Here's my situation:
I currently own a 2007 Chevy Colorado crew cab, Z71 off, tow pkg, loaded, etc. with 60k. I will pay it off in the spring of 2014.

I want a Cherokee. I drove a 1992 all throughout high school and got rid of it in 2004. There is nothing wrong with my truck, I love it, but there's just something I miss about the jeep.

However, I am having a hard time justifying to myself (especially my wife) selling a perfectly good and reliable truck for a jeep that will be 10+ years old. The only upside would be I'd be debt free on my truck loan and own my jeep...bye bye $300 a month payments.

Has anyone ever traded a newer vehicle for an older jeep? Am I acting out of impulse? I don't NEED a jeep, but want one...a solid Cherokee.

If so, what should I look for other than mileage?

Thanks.

 

I traded my F150 offroad for the Jeep I have. The first and only owner of it has been my dad, so I know what the Jeep had been through. Anyway I loved my truck, but like you said, there is something about a Jeep. I would do it, and plus, with an extra 300 a month, you could have that jeep pretty sick, pretty fast!

My $.02

 

Traded a mustang for my jeep... Haven't looked back

 

Sounds like you have a perfectly good tow rig that's almost paid off. Keep it, buy a $500 beater XJ trail rig and thank me later.

 

You've already taken a big hit on the 2007.
I would see if you can get a good price for the 2007.
Take a few months to try to sell at a high price.
I'd expect to invest $2-3k in making an older Jeep reliable and updated.
If so, then buy a $3k XJ.
Can you afford a 2nd car for a spare?

 

I just got rid of my 2006 F-150 xl. It was worth 6600 and I owed $3700. Traded it in on a 96 xj. Some problems yes but most I have been able to fix myself.

 

Sold my '93 XJ with 86,000 miles for a '91 with 204,000. Its all worth it though, the '91 is a 5 speed

 

Just looking really to get a Cherokee to drive to work, use in the snow, very light offroading. Can probably sell the truck for 12-14k. OR will the future hold a Jeep pickup as speculated n the rumormill?. That's something I'd definitely wait and save up for...

 

i love my jeeps but i cant go without a truck and havent since i was 15, i gotta keep both, got a 03 F150 for towing ect

 

I would keep your truck and buy a cheap xj as a weekend toy.This way if you break the jeep you still have the truck to drive to work.The main things to look for are high mileage rust in the rockers and floor and get a 98 and older the 99 up had head cracking problems if it over heats.

 

My 07 Suzuki took a crap on me. Ended up sellin it off. Wasn't worth fixing. Been driving my fathers truck for nearly 2 years while I was figuring out what to do. Picked my 92 XJ and it's almost done being made road legal again. Then he gets back his truck and I get to drive the jeep full time and not have to worry about any more car payments. All that free money helps me out greatly

 

I had a 2008 Chevy Cobalt. Owed $5k on it sold it for $7k. The profits went straight into buying my Jeep. No regrets, similar situation OP.
Even got my in laws a XJ a few days ago.

 

You are so close to paying that bad boy off. I say get aggressive with your payment. Even just an extra 50 bucks a month will make it come down SO quick! Get it paid off early and then start setting aside your 300 bucks a month for a few mknths and buy yourself an XJ. Having a second vehicle would be super nice. You'll be able to do more to your XJ without worrying about it being down for a few days or a eek.

 

Tell your wife this....With a Jeep (especially an XJ) there is so much aftermarket,NOS, junkyard parts, etc that you can virtually keep that thing running for ever. it's not a throwaway vehicle like new ones. IMO it's not a downgrade at all.

 

sell the truck and buy 10 cherokees, or one crazy built xj on full widths.

i traded my $800 laptop for a $400 guitar.