A self evaluation into jeeping

[entropy]

@entropy what front lockers are you running? I'm thinking of putting a lunchbox on mine but not sure how well it will handle 35s.

Great thread btw!

I am running torq locker. The thing is super nice. It should work great on 35s. My friend is running it on 37s. And another member here runs one on 35s. They have nothing but good things to say about it. They both wheel their jeeps relatively hard. Easy driveway install too.

They come with a 4 year warranty too.

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[entropy]

Someone does need to do a whole-life analysis on a Rubicon vs Sport though; yes it’s more expensive for the Rubicon but how much of that do you get back at resale time. If it’s near 100%, or more, it doesn’t really matter.

This is not about Rubicon vs Sport. It is about any Jeep. The Rubicon isnt even on my mind anymore. I would have put thousands towards a Rubicon anyway. This is about the cost of jeeping, the cost of upgrades. I offroad pretty often and it is quite an expensive hobby.

 

[aldo98229]

Someone does need to do a whole-life analysis on a Rubicon vs Sport though; yes it’s more expensive for the Rubicon but how much of that do you get back at resale time. If it’s near 100%, or more, it doesn’t really matter.

I’ve sold many Rubicons and Saharas over the years: they both sold equally easily and held their value equally well.

Yes, Rubicons fetch a lot of money, but people quickly forget they also paid a boatload of money —and paid a lot more taxes on it— upfront.

 

[S2k Chris]

I’ve sold many Rubicons and Saharas over the years: they both sold equally easily and held their value equally well.

Yes, Rubicons fetch a lot of money, but people forget they also paid a boatload of money —and paid a lot more taxes on it— upfront.

Sure, my point is if you buy a Rubicon at $10k over a Sport, and then sell it for $10k over a sport, or $8k, or $12k…The Rubicon didn’t cost that much more. Taxes, sure, but even here in IL the taxes on $10k is “only” $800.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I have a hard time not pushing the limits. I always have a running list of "wants" for the Jeep, but that's the nature of any hobby. I am past my rock buggy days so this Jeep will never be that. It has to drive well on the freeway, serve comfortable daily driver duties for the wife, have no problem cruising the freeway at 80+ for hours on road trips, bomb through the desert when we are out camping, AND be able to wheel moderate to difficult trails (rubicon, dusy, cliffhanger at the upper end, not Fordyce or the hammers). That is a tall order to fill and it has done so better than any rig before it. Sure it could be better, but I do not feel the NEED to upgrade anything. We could all buy more capable off road rigs for what we have in our Jeeps, but you'd be hard pressed to find one that is an all around better vehicle. Life is about balance, invest and plan for the future, but don't forget to live for the moment.

 

[entropy]

Sure, my point is if you buy a Rubicon at $10k over a Sport, and then sell it for $10k over a sport, or $8k, or $12k…The Rubicon didn’t cost that much more. Taxes, sure, but even here in IL the taxes on $10k is “only” $800.

Jeeps devaluate by % amount not by absolute amount. Rubicons are absolutely worth what they cost though, in terms of the value you get of the extras. That's not my point though. My situation is different than yours. There's no need to justify why buy a Rubicon over Sport. It really doesn't matter in the end.

My point is whatever your Jeep is. you decide how capable it is, and nobody else. And all Jeeps are capable. This is of course subjective and depends on how far you want to take it. That's why I talk about setting boundaries.

In my particular case I saved a lot of money by not going Rubicon. But that's just my own particular situation.

 

[aldo98229]

Sure, my point is if you buy a Rubicon at $10k over a Sport, and then sell it for $10k over a sport, or $8k, or $12k…The Rubicon didn’t cost that much more. Taxes, sure, but even here in IL the taxes on $10k is “only” $800.

Yes and no.

