Being "rich" and its parasitic problems

I would date to consider that most of us have had a very basic Jeep or two back in the day where we actually wrenched ourselves to repair, improve, and keep it going as long as we could on a shoestring budget. Looking at modern JLs and some of the people who drive them, I have no idea where they get the money or the inspiration to accessorize the way they do and I’d be hard pressed to call them a real Jeeper. But I’ll still wave, and have that convo if they want to talk Jeeps.
 
Rscx4 said:
I would date to consider that most of us have had a very basic Jeep or two back in the day where we actually wrenched ourselves to repair, improve, and keep it going as long as we could on a shoestring budget. Looking at modern JLs and some of the people who drive them, I have no idea where they get the money or the inspiration to accessorize the way they do and I’d be hard pressed to call them a real Jeeper. But I’ll still wave, and have that convo if they want to talk Jeeps.
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I always have trouble with the phrase "real Jeeper". Jeeps are king of unique in that they are like Swiss Army knives. They do so many things (things other vehicles just cannot).. No matter what we use it for, we're all Jeepers. Lots (maybe most) Jeep owners never really take them offroad, and that's OK (kind of a shame, though). They still do OK on the road, and you can take the top and doors off, and if you live in the snow belt, it's good insurance against a snowstorm....

I can appreciate those that don't use it exactly like I would.

I do kind of wish the soccer mom Jeep group in town would stop ducking my 20a every time I go out to dinner.
 
I think the most popular comments you find online/social media is in regards to the mall crawler. I appreciate the show and other just on road types for a couple of reasons.

- They help with a significant amount of purchases from vendors/manufacturers, this obviously helps drive competition and including price.
- I can't tell you around Vegas how many trails have little to no trail traffic, can you imagine all off road "capable" rigs, not just jeeps, in the hundreds of thousands all deciding to start off roading locally? LOL, trails would be a mess for sure.

The same goes with sportbikes, could you imagine all local track days, if every sportbike owner decide to buy the gear, prep the bike for tech, and head on out to their local track day?
 
guruman said:
I always have trouble with the phrase "real Jeeper". Jeeps are king of unique in that they are like Swiss Army knives. They do so many things (things other vehicles just cannot).. No matter what we use it for, we're all Jeepers. Lots (maybe most) Jeep owners never really take them offroad, and that's OK (kind of a shame, though). They still do OK on the road, and you can take the top and doors off, and if you live in the snow belt, it's good insurance against a snowstorm....

I can appreciate those that don't use it exactly like I would.

I do kind of wish the soccer mom Jeep group in town would stop ducking my 20a every time I go out to dinner.
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The point of my post was to contrast the “rich” (us supposedly) and the crowd (the real snoots) that would frown upon us. I appreciate anyone who takes the blank canvas of a Jeep and mods at their desire, just as I do for these little drifter cars even though I have zero interest in building one, it’s still amazing with the power some are making with DIY turbo set ups, I can respect this modern motorheadness. Keep in mind getting drunk once does not make you a drunkard, making a life of it does. Being a Jeeper is not a pay someone to bolt-on fad, it is a lifestyle.

As with the Beemer guy above, I ride a Ducati and get a similar treatment. 57 and have literally been riding for 52 years, dozens of bikes of all kinds, worked in an MC shop for a bit, raced motocross, flat track, SCORE, and the local strip; most wrenching on my own. Funny how the baby boomer with their factory built to spec Harley bagger rider thinks they are in some sort of special club, or a crotch-rocket kid that thinks I’m some sort of rich snot, and neither can return a biker salute. NP though, I’ll keep on saluting cause I am a real biker, and I may be one of the few that salutes scooters cause they are out there on two wheels having fun too.

Not rich here, just good decisions, and I’m done ranting. Now I need to go mount my CMM accessory mount and AlienGear holster (literally just arrived as I’m writing this) and plug in my Mobilistics relay that came yesterday and figure that thing out.
 
Haters going to hate. It is far easier to be jealous than to figure out away to get the things you desire.

