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I have been keeping tabs on every dime that I have spent on my 99XJ !!! I mean, every dime !!! I downloaded the Fuelio App to keep records. I really like the app. It's pretty concise and breaks expenses down into categories. So tonight, I started actually entering costs. Everything, gas, oil, insurance, registration fees, tags, title license, etc.,etc. Plus all of the maintenance and upgraded parts. I've even used one category for tools, books, manuals and appearance items... I bout dropped a log when I saw it on paper !!! I'm not building a big HD trail hawk, just restoring a nice, yet capable dailey driver ! I do buy quality parts, no junk ! To me it's worth every penny! So I haven't even done a lift yet !!! LOL !!! PLUS, I still want to replace my header and exhaust system. I do have the Magnaflow cat already. I want new neoprene seat covers, floor and cargo liners. I do like the Spoilerlights rear spoiler ! And a killer stereo !!! Other than this stuff, I pretty much have it in great shape for awhile to come ! I cannot imagine, what someone who hires the wrench turning has invested in one !!! All I can say is,,, OMFG !!! And I did 100% of the labor !!! I'm too embarrassed and ashamed, to disclose the amount that I have spent already !!! Plus, I still have a ****load of reciepts to enter yet !!! I've only entered all of my Ebay transactions and most of what I've bought from sellers here on Cherokee Forum !!! Still have to do, Summit, O'Reilly's, Advance auto parts, Lowes, Rural King etc, etc !!! I can't tear this Jeep up !!! It's my DD !!! I'm going to have to drive it for the next ten years to recoup my expenses!!! I'd say most non-jeep owners, pull up beside you, judging you, looking at that old Jeep, while they're all snug and cozy in thier big, brand new, Dodge 2500HD Crew Cab Cummins Duelly Diesel, they probably think, " poor guy, must drive that ol' POS because he doesn't have any money !!! " , or maybe it's the other way around !!! LOL Anyways, let's hear some of your expenses, if you aren't to ashamed ??? My old, paid for, POS !!! I love it !!!
$4000-5000
Traded into by trading junk I didn't want. Put about 4 hours in it getting it running only time invested.
put a crank sensor fuel pump, and battery in it. Had a oil filter that screwed on it already.
put 50 bucks into 15x8 wheels, 1500 in tires, 300 winch maybe a grand in material as l ti build bumpers and sliders.
bought a 91 DJ for parts for 200.
I haven't added it up but I know the 47re I built for cummins cost in same neighborhood as what I'm in the jeep.
I don't want to know how much I have in mine, but I know it's probably 1/4 of what I put into my truck, not including the purchase price of both vehicles.
I don't want to know how much I have in mine, but I know it's probably 1/4 of what I put into my truck, not including the purchase price of both vehicles.
Awe, come on now, don't be shy ! You'll be surprised! I paid $800 for my one-owner 99 XJ, so far I've spent another $3200. Not including fuel, insurance. So I guess I'm right in the ballpark !
$4000-5000
Traded into by trading junk I didn't want. Put about 4 hours in it getting it running only time invested.
put a crank sensor fuel pump, and battery in it. Had a oil filter that screwed on it already.
put 50 bucks into 15x8 wheels, 1500 in tires, 300 winch maybe a grand in material as l ti build bumpers and sliders.
bought a 91 DJ for parts for 200.
I haven't added it up but I know the 47re I built for cummins cost in same neighborhood as what I'm in the jeep.
NOW, I feel better ! I was beginning to feel like a sucker !!! Evan, looks like you ot more bang for your buck than I did !!! Nice rig !!! I'm curious to see what others say,,,,
I bought mine for only $300 last calculation I have right at $13,000 in it over the past 8 years . sad part is it looks like its worth about $900 LOL!!
Last edited by tinytrax78; 09-10-2018 at 08:22 AM.
Reason: add
I really dont think you can add fuel, insurance, oil, tools, Etc. Every other vehicle will have the exact same things. To me, what you have into a vehicle should just include parts items, upgrades, things like that.
Stock wheels are still round, look great painted black or silver and hold those tires that still pass inspection. Stock seats could use some Resolve stain cleaner and elbow grease. etc.
Parts are dirt cheap at Junk Yards and look brand new with a coat of $0.99 Walmart spray paint.
Rockauto has parts dirt cheap compared to 'box' stores.
Killer stereo, sub box, floor mats, spoilers, CAI, exhaust, etc all costs the same regardless what vehicle.
Elbow grease is cheap.
Is it worth it money wise? NO. Is it worth about 50% and the other 50% is personal enjoyment? Probably closer to the truth.
Example is the supercharger kits. Are they worth it? Probably not, but you feel do better at maybe 50% of the cost. The other half, 50% of the cost is PRICELESS!
In fact Worth Double the cost.
Using boost everyday, at every stoplight, etc, give you daily smiles and enjoyment every single day.
Not much in life can give you that much joy every single day.
Girl friends, wives, kids, child support, alimony, rent, mortgage, TAXES, insurance, cigarettes, alcohol, going out to eat, etc, What do all these costs?
