Just cancelled my order =(

[JeepFiend]

Are you going to wheel it?

That's the plan. Been wanting to do Easter Jeep Safari for decades and never had the chance. Doesn't seem to be much for Jeep clubs or places to wheel in my area, so may not be every other weekend like my last Jeep, but it definitely wills be seeing rocks and mud.

Guptons are are around 780 miles from Bryan, TX Mark Dodge of Lake Charles are around 250 miles
Mark Dodge, Lake Charles is 4.5% below Invoice + deals very responsively to orders

Yeah, that's definitely the most likely scenario if I go the long distance dealership route.

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[euan2020]

That's the plan. Been wanting to do Easter Jeep Safari for decades and never had the chance. Doesn't seem to be much for Jeep clubs or places to wheel in my area, so may not be every other weekend like my last Jeep, but it definitely wills be seeing rocks and mud.



Yeah, that's definitely the most likely scenario if I go the long distance dealership route.

closet i have scoped out from Houston - every else here is at Invoice price only or MRSP

Doc fee is higher though $695/$795 dependent on order/customer location - Guptons are $495 but that 700 is a mission + likely a flight

 

[JeepFiend]

Sounds like your dealer cancelled the order to escape the 1% below invoice deal and add price increases. They didn't have to cancel just because Jeep rejected the changes. They should have contacted you first. Big time shady if they try to keep your deposit.

Nah, I put in an order, changed my mind and tried to change the order. Jeep refused the change because they said it was too late, even though it was still in D status. My dealer said we'd have to cancel the order and reorder.

Turns out Jeep wouldn't let them cancel the order either, so they're going to eat it and just change it to a stock order, but after running the numbers on the Rubicon, it's going to be very tight for my budget with very little down, and I drive a beat up old Ford truck, so the trade in value is minimal. So I told them I'd get back to them on Monday, but I have the option at this point of having them submit another change to add my information back to the order, transfer the deposit an keep the 1% below dealer invoice on another order, whether it's a Rubicon or just another Sport S order.

My problem with the Rubicon is that I don't like the swaybar and locker set up being computer controlled, not being able to engage front and rear individually or regardless of what gear the t-case is in or what speed I'm travelling. I would prefer not to have e-lockers, I'd like to have either ARB or OX air lockers. And I end up paying for a whole lot of stuff that I don't really need, like the premium audio package and rock rails (already have JCR rails waiting). If I had a vehicle with a trade in value of $20k, it'd be different, but i tend to drive my vehicles until they die. My XJ was the only vehicle I've sold and that's only because California eco-nazis had such strict smog regulations I couldn't get it to pass NOx.

 

[areuriding]

Kent at Peterson CDJR is very professional. But their super-low pricing comes with strings attached: they require you to put down a non-refundable $1,000 deposit when you place the order, and when the Jeep arrives you have to finance at least 95% of the value of the vehicle through one of their lenders.

Kent couldn’t guarantee me an interest rate ahead of time, which is understandable.

I just didn’t feel comfortable committing to buying a $55,000 Jeep without knowing what terms I was going to get locked into 6-12 weeks later.

For those planning to finance the Jeep regardless, Peterson’s offer might work just fine.

Yeah, I was worried about the rate as well. Turns out there's no gimmick to it. They use the same banks and same interest rates as anyone else. I'm at 3.9 for 75 months. Same rate as my credit union.

 

[entropy]

It depends on your budget and needs of the vehicle. I’m going with the Rubicon because I know that adding lockers and sway disco will be pricey. For me it’s worth it, it’s not for everyone.

Sway bar disco is less than $200. It isnt a "button" but quick discos give you better aticulation. Lockers come out at 3,000 installed for selectable. But then you have gears, transfer case and front axle if you want to mirror a rubi.

I went with a 2 door sport S with rear dana 44 LSD. Rubicon takeoff springs for $150. M/T tires and wheels rubi takeoffs $1200 balanced and mounted. Quick discos $150.

