I didn't read the entire thread, so may be late to the game on what's up to date.

OP, I had a like experience. I had a paid for 2001 Camaro and traded it for a Jeep Patriot in 2011. I made extra payments on the Patriot, so was downside up, if such a phrase exists.... Anyway, traded it for a 2013 Camaro... I loved the car, but was kicking myself wishing I had gone to a Wrangler.

So, 2 months ago I went to the local dealer, and short of the long, ordered a Rubicon X. 2 months later, it arrives, I go to the dealer to wrap up the deal, and find out I am 7k upside down on my Camaro. Sales manager comes out and tells me we have a big problem, I'm upside down too much for any bank to likely finance me. Fortunately, as it turns out, all that work I have done in recent years to build up a good credit score, paid off. I was indeed able to get financed. And now, I own the perfect vehicle.

I guess my point, outside of trying to stay out of the upside down range, is to do everything you can to build a good credit score. My heart dropped and my throat closed up, when the sales manager came out and told me he didn't think anyone would finance this. I was very happy to learn he was wrong.

 

I've never been happier to be so slow. I came from a 2011 Subaru STi 5 dr. Owned for 3 years got it to 350hp and 380 tq. Always wanted 'better'. Was never happy. Sure it was fun and fast but I was always looking over my shoulder for cops on the road. It stopped being fun. I finally pulled the trigger this year and bought a 2014 JKUS Flame Red. I could now do everything I wanted to that I couldn't before. Funny thing is that I only thing I sacrificed was the navi option. Tsk, tsk. Oh well.
Thank you, Jeep. You made me complete.

 

I went from a Acura TSx to a 2009 JK Sahara then traded the Jeep(actually got more for it than I paid for it since I bought it during the financial crisis) for an Acura RDX. Now I'm just waiting for the 2015 to come out so I can find a deal on a 2014 leftover!

 

I know that feeling; I had a Dodge Challenger R/T for a while. It was a sweet ride and the fastest car I ever owned but 380 HP and 140 MPH stopped being "enough" really quick. Now that we've got the real stats on the Hellcat, it seems outright pathetic. My wife got pulled over in it once too.


Someday I want to get another Challenger with the 392 but muscle cars just can't compare to crawling up an impossible slope with the lockers on and the wife & kids laughing and/or screaming in terror.

 

I have feelings of selling mine sometimes to. Mainly so I can upgrade to another year lol. Sometimes I miss the tuner cars I used to drive cause I've always had that need for speed. I'll ride with someone or go out of tone for training and try and get a sports car to get my fix.

This last recent training I went in I was given a challenger R/T with the 5.7 hemi (have always lived a challenger and now I really want one). Car was extremely fun to drive and had some sweet features.

Came home after 2 weeks, saw my jeep in the driveway looking all badass and ready for the top and doors to be taken off and I thought "damn I miss you and can't wait to drive you tomorrow". Lol.

Only way I'm getting rid of mine is if we trade up. Wife said we will always have a jeep. Once it's paid I can get another toy.

 

Just came across this thread. I had a 2009 rubicon with also about 5-6k in mods. I also was so underwhelmed with the power output that I sold it. I just could bring myself to blow 20K on an engine swap. In comes the Ford F-150 Raptor. I love! Love the power, love the creature comforts like heated and cooled seats, touchscreen blah blah blah. I have been missing my jeep something fierce. Every time I see a nice Jk on the road I get jealous. So....

Just traded in the raptor for a new AEV rubicon with a 6.4L hemi! Picking her up next week

Need to edit the bottom thing...

 

U did it right!

I would love a raptor- although a bit too much plain is have to cosmetically make it cooler otherwise aweaome

 

ouch sorry OP, for what you paid you probably could have swapped your engine for a 3.6 or a hemi, and possibly a regear (depending what the local salvage yards had handy and your ability to make it fit!)

 

Just curious, if you have a Hemi and computer on hand, what would the cost of installation run? Anyone have a guess at a ballpark. And if you had these, would it be best to have the computer out of a vehicle that had 4x4 in the donor?

 

Well I can feel all of your pain as I made the same mistake too. Traded a beautifully modded TJ. Big lift. Beautiful tires amazing blue color. Stupid me. Sold it for a Grand Cherokee. BORING. boring to look at. Boring to sit in. Boring to drive. Just boring. Finally swapped it last month for a Jk Sahara!! So insanely stoked to go out everyday to an un-boring vehicle and I can't wait to start the mods!