No matter what’s going on in the world, two things are consistent when it comes to cars in the U.S. People like familiarity and comfort, and they also like displaying their American pride. This translates to the things they eat, buy, and do, but it also makes sense that one of these things would be cars. And what’s more American than a muscle car? But as Muscle Cars and Trucks reports, dealers have noticed that Camaros and Mustangs keep getting traded in for Jeep Wranglers.

Muscle Car to Jeep?

Trade-ins happen every day, but typical trade-ins occur for the same class of car, not a completely different one. People will usually trade for competing makes and models. At Jeep, a lot of the trade-ins are made by existing Jeep owners as a way to upgrade to the latest and greatest off-roader. The customer loyalty to Jeep is huge, and for a good reason. 

Other trade-ins are made for financial reasons, but for Jeep buyers, it often goes beyond that. It’s a way to transition into the world of the Jeep Wrangler from other automotive classes. Aside from repeat Jeep customers, the biggest trade-ins come from muscle cars. Both of these types of vehicles are icons and show that buyers would rather have something with American roots rather than any old just-to-get-around car. It proves that there’s discretionary income to spend, and America is still thriving. Yet outside of the Jeep Wrangler, other Jeeps don’t follow this trend. 

According to an interview given to Muscle Cars and Trucks by Jeep’s North American Director Scott Tallon, the trend of muscle cars being traded in instead of competing SUVs is surprising in some ways but also makes complete sense. According to Tallon, while it may seem odd that fans of the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Chevy Camaro are trading in their muscle cars more often in favor of the Jeep Wrangler, all of them are lifestyle vehicles. With the former being used by car enthusiasts, collectors, or simply for show, and the latter being used by hardcore off-road enthusiasts, both are used by casual commuters as well. 

Perhaps its the growing craze of customers moving to the crossover community. Or the fact that customers are buying larger vehicles in general. Full-size pickup trucks are also being traded in for the rugged Jeep. So does this mean that it’s more a need for larger-than-life American cars instead? The numbers show Jeep’s sales going up significantly. So what are the possible reasons Jeep is becoming the go-to trade-in vehicle? 

An American Icon

The Jeep got its start as a war vehicle. The Jeep was so beloved that one battered vehicle received a Purple Heart after having survived a pair of beach landings. Official Army correspondent Ernie Pyle is famous for saying, “Good Lord, I don’t think we could continue the war without the jeep. It does everything. It goes everywhere. It’s as faithful as a dog, strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat. It constantly carries twice what it was designed for, and keeps ongoing.” 

The Jeep has been through many hands, but it has remained in American production and has maintained continued popularity. From the original Willys-Overland to today’s Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Jeep has seen multiple owners. But even non-Jeep lovers know and recognize what a Jeep looks like and represents. There are few vehicles with such a direct line and connection to America’s heritage as Jeep.

Jeep Wranglers Hold Their Value

It’s no secret that Jeeps hold their value better than other cars. When it comes to depreciation, reputation is just as important as its proven track record of reliability. They have shown that they stand the test of time. Adding to their value are the customized options that include lift kits, winches, tires, sidesteps, and protective elements.

From handling extreme off-roading and difficult terrain since its Army days, the Jeep is a respected tough mudder and provides unparalleled performance where it matters most. They often last through six digits on the odometer and still have plenty of life and power to give. With the amount of value they hold, it’s no wonder buyers want Jeeps, even if they have to trade one of their precious muscle cars to get one.

They’ve Changed, Yet Remained the Same

One thing about Jeep that buyers can count on is that it has a kind of resolve that no other car seems to have. Jeep, despite the change of hand it has seen throughout the years, has remained relatively unchanged. Forbes discusses in a recent article that the current CEO, Mike Manley, made a risky and brave move. When he revealed a new Jeep Wrangler, it wasn’t that different. At least not on first look. But the crowd still raved.

With Jeep, one of the key things people love about it is that it hasn’t lost its rugged, military roots character. Yes, it’s come a long way to give customers a more civilized, comfortable drive, adding heated seats, air conditioning, and other luxuries seen in most other cars. But it hasn’t lost the things that made it special, like its fold-down windshield, removable doors, rear-mounted spare tire, and other unique aspects. It gives a connection to history without compromising modern features and comfort or the off-road experience the original customers sought it out for.

Is it Worth Trading In Your Muscle Car?

Whether you want to trade in your muscle car or are just looking for some off-road fun, the Wrangler can undoubtedly provide just about everything you need. Its popularity is continuing to soar, and long-time fans of the Jeep can remain happy that it’s still relatively unchanged. What other car company has managed to do the same?