Then I started the personalized mods. Added a front torq locker for $400. Bilstein 2-3inch shocks for max articulation (way more than rubi) $400. Rancho front diff skid ($150). Asfir engine/trans skid plate ($400). Smittybilt gen 3 xrc winch + rugged ridge stubby bumper ($700). Rugged ridge arcus rear high clearance bumper (400). Smittybilt SRC sliders ($300).

Stock Jeep was 31.5k brand new back in 2019 (39k msrp).

I installed everything myself including locker. Learned a lot about wrenching on a Jeep. I also wheeled it bone stock with rock sliders for a year and without a locker and with rubi shocks for a year. Learned a lot offroading without all the perks.

Now with the crazy articulation from the shocks, front locker. I have a beast that takes me through pretty much any black diamond trail. I make up for the lack of the rubi crawling ratio with skill earned from wheeling this thing stock.

I would like better crawling ratio. But cest la vie. Still wont hold me up.

The way to work out a sport is not by trying to mirror a rubi. But to grow with it as you get better. Build it to your needs since it is basically a white canvas. Dont worry so much about stock gears and transfer case.

A sport would do just fine.

 

[JeepFiend]

A sport would do just fine.

Yep, I had an XJ and YJ previously. And contrary to popular opinion, I wheeled on a locked dana 30 with 35's for years, running in mud of the Everglades, Tellico Plains, and So Cal in places like Big Bear, Calico, and even some of the milder stuff in Johnson Valley.

If I go with the Sport S with limited options (gorilla glass, technology group, LSD) I come out 9k less than a Rubi which would buy me a Dynatrac or Currie HP D44 and an Atlas II bolt in for the JL with 4.3:1. And I may do that down the road. I really wanted the half doors (so did the wife), but I can live with no doors fine, and she won't have an issue with full doors...and maybe, just maybe, @Bestop will finally get around to making those core doors for the JL.

Not to mention, by the time it's delivered, I should be able to put down $4-5.5k on the $37.5k total price tag, hope for a Chrysler 36mo 0% APR and actually have it paid off with a few years of warranty left. So that's what I'm leaning towards atm. Down the road maybe I can get the wife in a 4Xe Rubicon with all the creature comforts. She spends more time on the road than I do, so she'd appreciate it more.

 

[RKB]

I second Petersons in Idaho. Picked mine up yesterday and we are on our way home as I write. Kent was great. The whole transaction was pleasurable and everyone we dealt with at peterson's was a pleasure to work with. I purchased a JLU with the XR package and Petersons installed an Evo 3.5" lift with 2.5" King reservoir shocks. It looks fantastic and compared to my 2012 JK two door, it rides like a Cadillac! I didn't think a jeep could have such a smooth ride on road. Now, when I get home the 37s go on!

Did the Kings give you more lift? I assume the same if you have factory springs? I am dealing on JLU with XR at this time.

 

[sardogtella]

Did the Kings give you more lift? I assume the same if you have factory springs? I am dealing on JLU with XR at this time.

Did the Kings give you more lift? I assume the same if you have factory springs? I am dealing on JLU with XR at this time.

The King Shocks were part of the EVO 3.5" lift. The lift included new springs so yes there is considerable lift over the stock XR. I do not believe the shocks alone would give you any lift at all. I kept the XR suspension parts to.sell if anyone is interested.

 

[J0E]

I second Petersons in Idaho. Picked mine up yesterday and we are on our way home as I write. Kent was great. The whole transaction was pleasurable and everyone we dealt with at peterson's was a pleasure to work with. I purchased a JLU with the XR package and Petersons installed an Evo 3.5" lift with 2.5" King reservoir shocks. It looks fantastic and compared to my 2012 JK two door, it rides like a Cadillac! I didn't think a jeep could have such a smooth ride on road. Now, when I get home the 37s go on!

Did you get a quote from https://www.dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com/ ? They gave me the lowest price. I don't think they install lifts so you probably got the best deal. Not everyone can drive to ID.

 

[sardogtella]

Did you get a quote from https://www.dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com/ ? They gave me the lowest price. I don't think they install lifts so you probably got the best deal. Not everyone can drive to ID.

