Average Lifespan of a Jeep xj

[95xjsport]

What is the average lifespan of an xj? mine has about 156000 miles, I cahnger the oil every 3k. How long would it last? what should I do to make it last. I love my jeep and never want to get rid of it... How many miles does everyone else have??

[JUSTJEEPS]

I have one with 297.000 on it and sold one recently with 220.000.

[ops5]

I've got 178,000 on mine, still running good

[scuba4321]

173k on mine , just keep the oil and other fluids changed and it should have some life still left in her!!

[gtmud]

I have an 88' with 217K and an 00' with 97K. Both still running well, regular maintenance will go a long way.

[95xjsport]

Thats good to know...

[Carlson327]

WARNING: long reply ahead.

Whenever I do repairs myself, or have them done by the shop, I try and think of it in terms of "payments" as if you had a vehicle the was 4 years old (out of warranty), yet you were still making payments. Given the high prices of new cars today, say at least $25K for a new vehicle, taking care of an older vehicle can seem appealing, especially when you own the vehicle and can do a lot of the maintenance work yourself. So payments nowadays are at least $350 for newer vehicles, give or take, and many people finance for 5 years. Given the model years discussed in this forum, I guess many here own their Jeeps outright. So by my rational, a $700 repair bill really only is equal to two months "payments" on a newer vehicle. And we are all aware of how much you save by doing repairs yourself.

Now, how long can you Jeep last? I say indefinitely...as long as you can find parts, and afford to have the work done, either by yourself or somebody else. Heck, I saw a new engine advertised for approx $800. Also, when I calculate how much I spend on repairs (trying to keep in mind that ever begging question "is it worth it?"), I don't necessarily include "normal" upkeep, i.e., tires, plugs, oil, etc., because you would have those repairs and replacements with any newer vehicle. I know BMW and Audi offer free maintenance for the first few years of ownership...but that's mostly a marketing ploy. I mean, how much is there to do in the first four years of a car's life? Usually, not much. Furthermore, most people accept the fact that a new car is the biggest loss of money out there, but they do it because of various reasons, i.e., dependability, status, etc. To each his own. The only way to even come close to getting your money out of a vehicle is to do what people do here, get advice from others and perform repairs themselves. I've saved a lot of money by the things I've learned from this forum. For instance, I just replace a blower resistor that cost me $20. To have it installed by the shop would have cost me at least $80.

Now, a lot of this response may seem like a lot of financial mumbo jumbo, but when you look at your "investement" into a vehicle, these are the things you have to consider, not only if the vehicle will run. You can keep it running for virtually ever. Look at those guys who restore vehicles from the '30s.

I have a '92 Cherokee with 159, 000 that I bought as a winter driver...but I have to admit, I've become attached to the thing and find myself wondering how long it will last...and then I put more $ into it whenever it needs it. You know you're banking on it when you buy four new tires for a vehicle with 159K, lol. I like driving it more sometimes than my 03 Dakota in the garage. I guess I've been bitten by the Jeep bug.

[95xjsport]

Thatsa good idea, New cars are too damn expensive, then you have the dreaded payments and you need full coverage on your vehicle. When you are 19, have a speeding ticket and an accident(not my fault) under your belt Insurance is way way to expensive... I have to drive about 30 miles a day, I need to afford gas, and other "toys" for my jeep, pay rent, utilities, and groceries. how in the hell would I pay for full coverage, especially working part time? it can't be done

[m000035]

Most "half well-designed" vehicles will last almost forever if properly taken car of. You either make payments on something that requires little to no maintenance or you “pay” for the maintenance on something with little to no payments.

Something I noticed a while back. Cars, as they age, get cheaper and cheaper to a certain point. Then they stay cheap, for a few years, then they start to get worth more the older they get. I know some of you are saying “No $h!t, what does that have to do with this?”

My idea is that you buy a nicer car or truck during its “cheap time.” Spending $1000 to 2000 to get one in good shape. Then spend another $1000 to 2000 to fix or replace all the normal wear items. Do what you need to make it reliable but DO NOT TRY AND RESTORE IT.* If you have a place to keep it, get one or two cheap “parts cars.” ($50-100 each.) Also BUY A MANUAL or two or three.

