Thinking about a change

[aldo98229]

The fact is people change too. Sometimes what you tolerated when you were younger isn't worth it when you are older. For instance I used to not care if my car had functioning AC or not...if it worked, great but if not oh well. Same deal with cruise control. Now days my requirements are working AC and cruise control. Another 20 years from now I might decide I have to have heated seats and steering wheel but so far I've been fine without those too. The fact is people change.

What pisses me off is when people change and expect everyone else to go along with their BS. I would prefer (and a lot of other people too I might add) if Wranglers didn't become watered down Toyotas since you know...people could just buy a Toyota if a Wrangler doesn't suit them anymore. Really that's what the Grand Cherokee is supposed to be for but Jeep has screwed that one up so much that its pointless.

There are enough different cars on the market that almost everybody should be able to find something they are happy with. Lets not fuck up the Wrangler trying to cater to every complainer on the internet. If a Wrangler doesn't make you happy there are alternatives.

Yes, our priorities and expectations change with age. But so do with prices.

Our expectations of a Jeep Wrangler with, say, an MSRP $28,000 are not the same as that with an MSRP of $60,000.

Jeep raised prices by 50% in five years, the most of any automaker. But standard equipment didn't go up, reliability didn't go up, customer service didn't go up, capability didn't go up, warranty coverage didn't go up. In fact, many of these actually went down.

Jeep raised prices simply to take more money from customers and put into its own pocket. Period.

One could say "Okay, fine, this is a free market." True, but Jeep ought to understand that by raising prices so indiscriminately, they are also raising our expectations. This last bit appears to escape them.

Every day customers of all ages are looking to get value for their money wherever they can find it. And as sales trends show, fewer buyers are finding value in Jeeps these days.

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[Twisted10]

 

[Zandcwhite]

Yes, our priorities and expectations change with age. But so do with prices.

Our expectations of a Jeep Wrangler with, say, an MSRP $28,000 are not the same as that with an MSRP of $60,000.

Jeep raised prices by 50% in five years, the most of any automaker. But standard equipment didn't go up, reliability didn't go up, customer service didn't go up, capability didn't go up, warranty coverage didn't go up. In fact, many of these actually went down.

Jeep raised prices simply to take more money from customers and put into its own pocket. Period.

One could say "Okay, fine, this is a free world." True, but Jeep ought to understand that by raising prices so indiscriminately, they are also raising our expectations. This last bit appears to escape them.

Every day customers of all ages are looking to get value for their money wherever they can find it. And as sales trends show, fewer buyers, of all ages, are finding value in Jeeps these days.

Standard equipment has continued to go up. Power windows and locks, the 12" Infotainment screen, side curtain air bags, etc. 2 of the 3 didn't exist in 2018 JLs, the standard radio was the tiny 5" with the 8.4" being an expensive upgrade, and you had to upgrade to power windows and locks. And in that same time we saw 25% inflation. In reality you get more for the same money equivalent now.

 

[toddinrochester]

I love how angry people get in this group because someone is not sticking around. Its like you are all scared to hear someone point out the truths about the brand and this ride or die attitude is exactly why people are way upside down in these things.

This isn't an airport, you don't have to announce your departure.

Either you're a "jeep person" or you ain't and it sounds like you aren't. Maybe you once were but since you mention things like "poor ride"... Lets be honest here you knew what you were getting into with the Wrangler, you should understand why they don't ride the same by now. You should understand that the LC rides nicer because Toyota wanted it to and made sacrifices in other areas in order to make it happen.

I'm not even going to address your other issues as once again...you knew what a Jeep was when you bought in to it and nothing prevented you from buying a Land Cruiser back then instead of the Jeep.

Good luck with your Toyota and I hope you're happy with it. Personally I think they make boring cars for boring people and would never own one. Life is too short to drive a boring car but some people find comfort in boring and that's why Toyota is successful.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I love how angry people get in this group because someone is not sticking around. Its like you are all scared to hear someone point out the truths about the brand and this ride or die attitude is exactly why people are way upside down in these things.

