The TJ Wrangler that came out in 1997 with Coil Springs is vastly superior both on road and off.
We've taken our TJ on 200-250 mile day trips with no complaints. The Sahara Edition seats are very comfortable and the only real downsides are the ambient noise level(it's a soft top) and lack of secure storage space. I originally bought the Jeep used in 2002 with the intention of selling it after a year or so, but I decided to keep it. It's been pretty reliable and very cheap to maintain.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
This model and the '95 tweaking were the nicest years of the Camry...we had a '93 and a '96 and both were great cars. Toyota can do it and I'd bet with the '10 model, they will fix the front to match the rest of the car. Look what Honda did with changes in '05 and '06 on the Accord with the rear tail lights.
I don't know what I'll do for my son. He's a typical 7-yr-old boy. He likes to explore, take things apart, play in the mud, etc. At four years of age he was already riding a bike with no training wheels.
Sounds like my son; at five years he managed to flip his Power Wheels Jeep trying to drive it up a stone retaining wall. The roll bar actually worked, BTW. He's now almost 13 and thinks he's going to get to drive the Club Sport or the Mazdaspeed3 in a few years. Yeah, right... If my wife hangs on to her 2004 X3 that might make a good car to share with him; it's not all that fast and it would be pretty safe overall. My main concerns about teenager drivers are their lack of ability and the lack of adequate training- which is why I often instruct at and always promote the Street Survival program.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Funny I just sold a 2001 Sahara Edition with 60,000 miles on it. I delivered it to the customers house yesterday which is about an hour away and you are right it is not a bad driving car.
Place a current gen Sonata next to the previous gen Audi A6, and you will see the benchmarking process at work, especially in the profile. Honda copying no, Audi yes - and, that was specifically by intention.
There is one for sale on the north end of town here. It is white and looks to be in mint condition. Some other friends of mine sold their Jeep not too long ago. It had the hard-top on it, but it had an automatic. Something just doesn't seem right to me about a Jeep with A/T.
What do you guys think about the new 4-door model? Personally, I think it's awful. What were they thinking? Doesn't making the wheelbase that much longer defeat the whole purpose of the vehicle?
Yes of course. And yet sales have doubled, tripled, QUADRUPLED. The plant that builds those new 4-door Wranglers can't keep up with demand!
Which proves the point, already well made ten years ago before the wane of SUVs, that the vast majority of SUV buyers, even the models with decent offroad ability, never step one tire off the pavement or the dirt parking lot at the beach or the slopes.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Ignore the fact that the guy driving the Defender doesn't know what he is doing and hasn't aired down his tires. The H1 with its much longer wheelbase and track has better control and traction in this situation.
That is the website for the off-road driving school we use. His course is incredible with a mix of man made and artificial terrain from mild all the way up to guaranteed body damage. We use his medium difficulty course which would be a struggle for most stock vehicles but is doable with most stock Land Rovers. The course looks wicked hard but with the proper guides and drivers who will pay attention to those guides you can get through with out breaking anything.
So far we have never had anyone cause damage to their car that a tech couldn't fix on site.
Their is one section on Bruce's most difficult course that as far as I know only a his D90 can go up. I think he calls it the steps of doom or some such funny name. They are large, high, 90 degree rock ledges almost exactly 90 inches apart so a vehicle needs to have around 90 inches of wheelbase plus insane approach and departure angles in order to go up the steps.
No H1 has ever been able to go up those steps because its suspension system is all wrong for that kind of terrain and the wheelbase is way too long.
A co-worker of my wife's has one ... my wife has commented that it would be the only Jeep she would consider owning.
I, personally, like the proportions. Yes, it's probably not quite as capable as the two door version when used off road, but I can see why Jeep would want to market it.
Might be fun as a toy, but to use every day, well ....
I read your remarks. My knee-jerk reaction was same as yours - go down to the Porsche store and get the fastest thing on the lot. But then the real CCB gene started to come out. If money were no object, then why limit yourself. Drive something different every week or every day for that matter, because the fact is that for a Chronic Car Buyer, no matter how much we like our current ride, we're always on the lookout for something better.
Oh, I'm with ya. Heck, I'd go buy a Cayman S and probably want to trade it within 2 months.
I don't know if I'd buy new at all.
But, man, the answers in that article were beyond lame. I just can't believe ANYONE thinks like that!
"Here's $6 mill. what are you gonna do now?" "... ummm.. buy a Nissan Altima" HUH??!!
