sell or keep?

[webelk6]

My is driving the '94 and it runs like a watch. Mechanically it is spot on. Of course I have no payment on it. She drives about 20 miles commute to work. I pump about $150-$200/month in that gas guzzler. I also use it for camping expeditions to pull the pop-up etc.


I want to get her an FJ cruiser, but it is STILL cheaper to have it gassed up. I want to get her a little car, but she likes the hulkiness of it, makes her feel safe. Do I get rid of it, or keep it?

 

[slow91fj90]

Trick question? Easy answer--------keep it!!

 

[ncrockinfj]

keep it for sure ... if your not driving it as much BUILD IT ..... or at least thats what I would do, but I do dd mine on 36 in IROKS

 

[webelk6]

Tuff deal. Every time I drive it, I want it. And 4LLC here on the board has done most of the work on it.(Who is an expert for locals).

When I bought this rig, I pulled up in my '88(now sold) and my was shocked. She didn't know cruisers could be so nice.( this may be chat now)

All right , A/C needs fixing however......

 

[cheap 40]

Keep it x100!!

20 mile commute isn't bad - I drive 57 one way (in a Civic though). Figuring $3.50 gas, the Civic eats roughly $260 a month. The Cruiser would take about $600 - That's a $340 difference. But, if the Civic died tomorrow, I'd start driving the Cruiser. Why?? Civic is paid off, so to replace it, I'll have to have another payment and there goes the $340 difference. Once I factor in that a newer car will cost me significantly more for registration and that the cost to maintain the Cruiser is higher, it all seems like a wash to me. As long as I can fix the Civic I will. For the last 185,000 miles it hasn't needed anything major, but if it gets to the point that it just is not worth fixing anymore, then the 6000 pound tank gets to get out and run everyday.

If she likes the Cruiser, I wouldn't take on a new payment for a FJ that will only get marginally better mpg and require premium gas to boot. Around here that is 30-40 cents extra/gallon. Just my 2 cents....

Tony

 

[cruiserruf]

keep it!!

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Sell it. Gas is going to be $5/gal before you know it! Get a Prius.

 

[Grolar]

What kind of answer do you expect from addicted 80 owners?
A 80 as a DD is irrelevant and will kill you slowly as gas prices rise. But do the math on a three year span. Mileage (with a $5-6/gal), payments... And ponder the 80 cool factor as well, of course

 

[peepers]

also depends oh how much you use it for camping? a couple times a year? get a thule rack on something more fuel efficient. do you use it all the time for camping, hauling the dog around and lots of family truckster stuff... keep it.

also - in this market with gas, as a stock vehicle i think you will have a hard time finding a buyer.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Keep it. You will never find a car that saves you enough in gas to offset the payment and extra insurance... (Unless you pick up a $600 Camry that gets 30 mpg.)

 

[94SRUNNER]

Without a doubt...KEEP IT and buy a fuel friendly vehicle

 

[Riad]

Keep it.

Buy one of these. Man i saw one on the road the other day in between two big rigs. It looked like a tennis ball, may be because it was bright yellow.

 

[webelk6]

Keep it x100!!

20 mile commute isn't bad - I drive 57 one way (in a Civic though). Figuring $3.50 gas, the Civic eats roughly $260 a month. The Cruiser would take about $600 - That's a $340 difference. But, if the Civic died tomorrow, I'd start driving the Cruiser. Why?? Civic is paid off, so to replace it, I'll have to have another payment and there goes the $340 difference. Once I factor in that a newer car will cost me significantly more for registration and that the cost to maintain the Cruiser is higher, it all seems like a wash to me. As long as I can fix the Civic I will. For the last 185,000 miles it hasn't needed anything major, but if it gets to the point that it just is not worth fixing anymore, then the 6000 pound tank gets to get out and run everyday.

If she likes the Cruiser, I wouldn't take on a new payment for a FJ that will only get marginally better mpg and require premium gas to boot. Around here that is 30-40 cents extra/gallon. Just my 2 cents....

Tony

Point taken.

Sell it. Gas is going to be $5/gal before you know it! Get a Prius.

Except in a 5 yr. period I was told you have to replace the battery at the tune of $2500. I do like the prius. Maybe a yaris. 40 mpg and under 15k new

Without a doubt...KEEP IT and buy a fuel friendly vehicle

I do concur.

 

[sundaypunch]

I'm a fan of the Dave Ramsey plan when it comes to vehicles. Buy what you can afford, pay cash, and avoid car payments at all costs. I personally wouldn't take on a gigantic payment, insurance, etc. for a FJ Cruiser. Gas prices aren't killing you on a 20-mile commute.

If you want to sell the LC to get something more fuel efficient that is fine. You can get 40-50mpg in a TDI Jetta or 40 in a used Civic. There is no reason to buy a Prius.

 

[sseaman]

KEEEEEPP it, i contemplate this often at work, then get in mine to go home and wonder what was i thinking. Dont take on a payment, you will spend more there then you will spend on gas monthly. If your not sure go test drive and FJ for a while, i have heard very mixed reviews because of visibilty.

good luck

 

[PDoyle]

Rather be in an accident in an 80 than a small car for sure. No amount of gas savings will cover that. Put a hitch on it, buy a brush hog and cut the lawn with it too!!!!

 

[mainemike]

Four Wheeler magazine's longterm test of the FJ shows a real world mpg of 15.

Don't buy an FJ based solely on mpg advantage over an 80.

 

[4xoddic]

Just made a similar decision . . . .

I'm retired & my wife has a 4 mile roundtrip commute to work (when she doesn't walk).

Like you, our DDs, 2 88 FJ62s & a 00 Tundra 4WD, get around 11-13 & 13-16 respectively (EPA's new estimates).

We were looking for a new XUV which would get better mileage & still meet our desire to take a dirt road if we wanted to. Drove Mazda CX7, Toyota Matrix (2.4L), Nissan Rogue & Xterra (14-20 mpg). X was the only one capable to meet our lifestyle with confidence parts would remain intact.

We looked at CRV, RAV4 & FJ Cruiser, but didn't like them.

Market reality, look at 2008 mpg estimates = automakers have yet to improve mpg in XUVs much over say, 2005 models. Most are offering higher HP rather than better MPG (ie: Matrix 2.4L from Camry; well new 5.7 Tundra does get 1 MPG better on highway); or a CUV on a car platform (can you say station wagon?).

We decided that in 2-3 years' time automakers should have better mpg in all vehicles.

Wife's botom line: FJ62s lacked throttle response, air bags, cruise; and drip oil on garage floor.

Our compromise: '97 LX450 = 1 MPG better than FJ62s, so our gas bill stays same. Sell off FJ62s = LX purchase price (hopefully). Insurance less, as total # drops by 1 FJ62 (liability only).

Our game plan:
Wait out automakers' introduction of clean diesels & other MPG improvements for 2-3 years. Save depreciation $ on new 2008. Continue putting a new payment amount (less higher fuel costs) into bank. We'd then like to buy a high MPG vehicle & drive the LX450 only when 4WD is needed.

I made this decision once before, IN 1980! Anyone seen what a clean 1977 FJ55 is going for these days? Wonder what the 2WD Hilux stretched cab dually I traded it for is worth today?

 

[sseaman]

4x well written

 

[Lka1988]

My is driving the '94 and it runs like a watch. Mechanically it is spot on. Of course I have no payment on it. She drives about 20 miles commute to work. I pump about $150-$200/month in that gas guzzler. I also use it for camping expeditions to pull the pop-up etc.

Only $150-200? I'm 20, limited budget, and I put over $300/month in gas.

I still wouldn't even think of selling my truck.