1. Opportunity cost. In @entropy ’s case, he could have used that additional money to remodel their kitchen, put it towards their children college fund, or a hair implant...
2. Depreciation. True, Wranglers don’t depreciate as much as other vehicles, but they still do. And even if Rubicons hold their value well, 10% depreciation on a $60,000 Wrangler is still more money than 10% depreciation on a $40,000 Wrangler
3. Taxes. In most states, you never get that money back. In California and Washington, tax and license is roughly 10% of the purchase price.

Just because the costs are not obvious, doesn’t mean they are not there.

 

[S2k Chris]

Costs are there but I think they’re overstated a bit. $10k more up front isn’t the same as $10k at the back. It’s less than half of that in fact.

 

[JEEP4U]

Entropy, you opened up a can of worms.

I also went the Sport route......my jeep was less than 30K with taxes. Bare bones JLU. But, left me a lot of room for upgrades. Since, I owned a 4 door, I knew I needed 40" tires to keep up with the 2 door JL on 37's........and rubi axles will not hold up.

 

[Trainman]

I purchase all my vehicles and don't do any upgrades to them, that is they are stock and that's the way I like them. I get the vehicle the way I want it, when it comes to Jeep Wranglers I always purchase the Willys Edition and it will do what I ask it to do. so spending any money on it just isn't going to happen and I keep those dollars in my pocket.

 

[JEEP4U]

That's what Entropy was trying to convey.........each their own preference.

 

[entropy]

BTW, social media has pushed consumerism into overdrive.

The whole reason for Youtubers —and Instagramers— like Trail Recon to exist, is to push totally unnecessary crap on the rest of us, under the guise that we “need” all of it to go camping and have fun.

Thing is: no, we do not.

And we need to learn to recognize that at some point is time to turn off the tube, sign off Amazon, get out there and have fun.

So true.

LiteBrite's channel started as "Hey look what you can do with the new JL Rubicon!". Then it turned into Jeep's Nitro Circus. With a Jeep that has over 50k of upgrades on it (maybe? idk). This is SO unrealistic for the 99% of Jeep owners. Don't get me wrong, they're making $$$ and having fun, but it is reality TV and nothing else, pretty soon it isn't gonna be different than watching that Netflix show about elite real state in Los Angeles, or the Kardashians even (if this still exists). I know my wife watches that show with the "hot" realtors lol.

Trail Recon has a great channel too. But as you said, it is a giant infomercial about the latest 6k tent you can buy, to sleep on a roof instead of on the ground like the plebe. I know this is an exaggeration and there's more to the channel lol. but you get the point.

And I've said this before. When you get the urge to spend money on something you saw on youtube, or while browsing amazon, the best medicine for this is to go out and have fun.

 

[DwnSth]

It is a bit of an addiction However, I feel the fun I have gotten out of my two Wranglers has been well worth the upgrades. I don't spend more than I can on things and pace the upgrades over time. I wheeled my TJ sport for years bone stock. Non of our hobby and entertainment items can be justified spending. However, I cannot put a price on the fun we've had. I blame it on having a brand new 1996 Grand Cherokee and going to Camp Jeep (the real Camp Jeep) a couple of months later. The bug bit hard!

 

[AcesandEights]

You could have saved for a camping trip, or retirement or a college fund. You could have spent the money any number of any other ways, but what we're all buying are experiences. You would have to forego something for something else. You can't spend the money in the pot twice, so you buy skis and lift tickets, a new range, an additional mortgage payment, or you buy springs for the Jeep. The money has no value unless you spend it in ways that bring experiences. So, you could have spent it any number of any other ways, but maybe, probably, no better way.

 

[TJJL19]

Frist off, your wife is a lot different then mine, Mine complained about me doing upgrades to a new Jeep.
I upgraded my 7inch Radio system, with Pac Parts Radio harness, Alpine KTP-445U amp, Kicker 10 inch bass and speakers.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...play-amp-upgrade-to-basic-system.51309/page-8
I also replaced my shocks and stabilizer with 2.0 Foxes, love the way it handles on and off the road!

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