To buy or not to buy...help!

[Jeep24Dmb]

Hi everyone. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Long story short - I have a 2013 Accord. Leased it for 3 years and then bought it. Decided to finance for 6 years - DUMB. It has 96,000 on it and I can finally get more for it than I owe on it. I still owe $7,300 and can probably get $8,500. If I keep it I’ll have a 9 year old car by the time it’s paid off in 2022 with prob 120K on it.

So I either try to pay it off ASAP and hang onto it til it dies or take the equity I have and go get me my Wrangler that I’ve wanted for a long time. Tough call!

The wife says ditch it before it starts to give us headaches and issues. It has a CVT engine which scares me.

Thanks everyone!

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[rkammer]

I would listen to your wife, just saying.

 

[multicam]

Your wife’s right. Life’s too short to drive an econo-box with a CVT. Go get yourself an Ace of Base Wrangler S with the 6-speed and don’t look back.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

Happy wife and all? (I do hate that saying).

If you can afford the Jeep, go for it!

 

[sost1sg]

Hmmmm... not sure why this is even a question! Take that equity and run to a Jeep dealer. You won’t regret it.

Never owned a Honda, but I’m on my second wrangler with the JLUR and I don’t ever wanna not have one in the driveway! Does ur Honda make u feel that way?

 

[Wanted33]

Alex, if your wife is on your side then the question turns from "to buy, or not to buy a Jeep" to "What trim level of Jeep do I want". Good luck on your decision.

 

[rallydefault]

It sounds to me like both you and your wife want to get the Wrangler.

 

[mwilk012]

It seems like you care quite a bit about money, can you afford to buy a new car right now? The JL isn’t great, but it is very expensive for what you get.

 

[Rickg667]

Hi everyone. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Long story short - I have a 2013 Accord. Leased it for 3 years and then bought it. Decided to finance for 6 years - DUMB. It has 96,000 on it and I can finally get more for it than I owe on it. I still owe $7,300 and can probably get $8,500. If I keep it I’ll have a 9 year old car by the time it’s paid off in 2022 with prob 120K on it.

So I either try to pay it off ASAP and hang onto it til it dies or take the equity I have and go get me my Wrangler that I’ve wanted for a long time. Tough call!

The wife says ditch it before it starts to give us headaches and issues. It has a CVT engine which scares me.

Thanks everyone!

Well I don’t know your finances... that would be my main factor! I would naturally say go for the jeep! Do it now!

But then again, realize you might get 20mpg depending on the wind and use of the skinny pedal... obviously you will have more fun driving a Jeep. But remember jeep is an acronym for Just Empty Every Pocket! Good luck!

 

[Rogues Gambit]

All I read was it has a CVT, which is enough of a reason to get rid of it, plus you don't wanna be boring forever, do you?

Get what you want, but with a REAL transmission, aka Manual.

 

[Jeep24Dmb]

Thanks for all the replies so far! Yes, I am a bit of a worrier about finances, but the small jump in monthly payment doesn’t bother me if we ditched the Honda for the JLU.

I just feel like I’m basically at the point where I need to make the decision to keep it and ride it out for the long haul and pray it holds up well which will be a gamble based on its age. And how much no payment driving will I do based on its age and if I have to do repairs to a 9 year old car. I’m already due for brakes and rotors and a new battery. Then transmission fluid in about 20K. So basically I’m just torn on take my equity and run or gamble and stick with it for years. And that last option only makes sense if I pay her off and run it to the ground so do I want to do that for another 5-7 years?

Oh and my main reason for hesitating is comfort. I have a bad back and the Honda is great. No issues while driving. My wife’s Durango is great too.

Wow what a rambling mess. First world problems...

 

[Jeep24Dmb]

All I read was it has a CVT, which is enough of a reason to get rid of it, plus you don't wanna be boring forever, do you?

Get what you want, but with a REAL transmission, aka Manual.

Yes - the CVT scares me!