I don't know ANYONE who thinks like that. Not even the most uninformed car buyer I can find in my personal life. I think the most extravagant car in that list may have been the Lexus LS460, and even that makes me yawn as I type it.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Buying a dealership is a heck of an idea for any of us CCB'ers. Not a new car dealership, mind you, but a very small used dealership. Just so I can get the credentials to go to auctions. Heck, I don't even know if I'd actually SELL any cars!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Nah we wouldn't buy it. We are part of a fairly large auto group and 300 million after taxes wouldn't come close to buying it. We could buy the individual dealership probably but I can't see anyone wanting to do that.
A couple of my co-workers would retire if not right away then within a few months. They are only a few years away from retirement age now so I am sure they would use this to speed up the process. I wouldn't but I would buy some rental properties as there are several for sale near my house.
The only car in that article that made any sense to me was the Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupe. But I agree with you, I'd probably be racing down to the Porsche store for whatever 911 struck my fancy. And/Or the bmw store. Don't think I'd be trading cars constantly, cuz hopefully whatever car(s) I bought would be blowing my mind (I'm a leftover from the late '60's).
I'd rather put the money I'd lose by trading constantly, into assembling a truly great "fleet" of some sort.....
Of course it all depends on "how much dough you get". I also like br's idea of *buying some rental properties*. (Being a landlord is great fun BTW, oh yeah, better than root canal even, but you can do it if you're young & motivated).
"I only buy 1 ticket and have had zero luck so far."
Another man using my method! I figure if I'm going to have the winner one ticket is all I need. So far it has only succeeded in minimizing my losses. I did win $120 for four out of six in the NJ lottery about 20 years ago....
Hey, if you'll buy me a $300 million Powerball I'll buy you a $200 million Mega Millions.....
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Oh, and I agree with the concept of buying the used car lot. I'm sure I;d at very least drive a different car every day if not one for the morning and another for the afternoon. High end of course. May have to hire british rover to manage the inventory.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I usually buy one lotto and one pwerball every so often, depending on how much cash I have in my pocket or if I'm getting change back. I hit 5 out of 6 on the CO lottery a few years back. I hit the first five numbers too, so the last one was a major letdown but I think I walked with close to $700 bucks, not a bad return.
If my numbers came up, I'd probably retire from my job (which I actually like, LOL) and concentrate on becoming a better golfer. My mission would be to play as many of the top 100 courses as I could.
As far as transportation goes, I'd want something for the summer (Porsche), something for the winter (Land Rover) and something to run around in (MB E-class diesel).
Wife would probably be happy in her VUE; if not, she's always liked the XC90.
Multiple houses would be a must (something here in Colorado, plus another where it's warm in the winter - Arizona, perhaps). Gotta take care of family, of course. Maybe some close friends.
I'd set aside about $10 million for all of this -- not that I think I'd use it all.
The rest would probably go into T-bills - yes, I know I could get more return, but I figure that if I can't live off of 4% of $80 million annually (hmmm, that's $1.2 million a year), then I have some real problems.
I'd want something for the summer (Porsche), something for the winter (Land Rover) and something to run around in (MB E-class diesel)
So far, I like your plan the best. But are you sure you wouldn't just buy 10 more Saturns? (Sorry! Just kidding, I swear!!).
The rest would probably go into T-bills
Gee, a month ago you could get @5% on T-bills, today it's 3.6% OTOH, the Muni bond market has been slammed, you can get 4.5% on very high grade Tax Free bonds. But I do like the concept of safety & income once you have $80 mil.....(based on my vast experience of having $80 mil).....
Have been busy while I was gone. I just came back from a 3 week trip with my best friend, we drove to Oregon and Idaho to pick up horses and bring them back to Alaska. Was a really fun trip, but I was glad to get home.
My Pilot is 5 weeks old and hasn't moved for 3 weeks. So the mileage has held steady at 2650. Hubby didn't see the point in driving it when the dually gets very close to the same fuel economy. He prefers his truck anyway.
michaell......Congrats on the new Vue! Least someone bought something while I was gone!!
I'd snap up the European classics I've always wanted- a Miura, a M1, and a 365 GTB/4, followed by some US special interest cars- a 1970 Boss 302, a 1971 Roadrunner 440, and a 1969 GTO Judge. As for modern iron, I'd have a B7 for my family sedan, a 911 for my daily driver, and an AEV 5.7 Hemi Wrangler for my SUV. As for my track car, I think I'd go with a Lotus Exige S.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The garage would have a new Bentley Continental Flying Spur sedan and a Bentley Continental GT convertible! And, I'd keep the 2006 Land Rover LR3 for everyday driving.
