New Jeep Uncertainty?

[Ghost7th]

Hello all:

I am one of those guys from that other forum and I am coming to the realization that after almost a year of waiting I will probably not see my new "other vehicle" until the second quarter next year.

I am getting to the age where retirement is looming in the not so distant future and I want to buy one last fun vehicle while I can still justify it. I'm currently running a '19 Tacoma and I don't really like it. The Toyota seats are terrible and on long trips my back and hip are in constant pain.

I've had three Jeeps ('56, '72 and '90) and loved everyone of them. I sold the '90 about three years ago; the frame and suspension rust was out of hand and it was starting to get to the point of unusable.

I visited a local dealer and he had two identical 2 door Sports in stock. I drove one and I have to say that I wasn't thrilled about the amount of oversteering that I had to do on a brand new vehicle. I am not sure if this is just on the "base" vehicles or if this is something that is on all of them. I've had a lot of Mopars in my past so I am used to the constant steering correction; I just thought it would be eliminated by this time.

Honestly, I really hated the look of both of them; the wheels seemed like they were too small for the fender wells. Maybe it's just me but I really didn't like them. I want a two door; I'm just not a big fan of the four doors.

I have tried the factory build website but it is underwhelming. I can't seem to find the different options that I want. I found a few on the dealer search but some are a few states away and I can't justify the trip unless I am getting a "can't pass it up" deal. I am located in central Pennsylvania and I can't seem to find any large dealers with great reviews as far as service and price.

I want a Jeep with a nice stance; not sure how to describe what I like. I don't need lockers or sway bar disconnects but I want some height over the Sports that I saw and I want some larger tires.

What I'm looking for:
2 door
remote start
leather
heated seats
AC
Cruise
Auxiliary switches
auto
33" tires

What I am not sure of:
Which engine? Is the 4 turbo enough or am I better with the 6?
Can the "start/stop" feature be disabled?
Can I get factory lifts or can I add one without voiding the warranty?

I know it's near the end of the model year: do I try to order one now before the price increase or do I wait and see if there will be any changes in '22?

Thanks!

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[Outrun]

Guaranteed the tires were overfilled that was causing the steering problems.
Get a Rubicon with the XR package. You'll like the tires and lift.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

What I'm looking for:
2 door
remote star-> Can be factory ordered.
leather-> Factory Ordered
heated seats-> Cold Weather Package
AC-> Standard on everything but the most entry level sport, I believe.
Cruise-> Same as above, I think
Auxiliary switches -> Tow package- I have it, love it.
auto-> Yes
33" tires - Rubicon comes with 32.5"

What I am not sure of:
Which engine? Is the 4 turbo enough or am I better with the 6?
-> Lots of reviews in the engine section. I've got the V6 and like it, but would consider a Turbo4 if everything else was right.

Can the "start/stop" feature be disabled?
- Yes, there is a button on the dash and also tuners like Tazer can do that.

Can I get factory lifts or can I add one without voiding the warranty?->
you can order the Rubicon "Xtreme REcon Package" and get 2" lift and 35's plus some other goodies. If not, some dealers will sell you a 2" lift installed, or you can order a regular one and put in whatever lift you want. Dealers like to be pricks about it sometimes but thanks to the Magnusson-Moss act, they can't legally void your warranty on your Jeep. They have to prove that the aftermarket part was the direct source of the failure to deny the warranty claim. That said, some will absolutely try to stonewall you and basically say "see you in court"

I know it's near the end of the model year: do I try to order one now before the price increase or do I wait and see if there will be any changes in '22?-
I've seen talk of order banks for 2021 coming to a close, so at this point your best bet is to aim for 2022. That said: I ordered my 2019 in Sept 2018 and took delivery December 2018.

Thanks!

