Thinking the unthinkable

[Xcoaste]

My wife drives a 2019 mini clubman S. She has been driving mini's the last 15 years. It is actually really fun to drive. It handles awesome and feels glued to the road. The maintenance cost is pretty high though. You can't even change out the battery own your own since it must be "registered" at an authorized shop. It is basically a bmw product.

It is a completely different vehicle than a wrangler though, and kind of a headache to own.... but fun.

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[yokramer]

What about more specialized cars for each job? I like the 2dr basic jeep idea, and you haven't mentioned needing more practicality. The fiat's a blast. I got the test drive the Abarth version, makes silly fun noises. I have my old CRX as the cheap fun car (just took it to autocross for the first time last week). The Jeep is for camping / off road with the family, and Mazda6 is for comfort / normal car.

100% the way to go. I've had a few Miatas, motorcycle & a Mustang in my day when I had the 02 Xterra. Now I have an 88 RX-7 (new motor in it just need to finish her) and the JLR.

Wife always gets the practical car that usually is still fun to drive, a few Mazda 3s and now a 13 Juke Nismo with a 6-speed.

 

[Matanzas]

You live in Washington, it is practically state law which vehicle you must drive. Here is a link to get you started!

https://www.thesubaruforums.com/

 

[aldo98229]

I agree with this 100%.

@aldo98229, I contemplated selling my 04 TJ after the JK's came to market in 07 for the added creature comforts and upgrades to the Rubicon trim. Long story short, I didn't. Looking back, it would have been one of my biggest regrets.

However, I really like the suggestion of trading down to a 2 door on 33's with stock everything.

Just don't get a Bronco Sport................please.

I can honestly say that I will never sell this Jeep.

Gorgeous Jeep!

 

[AnnDee4444]

My 2018 Sahara turned three years old last November. It only has 16,300 miles. It has Mopar lift, 35-inch tires, 4.88 gears, is fully equipped and has given me very few problems.

I’ve owned Wranglers for 14 years. But I barely drive this Jeep any more. Every time I get a chance, I hop in the Fiat Spider instead. I prefer the maneuverability, the precise steering, the fuel economy.

I don’t off-road like I used to anymore; I think I have developed a mental blockage towards bashing such a beautiful —and expensive— Jeep against the rocks. Driving the Jeep around town and on the freeway seems to have become a chore for some reason.

But I don’t know what else to get. Ideally, I’d want something a little nimbler, with AWD/4WD, that is comfortable, with room for four, is easy on gas, fun to drive, and doesn’t cost an arm an a leg. Body-on-frame preferred, but not required.

A few months back I placed an order for a 2023 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works. After waiting eight months, when the vehicle finally arrived I couldn’t pull the trigger. Paying $51,000 for a Mini was one of my holdbacks; another was my lack of trust in German/British durability. Otherwise, I think the vehicle would have fit the bill.

I don’t know what else get, though. I owned a Tacoma before: loved the solidity but hated the power train and the seats; I kind of like GMC Canyon AT4 but the interior is just old. I’m not considering Broncos. Grand Cherokee is out of the question: I’m not spending that kind of money, and I am pretty much done with Jeep dealers. I don’t like Subarus; they look like shit. But I’m open to Toyotas, Mazdas, GMs, and to some Hondas.

Any other thoughts? Suggestions? Keep the Jeep and suck it up...?

Another vote for a 2-door JL, but you should consider the 2.0 this time. And keep the Fiat.

 

[aldo98229]

My wife drives a 2019 mini clubman S. She has been driving mini's the last 15 years. It is actually really fun to drive. It handles awesome and feels glued to the road. The maintenance cost is pretty high though. You can't even change out the battery own your own since it must be "registered" at an authorized shop. It is basically a bmw product.

It is a completely different vehicle than a wrangler though, and kind of a headache to own.... but fun.

Yeah, that’s what I figured. That was part of the reason I didn’t pull the trigger on that JCW I ordered. Absolutely loved the looks, though.

I’m staying clear of German vehicles. They are great to lease but suck to own.

 

[MayThe4x4BWU]

Not sure if this was asked/mentioned, but I think it helps if you plan to keep the 2 vehicle setup vs moving to 1 at some point.

If you plan to keep 2, I think it's a no-brainer to go with a 2dr and keep the Fiat, since it seems like that's your go-to "fun" vehicle to drive. This way you have keep the benefits of a sporty, zippy 3 season vehicle for when you're in the mood along with an option for utility when the weather or offroading bug bites now and then.

I did this with several 2 vehicle setups back when I was working more. Usually a combo of some sort of sports sedan or coupe and a pickup. Worked out fine until I got tired of paying two car notes at the same time lol

I switched to a single vehicle and never really found a "sweet" spot for something sporty and utility. The closest I got was my old 2019 GC SRT that I traded in for my Wrangler last year (gas prices and lack of work post pandemic just made it stupid to keep such an expensive daily driver in the SRT) But there's no way that thing was ever leaving the pavement anyway, so I think it was doomed to be traded at some point regardless.

Even now, there are times where I miss the boosty, rawr moments of a more sporty driving vehicle. But as crazy as it may sound, I'm finding this thing to be more practical in an overall sense than I thought it would be. Hopefully that sense persists over the upcoming years.

