Wrangler Pocket

1995 Jeep Wrangler S or 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S?

my mom is giving me her 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S (about 40k miles) for free i can either keep it and put spoiler, air pocket, paint job, etc. or sell it and purchase a 1995 Jeep Wrangler S i have pic of the one im looking at, (160k miles) which comes lifted with a wheelbase of 93.4 which i will most likely go off roading with help me pick one please. http://consumerguide.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=39721321&listingRecNum=80&criteria=sf1Dir%3DASC%26alMdId%3D22306%26mkId%3D20021%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D22306%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D01027%26rn%3D50%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26alMkId%3D20021%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=cg

That is a tough call. As much as I love Jeeps and hate imports, I’d have to say that the Nissan would definitely be more efficient and reliable transportation (let’s face it, you have to get to work and or school everyday regardless of what you drive, right?). At that age and mileage, the Jeep may not be as reliable. You really don’t know how the previous owner took care of it (or beat on it). I’m concerned about the one pic in the center, of the passenger side rear. The side window doesn’t seem to be secured all the way. If the top needs to be replaced, you’re looking probably $400+ Also, being a soft top, anybody with a knife can get into it (sure, they could just unzip the window too…but thieves always cut convertible tops…even if the doors are unlocked). Depending on where you park it, you’ll have to be careful about what you leave inside. I have some lockable storage in my Jeep, but not everything fits. And don’t let the 4 cylinder fool you…(or the lie of 19/20mpg) that Jeep is going to eat some gas! It probably won’t be much fun to run at highway speed, which is good because being lifted with big tires you will definitely have to respect its rollover potential.

Having said all that…it’s still a Jeep and way cooler than any rice burner. It really depends on what you want it to do to make you happy.

In an ideal world, you could use the Nissan as your daily driver and the Jeep as a toy/chick magnet. I’m guessing that’s not in your budget.

Here’s another option: I just ran the Nissan through kbb.com (guessing on a few options) and got a trade in value of over $8000. If you sold it yourself, kbb suggests you could get about $10,000. That would put you in the market for a newer, more reliable Jeep (or keep enough money in your pocket to maintain the 95).

I think my advice for now is to drive the Nissan for a while (since it’s not costing you anything, right?) and shop around. Test drive that Jeep, but don’t jump right into anything right away. Who knows, you may drive it and not like it. Test drive a newer one too, a TJ (97-06). Just don’t be hasty.

Good luck!

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