Justifying a NYC Jeep

[Philly_]

Hi everyone,

I made a last-minute/spur-of-the-moment move to Manhattan for work back in April and haven't really been on the forum since. New role at work has kept me extremely busy.

Anyways, I've finally come up for air, and the fact that I have temporarily abandoned my Jeep in Michigan with family and friends is starting to sink in. Simply put, I flat out miss having access to my Jeep. Every time I get back behind the wheel I remember how much I enjoy driving one (and driving in general) and I am trying to find a way to justify bringing it here.

I know I don't need a vehicle at all while living in Manhattan, but my vehicles have always been a huge part of my life and not having one feels quite bizarre to me.

It's likely I will be in NYC for at least a few years and at this point refuse to sell it. The current plan is for it to go into a friend's barn at the end of the summer and come out next spring/summer/fall as I fly back and visit occasionally.

Ideally, I would be able to garage the Jeep somewhere that I can access via public transit and the location would allow me to perform basic maintenance/repairs/mods, but I haven't been able to find anything that would not cost me a small fortune.

Any tips or advice? What would you all do in my shoes?

I appreciate any help or wisdom the forum has to offer!

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[kah.mun.rah]

I would watch the resale market in NY. Since Stellantis isn't shipping gas only Jeeps to NY anymore this might be a good chance to sell yours there for a good price.

 

[Philly_]

I would watch the resale market in NY. Since Stellantis isn't shipping gas only Jeeps to NY anymore this might be a good chance to sell yours there for a good price.

It's a 2022 Rubicon with the 2.0L and nearly every option minus parking sensors and the safety packages, only has 18k miles and aside from some dents to the factory skids, and minor trail pin striping, is in excellent shape.

I got a fantastic deal through Gupton and amazing rate through my credit union right before interest rates spiked, so I think any way I slice it, I could get close to what I paid out of it.

I would probably just strip the mods off and go back to stock unless I found the perfect buyer who would be willing to pay for them as added value, but I am well aware that doesn't really happen and I could hang onto some of those parts (like the winch and lights) for a future vehicle.

Unless my financial situation changes drastically or I can no longer store it in Michigan, I am not planning to sell. I don't like the new interior/grille on the 2024 Wranglers so I see it as a win I got mine before they made the changes.

 

[The Fixer]

I've heard it's pricey to garage in NYC, but maybe you can find somewhere across the river in Hoboken or another area that's easily accessible, and possibly cheaper?

Also, I'm not sure how you'd work it out with your insurance carrier; I'm sure you can leave it registered in your home state, but they will probably want to know where it's being stored. That may or may not be a problem.

Also, it seems like you enjoy offroading, so the only other thing I'd bring up is that it's a good 3+ hours each way to go offroading in PA at AOAA or Rausch Creek. That's kind of a bummer unless you don't mind a lot of driving in one day, or staying over and making a weekend out of it. You can go wheeling in the Pine Barrens in South Jersey, but it's also over 2 hours just to a trailhead from NYC. I've never been through the Pines, but a few members on here run trails through there.

 

[Philly_]

I've heard it's pricey to garage in NYC, but maybe you can find somewhere across the river in Hoboken or another area that's easily accessible, and possibly cheaper?

Also, I'm not sure how you'd work it out with your insurance carrier; I'm sure you can leave it registered in your home state, but they will probably want to know where it's being stored. That may or may not be a problem.

Also, it seems like you enjoy offroading, so the only other thing I'd bring up is that it's a good 3+ hours each way to go offroading in PA at AOAA or Rausch Creek. That's kind of a bummer unless you don't mind a lot of driving in one day, or staying over and making a weekend out of it. You can go wheeling in the Pine Barrens in South Jersey, but it's also over 2 hours just to a trailhead from NYC. I've never been through the Pines, but a few members on here run trails through there.

Thank you! And yeah I like the outdoors and off roading a lot so NYC is a bit of a culture shock. Very cool for what it is, but the goal is to get back into some less developed areas after a few years. Been bouncing around the country quite a bit, so maybe I’ll make it out west to Utah or Colorado next! Who knows…

Having to drive an hour or two to the trails isn’t a deal breaker because that was fairly normal for me in Dallas and Detroit as well. More than once in Dallas I would hit the road by 6am, drive 3-4 hours to the trail head, off road all day, and then head back in the evening, but I also had on-site parking at my apartment that was gated and very safe.

It’s looking like my best option at the moment is a vehicle storage unit in New Jersey or Connecticut. Luckily, because I have a two door, I can fit my Jeep, both tops, both sets of doors, and my miscellaneous parts/tools/gear in a 10x20 unit fairly easily and still have some room for other miscellaneous things cluttering my apartment.

Crummy part is that storage units limit my access to between 9am and 10pm and it’s going to cost me somewhere between $200-$500 per month. On top of that, the Jeep is still an hour away by Uber/taxi or about two hours via public transit.

 

[Philly_]

So I think I’ve found my solution.

I’ve reserved a 10x20 vehicle storage unit (with 10ft ceilings!) in NJ that’s a 30 minute cab/Uber ride away, or about an hour via public transit. This will be more than enough space for all my Jeep parts, gear, and tools.

Any additional thoughts or feedback on this?

 

[The Fixer]

Nice! Size is perfect too, since the 2-door Jeeps are so short, you'll have extra space for sure. Does it offer 24-hour access?

 

[Philly_]

Nice! Size is perfect too, since the 2-door Jeeps are so short, you'll have extra space for sure. Does it offer 24-hour access?

Unfortunately only 6am-10pm, but for while I’m limited in accessibility, I figure it’s that much more secure!