Your Cherokee expenses dwarfs all of them.
And none of these give you the personal happiness and joy every single day that the Cherokee gives you.
Cherokee = Happyness.
Or buy a honda or prius, and how does that make you feel?
I dont really add up steel I've put into it. Some I've bought specifically for xj some is leftovers off other projects.
when rubber coats as much as it does it's very easy to hit 4grand mark.
I to wouldnt add oil and fuel to costs.
you should figure out how much it costs a human alive per breath.
might need to also add the tools that make my rig. Theres 10grand or so just in Welding stuff.
Total investment of about $4k into mine. Bought for $400. Put a lot of work into it. I did all of the work on mine myself. Lifted 5", 33s, custom bumpers and rock rails. Rides like a Caddy and reliable. Capable enough off-road. Hasn't stranded me yet and has gotten out of anywhere I have thrown it. Was my DD for a year before my commute became too far to spend that kind of gas money. Has been a great toy for taking my family out into God's Creation. Worth every penny.
Can't count the cost of fuel, insurance or tools. Every man should have a decent tool set. Insurance cost on a 17+ old vehicle is guaranteed to be lower than a new car. Fuel cost shouldn't be too much worse than any other vehicle, unless your commute is 30+ miles one way (like mine).
Gear heads spend their money on crap cars they fix up.
Others spend their money on a monthly payment on some fancy car.
Techies spend their money on fancy computers.
Women spend their money on clothes and jewelry.
Don't sweat the money. Live life.
Best advice I can give- stop counting the pennies and enjoy the jeep. When you stop enjoying it, kick it down the road and get something else. If you find wrenching on a car is no longer fun, buy something reliable and find a new hobby. No shame in that.
Total investment of about $4k into mine. Bought for $400. Put a lot of work into it. I did all of the work on mine myself. Lifted 5", 33s, custom bumpers and rock rails. Rides like a Caddy and reliable. Capable enough off-road. Hasn't stranded me yet and has gotten out of anywhere I have thrown it. Was my DD for a year before my commute became too far to spend that kind of gas money. Has been a great toy for taking my family out into God's Creation. Worth every penny.
Can't count the cost of fuel, insurance or tools. Every man should have a decent tool set. Insurance cost on a 17+ old vehicle is guaranteed to be lower than a new car. Fuel cost shouldn't be too much worse than any other vehicle, unless your commute is 30+ miles one way (like mine).
Gear heads spend their money on crap cars they fix up.
Others spend their money on a monthly payment on some fancy car.
Techies spend their money on fancy computers.
Women spend their money on clothes and jewelry.
Don't sweat the money. Live life.
Best advice I can give- stop counting the pennies and enjoy the jeep. When you stop enjoying it, kick it down the road and get something else. If you find wrenching on a car is no longer fun, buy something reliable and find a new hobby. No shame in that.
I started out, to just fix it up a lil bit,,, then I found Cherokee Forum !!! I don't sweat the cost, in fact, I have no budget ! I do what I want to do in deliberate steps. And I do it right ! I'm keeping this one for the long haul. I would eventually like to build one for more serious crawlin' , but that's down the road for now. I plan to keep going with this one. At least another $2-3k ! So, not counting insurance and gas, oil, etc. I'm still approaching the $4k club ! Makes me feel a lot better, hearing all of your stories! Spending money for tools,,, to me, tools=toys !!! Right now, my Jeep is running great ! Rides and handles like a new one,,, and to me, that's worth every penny!
Divide by years owned. It makes it easier to cope with your addiction.
Depreciation on newer vehicles will smoke ya ~15%pa, its the biggest cost.
On a somewhat newer (10yr old) 4wd, your maintenance will still be just as high, and all the electronics, and high tech mechanicals are a real challenge
I have 2 x '96 XJ auto, the 2nd one bought as a non-runner spare, no brake MC or fuel pump..but lots of fruit.
Dude was working 6 day X 12hrs, Mrs right on his case, perfect buying opportunity $400
A dude slammed into the back of it, and dudes Insurance gave me $2600, I have since repaired it, and swapping the good gear over to my DD
It is full to the brim with spare parts.
mine cost me $1500, and my total cost for the two so far is $4000-2600= $1400
I previously did similar with International Scouts, bought & sold, 10yrs ownership cost me $0
XJ is very versatile & cool, not the cheapest thing for fuel
This is just aftermarket stuff. I dont even want to calculate gas, insurance, tags, and other fluids, wear parts, cooling system, additional swaps. before consumables, im probably north of 6k
This is just aftermarket stuff. I dont even want to calculate gas, insurance, tags, and other fluids, wear parts, cooling system, additional swaps. before consumables, im probably north of 6k
it is an expensive hobby ! But what hobby isn't! I thoroughly enjoyed myself this afternoon installing a set of the XJWONDERS Upgraded Battery Cables. You only listed the big stuff ! Don't forget all the little side trips for things you hadn't counted on ! I still have a lot more plans for mine. I won't be too far away from your mark !
09-09-2018, 08:42 PM
The, REAL cost of owning an XJ !!! OMG !!!
