Jeep Commano - glutton for punishment?

[ampersat]

Let me preface this discussion by saying that I bought a '97 Dodge Dakota 318 earlier this year and I commute 40 miles for work every day. At 15mpg, it's killing me. I'm racked with guilt every day driving the Dakota; I'm the only person in it and 95% of the time I don't need the size or power that it has. With the increased gas consumption, higher insurance and car payments, it's really putting a damper on our finances. I have to have a tow rig for the boat and I refuse to put a hitch on the wife's SUV. We're also going to be having kid(s) soon (I hope) and I need something I can put baby seats in for those times when I'll be hauling the kid(s) somewhere.

So there's a Jeep Commando sitting around the corner from my house. I look at it every time I drive that way. Here's an example of what it looks like:

I like the idea that it's a hard top convertible. I have it in my head that I want some kind of convertible in my life and whatever convertible I got I would keep for the rest of my life. On the other hand, it's sitting on two flat tires, is pretty well thrashed from one end to the other and hasn't been registered since 2000. Overall, it's not bad but there's some rust here and there, seals that would have to be replaced and the interior is a shambles. I have no idea what's wrong with it nor do I have a garage to put it in so I can work on it. From a driveline perspective, the engine and transmission are easily replaceable with newer, more standard plants. The body and interior are fluff and can be upgraded as needed after the mechanical stuff is taken care of. I'm no stranger to car repair and have friends that could help with dropping in a new engine and tranny if needed.

The idea is that I sell the gas hog truck, get a sport sedan that gets more respectable gas mileage and get the Jeep for towing. After all, most of my driving is to and from work. Fishing trips only happen on the weekends and vacation days anyway.

So here I sit. The drifter restoration isn't even complete yet. I have all sorts of projects around the house to deal with. And I'm thinking of taking on a project car. Am I insane? Am I just a glutton for punishment? Is this a massively bad idea? Or should I go for it? I haven't asked about buying it and they may not even want to sell it. I wouldn't pay more than $1k for it if I could buy it.

The mileage with the jeep probably will be the same as your truck. I would recommend keeping your truck and buying an older small car to use for the work commute. Jeeps don't make good tow rigs either.

[ 12-13-2003, 10:50 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[Silver Hilton]

You like working on things more than fishing?

The older rig will not be as clean burning as your current rig. Gas mileage certainly won't be any better. Parts will be a pain. It'll need to be tuned up more often than a modern rig. The heater and a/c will be funkier. You'll make more noise going down the road. Electrical problems will haunt your sleep. A nice stereo will be but a pleasant memory. Wind sheild wiper blades will be harder to get. A spring will appear through the seat three days after you purchase the car, just after your check clears.

But you'd look cooler at the river.

I guess I've had my fill of older funky vehicles.

[tphoneman]

The $ and time to make the jeepster into a reliable commute and tow vehicle will be several thousands more then a four to five thousand commute car. Even with the added cost of insurance for a third commute rig you'll be money ahead to stay away from the jeepster. I have rebuilt many jeeps including the older flat-fenders, pick-ups, and hi-boys. I must admit I always found a good excuse to buy and restore these rigs....but it took me years to figure out that it was just my ego wanting something "different". Hard lesson when young and kids to feed.

[salmurai]

I've only known a couple of people with jeepsters. They were both sorry about having them. One guy told me, his wouldn't even tow it's own shadow. Save your money and time and keep the rig you have and go fishing or if need be, trade for a smaller, lighter rig that will still tow the boat, and then go fishing. Good Luck......A lousy fishing rod is always more fun than the best wrench!

[ampersat]

Her rig is a Mercury Mountaineer. It would easily tow my drifter. However, I'd be worried about it getting broken into or damaged at the ramp and getting stinky and messy from all the fishing folks climbing in and out of it.

All things considered, I'll probably just sell the Dakota and get a Subaru Outback, the car I should've gotten in the first place. The drifter weighs next to nothing so I could tow it with almost anything. Today I lifted one back corner of the boat and trailer, wheel completely off the ground, by myself and didn't hurt my back. However, I won't own a vehicle that doesn't do 4x4 in some way, especially for getting the drifter into and out of some of our fine ramps and especially when it's below freezing out.

Thanks for the input. I thought it was a crazy idea, and now I'm sure of it.

[1pump]

Am I insane? Am I just a glutton for punishment? Is this a massively bad idea?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Probably not (because you asked for an opinion), probably (because you asked for our opinion , and definitely (an understatement).


You didn't mention what year or which engine the Jeep has. Some of those older Jeeps were powered by flathead six-cylinders and geared for about 50mph flat-out. If you wanted a toy to screw around with, fine. Absolutely miserable as a daily driver. And it won't be any more economical than you Dakota.
What kind of SUV does the wife have? Just curious why you can't tow with it.

[ 12-13-2003, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]