Vehicle decisions

[Bug out 1]

Im currently driving a 2006 power wagon rolling new 35" ridge grapplers. This is my second power wagon and I love everything about them except the MPG. Iv had several past vehicles from S10's (ZR2 and regular), Tacoma, XJ, Commander, ZJ, Tahoe, broncos, the list goes on. My favorite was the LJ . The LJ really was an awesome vehicle but lack of space and inconvenience of only two doors was a pain for my son getting in and out and loading stuff, so I doubt i get another LJ.

Iv been pondering getting a ZJ. Iv found several within a 4hr trip with decently low miles. Some mildly built, others bone stock, all for under $6000, most around $3000.

My dilemma is weather to sink $7000 into the power wagon building it up to how I need it and still have terrible gas mileage, and id have over $20k invested, or sell it and get an inexpensive jeep. I know people say jeeps brake down, but i know how to work on them, I know what to look for, and it would be a third of the cost and slightly better gas milage, but I love the room in the power wagon and if i buy a boat i doubt i could pull it with the ZJ.

Id love to have both but my wife would kill me because Im also talking about buying a boat and i just bought a brand new Zero turn mower. Id rather have a wife, one vehicle and a boat Vs 2 vehicles. LOL

 

[Jedi]

At the end of the day, putting another $7,000 into a vehicle that, in all honesty, you don't really love seems like a bad investment. If you are skilled in wrenching on a Jeep, want a Jeep, and a Jeep is in your financial means... go with what you love. As for towing a boat, it will depend on the size you are looking at.

 

[Bug out 1]

You are correct. I love the power wagon, but im not in love with it.

As far as the boat - I want as big of a boat that i can tow with whatever my current vehicle is.
22' bay boat would be nice

 

[Saints&Sailors]

Some thoughts:

• The difference in gas mileage will be negligible when you're talking about cost-benefit analysis.
• While I will readily admit that Jeeps do have a plethora of mechanical issues, I'm not convinced that Dodge is really any better - they are the same manufacturer after all.
• Buying someone else's already built rig sometimes means you're just buying their problems. This is important if you need to drive your vehicle to work.
• ZJs stopped being built in 1998. Coming from someone with a 2000MY Jeep, you're going to have a lot of age-related problems/repairs. It's inevitable. Your Power Wagon is going to be at least 8 years newer (and likely far fewer miles).

Lastly, given that you want a boat, your best bet is going to be the vehicle you already own (i.e. the Power Wagon).

 

[Bug out 1]

Yeah, I guess I'm just worried about constantly having to fill up gas while on expeditions, and my dodge has 143k miles and the jeeps I'm looking at have between 70k and 120k. I also worry the wagon may be to big for the trails I want to explore. Also the final investment once fully e equipped of $20k plus for the power wagon vs $10k max for the zj is on my mind. I guess I was hoping to hear from owners of both to hear there opinions of why they like or dislike there vehicle for exploration.