efforts at tuning for mileage, driving for mileage and stopped taking unnecessary trips. I even filled the tires up on the old bicycle and have been using it for short trips to the store.
I got kind of a serious reminder recently, changed the connecting rod bearings and thought it would be wise to baby it for awhile. Driving it like a new car, during the break in period, improved my mileage 15-20%.
I also fill up 5 gallons at a time. As fast as the prices are going up, filling up the last quarter of a tank, probably more than offsets carrying around the extra weight.
I'm trying to decide now whether the cost, taxes and insurance for a four banger, might be worth it.
I use my XJ at work and the mileage per diem never really covered the fuel and repair costs, now it doesn´t even come close.

 

[Matthew Currie]

I'm using the XJ a little less and the other vehicles a little more. My Xj gets in the low 20's, and my Mercedes diesel in the low 30's. Until recently the difference in fuel prices about evened it out, but now it pays to run the old Merc more, though after 26 Vermont winters and 325 thousand miles it isn't the vehicle of choice for long trips.

 

[Handlebars]

The Cherokee was for wheeling and camping, the bike went everywhere else. That changed this Labor Day...

I figure gas will be $.50 cheaper by Moab anyways.

 

[IH8RDS]

My 05 Z71 Surburban gets better milage than my XJ, but I still drive the XJ everywhere.