 

[Buckster]

Do it - do it now - don't eat - don't sleep - go trade that Honda - now!
Was in a similar situation with my Audi. Got on the positive side of a trade and didn't think twice. It's nice to be back under warranty and had forgotten how much I love running topless and doorless (interpret that how you will).

 

[Rufus]

Thanks for all the replies so far! Yes, I am a bit of a worrier about finances, but the small jump in monthly payment doesn’t bother me if we ditched the Honda for the JLU.

I just feel like I’m basically at the point where I need to make the decision to keep it and ride it out for the long haul and pray it holds up well which will be a gamble based on its age. And how much no payment driving will I do based on its age and if I have to do repairs to a 9 year old car. I’m already due for brakes and rotors and a new battery. Then transmission fluid in about 20K. So basically I’m just torn on take my equity and run or gamble and stick with it for years. And that last option only makes sense if I pay her off and run it to the ground so do I want to do that for another 5-7 years?

Wow what a rambling mess. First world problems...

I wouldn’t ignore operating costs such as fuel consumption, scheduled maintenance, repair costs, cost of wear items (e.g. tires). You also seem to do about 16k miles a year, so I’d imagine that highway performance is important to you as are little comforts such as the nicer uConnect, etc, in which case you’ll be looking at one of the higher end trim options which will cost more. You’ll also have to consider if you can tolerate a soft top for a daily driver or will need to spend the money on a hard top, etc.

Also, with a Wranger, you will be a LOT more tempted to spend money on customization

I’m of two minds on this. First, I’m cheap, so I say keep the Accord and drive it in to the ground. For example, I still have my 2001 Tacoma, bought in 2000. I maintain it and it runs great. I leave it at my summer house and keep minimal insurance on it.

On the other hand, life is short, so try to enjoy it on a daily basis.

The bottom line is that this is really a personal financial decision for you, so you should balance your near term enjoyment with your long term goals.

If you ask here, don’t be surprised when everyone replies, “Hell yes, get a Jeep!!!”

 

[Abend]

Hi everyone. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Long story short - I have a 2013 Accord. Leased it for 3 years and then bought it. Decided to finance for 6 years - DUMB. It has 96,000 on it and I can finally get more for it than I owe on it. I still owe $7,300 and can probably get $8,500. If I keep it I’ll have a 9 year old car by the time it’s paid off in 2022 with prob 120K on it.

So I either try to pay it off ASAP and hang onto it til it dies or take the equity I have and go get me my Wrangler that I’ve wanted for a long time. Tough call!

The wife says ditch it before it starts to give us headaches and issues. It has a CVT engine which scares me.

Thanks everyone!

Your wife sounds like an intelligent woman. Listen to her. About 4 months ago, my wife randomly said "We should go buy a jeep." Five hours later, we had one. 3 months later, we had two. Never been happier.

 

[Jeep24Dmb]

I wouldn’t ignore operating costs such as fuel consumption, scheduled maintenance, repair costs, cost of wear items (e.g. tires). You also seem to do about 16k miles a year, so I’d imagine that highway performance is important to you as are little comforts such as the nicer uConnect, etc, in which case you’ll be looking at one of the higher end trim options which will cost more. You’ll also have to consider if you can tolerate a soft top for a daily driver or will need to spend the money on a hard top, etc.

Also, with a Wranger, you will be a LOT more tempted to spend money on customization

I’m of two minds on this. First, I’m cheap, so I say keep the Accord and drive it in to the ground. For example, I still have my 2001 Tacoma, bought in 2000. I maintain it and it runs great. I leave it at my summer house and keep minimal insurance on it.

On the other hand, life is short, so try to enjoy it on a daily basis.

The bottom line is that this is really a personal financial decision for you, so you should balance your near term enjoyment with your long term goals.

If you ask here, don’t be surprised when everyone replies, “Hell yes, get a Jeep!!!”

You understand me Rufus! If it was a pickup like your Tacoma I’d probably keep it and then get a Wrangler in a couple years and keep both since the pickup is functional. But with my kids at ages 5 and 2 I’m not seeing any redeeming qualities to a sedan except gas mileage. Can’t haul anything, small trunk, can’t take the top off.

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