Technology package worth $1000?

[jayvis]

i'm in the same boat with you. simplicity is the way to go, if you are planning to keep a vehicle for a long time. also it save money in the long run without things crapping out. my last jeep (07 grand cherokee) have served me well, until the motor took a dump at 91k miles. however things were starting to crap out like the pass. window motor, (driver was replace at $320) hvac control and heat/ac blower acting up, power lock acting up, and a few other things. so power options, etc to me is not worth it. and i dont miss it. i'm at the point just to find an older jeep or truck without the electronic crap and live a simple life and fix it in the driveway vs luxury and pay someone to plug a computer and tell me whats wrong.

Simple is fine as long as you will always be the only one in your vehicle and don't mind sweating your axx off in traffic on a 90 degree day. Some so-called luxuries are just normal must-haves anymore.

Sponsored

 

[cosine]

Simple is fine as long as you will always be the only one in your vehicle and don't mind sweating your axx off in traffic on a 90 degree day. Some so-called luxuries are just normal must-haves anymore.

lol, heat and ac would be one thing to have and a radio. anything else i can pass on.

 

[Token]

What is the appeal of LED headlights? Aren't they just brighter?

For hitch I was just going to buy aftermarket for a few hundred and run wire underneath myself instead of through the body like Mopar suggests.

The LED lights improve outward visibility greatly.
The tow package also comes with the bigger battery, and higher amperage alternator. You also get the trailer brake connector under the dash.
The aux switches are a nice little bonus.

 

[Wanted33]

It was one of those must haves for me. I looked at it this way. Jeeps ain't cheap, so what's another 1000 bucks in the whole scheme of things. Good luck on your decision.

 

[JeepSmash]

100% worth it if you’re gonna spend time driving it. If it’s just a weekend trail rig then maybe not as important.

 

[Dr. O)lllll(O]

I know it comes with V4 Turbo but I really want the V6 because its been around a lot longer and doesn't use premium gas, which evens out the loss in gas mileage in my opinion.

Just btw, there’s nothing wrong with running 87 octane in the 2.0L if you’re concerned about gas $ savings

 

[BeachNJeep]

I got an early build 2018 JLU Sport S with a 6 speed manual. Given first year gremlins that affect all brands, I went simple. I wanted actual gauges (not digital, virtual gauges that can go blank if the video system craps out), and physical knobs and buttons. Sure, I love me some good tech, but I also wanted to save $$ on my build so I could put more into my lift, rims, tires, bumper, winch, etc. I stream music from my phone and the 5" system allows me to stream a music source on USB and another, different source from the bluetooth with my android device (e.g., my internal music player on my phone on USB and pandora or Spotify on bluetooth). It's nice that I don't have to select the different sources on my phone and just use the steering wheel button to select the different source.
There is a small color display that will also show the album cover information when you're streaming, so it's not bad. Android phones read out your text message, iPhone's don't. It's not android auto or apple car play by an stretch, but it works and didn't cost me anything extra.

Selecting where the air flows doesn't require going through any menus or sub-menus on a screen and I'm not a fan of soft touch buttons, anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Samsung Galaxy S10+ power user, a MacBook user and use VPN's, virtual workspaces and RDC at work. But a "G" is a G and I don't want to finance a head unit that in 5 years won't add much value to it in the long run. And, as technology changes and gets cheaper, it hurts a lot less to swap out a "free" radio with new tech than one that cost a grand, imho.

Hth.

 

[BeachNJeep]

I got an early build 2018 JLU Sport S with a 6 speed manual. Given first year gremlins that affect all brands, I went simple. I wanted actual gauges (not digital, virtual gauges that can go blank if the video system craps out), and physical knobs and buttons. Sure, I love me some good tech, but I also wanted to save $$ on my build so I could put more into my lift, rims, tires, bumper, winch, etc. I stream music from my phone and the 5" system allows me to stream a music source on USB and another, different source from the bluetooth with my android device (e.g., my internal music player on my phone on USB and pandora or Spotify on bluetooth). It's nice that I don't have to select the different sources on my phone and just use the steering wheel button to select the different source.
There is a small color display that will also show the album cover information when you're streaming, so it's not bad. Android phones read out your text message, iPhone's don't. It's not android auto or apple car play by an stretch, but it works and didn't cost me anything extra.

