To sell or not to sell? - Family addition

[JJonesee]

The proverbial keep it or buy it question.  To preface the question, I will give a bit of history.  I have wheeled and built several jeeps now.  Anything from libertys, cherokees, CJ's, wagoner's, Grands, etc..  One way or another I have lived this hobby my entire life.  I had a 98 TJ, and built it to a trailer queen.  I longed for the open road so I sold it and bought a 1982 Scrambler.  Decided the Scrambler was too nice to cut up, so I bought a 2006 Rubicon Unlimited.  Over the years I have built a great expedition rig out of it, including matching trailer.  We have driven it and enjoyed it, but we carpool, so it sits in the garage.

To be clear I still own (3) 1982 scramblers, including a heavily modified rock crawler that is 98% complete.  It will be a 5+ rig on 42's with full family cage and seating.  I already have a tow rig for its trailering duty.  So in no way am I getting out of this hobby. Yes,  I have relocated all of this junk several times now following my career. 

Well we decided we were not going to let moving around the planet stop us from procreating, and we are expecting.  With my job there is always a move option, and the only certaininty in our lives is we will be having a baby boy in October.

I am more than happy with my LJ, and I would argue its built well and proven for its design.  Since I had plenty of experience building other rigs, I knew the direction I was going and stayed the course.  However we are contemplating the new addition, and ingress/egress issues.

So now the options:

(1) Sell it - upgrade to a newer 4 door  (I dont know what to ask, but its crazy what jeeps sell for.  It is low km's, upgrades, and rarity will help it sell.)  I will hate myself for this.
(2) Keep it as is - deal with the seat sliders and climbing into the back to buckle Jr. in.  (Technically jeep owners have done this for 60+ years)
(3) Keep it as is - wheel it expo style.  Collect it with the rest of the long jeeps I own. Buy a cheap family car.  (Adds to insurance cost)
(4) Keep it, build it, you have gone this far, dont turn back.  (Hi Fenders, Hemi, etc..) Two high end off road vehicals are better than one.

2006 Rubicon Unlimited
- 4.0L
- Auto
- Every Factory option
- Rubicon Express double flex arms
- Adjustible Coil Over Spacers
- Old Man Emu Shocks
- 100K
- ARB/9000Warn
- Shrockworks Rear
- Gen Right Rockers
- Heated Seats
- Custom Rear rack
- Dual tops
- Full skid plates
- Matching M-100 Trailer
List goes on and on..

Thoughts?

[w squared]

First, I like the LJ and trailer combo. Very clean, and built for a specific purpose. When I say what I'm gonna say, please don't take it as pessimism or trying to cut you down.

If you hate yourself for selling your LJ, you will hate it even more when you realize how little it sells for. Muffintop and Gearhead have recently sold very impressive rigs in Calgary, and the buyers got great deals. Not so much for the sellers when you factor in the cost of aftermarket parts, mods, and labour. Expect that you will get the blue book value, plus MAYBE 20 cents on the dollar for your upgrades. The guys that want to buy modified rigs want to but rigs that are modified more than your LJ.

It sounds like you already have a "serious" rig and a tow rig to go with it....so if I understand this, you're looking for a rig that is comfortable and streetable while still maintaing some reasonable offroad capability - and preferably better access to the back seat?

 In order to get what you want, you'd probably start with a JK Unlimited Rubicon, and then add the following:
-Levelling kit (or OME frankenlift, or AEV kit)
-Front and rear bumpers
-Winch

What you'll end up with will not have the same breakover angle as the LJ, and will not be as handy on really tight trails, but will probably outperform it in most other aspects. The 2012's have a new engine which adresses the biggest issue the JK's have had. Just be preapred for the JK hate that folks love to dish out 

[esi]

Keep it and buy a Z/WJ.
4 doors
easy wipe leather seating
V8
can tow things
no IFS
build it up later too.
relatively cheap for what you get

con:  unibody

[cLAY]

Try it then decide. No need to rush into something just because a baby is on the way(BTW:  CONGRATS!!!!).  Have the baby, install the car seat and if you decide that you just cannt stand it after a month ot two then go looking for a four door.

[ornamental]

congrats!
i vote keep it!   baby bucket for a year is not that bad,  in a regualr TJ anyways.   between 12 and 24 months it might be a minor pain.   after 24 months old the kid will want to climb in himself. all good after that     

"honey we cant buy all that baby crap cause we cant get it home"  hahahaha.

what you really need to consider is if you want to sell me a CJ8.   Dave

[JJonesee]

First, I like the LJ and trailer combo. Very clean, and built for a specific purpose. When I say what I'm gonna say, please don't take it as pessimism or trying to cut you down.

If you hate yourself for selling your LJ, you will hate it even more when you realize how little it sells for. Muffintop and Gearhead have recently sold very impressive rigs in Calgary, and the buyers got great deals. Not so much for the sellers when you factor in the cost of aftermarket parts, mods, and labour. Expect that you will get the blue book value, plus MAYBE 20 cents on the dollar for your upgrades. The guys that want to buy modified rigs want to but rigs that are modified more than your LJ.

It sounds like you already have a "serious" rig and a tow rig to go with it....so if I understand this, you're looking for a rig that is comfortable and streetable while still maintaing some reasonable offroad capability - and preferably better access to the back seat?

 In order to get what you want, you'd probably start with a JK Unlimited Rubicon, and then add the following:
-Levelling kit (or OME frankenlift, or AEV kit)
-Front and rear bumpers
-Winch

What you'll end up with will not have the same breakover angle as the LJ, and will not be as handy on really tight trails, but will probably outperform it in most other aspects. The 2012's have a new engine which adresses the biggest issue the JK's have had. Just be preapred for the JK hate that folks love to dish out 

No offense taken.  I am well aware of building and selling.  Just this time I built it the way I want, and couldn't be happier. Before I sold when I reached a point it was easier to start over than to turn the project around. As for price, while it may seem low here, its even lower in Texas.  Trust me, if you ever want to feel bad Ill show you some of my build sheets, and what I sold for..  You dont win at this game, the only thing I dont track is my time.

Im leaning to keep it.  Mainly since I cant get myself to drive a JK.  I just noticed today that the tub doesn't even say "Jeep" anymore.  Wth... I may keep looking for a wrecked diesel grand and save pennies for a swap..

I just thought I would get the opinion of those with TJ's and kids. Before I do something dumb.

[w squared]

If you (and more importantly your wife) can live with the car seat in the LJ, then that route makes WAY more financial sense. No question.

What part of Texas are you in? I'm headed for Houston shortly.

[JJonesee]

Im from Houston, but I live in Calgary. 

LJ is in Calgary, and worth more here than if I relocate back to Houston and try to sell.

[BUKI]

Me and my wife had our first (and sadly) only baby almost 1 year ago July 22.  I have a YJ 4" lift on 33s.  Roman is still in a bucket seat and I pop him in and out no issues.  You have an LJ.  Thats going to be my next Jeep (more room).  I don't see the hate on selling it though as you already
 

To be clear I still own (3) 1982 scramblers, including a heavily modified rock crawler that is 98% complete.  It will be a 5+ rig on 42's with full family cage and seating.

own 3 Jeeps.  Sell it, COMPLETE the rig and maybe take your son to Disneyland/Education fund.  Practicality has to come into play at some point (but for me an LJ is practical)  I can see how your sitting on the fence . SOOO maybe let your wife decide   (maybe brownie points for BIGGER and BETTER things)