Neuner
Observer
The appeal of owning a newer, nicer, more reliable vehicle is enticing however for some there is the draw for the older vehicle because it's paid off and if anything drastic happens to it, there's less worry. I purchase slightly used and then run them until they are almost worthless. My exception was the purchase of a CJ7 but that's a whole different world that doesn't make sense most of the time but I love it.
Even if they were the same age, price, etc, I'd be drawn to the Jeep for most of the reasons you've mentioned BUT all of the things that can sometimes make them fun can become annoying over time. If you're looking to use it with the top off then when? If you're using a hard top, they can be heavy and take up space to store. You'll have to keep a soft top or emergency top with you in case of inclement weather, heat, etc. A softtop is not as secure just like any softtop convertible but it's what you would want to take with you for the scenic offroad trips. If you have overhead /roof storage for that same trip, how fun is topless going to be? People do all of these things all the time but I think you need to figure out how you will use it and if it makes sense for the way you want to use it, especially on trips.
Typically I look at cost and do a line item by line item comparison to see which one makes more sense when totaled up. What's the cost difference between the gas usage, depreciation, cost of loan, cost of vehicle vs repairs (if you hire a shop to do it to save your valuable free time). It's been a good aid in my decision for when it's time to give up and move onto the next. The older vehicle may get less gas mileage but once you figure up the cost of the loan, the money to modify the new to your liking, etc., it may not seem so bad.
I absolutely love my CJ, and I know it's a much rougher bare bone version of a JKU but it really sucks when you get caught in a freak storm without your doors or top, afraid to leave it unattended some place without a top wondering how many more secure compartments you need to install so nothing is stolen, or you have to wear ear plugs due to the noise from the semi's and other large vehicles passing you so you don't go deaf because no-doors = MUCH louder than any convertible.
Even if they were the same age, price, etc, I'd be drawn to the Jeep for most of the reasons you've mentioned BUT all of the things that can sometimes make them fun can become annoying over time. If you're looking to use it with the top off then when? If you're using a hard top, they can be heavy and take up space to store. You'll have to keep a soft top or emergency top with you in case of inclement weather, heat, etc. A softtop is not as secure just like any softtop convertible but it's what you would want to take with you for the scenic offroad trips. If you have overhead /roof storage for that same trip, how fun is topless going to be? People do all of these things all the time but I think you need to figure out how you will use it and if it makes sense for the way you want to use it, especially on trips.
Typically I look at cost and do a line item by line item comparison to see which one makes more sense when totaled up. What's the cost difference between the gas usage, depreciation, cost of loan, cost of vehicle vs repairs (if you hire a shop to do it to save your valuable free time). It's been a good aid in my decision for when it's time to give up and move onto the next. The older vehicle may get less gas mileage but once you figure up the cost of the loan, the money to modify the new to your liking, etc., it may not seem so bad.
I absolutely love my CJ, and I know it's a much rougher bare bone version of a JKU but it really sucks when you get caught in a freak storm without your doors or top, afraid to leave it unattended some place without a top wondering how many more secure compartments you need to install so nothing is stolen, or you have to wear ear plugs due to the noise from the semi's and other large vehicles passing you so you don't go deaf because no-doors = MUCH louder than any convertible.