No, I did not. I got several quotes locally here in California and every one was way above MSRP. Because of the reviews on the forum, I called Petersons. I was planning to install the lift myself but when the jeep arrived at the dealership, they called and asked if I wanted any upgrades. They charged 900.00 labor to install the lift and that sounded reasonable to me.

 

[OSCAR II]

Kent at Peterson CDJR is very professional. But their super-low pricing comes with strings attached: they require you to put down a non-refundable $1,000 deposit when you place the order, and when the Jeep arrives you have to finance at least 95% of the value of the vehicle through one of their lenders.

Kent couldn’t guarantee me an interest rate ahead of time, which is understandable.

I just didn’t feel comfortable committing to buying a $55,000 Jeep without knowing what terms I was going to get locked into 6-12 weeks later.

For those planning to finance the Jeep regardless, Peterson’s offer might work just fine.

Good to know.

 

[needajeep]

Yep, nothing is off the table right now. If I can make this work and give money to my community, I'll do that first. If they try to charge me more, there's another place in Conroe, TX that someone said were offering better pricing (4% under I think). But if all else fails, then yeah, road trips are good :D.

FYY Gupton Motors in TN (near Nashville) will do 8% below invoice if you have a Tread Lightly membership and you finance through him. 7% if you don't want to finance. I financed through him and the bank used was the lowest rate by a tiny margin that I had found so there's no fear that you'll be gouged with a rate as long as you have the credit to match. See below example.

6% - (standard order pricing below factory invoice)

7% - (standard order pricing; Must have Tread Lightly Control #)

8% - (standard order pricing; Must have Tread Lightly Control # AND dealer arranged financing)

 

[Iggy]

I had a 2018 JLU Sport. Realizing just how much stuff I'd have to add to equal (not exceed) a Rubicon, I went shopping.

1) A Rubicon will have much better resale value and saleability.
2) 4:1 Transfer Case. This is substantial and expensive to add.
3) Electronic sway bar disconnect. Ever try to realign and pin the manual disconnects in the dark when you've been through a bunch of mud?
4) Front and rear Dana 44s. So much stronger than the Dana 30 series!
5) Wider front and rear axles. More stability on ugly terrain than non-Rubicons.
6) Firmer springs. They raise the Jeep an inch, but are compliant on the road.
7) Monotube gas shocks. They are valved with the Rubicon springs for better control on and off the road.
8) Rear locking differential. Would prefer this one to be a Tru-Trac LSD.
9) Front locking differential. Amazing traction with this engaged over an open differential.
10) 4.10:1 axle gearing. More directed to off-road travel and taller than stock tires.
11) Heavy duty brakes. Two piston front brakes, thick rotors for greater heat sink.
12) Rocker sliders. These are effective, but not as good as aftermarket sliders.
13) Higher arched fenders. These allow you to add 35 or 37" with minimal upgrading. They look cool, too.
14) 8.4 Navigation and audio system. The off road pages are quite useful and aren't available on the lower grade radios. The speakers are... it's a Jeep!
15) And all that for just $6,000!

 

[RKB]

I had a 2018 JLU Sport. Realizing just how much stuff I'd have to add to equal (not exceed) a Rubicon, I went shopping.

1) A Rubicon will have much better resale value and saleability.
2) 4:1 Transfer Case. This is substantial and expensive to add.
3) Electronic sway bar disconnect. Ever try to realign and pin the manual disconnects in the dark when you've been through a bunch of mud?
4) Front and rear Dana 44s. So much stronger than the Dana 30 series!
5) Wider front and rear axles. More stability on ugly terrain than non-Rubicons.
6) Firmer springs. They raise the Jeep an inch, but are compliant on the road.
7) Monotube gas shocks. They are valved with the Rubicon springs for better control on and off the road.
8) Rear locking differential. Would prefer this one to be a Tru-Trac LSD.
9) Front locking differential. Amazing traction with this engaged over an open differential.
10) 4.10:1 axle gearing. More directed to off-road travel and taller than stock tires.
11) Heavy duty brakes. Two piston front brakes, thick rotors for greater heat sink.
12) Rocker sliders. These are effective, but not as good as aftermarket sliders.
13) Higher arched fenders. These allow you to add 35 or 37" with minimal upgrading. They look cool, too.
14) 8.4 Navigation and audio system. The off road pages are quite useful and aren't available on the lower grade radios. The speakers are... it's a Jeep!
15) And all that for just $6,000!