I'm not sure how much you're looking to mod, but if the answer is "as little as possible"- it saounds like your best bet is to Factory order a 2 door Rubicon from one of the larger volume dealers listed in the dealers section and see what they can do. Deals are still out there, you're just waiting basically. Right now on the lot inventory is at a premium, and how they're going to make their money. 2 doors aren't as desirable to the average car buyer (soccer moms and suburban bro-dads want 4 doors). Yes, this is coming from a guy with a 4 dr JLUR, who is in neither of those camps, but does have a family.
Use the internet
Negotiate by email- only step on the lot if the numbers line up.
Know invoice vs. MSRP and what the option packages cost (KBB, NADA Guides, Car Gurus, Autotrader, etC)
Shoot for 4% under invoice (~10-15% under MSRP)
Be respectful- understand there are limits- but don't take any shit and do not let them gouge/ pressure you. Lots of stories of shitty dealers doing shitty things.

That's basically my cliff notes. People will tell you it's not possible, but to be blunt: They're full of shit, and have not done their research. Plenty of people on this forum still getting the 4% under invoice on factory orders via Chrysler Group buy program.

Good luck.

 

[aldo98229]

Welcome to the forum!

To answer your questions:

• People love the 2.0T. I have the V6 and love it, too. The 2.0T feels spunky but high-strong and a bit unrefined IMO. The V6 feels more relaxed and is buttery smooth. You didn't specify transmission; if you want manual, V6 is the only way to go. If you want automatic, all powertrains are available.
• ESS can be disabled with a button on the dashboard, with an OBD programmer, or with a sensitive foot on the brake pedal
• Mopar offers a lift with Fox shocks that can be installed by the dealer. MSRP on it is roughly $1,500, plus 5-7 hours of labor. My dealer had a special of lift + labor for $2,000 so I took it. It is an excellent lift; worth every penny. It gets you a lot more than the promised 2 inches, though: I got 4 inches of lift in front and 3 inches in back.

Many on a budget get a Sport and buy Rubicon "takeoff" springs, shocks, wheels and tires. This gets you about a 1-inch lift and gets rid of Sport's small-tire syndrome.

Sport S gives you most of the popular options like AC, power windows and locks, alloys, etc. Since you want leather seats, play around with the other trim levels; you might find a better value on one of those.

Given that you are in PA, I strongly recommend getting the Cold Weather Group. It adds remote start, automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel. They all come on automatically whenever you start the Jeep remotely at temps below 40 degrees. I'd also look into getting the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD and the rear LSD; they work amazingly well in snow. If you decide against the Selec-Trac, the rear LSD alone will make a ton of difference in winter driving.

You will have many recommend you buy a Rubicon. It is overkill IMO unless you plan to do extreme off-roading. Any Wrangler is amazingly capable right out of the box. By the time you add a rear LSD, a lift and bigger tires, it will be capable of tackling 80% to 90% of the trails out there.

Good luck!

 

[aldo98229]

PS - my humble Sahara with rear LSD, Mopar 2-inch lift and 35-inch Generals is amazingly capable on the trails.

 

[garyji]

I'm coming from 16+ years of Tacomas and the Jeep is better in every way. My last was a 2016 Tacoma and I liked my 2006 better. Get the eTorque 3.6. No aux battery and mine runs fantastic. If you don't like the Start/Stop, just push the button. If you try it you might be surprised how smooth it works. My mind was changed.

If you go for the Rubi, you'll already have all the lift and capability you need. I've been retired 6 years and sorry I waited so long to get my first Jeep.

G.

 

[TrailScooter]

PS - my humble Sahara with rear LSD, Mopar 2-inch lift and 35-inch Generals is amazingly capable on the trails.

lub the white waggons. Gives it a '70s look.


Now, if your other car is a Vista Cruiser...

 

[entropy]

I bought a 2dr sport and slapped rubicon suspension and tires. The 2 door sport with rubicon parts is outstanding on the trail for a very affordable price. Much better than a vehicle that doesnt even exist yet. You can always buy a sport and lift and 35s if you want even bigger tires. My steering is perfectly fine, but it will never be like an IFS vehicle. tbh, I am not sure if Jeep is the best vehicle for you.

 

[aldo98229]

lub the white wagons. Gives it a '70s look.


Now, if your other car is a Vista Cruiser...

This is my other car. Does it count?

 

[TrailScooter]

This is my other car. Does it count?

Yeah, I could get in trouble with that.

But, it's not '70s retro. Don't know, maybe put some white wagons on it. Maybe one of those jock in the box heads on the antenna.?

