New car I may be buying

[DAVE]

I am still keeping the eclipse. But I need a daily driver vehicle. I was looking at ford rangers and jeep wranglers. I have found a few that I like for around $8000 and both with around 40k miles on them. The ranger would be extended cab. The wrangler is a 97 and the ranger is a 99. Which would you get? I think i am leaning towards the wrangler. And the reason why I want a truck vehicle is because I plan on buying a jet ski in the near future so I need something to tow it with.

[DAVE]

heres a pic of one of the ones I like. 4cyl engine.

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2003/3/24/126/005/316643188.126005788.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

[BA]

My buddy just got rid of his '92 Wrangler. I loved that thing. Every oppurtunity to drive it, I took it. It's not fast, but it has its own fun-to-drive quotient.

The Ranger isn't a bad truck, but I'm not a Ford fan.

The truck _may_ be more useful depending on your needs. The Wrangler will pull Jetski's no problem.

[talontsi]

Had a 95 Wrangler, my parents have it now.
Great vehicle if you don;t mind not having any storage space.
Also theft was a problem with mine.
I use to keep the doors unlocked but they still cut the top to get in.

Very nice to drive around though, not much power witht e 4 banger. Definite chick magnet with the top down.

Oh yeah my 95 is approching 100,000 miles. Still no drivetrain problems. Very reliable vehicle.

I would get the jeep.

[DAVE]

I called my insurance company and they said my insurance would go up about 300 every 6 months. So around $50 a month higher insurance for full coverage on both vehicles. Not to bad. I have always wanted a jeep.

[UndrPSI]

We have rangers at work. They are hte biggest POS's i ever drove! One has only 20k miles on it and the tranny is slipping like hell. It is a 2002. The 2000 has 80k miles on it and is falling apart. I would opt for the Jeep too. Definate chick magnet, something about jeeps and blazers whose tops come off.

[ScrappyJack]

Damn, Dave. That's big money for a daily driver - hope you've paid off all your other debt before you go picking up another car payment.

Take it from me - get something you can buy, not something you have to pay off.

[BlackTalonAWD]

i've got a wrangler for sale that you would fall in love with, if not i can get anything for you at a wholesale price. give me a call 321-662-5022...james

[DAVE]

I am paying $370 a month for my eclipse still. I have 6 more payments to make. On a $8000 dollar daily driver with about $1000 down (thanks to my tax return) I should only be paying around a little under $200 a month on a loan. I can afford it. And in 6 months when my eclipse is paid off things will be really good and thats when i plan on buying a jet ski. I can afford 2 car payments ofr a few months.


James.... what year, what milage and how much? Let me know. I have also been thinking of getting a older one because they pretty much all look the same. But I dotn want to many miles on it.

[BlackTalonAWD]

its a white 93 6cyl (trust me you dont want a 4cyl jeep) with factory hardtop, A/C, 68K original miles, 1 owner, has been babied its whole life, you really have to see the jeep. Its in perfect condition. i cant begin to tell you about everything that has been done to it. Depending upon credit i can get interest rates as low as 4.65 on used vehicles. so payments will be very low.

james

[ScrappyJack]

Originally posted by DAVE
I can afford it. And in 6 months when my eclipse is paid off things will be really good and thats when i plan on buying a jet ski. I can afford 2 car payments ofr a few months.


D'oh! That sounds frighteningly similar to what I said about 7 months ago. "Oh, I am making good money. I can afford a car payment, then save up to get another DSM. I mean, if I can afford it, it's better to get a newer car in good shape, right?"

Just be careful about the definition of "afford." If by "afford" you mean you can squeeze the payment into your budget, be careful. If by "afford" you mean you can cover the payment, make significant payments toward your debt, have enough spending money, and save money for emergencies (like a change in employment)... Then go for it.

No car payment is almost always better than having one.

If you are anything like me, though, you will ignore this advice because you only learn the hard way. ;)
Me -> :bash: <- Me

Otherwise, it sounds like James can take care of you. I'd like to thank him for offering his help to the members since I know a few of us always have our eyes out for a beater/daily driver. :jack:

[DAVE]

James...sounds nice but I want a soft top jeep. Thats one of the nice things about having a jeep.

[PiercedJD]

Originally posted by DAVE
James...sounds nice but I want a soft top jeep. Thats one of the nice things about having a jeep.

lol

especially in the winter. and the rain. and when it comes time to replace the top. or when those snaps/bars on the windshield which hold the top in place come loose on the freeway and the top goes off like a parachute.

convertibles are for impractical people and tourists.

if you want the open top experience have a sunroof put in a hard top (extremely cheap and much cheaper than soft top replacement which will occur more often than most people think.).

hardtop i more weather resistant/climate resistant/ and much more bearable sound wise on the highway.

damn

I'm starting to sound like an old man.

[ScrappyJack]

Originally posted by PiercedJD
[....]if you want the open top experience have a sunroof put in a hard top (extremely cheap and much cheaper than soft top replacement which will occur more often than most people think.)[....]

