Is it worth getting the options from the factory, or adding myself afterwards?

[Zachanadandy]

Ok, so we know you don't know how to install a voswitch, bringing in the wiring to the switches is simple, doesn't go through the firewall....
As for the leather, I've seen the installers do the set in a day.....
Funny now you're moving the goalposts with "downtime", "warranty", VIN based value" to try and make your case..... (BTW, you lose value the moment you drive it off the lot, or did you leave yours at the dealer to protect the value?)

Nobody moved the goalposts, I literally mentioned resale value based on oem options in my first post but you were busy ranting about reading comprehension...
The wiring absolutely does go through the firewall according to both their direction and the videos I've watched, how else would it get from the engine compartment to the switch panel? Their latest instructions have you fold down the windshield and run it under it, but that seems cheesy as hell. Of course if you want to wire any interior accessories you'll have to run power... through the firewall anyway. The aux switches already have that done for you from the factory.

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[GladRubi23]

New to the Gladiator and this forum... I was debating the same questions you raised here when looking at my options. Went with one equipped like your option #2 and picked it up last Friday. It had the saddle leather, switch group, front camera, steel bumper, upgraded light group, etc. That was the most efficient choice for me as time is most important to me. Having said that the Warn EVO winch, Grimm winch plate and other goodies have just arrived today so i'm preparing to get those on, hopefully this weekend.

Also, looking at installing either the Mopar triple hoop front guard or Maximus triple hoop with the EVO winch setup but need to find pictures of the front camera view with both options to see which one works best without obstructing the camera.

Love this vehicle and looking forward to both the projects and coming fun.

 

[Teqsand]

Nobody moved the goalposts, I literally mentioned resale value based on oem options in my first post but you were busy ranting about reading comprehension...
The wiring absolutely does go through the firewall according to both their direction and the videos I've watched, how else would it get from the engine compartment to the switch panel?

Routes perfectly under the windshield, I have done it, it beyond a simple installation ..... if you're routing through the firewall, then please never touch my vehicles.....

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The two JTR's I am looking at are 7k different in MSRP. I THINK I could probably get them within $6000 out the door with the current incentives.

#1 has cloth seats, cold weather package, tow package and black 3 piece hard top.

#2 has leather, cold weather package, LED lighting, auxilary switches, tow package, front trail cam, steel winch bumper, and black 3 piece hard top.

I dont really care much about leather, thats not a huge factor. But is it worth getting the factory LED's, aux switches, and trail cam or is adding that stuff via the aftermarket cheaper, easier, and better? I know there is a huge amount of headlight upgrades for Jeeps. And I think I have seen front camera kits for $150 or something.

FYI, I do have a 12k lb Warn EVO 12S sitting in my garage that I would probably put on the Jeep. So I guess the winch bumper is a bonus but I also know there are a billion aftermarket options.

Frankly - you sort of answered your question by asking.
No offense, but some of these things are pretty intense, even for seasoned automotive/Jeep people.
Factory options will typically mean better value down the road - they do to me, anyway. I'd have no clue who installed the aftermarket stuff or how well they did and would likely not want it done how they did it, I'd rather start with a well-equipped vehicle and go from there.

The cheap front camera kits? Best look into some of the details on some of those.........

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Oracle flush mount tail lights would be better than factory.

I don’t think so. Factory are far more reliable.

 

[Volt0]

I don’t think so. Factory are far more reliable.

I only mentioned them b/c of their low profile and the OP is looking at a Rubi, and mentioned they had a winch. You think there’s a difference in the bulbs or something?

 

[maSS-hole]

I posted on this in another thread... it depends on your approach. If you plan to pay cash why not finance with dealer to get the extra $5-$6k off, then pay off? Dealer may ask you to make X number of payments to get max discount from MSRP, mine asked for six (costing +/- $800 in interest in my case at 6%). Not required but a gentleman's agreement. That is where you will find the 30-35% off discounts and most require you to call, they won't advertise that. With that said, a quick new JTR search nationwide on Autotrader just found over 3800 leftover '23 models. Many advertised at 30% off or better. There are dealers not on AT so more than that out there. You may have to travel, deliver (what I did), negotiate and pick your second choice color but deals are there.

If you plan to finance, I used an example of 6% (probably best in this market) vs 8% at dealer to show that on common terms (60 months) you will spend another $2-3k at minimum payment in interest but save another 10% ($5-6k) on Jeep. Of course, if you are able pay double or triple payments to really save on MSRP discount when dealer financing. It goes without saying you have to watch BS dealer fees, etc. and add those to the equation.

Time, money, kids and all other things considered I think it will be cheaper to get the options you want from the factory, go fully loaded and find a dealer tired of looking at it. Good luck!

(drifting from the thread topic a little...)

