If you’re looking for a rugged vehicle that can go anywhere anytime, the name of Jeep pops out as one of the most reliable vehicles. Jeep checks all the boxes when it comes to reliability, durability, and maneuverability.
From SUVs, trucks, to minivans, Jeep has grown in popularity over the years. But is buying a Jeep the right decision for you? Are Jeeps expensive to maintain in the long run?
All these questions and more will be answered in this article. So, keep on reading.
Are Jeeps Expensive to Maintain?
There’s a misconception that Jeeps are expensive to maintain. But this is not true. The average cost of maintaining a Jeep wrangler is about $650 per year compared to an average of $631 for most vehicles.
Given that a Jeep is designed to explore the most challenging terrains and trails, this difference in cost doesn’t represent a significant increase. While an SUV is suitable for daily commutes in the city, and will cost less to maintain than a Jeep, it won’t be able to tackle the same destinations.
Your Jeep works perfectly in off-road conditions, but there’s a higher chance of something breaking if you’re pushing your car too far. This is probably why the Jeep got a reputation as an expensive car to maintain. However, this chance is non-existent in other vehicles that you wouldn’t consider taking off the road.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Maintaining a Jeep?
Due to the expected performance in several challenging conditions, the overall cost of maintaining a Jeep in 10 years can mount up to $10,397, which is more than the average maintenance cost of maintaining an SUV over the same period.
During the first few years of owning your Jeep, you won’t feel a difference because the car is reliable and well-built. However, every time you push it a little further, there will be a greater chance of something breaking down.
The overall cost of maintaining your Jeep over 10 years includes the probability of a major repair that is called for because of the challenging driving conditions you expose your vehicle to. However, if you’re mainly using your Jeep in the city for on-road driving and occasionally explore some light trails, the average cost of maintaining your Jeep will be very close to the cost of maintaining any other vehicle.
As a car owner, you have a chance to lower this amount of money by shopping for car accessories and trying to do some of the maintenance work yourself. Knowing how to maintain your car can also come in handy when you’re off the road if something breaks down when you don’t have access to help.
How Well Does a Jeep Perform?
In the city, a Jeep Wrangler can be the perfect family ride. It’s reliable and well-built, so it will work for you if you need a vehicle that you can use in the city and off the road.
However, if you spend most of your time on highways, running errands, or simply cruising around town, a Jeep Wrangler might not be the right vehicle for you. This car has a slower acceleration compared to other city cars. In addition, the noisy cabin is another turnoff, especially if you’re driving around a busy town.
The cargo space of a Jeep Wrangler isn’t that impressive. Although there’s enough space for 5 people, the ride won’t be as comfortable. Most Jeep Wrangler owners invest in racks and trailers that allow them to enjoy bigger trunk space, so they can carry things of substantial size due to the limited space available in the vehicle.
Moreover, in the city, the car isn’t efficient when it comes to fuel economy. This means that running errands will involve more trips to the gas station, which eventually adds up to the cost of running your car.
All these points of weaknesses turn to strengths when you take your Jeep off the road. The slower acceleration provides more stability, and the limited space decreases the size of the vehicle for better maneuverability. The car consumes more fuel, but this also pushes the engine further on the most challenging trails.
The cabin allows you to engage with nature in several settings, providing easy and fast access when needed. Moreover, the soft top cover might not be the perfect one for speeding in the city or on a highway, but they definitely make the car suitable for off the road adventures.
You should consider buying a Jeep Wrangler if you need a car that can do both. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and spend most of your time exploring challenging trails, riding in the snow, or taking your car into a waterbody; then a Jeep will work for you. It won’t disappoint you when you’re running errands, taking the kids to school, or grabbing something from the local grocery store.
How Long Can a Jeep Last?
Thanks to its rugged design, a Jeep lasts between 10 to 15 years with amazing performance on and off the road. Of course, the more you push your vehicle, the more you need to pay attention to regular maintenance.
If you’re abusing your car, it might become more difficult to drive after the 10-year mark. But this doesn’t mean that it’s time to throw it away.
As a matter of fact, there are lots of people who are interested in fixing and restoring old Jeeps, so they might be interested in buying your car even if it’s not running. You can also work on restoring your Jeep as a fun project if you want to take your vintage Jeep on a ride.
Wrap Up
Jeeps get a reputation as money pits, but this is not entirely true. The average maintenance cost of a Jeep slightly exceeds that of another vehicle, especially if you don’t push it too far. The rise in the maintenance cost is related to major repairs that are likely to happen when you abuse your vehicle in the most challenging driving conditions.