Other than that, life is good! :P
Mark
2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
Yugoslavia is a long way from Italy,..... and I don't mean in miles. I thought they had Ford Fiesta DNA ?
The point is moot with me anyway, I am one of those that never plays the lottery. I'm too cheap to even throw away a buck for a chance at a quarter million. :sick:
They were old Fiat factory tooling sold 'lock stock and barrel' and reloacted.
Hence the Italian heritage without the 'craftsmanship' of Fiat at the time. It was a bad car made worse by that transaction. Like a Bic lighter - after the first tank of gas ran out it was disposable.
To be a CCBA member hypothetically winning the lottery, I could only commit to what I would buy at first. I'd want a 69 or 71 Alfa 1750GTV (nicely restored but not perfect), a new Z4 coupe, a MB G-wagen (perhaps a CDI as a personal import?) and maybe the new Audi R8 as a toy. Who knows how many months that would keep me happy?
Speaking of four doors, LOL, I just read something in Autoweek about Porsche coming out with a 4 door sedan, the Panamera I think. Didn't they catch enough grief over their first 4 door, even though it was an SUV?
Comments
The Sandman
We've taken our TJ on 200-250 mile day trips with no complaints. The Sahara Edition seats are very comfortable and the only real downsides are the ambient noise level(it's a soft top) and lack of secure storage space. I originally bought the Jeep used in 2002 with the intention of selling it after a year or so, but I decided to keep it. It's been pretty reliable and very cheap to maintain.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The Sandman
Sounds like my son; at five years he managed to flip his Power Wheels Jeep trying to drive it up a stone retaining wall. The roll bar actually worked, BTW.
He's now almost 13 and thinks he's going to get to drive the Club Sport or the Mazdaspeed3 in a few years. Yeah, right... If my wife hangs on to her 2004 X3 that might make a good car to share with him; it's not all that fast and it would be pretty safe overall. My main concerns about teenager drivers are their lack of ability and the lack of adequate training- which is why I often instruct at and always promote the Street Survival program.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-honda-accord-1/
What do you guys think about the new 4-door model? Personally, I think it's awful. What were they thinking? Doesn't making the wheelbase that much longer defeat the whole purpose of the vehicle?
Which proves the point, already well made ten years ago before the wane of SUVs, that the vast majority of SUV buyers, even the models with decent offroad ability, never step one tire off the pavement or the dirt parking lot at the beach or the slopes.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It really depends on the situation, obstacle and terrain. In some cases a longer wheel base is better then a short wheelbase.
For example this video Shows that very concept.
Ignore the fact that the guy driving the Defender doesn't know what he is doing and hasn't aired down his tires. The H1 with its much longer wheelbase and track has better control and traction in this situation.
Conversely...
http://www.overlandexperts.com/
That is the website for the off-road driving school we use. His course is incredible with a mix of man made and artificial terrain from mild all the way up to guaranteed body damage. We use his medium difficulty course which would be a struggle for most stock vehicles but is doable with most stock Land Rovers. The course looks wicked hard but with the proper guides and drivers who will pay attention to those guides you can get through with out breaking anything.
So far we have never had anyone cause damage to their car that a tech couldn't fix on site.
Their is one section on Bruce's most difficult course that as far as I know only a his D90 can go up. I think he calls it the steps of doom or some such funny name. They are large, high, 90 degree rock ledges almost exactly 90 inches apart so a vehicle needs to have around 90 inches of wheelbase plus insane approach and departure angles in order to go up the steps.
No H1 has ever been able to go up those steps because its suspension system is all wrong for that kind of terrain and the wheelbase is way too long.
Stop by the Alternate Route to comment on our fantasy everyday rides!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I, personally, like the proportions. Yes, it's probably not quite as capable as the two door version when used off road, but I can see why Jeep would want to market it.
Might be fun as a toy, but to use every day, well ....
Funny thing is, I keep changing my mind .. I must be a true CCB'er.
I think we have won about a 100 bucks so far that was reinvested back into the pool.
I'll get another ticket for Saturday, since no one won last night and the projected prize amount should exceed $300 million.
If you guys won, would you buy the dealership?
I don't know if I'd buy new at all.
But, man, the answers in that article were beyond lame. I just can't believe ANYONE thinks like that!
"Here's $6 mill. what are you gonna do now?" "... ummm.. buy a Nissan Altima" HUH??!!
