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Approaching 90K...when to throw in the towel?

12K views 55 replies 44 participants last post by  tfranzone 
#1 ·
Looking for some input from the folks here who know these WKs well and probably have had a lot my experience than me. I say that because I've never owned a car with this many miles that I spent more than a couple Gs on.

So I'm quickly approaching 90K on my Jeep. I purchased it in May 2010 with 70K. I've had to spend the following on my car since purchase:

$180 - new HVAC controls (bulbs burnt out)
$120 - TC, diffs fluid change
$140 - Tranny fluid change
$30 - new PCV
$60 - new EGR
$205 - fix trans cooler line leak
$340 - new brakes/rotors for either front or rear (can't remember)
$590 - new PS pump and resevoir

I'm cool with the costs for maintainence (fluids, PCV, EGR) because theoretically they are prolonging the life of my vehicle.

Also cool with the brakes because I realize all cars need new brakes at some point.

What I would consider WK specific costs and consequently am not cool with are the others (PS, HVAC, tranny line). Do I think the cost of these three is exorbitant or other cars don't have similar problems? No, not at all. I ask because my suspension is going to need some attention come Spring and I can see myself throwing some money into that.

What am I after, basically, is some input based on the known problems for WKs and their trade-in/sale value, when do you cut your losses with fixes and move on? Sure, if you've got the money you could just pay, but I'm more interested in hearing logic on IN GENERAL (keeping WKs in mind) when it no longer becomes EFFICIENT to upkeep a car.

Thanks.
 
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#5 ·
I always figure about 1000 will be spent within the first year of buying a used car on little things that need to be fixed. That doesn't include general maintenance that needs to be done. So, in my eyes, you haven't really over spent in the time you have owned the Jeep.

If you just want something different, then find something else you like better. But I wouldn't consider the items you have spent money on as a reason to dump the Jeep for something different.

According to the online books, my Jeep (07 Hemi with 88k with every option) should have somewhere around 15k trade in. I don't know what your Jeep has or its condition, but I would figure 10-12k for trade in on an 05 with 90k, depending on where you take it.
 
#6 ·
If you are making payments and fixing broken stuff i can see why you would be frustrated. I was there with my old dodge dakota. One of the reasons why i try not to finance vehicles more than 2 years old. That keeps the value, miles, and probability of breakdowns lower while getting screwed for that monthly $$$.
 
#10 ·
Have 120K on a 05 limited Hemi.
Have had minimal issues less the $1,000 in repairs other then maint. Never liked the the way the trans/torque conventer hooked up at low speeds. With that said runs well as ever and hope to get 150K before I get a 2014.
 
#12 ·
I just hit 100,000 a couple weeks ago. I've put just shy of 20,000 miles on the Jeep since I purchased it 2 years ago. Thankfully, I haven't had to pay for anything except oil changes.

I plan on keeping the Jeep forever. It will become a 3rd vehicle eventually, and just be used for fun. So, sky's the limit I suppose.
 
#16 ·
Holy cow i've had new cars that burned more oil than that.

Really though, for daily drivers I usually buy stuff with 100-140k that has already had the first round of break-in repairs done. You really see what a car is made of after it's changed hands a couple times. Of course this carries risk as many folks ignore basic maintenance. My last WK needed suspension work when I got it. $300 for Bilsteins, $150 for a control arm and $150 for some bushings and an alignment. Voila, drove like new. My current WK blew the a/c evaporator last week. That'll run me about $400 and a weekend of my time. Of course I kind of enjoy challenges.

I will say if you don't like to work on cars... Maybe just buy a Honda Civic, drive it til a wheel falls off, crumple it up and crack open another one.

These Jeeps are pretty stout. Stuff wears out and breaks in kind of an odd fashion, but I have found that parts approach the cost of dirt compared to similar vehicles (4Runner, X5, Land Rover).
 
#14 ·
Really man, that is not bad. I had an '01 BMW X5 that between 130-150K miles I probably spent over $12K in repairs - that did not include regular maintenance. BUT I LOVED IT!! :D

Gave it away at 213K miles.
 
#31 ·
Easy fix, as the tick is sticking MDS lifters. IF you don't have a catch can this will happen more quickly. Run 1/2 can of seafoam in the crankcase for 100 miles just before changing the oil, and one tankful of gas with seafoam. That did the trick, my Hemi has 80k, no ticking at all and runs much faster and smoother than new by doing this, and then adding the MM 85 TB, and Apexi voltage stablizer. IF you have no CC, you must clean the TB to make it run good, also change out the EGR and MAP sensor, which are both cheap and about a 20 minute job each.
 
#23 ·
'06 Limited (HEMI) here, had it from new, needed transmission lines at 75,000 and brakes at about 60,000. Catalytic convertor started rattling at 77,000, got it replaced under warranty. The heater groans when switching modes, and the nav radio display cuts out at times, and the drivers leather seat needs a seatcover repair ($200) . IMO these are minor problems, I have about 12 payments left I am contemplating trading it for a new HEMI jeep or adding on to this one with new springs/shocks and catback system. My thinking is if I can pay this off and it is still in good shape (right now it looks almost new and is an absolute beast when you step on the loud pedal) I can get a "fun" type car like a Challenger or maybe a late model Vette or Trans Am and still have the HEMI Jeep for winter and hunting.
 
#29 ·
That's the spirit.

I have 128k on my 05' 4.7L.

The biggest thing I've had to do so far is replace the driver side exhaust manifold (terrible, terrible design there).

Also, at about 110k the damn transmission fluid filter just slipped and it felt like my transmission had just blown up. Fortunately that was literally a $100 fix and most of that was on fresh ATF.

I drive 100s of miles a week for work and I'm in the process of getting a new car so I can stop racking up miles on this sucker...it's going to become my beach rig soon.
 
#32 ·
This is a little late but I want to put this in here for anyone else that reads it.

I've been seeing lots of 4.7L engines at the wreck yard recently in various vehicles and there are handfuls of them that have some obvious sludge problems when my buddy and I have been pulling parts for other vehicles at his shop. Not all, but a lot of them. He's heard lots of reports of second and third hand 4.7L vehicles having engine problems mainly from NOT CHANGING THE DAMN OIL.

CHANGE IT. Every damn time. Don't miss it or put it off. I know most everyone on these online forums probably keeps up with their vehicles no problem but this engine seems to be very finicky about sludge build up. Fresh oil. Fresh oil. Fresh oil.

All it takes.

I'm going to take my jeep to 250k one day. Seriously.
 
#33 ·
You've got about $800 in repairs. Now ask yourself, how long will you go before you have other repairs? For the sake of argument let's say 6 months. That's $133/ month that's added to your loan payment. Can you get a vehicle that you like better for less money?
 
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