BeachNJeep
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Anthony
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2018
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 195
- Reaction score
- 305
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2023 Rubi 4xe, 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L
- Occupation
- Sub-acute hospital administrator
Competition is good for both Ford and Jeep. As for myself, I'm a Jeep guy. Growing up, I never really saw Broncos, but I've always seen Jeeps (actually, as kid, I vaguely remember the whole OJ thing, but I had no idea what type of truck he was driving, and quite frankly, didn't care). In WW2, my grandfather drove a Jeep and my dad always wanted one (but never got one, but he enjoys the heck out of me driving him around in it). Jeeps have a heritage that can't be denied and also a HUGE aftermarket. Sure, there are those, like Consumer Reports, that pans most Jeep products, and I'm sure there are those who don't like turbo engines (myself included). But there will always be a market for these types of vehicles and those who overlook some of the short comings for the adventure and uniqueness it brings. If competition makes both brands better and more reliable and competitive in price, then we all win.
I'm not a fan of electronics for electronics sake and Ford seems to be indulging the tech crowd. Tech like that doesn't have a place in a vehicle that can be left with the top and doors off and be subject to moisture or even direct water. I've said it before, I love tech and can't wait for the prices of some second hand Tesla's to come down, but that's a car that is made for tech. These off roader's are made for the trail. (However, Ford knows that only a small fraction of it's demographic will actually use this off road, just like Mercedes and Range Rover, so they're going to push the luxury tech end). I mean, the interior also does not look like it is meant for months or years of outdoor, roof off, doors off use. But those seats sure look nice with the weathered leather treatment. It reminds me of a pair of worn and faded jeans.
Jeep will have to seriously option out it's Wrangler to compete with the on road, look at me, I want to be cool crowd. And I'm okay with that if that's why you bought a Jeep. So the Sahara has to have it all. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they throw in a wood grained dash and massaging and ventilated seats... (will it ever end??)
Slapping a big, honkin' engine isn't only what Jeep needs to do to keep the existing faithful, faithful. It's got to stay fresh and bank on it's aftermarket and parts advantage as well as the heritage.
Here's an idea (and I know that Jeep corp watches these threads, so take some notes):
1) create a heritage edition Jeep, call it the Wrangler CJ. This sub-model will have a center mounted speedo (like the original CJ's) and be a bare bones, go anywhere ute. Or, it can be a trendy, look at me, let's have fun model. Why not throw in some flat fenders while you're at it?
2) offer factory packages to existing Jeeps for about the same price as the factory option. For example, I have a Sport S with the base radio. Offer the tech package that can be installed at the dealer or even better, a dedicated Jeep/Mopar branded garage that only does these types of retrofits. Maybe offer a Rubicon package that includes lockers and detachable sway bars. Even if only a few Jeeper's buy this, it again shows the off road community how incredibly modular and versatile a Jeep is. To set it apart from the aftermarket crowd, because I know some of you will say, "there's already shops out there that do these kinds of mods," it will be fully factory warranted and can be included with your remaining financing (that is if you still have months left on your loan).
3) push, Jeep did it first. As the pioneer in the off road game, Jeep has claim to many advances in the field. So when Ford pushes it's removable doors and tops, Jeep did it first. Locking axles, Jeep did it first. You get the picture. The other bit of humor Jeep can bring is to utilize the fact that the Bronco rides on Goodyear Wrangler rubber. They can meme, "Under every Bronco there's a Wrangler." "Wranglers tame Bronco's."
These are just some fun ideas I had after watching the reveal. Who knows, when I actually see one in the flesh, I might be tempted, but for now, I look forward to birthdays and holidays when I know that someone in my family will give me a Jeep accessory to put on my rig. And that's why we are on these forums and are so loyal anyway: we make the Jeep OUR Jeep. No two Jeeps are alike and that's what makes owning a Jeep so great.
I'm not a fan of electronics for electronics sake and Ford seems to be indulging the tech crowd. Tech like that doesn't have a place in a vehicle that can be left with the top and doors off and be subject to moisture or even direct water. I've said it before, I love tech and can't wait for the prices of some second hand Tesla's to come down, but that's a car that is made for tech. These off roader's are made for the trail. (However, Ford knows that only a small fraction of it's demographic will actually use this off road, just like Mercedes and Range Rover, so they're going to push the luxury tech end). I mean, the interior also does not look like it is meant for months or years of outdoor, roof off, doors off use. But those seats sure look nice with the weathered leather treatment. It reminds me of a pair of worn and faded jeans.
Jeep will have to seriously option out it's Wrangler to compete with the on road, look at me, I want to be cool crowd. And I'm okay with that if that's why you bought a Jeep. So the Sahara has to have it all. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they throw in a wood grained dash and massaging and ventilated seats... (will it ever end??)
Slapping a big, honkin' engine isn't only what Jeep needs to do to keep the existing faithful, faithful. It's got to stay fresh and bank on it's aftermarket and parts advantage as well as the heritage.
Here's an idea (and I know that Jeep corp watches these threads, so take some notes):
1) create a heritage edition Jeep, call it the Wrangler CJ. This sub-model will have a center mounted speedo (like the original CJ's) and be a bare bones, go anywhere ute. Or, it can be a trendy, look at me, let's have fun model. Why not throw in some flat fenders while you're at it?
2) offer factory packages to existing Jeeps for about the same price as the factory option. For example, I have a Sport S with the base radio. Offer the tech package that can be installed at the dealer or even better, a dedicated Jeep/Mopar branded garage that only does these types of retrofits. Maybe offer a Rubicon package that includes lockers and detachable sway bars. Even if only a few Jeeper's buy this, it again shows the off road community how incredibly modular and versatile a Jeep is. To set it apart from the aftermarket crowd, because I know some of you will say, "there's already shops out there that do these kinds of mods," it will be fully factory warranted and can be included with your remaining financing (that is if you still have months left on your loan).
3) push, Jeep did it first. As the pioneer in the off road game, Jeep has claim to many advances in the field. So when Ford pushes it's removable doors and tops, Jeep did it first. Locking axles, Jeep did it first. You get the picture. The other bit of humor Jeep can bring is to utilize the fact that the Bronco rides on Goodyear Wrangler rubber. They can meme, "Under every Bronco there's a Wrangler." "Wranglers tame Bronco's."
These are just some fun ideas I had after watching the reveal. Who knows, when I actually see one in the flesh, I might be tempted, but for now, I look forward to birthdays and holidays when I know that someone in my family will give me a Jeep accessory to put on my rig. And that's why we are on these forums and are so loyal anyway: we make the Jeep OUR Jeep. No two Jeeps are alike and that's what makes owning a Jeep so great.
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