I don't know ANYONE who thinks like that. Not even the most uninformed car buyer I can find in my personal life. I think the most extravagant car in that list may have been the Lexus LS460, and even that makes me yawn as I type it.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Now THERE'S a man who is thinking!!
Buying a dealership is a heck of an idea for any of us CCB'ers. Not a new car dealership, mind you, but a very small used dealership. Just so I can get the credentials to go to auctions.
Heck, I don't even know if I'd actually SELL any cars!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
A couple of my co-workers would retire if not right away then within a few months. They are only a few years away from retirement age now so I am sure they would use this to speed up the process. I wouldn't but I would buy some rental properties as there are several for sale near my house.
I'd rather put the money I'd lose by trading constantly, into assembling a truly great "fleet" of some sort.....
Of course it all depends on "how much dough you get". I also like br's idea of *buying some rental properties*. (Being a landlord is great fun BTW, oh yeah, better than root canal even, but you can do it if you're young & motivated).
Another man using my method! I figure if I'm going to have the winner one ticket is all I need. So far it has only succeeded in minimizing my losses. I did win $120 for four out of six in the NJ lottery about 20 years ago....
Hey, if you'll buy me a $300 million Powerball I'll buy you a $200 million Mega Millions.....
As far as transportation goes, I'd want something for the summer (Porsche), something for the winter (Land Rover) and something to run around in (MB E-class diesel).
Wife would probably be happy in her VUE; if not, she's always liked the XC90.
Multiple houses would be a must (something here in Colorado, plus another where it's warm in the winter - Arizona, perhaps). Gotta take care of family, of course. Maybe some close friends.
I'd set aside about $10 million for all of this -- not that I think I'd use it all.
The rest would probably go into T-bills - yes, I know I could get more return, but I figure that if I can't live off of 4% of $80 million annually (hmmm, that's $1.2 million a year), then I have some real problems.
Really? See, even that one left my dry. I mean, ok, a CL ... maybe. But a CLK? eh.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Well as close to a driver's car as a Mercedes can be any way.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Ultimate cruiser but I think I would have get a XKR to compliment it.
So far, I like your plan the best. But are you sure you wouldn't just buy 10 more Saturns? (Sorry! Just kidding, I swear!!).
The rest would probably go into T-bills
Gee, a month ago you could get @5% on T-bills, today it's 3.6%
1% of $80mil is $800K, so 4% would be $3.2mil a year.
That works out to just under $9K a day in interest. Unless I'm Mark Cuban or Dan Snyder, I can't envision a lifestyle where I'm spending $9K a day.
My wife, OTOH, is a different story ... personal trainer, personal chef, housekeeper ... need I go on?
My Pilot is 5 weeks old and hasn't moved for 3 weeks. So the mileage has held steady at 2650. Hubby didn't see the point in driving it when the dually gets very close to the same fuel economy. He prefers his truck anyway.
michaell......Congrats on the new Vue! Least someone bought something while I was gone!!
You forgot to add driver to that list. If money were no object I don't know if my wife would ever climb behind the wheel again.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Lambourgini, Ferrari or Maserati. Anything that ends in a vowel would be fine.
A Lotus will be fine if I don't match the power ball.
I accidently ended up on the BMW 3 series lease question page earlier. Ended up doing some math in my head. Not a good idea.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.marathoncoach.com/
The garage would have a new Bentley Continental Flying Spur sedan and a Bentley Continental GT convertible! And, I'd keep the 2006 Land Rover LR3 for everyday driving.
Other than that, life is good! :P
Mark
The point is moot with me anyway, I am one of those that never plays the lottery. I'm too cheap to even throw away a buck for a chance at a quarter million. :sick:
As I understand it, if you take the cash option, you get approximately 37% of the prize value, after taxes. So, about $111 million take home.
The Yugo was a rebadged Fiat, hence the Italian ancestry.
Hence the Italian heritage without the 'craftsmanship' of Fiat at the time. It was a bad car made worse by that transaction. Like a Bic lighter - after the first tank of gas ran out it was disposable.
JR
Ah, a Yugo. That concept of a Fiat without that fine Italian quality control still sends shivers down teh spine.
FWIW, there's a few low-mileage E46 330Ci's in the Roundel this month, in the low to mid $20K's.....fortunately, none close to me.....
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 03 Montero Ltd
Have you driven one for a while on the highway no fun at all.
An older two door diesel Gwaggen would be pretty cool but I wouldn't bother with a newer 4 door one.