Well, I see the writing on the wall, and while I think I am safe for the next few years, who knows how the world will be in 5.

I currently own two cars, a 2000 Porsche 911 convertible, and a 2001 4x4 Chevy pickup. The pickup is to work around the house (I have a mini farm on 14 acres), pull the boat, haul stuff, and drive in the winter (I live in Minnesota). The car is for top down fun. I never want to be without a convertible.

But, I pay a lot to insure these, and being that they at 9-10 years old, maintaining them is going to cost a lot. If I could get down to one car, I could save around $13,000 in insurance and tabs. If I could get a maintenance free car, I am sure I will save thousands more over those 10 years.

So, I decided on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (the 4 door one). It's awesome in the snow, will haul 3,500 pounds, has room for the dog (I have a german shepherd that does not fit well in either of my current ones), the top and doors come off for much better open air driving then my car, and the 2008 redesign has added a huge amount of refinement to this off roader. Oh, and my wife can drive it (the car is a manual, and she does not know how to drive one). I drove one today, and was surprised at how much I liked it.

Here is the kicker. Right now, because Chrysler can't sell cars, they are offering a lifetime drivetrain warrantee (non transferable). When he told me lifetime, I said "mine or Chryslers?". He laughed.

So for as long as I own it, The engine and transmission is covered. Forever. It's hard to pass that up. In the last 2 years, I have spent $2000 on my car and truck that would have been covered under this.

I am also going to get rid of Satellite TV. With Netflix, Hulu, and over the air stations, we get enough entertainment.

All in all, I expect to save 2-3 thousand a year with this move, and I am being proactive about it. Nothing other then preparing for the future is causing me to make these changes.

Anyone else doing similar things to prepare?

Interesting stuff, I have an MX5/Miata for U.S folks turbo (did it myself).

I was wondering dude, have you considered a hybrid model? It would give you greater low end torque, save you on running the vehicle and you would get better braking performance when towing a load if you go over hills. Im not sure which models come with a hybrid option but for towing it does make sense from what I hear from other peoples personal experiences. I just drive a dinky car so obviously not my own.

I'm going to college this year, yayyy....... now I have to do real classwork and actually study =( Then after that I need to become independent and pay for everything myself, including the cash I have to pay for an education =(

I don't know why kids are so enthusiastic to grow up. But I don't want to be a parasite single on the other hand and literally be a kid for all my life.

If I can get a Jacuzzi, a Big Screen TV, and a game console, then I'm satisfied in life.

There is nothing other then a Jeep Wrangler that meets all my needs. Mainly a convertible that tows, and has 4x4.

That being said, the Wranglers only come with one engine option. a 202HP V6 with bad gas milage. (15/19 mpg).

My truck is 13 mpg, and my car is around 20, so overall I am improving. If I could get this in diesel or hybrid, I would, but they don't offer either.

My wife drives a 2008 Mazda 3, so we have a good gas milage car for long trips at least. :)

I take it that a rediculously big sunroof like some of the SUV type models have wouldn't be right for you?

So yup you're definately improving your mileage especially as I hear the EPA tests for the more recent models are more stringent and you should be able to exceed them with good driving.

The Mazda 3 is a good car, I considered it when I bought my new Fiat Punto.

One option is solar hot water heating for your home, it makes you less energy dependent and in a good area they can pay themselves off in a few years. (If you live in a sunny location)

I know people with solar that sell their excess electricity back to the grid.

Good plan.

I'm planning for the future by staying away from cars altogether, which is obviously only an option for urbanites. I bike whenever I can, and bus or carpool when the weather is foul. In addition to being incredibly cheap, human power has the added bonus of keeping me pretty fit. The best exercise is the stuff you can fit into your daily grind.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, as you've got a lot of land.

What are you preparing for? The higher fuel prices, or the fact that credit might not be so easily available over the next few years? Or is it something more personal?

I'm just saving more money atm and spending less in general. I've cut back on buying as many games for example.

Most of my money is going into a few film projects atm, heres hoping they're successful lol

I still go the cinema heaps and buy lots of dvds, books and music. Its really games that've lost out to be honest...