Base Jeeps are at their cheapest point ever?

[PotterJLUR]

I believe that to be subjective to the owner and the specific components selected though, and not an absolute.

Oh for sure the 8 speed is an awesome transmission and can still make the 3.45's work with 35's but it is just less ideal

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[Cutterone]

The only big issue with going base (or sahara) is the standard 3.45 gears, if you are planning on lift and tires you are really already behind on gearing vs. a willys or rubi. Yes gears can be swapped but then you are paying multiple thousands for the swap and then have no powertrain warranty on the axles on your brand new Jeep.

Hence why I have a 1.75" puck lift waiting to go in spring together with 275-70-18 (33.2") shoes, can't really go bigger without a regear (2021 Sahara 6sp), and I already swapped the clutch to a CF2...

 

[m3reno]

I don't think people are complaining about the base models. When you go to the dealer lots you will be lucky to find one base model, but what they do have on the lot's are a ton of 50-60 thousand dollar jeeps. How do you go from 31,800 to almost double the price ?? Are these options really worth that much!! If you chose for an automatic transmission the price is an additional 4,500, Manufacturers are hedging that people will rather pay than be sensible, and people are paying!

 

[PotterJLUR]

Hence why I have a 1.75" puck lift waiting to go in spring together with 275-70-18 (33.2") shoes, can't really go bigger without a regear (2021 Sahara 6sp), and I already swapped the clutch to a CF2...

That set up should work really well on the 6sp!

 

[TheNewGuy]

Base model is the way to go...... But, their ESS system is horrible. I would not buy again due to their current ESS... Hard pass.

All 2024s have the ESS so you're out of luck if you're looking at buying new.

 

[JakeM]

Yeah. I ordered mine on 11/03/23, was in my garage on 1/18/24. Base 2 door MT, V6. Got it for a little over $30k, I have no intention of adding lift , massive tires or any other aftermarket equipment. It will be a third vehicle only driven on weekends- I think it’s a great value and totally equipped for what I need it for

 

[ACAPECE]

My JL is by far the most comfortable, best handling Wrangler I’ve owned. I have had a YJ, TJ and JK and all have been pavement queens (unfortunately). I actually got rid of my TJ because my commute went from 5 to 80 miles a day. I don’t think it would phase me in the JL. I’m not disputing there is a level of fun and simplicity that you don’t get with a modern Jeep but it’s hard to dispute your not getting a much better product today. Even with the crappy ESS system.

 

[flyer92]

Compound onto that the fact that you're literally getting "more" for your money. 77 CJ-7 vs 23 JL Sport is a 47% increase in weight.

So the base jeep is probably by far the cheapest it's ever been per pound *when adjusted for inflation.

To those who enjoy bashing us for pointing out Stellantis's shady sales schema and business practices, please understand. Many who complain about the JL's pricing are doing so because we are forced to pay for systems that we don't want or need (infotainment, ESS, babysitter systems, etc.), so more isn't necessarily better. IMHO, a 4300lb 2-door Sport with soft top is beyond fat. Got to look beyond the initial purchase price too, as the value just isn't there when the JL is rife with "Jeep things" that require continual attention, all while customer service/support is essentially nonexistent. Yes, one could argue that a '24 Sport is cheaper in today's money than a base CJ-5 in 1972 dollars, but the quality, simplicity and customer support for the latter made it a much better value and a long-term "keeper" for many of us. Clearly, there's much more to consider than just initial price and quality.

 

[aville65]

3.6 six speed manual. My 21 Sport S, yes it’s an S but I only paid 36k for it. Wanted power windows. Updated tires and rims. In the summer the tops off, fair weather street Jeep. Plenty of torque being a 2dr.

 

[autotragic]

In one of the recent threads complaining about wrangler cost I applied the 1977 to 2023 inflation to the 1977 cost of my then new CJ-7. The result was very close to the cost of a new stripper JL.

I also linked an Autoweek article pointing out the average cost of a new car in the US is about $50,000.

It’s hard for all of us to recalibrate our pricing expectations after suffering 20% inflation over just a few years.

It's the same across the entire automotive landscape.

The real issue is how manufactures have bundled options together over the years. Used to it was more or less À la carte...now you want heated seats well look here we have a "cold weather package" for only an additional $2,000 that also comes with a heated steering wheel and block heater. Options drive cost higher fast and that added cost vastly outpaces inflation. There are very few individual options now days, it's all "packages" and they are rarely less than $1,000 each...and if you want say auto high beams, a subwoofer and heated seats...that's 3 packages with an added cost of over $5,000. When you really only wanted what amounts to maybe a $1,000 worth of stuff to start out with. It's how you end up spending 60k on a Rubicon that starts at only $47,000 before destination.

 

[2nd 392]

It's the same across the entire automotive landscape.

The real issue is how manufactures have bundled options together over the years. Used to it was more or less À la carte...now you want heated seats well look here we have a "cold weather package" for only an additional $2,000 that also comes with a heated steering wheel and block heater. Options drive cost higher fast and that added cost vastly outpaces inflation. There are very few individual options now days, it's all "packages" and they are rarely less than $1,000 each...and if you want say auto high beams, a subwoofer and heated seats...that's 3 packages with an added cost of over $5,000. When you really only wanted what amounts to maybe a $1,000 worth of stuff to start out with. It's how you end up spending 60k on a Rubicon that starts at only $47,000 before destination.

Want a V8 ? Yer getting virtually every option available as “Standard” except dual doors and SOT for ~ $94K, and the formerly ~$2K SOT is now ~$4K if you want it.

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

I did it, ordered a 2024 2 door base MT, V6 only options Hardtop and black grill, got a great deal out of state 5K below MSRP, great third vehicle

picture please!

 

[JakeM]

picture please!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Auto trans is $4500 now. In the recent past that was for one with eTorque, and covered the cost of the extra eTorque equipment. Now that eToque is gone, it's still $4500. An auto with ESS used to be $2750.

 

[TheRaven]

Yeah, try getting one. This is what every automaker does...they claim to offer a "base" model starting at some really attractive price...but go ahead and try to get that model at that price. There's a long thread going over at the GM truck forum that I frequent documenting this...several members have tried ordering base model Silverados. Absolutely none have actually been delivered.

The advertised base model starting price is worthless...what matters is: what can you actually get a respectable "stripper" model for? Configuring an unlimited Sport with an auto in white already puts you over $42k...more than $10k more than the advertised base price for a vehicle that's still laughably primitive for 2024. The Sport S is what the average buyer would consider a base model, and you're looking at $47k for an auto and any color whatsoever. That's well into full-size pickup territory (and those are already way overpriced). $47k will get you almost any mid-size truck...a Colorado Z71 with every option is $48k.

So yeah, the JL is grossly overpriced.

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