I could have my dream car, a TJ, at $4000. I needed a car. I had only $4k to spend. I didn’t want to go through a dealer and get fucked. I made the right call.
You made a rash impulse purchase from a private seller and got "fucked" as you put it in the end any way...
The whole reason you came to the forum was for advice. You listened on one vehicle then threw all of that advice out the window and purchased a worse vehicle.
We all know what it's like to want something badly... As a matter of fact I did that to myself about 12 years ago when I purchased a 2006 dodge diesel... I liked the color and the model so much I rushed right in and said.... "Gotta have it!!!"
Buyers remorse set in after owning it for about 6 months when all the little things that had been hidden by the PO started coming to light.. If I had taken my time and looked it over well enough I could have seen the problems for what they were. But I was SO IN LOVE with the truck, I ended up being about $6000 upside down on that truck 2 years later when I traded it in on a new Truck! We
Live and Learn every day of our lives.
When I decided I wanted to get another Jeep I promised myself I was going to take my time and get something worth owning and building. It took a lot of patience not just jumping on the first Jeep that was close to the price I wanted to pay. I don't make a lot of money and I want to make sure I spend my money the best way I can.
I found my 2000 TJ Sahara a year ago listed for $4000.00 on FB Marketplace Drove across Idaho to look at it after talking with the PO. Once I looked it over test drove it I came back with an offer of $3500 he countered with $3800, done deal!!! Was it in pristine condition? No, but it has a 4.0l 5 spd, dana 44 rear end and 3.73 gears. The body has a few flaws but nothing body armor wont cover up.
The point I am trying to make is the first step you need to take is to realize the situation you're in and come to terms with it...
There is a really good possibility you will not be able to sell your Jeep for the amount of money you are wanting to get out of it. SO you might need to settle for something better on gas, and insurance while you save up more money to be able to buy a vehicle that you want. I have seen people go out and spend $1000 or less on a not so old "beater mobile" and it runs great last's for ever, and they can then save money to buy their dream car!!
I know you fell in love with a Mazda Miata and need $5000 for it and still owe $2200, but being realistic, that means you need to sell the Jeep for $7200, and you admitted to only paying $4000 for it with payments and no interest. That tells me you already know it's only worth $4000 (and that's being generous) with a Salvaged/Rebuilt title. How can you honestly expect that any would buy something at what would be considered a high price for that Jeep
if it had a
clean title.
I got it for $4000 with payments with no interest. It was a good deal. Came with studded tires, a warrenty, etc. Totally worked out. Too bad I fell in love with another car