 

[Abend]

Another option is the Willys Sport package - it gives you Rubicon suspension and 32" M/T tires, so you'd sit almost as high as a Rubicon. It's featured in the TFL video that reportedly caused much commotion recently on "that other forum"

 

[Grooster]

Welcome to the forum!

To answer your questions:

• People love the 2.0T. I have the V6 and love it, too. The 2.0T feels spunky but high-strong and a bit unrefined IMO. The V6 feels more relaxed and is buttery smooth. You didn't specify transmission; if you want manual, V6 is the only way to go. If you want automatic, all powertrains are available.
• ESS can be disabled with a button on the dashboard, with an OBD programmer, or with a sensitive foot on the brake pedal
• Mopar offers a lift with Fox shocks that can be installed by the dealer. MSRP on it is roughly $1,500, plus 5-7 hours of labor. My dealer had a special of lift + labor for $2,000 so I took it. It is an excellent lift; worth every penny. It gets you a lot more than the promised 2 inches, though: I got 4 inches of lift in front and 3 inches in back.

Many on a budget get a Sport and buy Rubicon "takeoff" springs, shocks, wheels and tires. This gets you about a 1-inch lift and gets rid of Sport's small-tire syndrome.

Sport S gives you most of the popular options like AC, power windows and locks, alloys, etc. Since you want leather seats, play around with the other trim levels; you might find a better value on one of those.

Given that you are in PA, I strongly recommend getting the Cold Weather Group. It adds remote start, automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel. They all come on automatically whenever you start the Jeep remotely at temps below 40 degrees. I'd also look into getting the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD and the rear LSD; they work amazingly well in snow. If you decide against the Selec-Trac, the rear LSD alone will make a ton of difference in winter driving.

You will have many recommend you buy a Rubicon. It is overkill IMO unless you plan to do extreme off-roading. Any Wrangler is amazingly capable right out of the box. By the time you add a rear LSD, a lift and bigger tires, it will be capable of tackling 80% to 90% of the trails out there.

Good luck!

Excellent advice, Aldo! Well written, too. ?

 

[Ghost7th]

Thank you all for the responses.

I also forgot in my original post: I want some type of navigation. I would love a CD player but I think that is now a thing of the past. I think they have Apple Car Play?

I'll try to answer some of the questions in general.

I think the Rubicon will be overkill for me: I will never take it on more than dirt roads to go hunting or on the beach in Florida.

I want a two door hard top; I just like the look of them.

I do want the automatic; I think I am old enough to retire the manual. I was stuck in Baltimore traffic last year for three hours and I was ready for an auto after that.

As far as mods go: I don't mind doing them. I would rather do some things myself like adding lights, bumpers and such. I did a lot on my YJ. I would prefer to have a lift completed by the dealer or a shop to make sure I get it right.

I love the stance of this vehicle! This would be perfect for me in two door.

 

[Ghost7th]

In response to the Willys Sport (yes the video was buzzing in the other forum); does anyone know of any dealers in PA that has them? I would like to try driving it with the different suspension. Is that stock or is it something that I have to specify when ordering it?

To upgrade to more than 32's do I need different wheels or will those handle the larger tires? I am assuming that there will be plenty of clearance?

I will apologize now: I will have lots of questions. If I decided to do this I want to make sure I do it right.

 

[dalema]

Another option is the Willys Sport package - it gives you Rubicon suspension and 32" M/T tires, so you'd sit almost as high as a Rubicon. It's featured in the TFL video that reportedly caused much commotion recently on "that other forum"

^^^ this

as I was reading your description of what you want - this immediately sprung to mind!

Here's the recommended dealer thread that people were referring to, where you can find forum friendly dealers that will give you a good price:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/recommended-dealers-list.1227/

Maybe someone from that part of the country can weigh in on who the OP should email in the area?

PS - you will also find in that section of the forum 1) the latest order guide so you can see what's available on each model, and 2) a handy excel that let's you build each model and gives you invoice and MSRP prices.

1) https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/2021-jeep-wrangler-jl-2-door-order-guide.52368/

2) https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ng-worksheets-for-2021-jl-jlu-wrangler.52566/

best of luck!

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