Not to mention:


Someone who owned a Wrangler wrote:
Also theft was a problem with mine. I use to keep the doors unlocked but they still cut the top to get in.

If you leave ANY thing that might even appear to be valuable in a visible spot in a soft top Wrangler, there's a good chance you are buying a new top in addition to replacing that stuff. I know and not because I owned a Jeep.

Not to mention the clouding of the cheap ass plastic/vinyl "windows."

If you are looking at a small truck and you are intent on spending some money, you might want to see if the Dakota fits into your price range. They are put together pretty well and you can get a bigger motor in them than the other "compact" trucks but they aren't as big and clumsy as a full-size.

[DAVE]

I am not to worried about the theft issue. The inside will stay totaly stock. The goodies go into the eclipse. And if I think I'll have one of those bikini tops on most of the time anyway so windows wont really matter. And I will always have the eclipse to drive if the weather gets bad for the jeep. I just think a jeep would be a fun vehicle to have. I think I am leaning towards getting a 91-94 with under 100,000 miles. I have found a few for $4900. And a few for $3900. I think my payments would be super low on a loan especially if I put $1000 down. And maybe later on I will upgrade to the vehicle I really want which is a new f150 Fx4 extended cab. But I seem to vhange my mind every week. Who knows what I'll end up with.

[Rob Harfman]

Jeep's are cool however dealing with the top is a pain. If you were looking for truck I would suggest a Dakota too (the 97 up models are coming down in price). They are good trucks and can be had for a respectable price. I got a great deal on mine, payment's aren't that bad at all (way less than you are paying on your eclipse) and the insurance isn't that bad either (even on my R/T).
I would stay away from the 4 cylinder models (because they can't get out of their own way!). The V-6's aren't bad and are respectable on Gas. The V-8's are fun, but I make NO promises on Gas mileage:D.

Check out the auto trader on them.

[ScrappyJack]

Originally posted by DAVE
The inside will stay totaly stock. The goodies go into the eclipse.

I was talking about taking your sunglasses, e-Pass, CDs, head unit face plate, and change out of the car everytime you park the Jeep or run the risk the top getting cut. ;)


I think I am leaning towards getting a 91-94 with under 100,000 miles. I have found a few for $4900. And a few for $3900. I think my payments would be super low on a loan especially if I put $1000 down.

That sounds more reasonable, but the problem is you might have trouble getting a loan for an older, cheaper vehicle. You know banks - they only give you a loan if you can prove you don't need it. Check with your bank before getting set on anything.


But I seem to vhange my mind every week. Who knows what I'll end up with.

:lol: I hear that, Dave! If I had $5 for every time I thought about owning a different car, I could have myself a Supra. Mmm... Supra.

[BlackTalonAWD]

the hardtop is a removable top. you can get the bikini top for it for $39 from 4 wheel accessories. the hardtop is easily removed with six bolts and two people. and if the hardtop is installed it is fully lockable.

[Poolshark1]

Originally posted by Mr. Thorsen
Damn, Dave. That's big money for a daily driver - hope you've paid off all your other debt before you go picking up another car payment.

Take it from me - get something you can buy, not something you have to pay off.

Amen to that statement, I wish I would have done the same thing with my Toyota Solara.

Dave get an older Wrangler since they all look the same in a lot of features, maybe you want a newer one for the better options and less miles. I would pay 4,000 for a daily driver if I had the cash to spare, I don't so I drive my girlfriends car... hehe...:D

[PiercedJD]

I'd like to vote for a older full size chevy truck if it matters. in the $8k range some gems can be had. V8 towing power (if that interets you in the eclipse or with future toys) and there is a large abundant aftermarket for them, so you can set it up however you want.

just my .02

[DAVE]

Well I have 2 grand saved up for the new vehicle including my tax return. But I think I may wait a bit and save up some more money and maybe buy one cash. But I definetly want a jeep. I just need some time to think about this.

[DAVE]

Hey James. I got approved for a loan from my credit union. I am still looking around for a jeep. Do you have a dealership around here or something. I may want to take a look at that white jeep you have for sale.

[BlackTalonAWD]

my place is called first choice auto, it is between dean and rouse on e colonial, right next to mcdonalds. I also maybe trading for another jeep on friday.

james

[Poolshark1]

I would definatley approve for a Big Chevy truck. Suburban, Tahoe, 2500 Silverado oh yeah. Screw Ford. I was thinking of selling the Talon and putting it towards a big truck so I can pull a nice Skeeter with a Mercury outboard and fish every weekend and day off I had. Be kinda like my dad. 22 years Pro Angler, 1989 Classic 1st place 92 Classic 2nd and 94 classic 2nd. Well enough with the Bass talk. Get the Chevy.

[PiercedJD]

lol

it still amazes me how diverse a group we are.

[Poolshark1]

Originally posted by PiercedJD
lol

it still amazes me how diverse a group we are.



We are, aren't we? I don't want to explain all the different types but yeah we are.:evil: