selling the jeep...

[laxpug19]

I have made the decision to drive from my home in Massachusetts to my next base in Sacramento cali. I have decided to sell my 1999 jeep wrangler sport 4.0 L. The Air Force will pay me 8 days to drive out there, i plan on doing it in 3 or 4. I know my jeep can do it, but its time to say goodbye. As much as i loved the mild off roading i did it is just too much to keep up with. Im gonna settle for a 1999 audi a4 for around 5,000. Hoping to get at least 9,000 for my jeep that i bought last year for 10,500. After adding 20,000 miles and 1,000 dollar rims and tires i figured it evens out. Tell me if you think thats a fair price. And if anyone on here wants to buy it you can EMAIL me at JPuglise@gimail.af.mil Im in texas for 2 more months of training then i go home for 12 days and then start my trip. I hope to sell my jeep and buy the new car in the next 2 months.

 

[TWDJ]

Sorry to hear you'll be selling your TJ.

As I live about 15 minutes south of Sacramento, the Sierras are about an hour away and they offer some incredible trails and vantage points.

 

[90Xjay]

ahh man.. not an Audi...:?

Is it the payments on the Jeep or something else you don't want to mess with.

I hope you can change your mind, sounds like TWDJ will take you out for some wheeling if you keep it!:MDB2:

 

[laxpug19]

My mind changes everyday, some days i want to keep it, and others i want to just get something new.

 

[PhattyX]

You're a little high on the expectation for the Jeep. Book is ~$8,000 and since this isn't quite a buyer's market nor is it a rare vehicle, I would suggest you could hold out for $7,500 on a private party sale. Oddly, Autotrader is showing dealers selling them for $11K to $9K depending on miles. If you've got ~90 or 100 thousand on it, I stand by my original estimate.

Audi... and the Army? I'm going to agree with 90XJay, here. Not because I'm an American car man, but because I own an Audi. An A6. The AWD is great for the 4 times I've needed it. Mileage stinks compared to other vehicles in it's class. The heads have to come off to fix many "typical" issues, so your dealer pockets big bucks per visit and many private mechanics don't know what they're getting into and it winds up staying overnight. Resale is almost impossible through private party. Bottom line is they're VERY expensive to own/maintain. Has the timing belt/water pump been done on what you're looking for? If not, figure another $1K.

Something different... Yeah, I'm like that, too. 2 years or so and I'm bored. So, even with the same mindset, I'd suggest hanging onto your Jeep. With the Army, I don't see you driving a lot. You'll love it in the summer and appreciate it in the winter. If you're ready to move on, take a look at Honda and Toyota's options before settling on an Audi. If you do settle on an Audi, do not go by the book value. True market value is substantially less.

-X

 

[laxpug19]

Air force hahaha but yeah i mean ill just be driving from my dorm to the fire station on base. I also wanted a bike. Since it will be my first bike im looking for a used one around 3 or 4 thousand. Something well taken care of and not tat exspensive that if i do drop it i wont mind as much as a brand new bike. Also i do not want to deal with payments. Kelly Blue Book is showing me 8,445 for private i also just put on 1,200 rims and tires. I dont know ill see what i can get for it, and go from there. I dont like the civics or really the accords. Im not into modding out cars. that why i like the audi so much because its nice stock.

 

[KrazyJeeper]

Really think hard about getting rid of the Jeep. I did that last year and regretted it before I got off the lot. Well, around six months after that, guess what, I bought another TJ. Mines not a DD and even though I had a XJ at the time, I still missed the TJ everytime I saw one on the road. If you can keep it, I would. Buy an old Junker to get you out there if need be, but keep the Jeep. Good Luck.

 

[currupt4130]

When my Jeep went to a trail rig I got used to driving my dad's Rubi. Well I eventually bought my Jetta and started literally having withdrawls. It was bad. I was fine for a little while, but the first time after I drove the Rubi after I bought my Jetta, I put up a for sale ad on the Jetta.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I made a similar cross-country drive twice when I was in the Army, in an '88 YJ with a tired 258. The second time I pulled a small uhaul trailer, semis were passing me uphill in the mountains. Slept in the back where the seat used to be.

If you think you need to sell it, do it, but I think you'll be looking for another once you're in Cali.

 

[PhattyX]

Air force hahaha...

How'd I confuse that?!?! My apologies.

I hear you about the Audi looking nice out of the box plus all the "standard" features you get in one. I never questioned why it cost substantially less than the comparable BMW and Mercedes which had less features (no AWD, 6-disc in dash, or heated rear seats). Word to the wise... I should have.

Anyway, before you buy, troll the forums on this site (www.audiworld.com). They'll give you pretty good feedback about whether what you're buying is worth it if you post before you buy. Keep in mind, though, they're all Audi fans.

On a side note, I've never met someone that got rid of their SWB Jeep and "never looked back". It's always "I should have kept it" or "6 months later, I bought another one".

Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you.

-X

 

[redrooster]

That close to the Rubicon without a Jeep would kill me. I have been to Tahoe once and started to take the rental car wheeling in the snow.

 

[laxpug19]

I have no idea whats out in California. I'm 18 years old and crew up in Massachusetts i have no idea whats out there. So whats up near Sacramento for a jeep? I also don't have the money i need for all the mods i want to do some serious off roading. Being an e-1 in the military is tough.

 

[TwistedCU]

Anyway, before you buy, troll the forums on this site (www.audiworld.com)

Ask them how the Audis do on the Rubicon trail :MDB2: :bootyshake:

Seriously man, if you are going back and forth on what to do, do nothing. I've been there and I'm telling you you'll regret getting rid of the Jeep, and BH is right, you'll be eye-ing up another soon enough if you do sell it.

Take it to California. It's a no-brainer...

Uh, what would you rather be rollin' through Cali in? A Jeep or someone's Mom's old Audi?

C'mon man... be reasonable :lol:

 

[KrazyJeeper]

Lax, I was an E-1 in the Army 21 years ago and I received 280 dollars a month. Now I am a E-7 and make a substantial amount more. My point is this, you will only be an E-1 for about 6 months, if you keep your nose clean and then you will move up a little at a time. An E-1 makes a decent amount of money now if you are responsible. Eat cheap and save your money instead of buying cds and playstations and before you know it, you'll have your mods. Trust me. Plus, if your driving and have that much time, make an adventure out of it with your Jeep. Many places to hit and see on the way to the west coast. Take your time and enjoy but don't sell the Jeep. If you're truly a Jeep dude, which I am definite you are, you will miss it. Cali and the top off equals babes. Yeah baby.

 

[Red Neckerson]

I was without a Jeep for about 2 years. IT SUCKED!!!!! After begging and pleading with the wife (shortly after we married) she told me the budget we had to work with.(that sucked!)
I ended up with a paid off, rust bucket, 75 Ford pu to drive to work, but I also puchased a slick 75 CJ-5 with a 304cid. It was worth it. The CJ sat in the garage while I drove the old beater to work.
Do what you need to do, but you will miss that Jeep!

 

[Red Neckerson]

Btw Lax,
If you do go cross country, I-70 is about 20 miles from us. We would be glad to fire up the grill and show you some Heartland Hospitality.
Also got some nice places to go wheelin'.

 

[judge09]

I am another one of those should have never got rid of the TJ. I miss it all the time and I thought I would be able to get another one once I got settled....3 years later. no TJ

 

[laxpug19]

Lax, I was an E-1 in the Army 21 years ago and I received 280 dollars a month. Now I am a E-7 and make a substantial amount more. My point is this, you will only be an E-1 for about 6 months, if you keep your nose clean and then you will move up a little at a time. An E-1 makes a decent amount of money now if you are responsible. Eat cheap and save your money instead of buying cds and playstations and before you know it, you'll have your mods. Trust me. Plus, if your driving and have that much time, make an adventure out of it with your Jeep. Many places to hit and see on the way to the west coast. Take your time and enjoy but don't sell the Jeep. If you're truly a Jeep dude, which I am definite you are, you will miss it. Cali and the top off equals babes. Yeah baby.

Trust me im only in tech school now(AIT) and ive been saving all the money i can. In 9 weeks i go to e-3 because my enlisted contract of 6 years. I think after being away from the jeep for so long its made me go a little crazy. I forgot going to the beach with completely nothing on the jeep was like. I think its settled i'm not going to sell. THANKS GUYS for talking some sense into me. Plus the AUDI'S AND JETTAS FOR 5,000 are all like 150,000+... iratenanner:

 

[jps4jeep]

my opinion, which probably ain't worth crap... Do what you need to do, jeeps are dime a dozen.. I am in boston and I can tell you, your asking a little more than what can be expeced as in re-sale, but selling and buying something a litle more practical would be the bestoption for someone in your position. get through your service, save your $$ and when you get out, build a nasty rig.


every dog has it's day
just know when

 

[laxpug19]

Now that i decided to keep it. What are some small mods that i could install myself with little mechanic ability and tools. Im looking at throttle body spacers and air intakes. Also where online can i buy these products besides quadratec? any other good sites?