When I bought mine, I was 100% ready to pay cash. But there was an extra 1% discount for using Jeep financing. With some negotiation I found that I could still qualify if I made a minimum of six payments, and up to 75% of the principal on the first payment. At the interest rate of the time, that was less than paying cash and forgoing the 1%. Probably not any more. Definitely need a proper spreadsheet or loan calculator to track this; it's easy to see why they make their money on the financing. Anyway - just be aware that number of payments, and size of payments, are negotiable

This was actually what a salesman said to me today. Finance it and then pay most of it off right away and then coast out the required 6 months with minimal interest. I never even thought of that but its a great point.

Frankly - you sort of answered your question by asking.
No offense, but some of these things are pretty intense, even for seasoned automotive/Jeep people.
Factory options will typically mean better value down the road - they do to me, anyway. I'd have no clue who installed the aftermarket stuff or how well they did and would likely not want it done how they did it, I'd rather start with a well-equipped vehicle and go from there.

The cheap front camera kits? Best look into some of the details on some of those.........

I was asking becuase I am used to Fords, which have a program similar to J-scan called Forscan. The difference is, Fords(at least the F150) basically come prewired for everything and so adding options after purchase is usually a plug-n-play situations. power running boards, factory trailer brake controller, fog lights, whatever, they are already prewired for them. its litterally just a matter of plugging it in and turning it on in the software.

If the Jeep was the same I would by much more willing to do it myself.

 

[maSS-hole]

The real question now is if the Jeep will come in on time. If it gets in after the 1/16 deadline then i miss the 15% off MSRP incentive.

Do we think that will continue? Will it get better?

 

[Cspence]

The real question now is if the Jeep will come in on time. If it gets in after the 1/16 deadline then i miss the 15% off MSRP incentive.

Do we think that will continue? Will it get better?

Wondering the same thing for myself... Too bad there isn't a thread out there that archives all the historical incentives, that would be super helpful to guess what they'll do next. (though I know times are always changing, this January is very different than last January for them, and its not that cut and dry... like the stock market)

I spent some time this afternoon poking around to see what I could find, but came up empty handed...

 

[Hootbro]

This was actually what a salesman said to me today. Finance it and then pay most of it off right away and then coast out the required 6 months with minimal interest. I never even thought of that but its a great point.

Generally, there is no full payment penalty in most finance contract. In theory you could pay it all off on the first payment. Some dealerships will verbally tell you a 6 month requirement before paying it off but it is usually BS. They just loose their points on the loan kickback from the lender if you pay it off before the 6 months.

That being said, I have done the same as mentioned to get the additional money off or rebate and paid 95% of the loan off on the first payment and the remaining 5 payments are small chump change worth of finance costs. That just does the dealership a solid if you want to keep that relationship.

 

[maSS-hole]

Generally, there is no full payment penalty in most finance contract. In theory you could pay it all off on the first payment. Some dealerships will verbally tell you a 6 month requirement before paying it off but it is usually BS. They just loose their points on the loan kickback from the lender if you pay it off before the 6 months.

That being said, I have done the same as mentioned to get the additional money off or rebate and paid 95% of the loan off on the first payment and the remaining 5 payments are small chump change worth of finance costs. That just does the dealership a solid if you want to keep that relationship.

That's what happened when I bought my F150. They actually told me that I could pay it off whenever but they would lose their kickback if I didnt wait 4 months. I honored it for them, but at the time the rates were super low and it wasn't a big deal.

 

[maSS-hole]

Wondering the same thing for myself... Too bad there isn't a thread out there that archives all the historical incentives, that would be super helpful to guess what they'll do next. (though I know times are always changing, this January is very different than last January for them, and its not that cut and dry... like the stock market)

I spent some time this afternoon poking around to see what I could find, but came up empty handed...

I agree.

I started looking at the dealer websites here and of the 6-7 dealers I looked it, it appears there are something like 20-30 diesel Gladitors in transit. Someone is going to be sitting on a wholeeeee bunch of 2023 Gladiators if they dont keep these incentives going.

The dealer with the #2 Gladiator from my original post already told me they were not sure if it was getting in in time and I already made it very clear I had zero plan to buy it without the 15% off MSRP.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I only mentioned them b/c of their low profile and the OP is looking at a Rubi, and mentioned they had a winch. You think there’s a difference in the bulbs or something?

The Oracle LEDs look really good, but they seem to have some issues. I haven’t heard of any issues with the OE LEDs.

 

[fourfa]

The issue with the factory tails has nothing to do with quality. They stick out really far, and tend to get smashed on tight, technical trails where you're squeezing through rocks and trees, and rolling unexpectedly as you crawl over boulders. Often when people have that happen, they get the low profile Oracles. Your choice

 

[berb]

Take Option 2 Window Sticker
Email it to the Several Dealers on this sit like Upton in Tennessee
Take their price quote, show it to the dealer who has option #2
Tell them you want the Jeep for that price or you're going to order it from the discount dealer without the leather seats and save some more money.

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