I also agree on the German vehicles...never buy, always lease so you can dump it by the time the BIG expenses kick in for maintenance after the factory warranty goes lol

Oh and I'm sure it was mentioned, but keep in mind the higher interest rates now compared to how much you are paying on your current vehicles (assuming you have any outstanding loans on them)

Good luck on deciding!

 

[jollyjerry]

100% the way to go. I've had a few Miatas, motorcycle & a Mustang in my day when I had the 02 Xterra. Now I have an 88 RX-7 (new motor in it just need to finish her) and the JLR.

Wife always gets the practical car that usually is still fun to drive, a few Mazda 3s and now a 13 Juke Nismo with a 6-speed.

ya what I've realized is we don't drive enough to need a car that's a little good at everything. Instead, I want special cars with character. Jeep fits that bill.

I would love an FC or FD rx-7, reliability be damned. But I'm not sure my marriage can support a 3rd 2-seater

 

[five9dak]

ya what I've realized is we don't drive enough to need a car that's a little good at everything. Instead, I want special cars with character. Jeep fits that bill.

I would love an FC or FD rx-7, reliability be damned. But I'm not sure my marriage can support a 3rd 2-seater

I have a 2 door regular cab truck, a 2 door sports car, and we got the JL as the practical 4 seat vehicle. After a few months my wife told me to take the seat out of the JL for her. So now we have three 2 door, 2 seat vehicles.

 

[JJ_WA]

What would really piss me off is if I order a Wrangler 2-door and then Jeep announces a longer version...

When I was stationed in Korea (in a previous lifetime) I drove around a Korando - a 2-door Jeep-based, extended body, diesel engine vehicle. Back seats were sideways (lengthwise). The version I drove was only extended by about 8", but man, what a climber! No problems going anywhere off-road. Anyhow, I agree - I'd love a 2-door extended body Wrangler.

 

[MauiSteve]

We drive a two door stick JLR, love it and if you stay away from all the frills it doesn’t need it’s not that costly. I’m thinking leather, freeway nanny, automatic, etc, etc.
We also have a 2018 Colorado ZR2, a great mid size truck, much better than a Taco. It works for us.
The JLR is fun to drive, turns on a dime with 9 cents change.

 

[300K06TJ]

My 2018 Sahara turned three years old last November. It only has 16,300 miles. It has Mopar lift, 35-inch tires, 4.88 gears, is fully equipped and has given me very few problems.

I’ve owned Wranglers for 14 years. But I barely drive this Jeep any more. Every time I get a chance, I hop in the Fiat Spider instead. I prefer the maneuverability, the precise steering, the fuel economy.

I don’t off-road like I used to anymore; I think I have developed a mental blockage towards bashing such a beautiful —and expensive— Jeep against the rocks. Driving the Jeep around town and on the freeway seems to have become a chore for some reason.

But I don’t know what else to get. Ideally, I’d want something a little nimbler, with AWD/4WD, that is comfortable, with room for four, is easy on gas, fun to drive, and doesn’t cost an arm an a leg. Body-on-frame preferred, but not required.

A few months back I placed an order for a 2023 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works. After waiting eight months, when the vehicle finally arrived I couldn’t pull the trigger. Paying $51,000 for a Mini was one of my holdbacks; another was my lack of trust in German/British durability. Otherwise, I think the vehicle would have fit the bill.

I don’t know what else get, though. I owned a Tacoma before: loved the solidity but hated the power train and the seats; I kind of like GMC Canyon AT4 but the interior is just old. I’m not considering Broncos. Grand Cherokee is out of the question: I’m not spending that kind of money, and I am pretty much done with Jeep dealers. I don’t like Subarus; they look like shit. But I’m open to Toyotas, Mazdas, GMs, and to some Hondas.

Any other thoughts? Suggestions? Keep the Jeep and suck it up...?

Go to Mexico and buy a new Suzuki Jimny 4 dr. Problem solved. Easy!

 

[deserteagle56]

My choice (now that I'm officially an old fart) would be a 4Runner equipped with the new twin-turbo 3.5 V6 - 350 hp and 400+ lb-ft of torque that's in the new Tundra. Hopefully that will find its way from the Tundra into the 4Runner when it is upgraded in the next year or so. But the prognosticators are saying that Toyota will be putting in a turbocharged I-4 instead. I can always hope....

I know some people are down on turbocharged engines. I was too...but then I ended up with a 3.5 Ecoboost F150. Been driving that truck for 7 years now, and 70,000 miles. It has been flawless - all I've had to do is change oil and filters and rotate the tires. 20.5 mpg overall (hand calculated) since I bought the thing, and the power is wonderful. Closest thing to driving a diesel...never has to shift down going up a mountain, even at altitude. I'd love to have this engine in a new 4Runner...or even a Wrangler.

 

[BenDiem]

Aldo,
Look at the Honda Ridgeline.
If I had to get a sensible, reliable, multi functional truck, this is what I would buy. It’s reasonably priced, reasonably economical, and is car like. Win-win.
GL/cheers,
B

 

[Beaching631]

Probably would say 4Runner. Not sure if they are still body on frame anymore. I do know for sure that they don't use the Taco frame anymore so it may be a smoother ride than it used to be

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