People point out that the complaints that are most common like "it doesn't ride like a Lexus" or "the upright seats aren't comfy enough" are useless. The Wrangler has a solid axle for a reason. It has an upright seating position for a reason. It has a narrow body with wide fenders for a reason. Those things need to stay because they make it the best off road vehicle ever offered from any manufacturer. If you don't like it, go buy a land cruiser or bronco or land rover or whatever you like. No need to complain about the things that make the Jeep better than those vehicles...on a Jeep forum. Don't worry, over on the Toyota forum they'll all agree with you and pretend the Toyota is just as capable and far more reliable... it's neither.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The people that buy Jeeps have changed since the CJ days. Jeep introduced a fancier “Tuxedo Park” trim in 61 for 5’s and 6’s. They were given their own models 5A and 6A for 64 — 68. A total of 7,300 5A’s were sold, the longer 6A - 450 sold in 5 years. Fancy wasn’t wanted, fancy and bigger damn sure wasn’t. Now they can’t sell many 2dr’s and a majority appear too want auto everything, power everything, heated everything, more electronics, bigger screens, and bitch because the windows aren’t auto-up, the audio system isn’t good enough, and the f’ing gear shift knob isn’t heated. No, this old guy couldn’t stand a Willys CJ5 as a DD anymore like when I was younger, but Jeep won’t offer a 2dr with an acceptable drivetrain, and the 4dr with my priority option came with damn near every option standard— wanted or not.

The Tuxedo Park just had some fancy trim. The original luxury, if you want to call it that, Jeep was the Commando. Hardtop, roll up windows, available AC and auto. All to compete with Scout and Bronco. The Commando refresh was pretty damn ugly and sales plummeted. However the CJ7 arrived shortly after it was cancelled and the automatic, AC, hardtop and doors returned.

 

[autotragic]

I love how angry people get in this group because someone is not sticking around. Its like you are all scared to hear someone point out the truths about the brand and this ride or die attitude is exactly why people are way upside down in these things.

If you think I'm angry you are sadly mistaken. If anything I'm the one pointing out the truth the OP didn't have to buy a Jeep he could have bought a Land cruiser before it's not like they just came out with them they've been around for a while. He had owned several Jeeps before he knew exactly what he was getting and he bought it again anyway knowing what the issues were and knowing what the downfalls were. If you're going to put your lack of common Sense on display for all the internet to see don't get mad when somebody points it out.

 

[CT_LFC]

The new LC's are cool, but the price point is nowhere near where i would consider it. I could have sworn i had previously seen the 1958 starting at $55K but just checked and it's $56.5K, add delivery/handling fee of $1.5K and it's a cool $58K and only 3 colors to choose from.

Hard pass.

 

[Riverjeep]

I’ve had Jeeps for years (and before them IH Scouts). I have become ever more disenchanted as Jeeps have grown larger and more complex, while becoming more difficult to DIY repair. Medicore build quality, poor ride, and laughable “service” at dealerships combined with ludicrous pricing have taken the shine off the Apple. Buddy got a new Land Cruiser and frankly it’s nicer than anything Jeephas ever thrown together. I’m not into extreme rock crawling which is perhaps the only area Jeep will outperform the LC. It’s quieter, rides a Lot better, is much better built and has an actual dealer network that services them. Dunno if I’ll jump just yet or not but if I trade the JL off, I’m 99% sure it’ll NOT be for another Jeep

 

[yokramer]

The new LC's are cool, but the price point is nowhere near where i would consider it. I could have sworn i had previously seen the 1958 starting at $55K but just checked and it's $56.5K, add delivery/handling fee of $1.5K and it's a cool $58K and only 3 colors to choose from.

Hard pass.

But its a Toyota not a Jeep so its ok to charge that much for it.

 

[Terrymo]

But its a Toyota not a Jeep so its ok to charge that much for it.

Plus you get a free man bun hair piece and vape pen with the TRD package, just so you’re ready to flex at Starbucks.

 

[Remorseless]

But its a Toyota not a Jeep so its ok to charge that much for it.

It's really the ability to brag about the ReLiAbIlItY that you're buying

 

[yokramer]

It's really the ability to brag about the ReLiAbIlItY that you're buying

Exactly that cost extra

 

[Zandcwhite]

It's really the ability to brag about the ReLiAbIlItY that you're buying

But the same people don't think the Bronco is overpriced and it has Ford "reliability"?

 

[Zandcwhite]

It's gotten downright bizarre lately. "Stellantis bad, jeep overpriced, I'm buying xyz instead". Pretty much every 4wd truck and suv is priced comparably or even higher. None are as good off road. Most will be better on road, but even that is over blown. Our JLUR on 39s tracks straight, rides pretty well, is comfortable enough for multi-day cross country roadtrips, and handles great for what it is. Everything is expensive. A new Honda civic starts at $25k and approaches $40k loaded. But it's just a Stellantis problem or a Jeep problem right? Ridiculous.

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