My 392 was the most expensive vehicle I've ever bought. I spent most of my career lusting after cars but just never could pull the trigger even though I could easily afford it. I've just had different financial priorities so I've always drove decent, but cheaper cars.

Always liked Jeeps but wanted something with more power. When I saw the 392, it just spoke to me. I was nearing 50 and basically just said "fnck it", you only live once. Going to buy what I want and enjoy life. I've worked hard and been responsible all my life. Now I'm going to do something dumb and enjoy it, so I bought my 392.
 
Uncommon Sense said:
Haters going to hate. It is far easier to be jealous than to figure out away to get the things you desire.

My 392 was the most expensive vehicle I've ever bought. I spent most of my career lusting after cars but just never could pull the trigger even though I could easily afford it. I've just had different financial priorities so I've always drove decent, but cheaper cars.

Always liked Jeeps but wanted something with more power. When I saw the 392, it just spoke to me. I was nearing 50 and basically just said "fnck it", you only live once. Going to buy what I want and enjoy life. I've worked hard and been responsible all my life. Now I'm going to do something dumb and enjoy it, so I bought my 392.
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That's what I'm talking about! Same here... :cool:
 
Uncommon Sense said:
Always liked Jeeps but wanted something with more power. When I saw the 392, it just spoke to me. I was nearing 50 and basically just said "fnck it", you only live once. Going to buy what I want and enjoy life. I've worked hard and been responsible all my life. Now I'm going to do something dumb and enjoy it, so I bought my 392.
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That's me, too! But, I'm nearing 70 and realized my responsible life's savings is patiently waiting to outlive me so my heirs can, what, go out and buy a new car with my money? Eff that! Other than my house, I've never spent so much money on anything as on my 2024 392 but, hey, as they say, go big or go home!
 
Marry in the same group, wheel in the same group. Then you start to get into crazy HP
 
I didn't read through all of the posts but a stock 392 is the best way to get to a quick build. I have spent so much money on building Jeeps and making countless mistakes along the way. I laugh about how many axles combinations and transfer cases I went through in my TJ before I found my happy place with one tons and sticky 37's. (My friends all run 40's)

I bypassed al of the bullshit with my 2018 JKU Rubi by running the tires out and doing 35's with an AEV lift. Best and cleanest Jeep decision I have ever made even though it had a completely horrible motor.

The 392 has the motor. I hate the axles but that will be changed eventually.
 
KuntryRube said:
Hey guys. One day I was on a trail with my 392 when all I had on there were just 37s at the time. I was just enjoying my leisurely crawl passing people and they were all nice with the exception of one. One guy gave me a really dirty look as he was driving past me, like he didn't like that I had what I had. I could really feel his envy... That was over a year ago and I still remember it now.

I was going to attend a group meet with a whole bunch of other jeepers and we were going to do an all day long trail ride. I backed out last second because I looked at all the people who are going and they just look like normal people with normal jeeps but with the exception of me, who will stick out like a sore thumb. Only a few had mods. It was a mix of JKs, JLs, and a few TJs. I was the only one with a RTT, KC Titans, Baja stuff, racks, and a whole bunch of exterior stuff that really makes me stand out, like I'm some youtuber or someone that is heavily sponsored... I'm not.

I didn't want envious eyes on me and I didn't want to be judged. I can see why that one guy looked at me like he did. He was probably thinking, 'How does a young (35 yr) looking guy get a 392 when I worked my ass off and have a sport.' That one time really turned me off to going to any meet.

I thought I should share. We all have 392s here and I was wondering if anybody felt or even experienced what I just described. I feel excluded...
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Dude, screw the haters. There’s always one or two, but most people will like you for being a Jeep guy and enjoying Jeep life. Don’t let the few ruin a good time that you’re entitled to. Be proud of what you accomplished and your Jeep. And, if possible, kill these people with kindness. It usually makes them feel foolish.
 
If a fellow said to me, "Must be nice...", I think I'd interpret it as an oblique compliment by someone who did not know how else to give one except to resort to that handy cliche. And that's fine, so in that case I might respond to bridge the gap he sees between him and me by saying something unpretentious and that suggests I am no different than him except for circumstances that could befall anyone. That's how I try to defuse possible friction.