Very good list, thanks for that. I take a yearly trip to Colorado or Utah so yeah I think the Rubicon is a great value for many of the things you listed above.

But I can see why people don't select a Rubicon too maybe they do not off road enough or maybe just out the door price is too high.

I'm planning to go with Xtreme Recon package also because $4,000 sounds like a heck of a deal to me. Also getting 4% under invoice put it at $3,452 option how can I not order it?

 

[JeepFiend]

I had a 2018 JLU Sport. Realizing just how much stuff I'd have to add to equal (not exceed) a Rubicon, I went shopping.

1) A Rubicon will have much better resale value and saleability.
2) 4:1 Transfer Case. This is substantial and expensive to add.
3) Electronic sway bar disconnect. Ever try to realign and pin the manual disconnects in the dark when you've been through a bunch of mud?
4) Front and rear Dana 44s. So much stronger than the Dana 30 series!
5) Wider front and rear axles. More stability on ugly terrain than non-Rubicons.
6) Firmer springs. They raise the Jeep an inch, but are compliant on the road.
7) Monotube gas shocks. They are valved with the Rubicon springs for better control on and off the road.
8) Rear locking differential. Would prefer this one to be a Tru-Trac LSD.
9) Front locking differential. Amazing traction with this engaged over an open differential.
10) 4.10:1 axle gearing. More directed to off-road travel and taller than stock tires.
11) Heavy duty brakes. Two piston front brakes, thick rotors for greater heat sink.
12) Rocker sliders. These are effective, but not as good as aftermarket sliders.
13) Higher arched fenders. These allow you to add 35 or 37" with minimal upgrading. They look cool, too.
14) 8.4 Navigation and audio system. The off road pages are quite useful and aren't available on the lower grade radios. The speakers are... it's a Jeep!
15) And all that for just $6,000!

1) True, but I don't usually resale cars. I drive them until I'm done then donate to the Purple Heart Foundation...at least 3 of my last 4 vehicles.
2) The Atlas II bolt on for JL with 4.3:1 is surprisingly not that expensive
3) Electronic swaybar can only be run under certain conditions and speeds, I would prefer manual control, and if it's dark and muddy, I just run without a sway bar.
4) Yes, but the Dana 30 is WAY under rated and I'd prefer stronger model like a Dynatrac or Currie down the road.
5) yeah, but only 1.5 inches, which will be largely made up for after aftermarket rims
6) Will be doing a lift anyway so kind of a non issue.
7) See 6.
8) Only locks in 4Hi and under 20mph and will disengage automatically, that's kind of BS if you ask me.
9) Again, only locks in 4Lo...see the BS comment above.
10) Will be replaced with 4.56 at a minimum anyway, so not worried.
11) That might be nice.
12) Already seen some Rubicon rock sliders that damaged the rockers, and I already have the last set of JCR Classic sliders for a 2dr sitting in my garage.
13) Yeah, I'm more of a ground clearance than high fender kind of guy. Both my YJ and XJ ran on almost 7" of lift.
14) Again, the 8.4 would be nice, but honestly I've been running off a small cell phone screen for years, so even the 7" w/ Android Auto is going to be a huge step up.
15) If I stay with my original order that was apparently not actually cancelled, it's more like $9k before interest. That 9k could get me the Currie HP D44 and the Atlas II t-case.

And I get where you're going, the problem I have with the Rubicon is an extension of the issue I have with the JL/JK. I really don't like all the computer controlled crap on it. I want to be able to physically manage the mechanics of my vehicle, like lockers, sway bars, whether or not the vehicle stops and starts. I wish they'd just go back to the inline 6 4.0 and leave a good thing be. You want more power, drop in an LS1. But the eco-Nazis and over reaching regulations have put an end to that, sadly.

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