Biggest cons are definitely cost and ease of access, but there’s not many other options that give me this much flexibility for the price, even if it is fairly limited.

Now I just need to make friends with some of you in the area to let me use your driveway when I get the itch for mods!

Also happy to help wrench on others’ Jeeps in exchange… honestly prefer it because it’s more fun to spend others’ money than my own! ?

 

[The Fixer]

Unfortunately only 6am-10pm, but for while I’m limited in accessibility, I figure it’s that much more secure!

Biggest cons are definitely cost and ease of access, but there’s not many other options that give me this much flexibility for the price, even if it is fairly limited.

Now I just need to make friends with some of you in the area to let me use your driveway when I get the itch for mods!

Also happy to help wrench on others’ Jeeps in exchange… honestly prefer it because it’s more fun to spend others’ money than my own! ?

I guess even if you had it out late once in a while, you could always overnight park in a garage in NYC, then bring the Jeep back to storage the next day. Cost you a little more in tolls and whatnot, but at least you'd have some extra fun with it!

Back around '99-'00, I had a '96 Impala SS. We used to do "Mod Days" at club members houses, and people would show up with tools and whatever mods they purchased. We would all work on each others cars and BS. It was a lot of fun back in the day!

 

[Philly_]

I guess even if you had it out late once in a while, you could always overnight park in a garage in NYC, then bring the Jeep back to storage the next day. Cost you a little more in tolls and whatnot, but at least you'd have some extra fun with it!

Back around '99-'00, I had a '96 Impala SS. We used to do "Mod Days" at club members houses, and people would show up with tools and whatever mods they purchased. We would all work on each others cars and BS. It was a lot of fun back in the day!

Those would be great! I’ve heard many people mention doing things like this is other clubs, but have never actually seen it come to fruition.

 

[WranglinNYC]

@Philly_ - I use the Lincoln Harbor Parking Garage in Weehawken: https://goo.gl/maps/8t8kxt5ZQRSXNUYY8

$200 a month for parking. 24/7 access in a garage with 24/7 monitored security. It's a 1 minute walk from the ferry, which leaves from 39th street midtown station every 20 minutes. $9 ferry ride.

Best combination of price / access from manhattan I have found. If you find something better, let me know.

 

[Philly_]

@Philly_ - I use the Lincoln Harbor Parking Garage in Weehawken: https://goo.gl/maps/8t8kxt5ZQRSXNUYY8

$200 a month for parking. 24/7 access in a garage with 24/7 monitored security. It's a 1 minute walk from the ferry, which leaves from 39th street midtown station every 20 minutes. $9 ferry ride.

Best combination of price / access from manhattan I have found. If you find something better, let me know.

This looks awesome! I found some storage units I could use more like a private garage, but nothing I was overwhelmingly impressed with and they were all pretty far outside of the city.

So far this is looking better… to be honest I had just about thrown in the towel and was considering selling when you posted. Taking it as a sign!

Looks like you’re running half doors in your profile picture. Any concerns with cut windows parking in that garage?

Depending when I finally get my Jeep out here, I half half doors and a soft top I’d like to run. Also, I have some LP6’s on my front bumper I would hate to walk away on me… honestly wouldn’t have added them if I thought I would end up living in a city again.

 

[WranglinNYC]

No concerns with this garage. It's the parking garage for UBS bank, and is connected to a Whole Foods, in an extremely affluent area with 24/7 monitored security. My only request is you keep this place a secret. No one in the city seems to know about it, and it randomly has a low star-rating on Google - I would like to keep it that way

I keep my doors in a storage unit at extra space storage less than a mile down the road from this garage: https://goo.gl/maps/i51MAWNq4e3jBJSc8 - it's about $50 a month.

All-in, it's $250 a month ($3k per year) to manage the jeep this way. The funny thing is, the only time I use the jeep is to get out of the city, so having it posted up in Weehawken is actually sometimes faster and more efficient than trying to get out of Midtown during rush hour.

 

[Philly_]

No concerns with this garage. It's the parking garage for UBS bank, and is connected to a Whole Foods, in an extremely affluent area with 24/7 monitored security. My only request is you keep this place a secret. No one in the city seems to know about it, and it randomly has a low star-rating on Google - I would like to keep it that way

I keep my doors in a storage unit at extra space storage less than a mile down the road from this garage: https://goo.gl/maps/i51MAWNq4e3jBJSc8 - it's about $50 a month.

All-in, it's $250 a month ($3k per year) to manage the jeep this way. The funny thing is, the only time I use the jeep is to get out of the city, so having it posted up in Weehawken is actually sometimes faster and more efficient than trying to get out of Midtown during rush hour.

You’re the man! I’ll probably go this route, but with a slightly larger drive-up unit nearby to store my hard top, doors, spare wheels/tires (until I finally sell them), etc.

Did that living in Dallas (albeit in a sketchy part of town) for around $100/month! But I didn’t have to worry about parking there, and was able to do all of my mods at the apartment parking structure aside from my lift.

Really appreciate it!

 

[WranglinNYC]

Cool, sounds good. Personally, my advice would be to sell as much of that extra stuff as possible (tires, hard top etc) before coming here. This is subjective, but I highly doubt you'll use them. You want as little extra work and maintenance as possible, so that every time time you're heading across the river to grab your jeep, you just get in the car and go.

Hard top is completely unnecessary IMO - especially since the last two winters were super mild. We didn't even get snow last year.

I would put all that extra crap on Facebook marketplace or this forum, unload it within a week, and get your jeep here ASAP. Summer is winding down!

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