The Wrangler is an attainable car for many. But where should the line be drawn?


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In the case of my Jeep, a $1 Gazillion salary would have been a great place to start. This thing sucks money out of the pocket faster than a harem of wives at a BOGO sale.

 

Is this a real question?

It's almost like asking how much should you really make to own any other car, house, etc. It's totally subjective.

I love my Jeep and can afford to make mods while still able to frequent gas stations on a regular basis.

How much should I make to own it?

 

This, the last sentence in the article, is the real point of owning a Wrangler. If you're not budgeting first and foremost to use your Wrangler, you're doing it wrong. If you're working extra hours to pay for your Wrangler and its mods, so can't take time to use your Wrangler and mods, you're doing it wrong. I understand and appreciate that forums like this exist because sponsors sell stuff. But there are far too many posts of the "How should I spend money on mods" category, and far too few of the "Look at this great trip the family and I took in our Wrangler!" category. Get out there--we live on this fascinating planet, so quit making excuses (no money, no time) about why you can't get out there in the world's best vehicle for exploring it!

 

I find a lot of people underestimate the cost of owning any vehicle, and wind up overextended. I think for some cars it's worse than others because they are sort of "image" type cars, and a Wrangler definitely qualifies. Actually, a Wrangler is kind of a supreme bargain in the cost:image ratio. Very, very few Wrangler buyers or owners will ever intend to drive one off road or use any of the capabilities they are paying for short of parking in a grass field during an event or driving through six-inch-deep puddles after a heavy rain.

What the article doesn't mention is to evaluate your needs for a vehicle and choose wisely if finances are at all limiting.

My personal anecdotal experience is that many of my peers consider a Wrangler to be somewhat of an expensive choice or a bit of a status symbol, and that's among decidedly upper-middle-class people, most of which are driving just as expensive of a vehicle. I get lots of comments like, "man, that's cool, I always wanted one but could never afford it". Now, I think that comment reflects the comparatively astronomical used prices of a Wrangler, but also has a value or utility factor. People who have household incomes hovering around the six-figure mark usually can't afford extra vehicles that don't get used unless that's their sole hobby, and they may need something that's much more suited to their normal use like commuting or carrying around their kids. Most ordinary adults don't want to make sacrifices in comfort, space, fuel mileage, reliability, convenience features, etc. just to drive a Wrangler when for the same or less money they can get a far better car in every measurable way that suits their needs. So a Wrangler is viewed as a toy or a luxury item that only those with plenty of spare money can afford to own. For these adults, their first not-useful spare vehicle is usually something way cheaper like a motorcycle, or way less useful like a jet ski or boat.

IMHO.

 

It's no more risky they buying any other vehicle, new or used. Be prudent, don't over-extend your finances just because of "wants". The problem I could see with a jeep vs any other vehicle is most cars you buy and that is that. With a jeep, once you buy it you often want to then start buying crap for it.

 

How much money do you need to make to raise kids, when you look at the cost on paper you would never have kids, but they are fun and you manage by watching your budget, probably one of those questions there isn't an answer to

 

Well, I'd say mostly fun. The teen years sure leave an open door for some wiggle room there.

 

Yep, it's risky. My general advice is don't take a loan out for anything but property. But in times of low interest rates with an item that doesn't depreciate much, and can be liquidated easily -- The risk may be manageable, and worth it.

 

We do more with the grandkids now, leave their parents at home, it's more fun that way.
Just got back from a camping trip in Arkansas with the 3 and 5 year old ones, they had a blast in the water that you can actually see the rocks on the bottom.

then dropped them off back home when we got back, that's a great thing about grandkids