Or, he could respond like a fellow did years ago at a gas station when he saw my Camaro sitting there and we both came inside to pay. He drove a souped up car, can't recall what it was, but boy did he come after me, acting as if I thought I was all big and bad. I must have had 20 years on him in age and couldn't believe that he was trying to knock me down a peg. I think I was supposed to challenge him to a race, not sure what was the dance we were in. He had no idea how unpretentious I am and I was unequipped to respond except to look at him and wonder if I was supposed to tell him that yes his dick is bigger than mine, maybe that would have settled him down. I never have had that happen before, it was almost like in one of those drag race movies of the 50s and 60s.
 
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"Must be nice..."

I had a guy say that to me as well...my reply was "yes it is" with a big shit-eating grin on my face.
 
My only bitch about the 392 series is they didn’t offer it in the Gladiator. I like my 392XR a lot and would like my Gladiator more if it had a 392 and could get out of its own way. It would be fine with me to have to put up with attitudes if it came to that.:cool:
 
Most people don't have wealth envy, they just hate douche bags, and TBH a lot of people with money are douche bags. Much of it comes down to the signals you're sending in how you handle yourself, but there's always people who are going to hate what's different. I try to be the anti-douche bag in how I handle myself, but as for strangers who want to judge me, could really care less.
 
I’ve experienced similar moments with various hobbies, events, etc. I will also say, there’s a stigma with the one who shows up with their rig adorned with every bolt on mod possible, and it’s all brand new. That stigma is that person is typically the most inexperienced. By my personal observation and time in various hobbies, that stigma often holds true, unfortunately.

Like the time the guy who looked like a SWAT team member, all decked out in gear, plethora of brand new firearms, weapon bags, etc., and simpleton has an accidental discharge of a 357 revolver and damn near took the side of his head off. He could have killed someone. But hey, he looked the part.

It’s unfair, but people will judge. I must admit, when I read everything you have on your rig, and you show up all shiny and new, my thoughts err on the side of you being inexperienced. Why? Because that’s been my experience. And inexperienced people, often place others at risk, or bog down the event when they need help. But, we all start somewhere…
 
I use to ride Ducati's. Got the same thing. Oh you're rich. Nah, i just like what i like and im good with money. I dont have a giant home, massive debt, etc. I also work my fool head off being self employed while your sitting home playing grabass.
 
One of the benefits of aging is you care less and less what others think (especially when you are doing nothing wrong). You'll get there over time.
 
SunsetHill said:
That's me, too! But, I'm nearing 70 and realized my responsible life's savings is patiently waiting to outlive me so my heirs can, what, go out and buy a new car with my money? Eff that! Other than my house, I've never spent so much money on anything as on my 2024 392 but, hey, as they say, go big or go home!
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I will be 60 in September. Last year we decided to quit saving so much money and start having fun with it. We don't have kids so we don't really have to leave it to anyone but I will probably leave the hose to my Nephew.

Now....let's just hope I don't outlive the money.;)
 
Jeepstin392 said:
I’ve experienced similar moments with various hobbies, events, etc. I will also say, there’s a stigma with the one who shows up with their rig adorned with every bolt on mod possible, and it’s all brand new. That stigma is that person is typically the most inexperienced. By my personal observation and time in various hobbies, that stigma often holds true, unfortunately.

Like the time the guy who looked like a SWAT team member, all decked out in gear, plethora of brand new firearms, weapon bags, etc., and simpleton has an accidental discharge of a 357 revolver and damn near took the side of his head off. He could have killed someone. But hey, he looked the part.

It’s unfair, but people will judge. I must admit, when I read everything you have on your rig, and you show up all shiny and new, my thoughts err on the side of you being inexperienced. Why? Because that’s been my experience. And inexperienced people, often place others at risk, or bog down the event when they need help. But, we all start somewhere…
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That may have been me showing up inexperienced and with a built rig. I would guess that I wheel 20 times to my original groups' 1 ride so my experience was gathered quickly. I am still on the FB page with my original group but I have found better groups to wheel with.
 

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