I do to much commuting to keep my '96 XJ as a daily driver. As I look at newer vehicles I find I'm really going to miss the cargo space and the ground clearance. Does anything on the market today even come close, or have I (we) become period pieces. What does everyone drive when they're not Jeeping it?

I’m sort of in the same situation. I love my XJ and it’s certainly nice enough to DD, however I have two toddlers and when I drive my wife’s Pilot the extra room is extremely nice.

To that end I have been researching heavily recently the 200 series Land Cruiser 2010-2015 likely sub 100k miles for the reputation, reliability and cult following/rarity or even more likely perhaps a Gen 2 Sequoia for the captain’s chairs in the second row and shear size.

Even a 100 Series Land Cruiser might be what you’re looking for but if I move away from DD my XJ I want the 5.7 engine albeit you may loose some gas mileage. I currently get 15mpg in my XJ so going from 15 to 13 isn’t that big of a deal to me.


-Eric

You sure about that? Have you done the actual math? Or are you just assuming it's too expensive?

When I was commuting every day, I did the math. My XJ compared with a modern econo box would cost me $1000 a year, and that was for a 100+ mile round trip commute, 5 days a week, when gas around here was in the $4 neighborhood.

How much of the vehicle do you want to be like an XJ?
Straight axles
manual transfer case shifters
leaf springs
All things most SUVs do not have these days

Yes, I have done the math. For my commute the numbers are similar to what you mentioned, about $1200 a year. So roughly $50 a pay period. That's assuming a 25mpg vehicle as opposed to my current 17. My weekly commute is also similar to your numbers. As far as gas I'm not saving that much, but when you account for the time and effort, if not money, that it takes to maintain this old soldier everything adds up pretty quickly.

This is a good point,TrailerTrash. I do like all of those things, but for them I can just have an XJ or it's peer as a side vehicle.

What I'm looking for to be the same in a new ride is the same cargo space, similar ground clearance, and about 10 more mpg

Ah ok I see what you are talking about. My mistake

Yes, classic vehicles are rarely a good financial tradeoff.

I used to be in a position where I could take that financial hit. I'm now at the point where classics are for fun. Hopefully I will be able to move to Jersey soon, get a raise, and it will be Dodge Rampages and Grand Wagoneers all day long.

BlueRidgeMark, $4 gas, where do you live? I assumed somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains?

Eric

Oh no. The gas was not similar, it's between 2.70-2.90 here. I meant the length of conmute and amount saved annually. I haven't seen $4 gas prices since the Bush jr. Administration.

If you can resist the urge to add a lift, bigger tires, and if you can keep the cargo lightweight, a 4banger would suit your needs. I'll vouch for the 2.5L engine longevity and ease of repair. Bet you could even find an exact-match 2.5L to compliment your 4.0L '96.

A Subaru Forester or Jeep Renegade if you're talking brand spanking new. I reckon a RAV4 too perhaps.

The only new vehicle that will drive like an XJ would be a Wrangler and a Mahindra Roxor (but you can't legally drive those on tbe road).

I never thought of a 4 cyl swap. Thanks, that's worth considering.

At $50 per pay period, how long will it take to recover the cost of a new car or an engine swap?

On the new car? You will never come close. Engine swap? Maybe a year or two? Lots of variables there.