Selecting where the air flows doesn't require going through any menus or sub-menus on a screen and I'm not a fan of soft touch buttons, anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Samsung Galaxy S10+ power user, a MacBook user and use VPN's, virtual workspaces and RDC at work. But a "G" is a G and I don't want to finance a head unit that in 5 years won't add much value to it in the long run. And, as technology changes and gets cheaper, it hurts a lot less to swap out a "free" radio with new tech than one that cost a grand, imho.

Hth.

I also got the tow package. THAT is worth it. The aux lighting package and higher amp alternator and battery make it a good value. I use it every day (either towing my 19' Century open bow day cruiser, holding a bike rack for my mountain bike, or a folding hitch rack (that, I use every day because I have all my overlanding gear in the back of the rig at all times (part bug out, part let's get the hell out of here for a weekend...)).

 

[word302]

What is the appeal of LED headlights? Aren't they just brighter?

For hitch I was just going to buy aftermarket for a few hundred and run wire underneath myself instead of through the body like Mopar suggests.

The benefit of the tow package isn't really in the hitch. It's in the HD electrical package.

 

[Spank]

I don't understand the point of the 7" screen with the bezel that positions the screen up top and adds that extra wasted real estate on the bottom. I doubt there is a huge difference in the production cost of the screen between it and the 8.4". They should just have the big one with the navigation software disabled/removed.

 

[Jcsieman]

My best advice is to go test drive them and decide in person.

Originally I thought that anything other than the 8.4 inch was going to be too small. In the end I was happy with the 7 inch but anything less was too small for me. Another factor to consider on the screen size is the backup camera. The small differences go a long way every time you are backing up.

I agree. 7 is the Goldie Locks spot... bigger is too expensive, smaller is too small.

 

[Jcsieman]

I don't understand the point of the 7" screen with the bezel that positions the screen up top and adds that extra wasted real estate on the bottom. I doubt there is a huge difference in the production cost of the screen between it and the 8.4". They should just have the big one with the navigation software disabled/removed.

Then they can’t charge you for it though! And besides, I have grown to like the “ledge” at the bottom. I rest my hand (a few finger tips) there while I’m using the screen and it adds some “interest” to an otherwise bland dash (so would an extra inch of screen obviously... but)

 

[emptyminded42]

IMHO, no, it's not worth the $1k - the base head unit sounds fine and will read out your texts on the iPhone - earlier poster was mistaken that it only supported Android readout. I don't really care for FCA's automatic climate control implementation (I've had several Pacifica and Challengers as rentals) so half of it doesn't add any value for me. I don't think CarPlay is worth $1k, so I went without on my JLU Sport S. I'd spend that $1k on the Cold Weather Package, personally. I think it adds a ton of value for me and likely will make selling it later much easier - everyone likes heated seats and wheels unless you're in SoCal or Florida or something.

 

[amnesiac]

I’ve been learning the CarPlay feature, and I love that I can access my Spotify through it.

 

[@OUTDOORTREE]

After reading all the comments I think the appropriate thing for you to do is order a fully loaded Rubicon then immediately throw away the bumpers, wheels, tires, and add a Gobi Roof rack, then buy a fridge, air compressor and roof top tent.... Then change the background of your phone to a Jeep grill and live and breathe Jeeps and ignore other aspects of your life... Your happiness level will increase by 80%, women and men will swoon when seeing you/the Jeep and you will spend all your free time roaming the mountains.

(just my personal experience)

Sponsored