New Gladiator Rubicon v. Slightly Used - What Am I paying for?

[Advocate]

Sorry if this is a dumb question. I'm the market for a Gladiator Rubicon (I live in Austin TX and also own a 97' TJ). I had my sights on a 2021ish with 20-40K miles on it. I like the painted Freedom Panels, painted fender look, and leather. In my research, I'm seeing used Gladiators with the aforementioned options averaging about $47K.

Examples

Used 2021 Rubicon
Used 2020 Rubicon


BUUUUTTTTT.... there are also new Gladiators without the painted top/fenders and cloth seats selling for nearly the same price,examples:
New 2023 Rubicon

New 2023 Rubicon

New 2023 Rubicon

Am i missing something? What else would I be not getting with new versions other than the above options and maybe smaller wheels? Are the rebates really lowering the new prices to the same as used minus these options? If so then I would consider getting my desired options aftermarket.

Any guidance is much appreciated!

EDIT: I have third party financing secured (no trade) and interest is about the same for 2022 or new.

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[vmiaptetr]

If you are financing, it would be wise to consider the current difference in interest rates between purchasing new and used.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I personally wouldn't go for a 2 yr old truck with more than 20,000 miles on it. That's a lot of miles for the short amount of time it's existed.

New and used interest rates are different and are to be considered.

Yes, the rebates can be good enough that you get a new truck for the same as a lightly used one.

 

[dmwphoto]

Why not just find a new one with the options you want and be done with it?

 

[Advocate]

Why not just find a new one with the options you want and be done with it?

It seems like new ones with the options I like are pushing 60K and I'm at the limit of what I feel comfortable paying at 50.

 

[jav_eee]

I can’t find a new rubicon in my area for less than $62k MSRP. If the MSRP of the examples you posted are “real” then that’s a pretty good deal. For me I saved a little more than $12k off current advertised prices (including rebates that didn’t exist when I purchased) going used.

 

[dcmdon]

You aren't paying for anything. In fact, if you order from someone like Gupton, there's a decent chance you will pay LESS for the new truck than you will for a 20k mile 1 or 2 year old used truck.

Back when there were shortages at the end of 2021 I got $6000 off of MSRP on my Gladiator, at a time when my local dealer was adding $2000 to MSRP.

I don't know what Gupton is doing now, but I'm sure it's better.

Also. You save money by only getting the options you want. I wanted a pretty loaded truck but SelecTrac was a must have. Nobody had trucks in stock with SelecTrac and the combination of leather and safety options I wanted. Gupton was the easy choice.

Zero stress. Zero hassle. The number they quoted me was the number on the paperwork when I bought it. They even picked me up at the airport.

 

[Advocate]

I personally wouldn't go for a 2 yr old truck with more than 20,000 miles on it. That's a lot of miles for the short amount of time it's existed.

New and used interest rates are different and are to be considered.

Yes, the rebates can be good enough that you get a new truck for the same as a lightly used one.

Thanks! I have third party financing arranged at the same rate for 2022 and up, both would be considered "new."

 

[Advocate]

If you are financing, it would be wise to consider the current difference in interest rates between purchasing new and used.

Thanks! I have third party financing secured (no trade) and interest is about the same for 2022 or new.

 

[dmwphoto]

by the time you add the extras you want you will be much over your 50K

 

[Advocate]

I can’t find a new rubicon in my area for less than $62k MSRP. If the MSRP of the examples you posted are “real” then that’s a pretty good deal. For me I saved a little more than $12k off current advertised prices (including rebates that didn’t exist when I purchased) going used.

Thanks, that's the elephant in the room, are these prices "real." I'll shoot off a few inquiries to the new guys and ask for a itemized quote.

 

[TheDerb]

The answer is that those selling the used models to dealerships over the past year or so have gotten a premium, because until recently demand was crazy for used vehicles. Gladiators are for better or worse a pretty niche vehicle, so higher trim levels aren't selling out immediately, and due to this most dealerships cannot sell them if they put crazy markups on them. Thus, you are seeing dealerships try to not lose money on their trade ins, and new car dealership trying not to lose sales on new units.
I'd go new if I were you.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I personally wouldn't go for a 2 yr old truck with more than 20,000 miles on it. That's a lot of miles for the short amount of time it's existed.

New and used interest rates are different and are to be considered.

Yes, the rebates can be good enough that you get a new truck for the same as a lightly used one.

That's only 10K a year. That's below the national average even. I work 5 miles from home but once I toss in a couple of vacations I'll be at 13-15K by the time my truck is a year old, unless I start driving my SS Camaro more often. My girlfriend puts 20K a year on a vehicle.

Anyway.

Yep - consider used vs new rates, and the rebates on new trucks. Often new makes more sense.

 

[KevinC]

If you find a used one that has the options and color you are looking for, I would attempt to negotiate a deal.

The White 2021 JTR you listed has every option but LED's and bedliner. If you want white fenders and top, I would call them.

KevinC

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

I personally wouldn't go for a 2 yr old truck with more than 20,000 miles on it. That's a lot of miles for the short amount of time it's existed.

New and used interest rates are different and are to be considered.

Yes, the rebates can be good enough that you get a new truck for the same as a lightly used one.

10,000 miles a year seems pretty reasonable for a daily driver…

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