You end up with a reliable car (or truck) for $2000 to 4000. The best is that the longer you own it, the more it will be worth!

Mike

* Restoring a vehicle the using it as "a driver" is the quickest way to throw away several thousand(s) dollars.

[tonsoffuns]

My 86 , 4cl has 250,000 with not that much commretion, it wont start when hot in 2 months i put 500$ in to it for parts, did it all my self

[Carlson327]

Yep, I agree m000035. It's kind of funny when you see an old BMW 7 series going for a few thousand, and you know it sold for roughly $60K+ out the door new. There comes a point where it doesn't matter how nice of car it was, as in the BMW case, nobody will pay a lot of money for an old unreliable car. I was thinking of picking one up that's in good shape, just to get it in decent order for a daily driver...after I get that new metallic green paint job for the Jeep, of course. :-).

There are a lot of financial pundits out there that try and tell you when it's time to get rid of your vehicle. If you one who likes to drive a new vehicle every couple years, then you would try a different approach than someone who loves their vehicle (as our Jeep fans here do). Once your repair bills ("payments") exceed your cost of new vehicle payments, then I suppose it's time to think about it. But I think if you're doing a lot of the work yourself, then that day may never come.

[95xjsport]

I hope that day never comes, My jeep is like my kid... actually I think my girlfriend if jealous of my jeep lol She yelled at me, I spend too much time in the garage I should probably I should probably spend some time in the house huh? either that or get used to the couch... lol
Wait! how about a garage in the livingroom? that way I would be spending time with her in the house and my jeep... I don't think she would like the oil on the carpet... lol

[runuover]

Originally Posted by 95xjsport

I hope that day never comes, My jeep is like my kid... actually I think my girlfriend if jealous of my jeep lol She yelled at me, I spend too much time in the garage I should probably I should probably spend some time in the house huh? either that or get used to the couch... lol
Wait! how about a garage in the livingroom? that way I would be spending time with her in the house and my jeep... I don't think she would like the oil on the carpet... lol

thats a good idea i spend all my time on my weekand warrior.

[rebelqueen1985]

Originally Posted by 95xjsport

I hope that day never comes, My jeep is like my kid... actually I think my girlfriend if jealous of my jeep lol She yelled at me, I spend too much time in the garage I should probably I should probably spend some time in the house huh? either that or get used to the couch... lol
Wait! how about a garage in the livingroom? that way I would be spending time with her in the house and my jeep... I don't think she would like the oil on the carpet... lol

Thats a Shame your girlfriend yelled at you for being into cars, i think its an awsome thing, most guys today dont take an interest in cars or anything else for that matter, all they know is how to run it to a garage for the real mechanic to fix. as for your girlfriend if she really wanted to spend time with you she would have helped you in the garage or just hungout with you while you were doin your thing, like i did.

[mrbill3]

I agree. I bought an 89 XJ 2 yrs ago from a friend that was the original owner. He did all the usual maintenance (or should I say had it done). It had 144K on it at the time and now It has 168K and shows no signs of slowing down. I just put a 3" lift in it and I am now going to get new rims and tires as soon as I get it painted (later this year). My total repair bills for the 2 yrs other than usual maintenance items, the lift kit, and adding a cd changer, has been approx $300.00. This rig is a semi-daily driver. It shares time with my 87 BMW 325. It has 208K on it and I have owned it for 4 years. Total repair costs $700.00. The only thing I haven't fixed on it is the AC. It needs a new copressor and due to it's age would have to be converted to the new refrigerant. I live in a place where I don't often need AC (by the beach in Central Cali). Besides when I do need AC, I just drive the Jeep!

I paid $2000 for the BMW and $1800 for the Jeep. So if you add it up I spent $3800 for two vehicles, have spent approx. $1000 in repairs and driven approx. 50K miles. If you throw in an extra $2000 for routine maintence for the 2 vehicles over the last 4 years my cost per mile includeing the purchase is $.14 per mile. If you take a new vehicle and drive it an average of 15K miles per year and have a payment of $350 per month your average per mile would be $.28 per mile with out any up-keep or repairs. If you add in the same $2000 in up-keep for the 4 years that brings the cost to $.31 per mile without any repairs. I'll keep my inexpensive, efficent, reliable, and fun vehicles any day!!!