Ballooning Inventory- sales slowing?

[ShadowsPapa]

They're not very popular at the store where I work. We sell mostly XLT F-150 or 1LT trim Silverado 1500s that end up priced low 40s for pretty well equipped truck. We had a recent retired service loaner Silverado 1500 Custom Trail boss crew cab 5.3L that was sold for 36k +tax title etc so it's a hard sale for our mostly rural farm customers to step up from there into a smaller truck that gets zero incentives and is just less capable people hauler and not as capable of a work truck.

The few Gladiators we have sold here are mostly on a lift and have big Fuel wheels/tires on them and personally having seen them around town don't appear to be used for much other than driving around town to work.

In Iowa there unless you know someone with private land there really are not many places you can take a Jeep off road.

The other Jeeps around here are mostly transportation as well. Farmers will buy full-sized trucks. People gave me heck when I said I should or could get xxx for my Chevy after the dealership offered me crap trade on it. I heard all sorts of things, reasons, why it would never bring that or I could never sell for that and so on. LOL - sold to a dealer for thousands more than I was offered for trade-in on it. Pretty close to getting my price and still had two private parties interested. Good used trucks, even 10 years old, sell like crazy around here. But they are all half or 3/4 ton trucks. You don't see many mid-size trucks around here other than people driving them around as transportation.

For me it was time to downsize a bit and wanted more interior space than a full-sized box was needed. I may end up disappointed in towing, but maybe not either when I'm all done with things.
I have a feeling the JT as far as Iowa goes will be for the die-hard Jeep people. I strongly doubt people will move from other trucks over to the JT. Could be wrong, I'm not in the new vehicle sales business, but I have bought and sold trucks over the years, live in farm country, was a farmer for several years and know their mind-set.
Me - I saw, I wanted, I could afford, I bought.

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[aj8544]

They're not very popular at the store where I work. We sell mostly XLT F-150 or 1LT trim Silverado 1500s that end up priced low 40s for pretty well equipped truck. We had a recent retired service loaner Silverado 1500 Custom Trail boss crew cab 5.3L that was sold for 36k +tax title etc so it's a hard sale for our mostly rural farm customers to step up from there into a smaller truck that gets zero incentives and is just less capable people hauler and not as capable of a work truck.

The few Gladiators we have sold here are mostly on a lift and have big Fuel wheels/tires on them and personally having seen them around town don't appear to be used for much other than driving around town to work.

In Iowa there unless you know someone with private land there really are not many places you can take a Jeep off road.

Your comments about the 1/2 tons are exactly what has held me back from buying one yet (and i bet alot of other ppl too). Always driven 1/2 ton and even a few 3/4 ton trucks- although I really dont require their work utility for my hunting fishing etc... The JT would certainly fit my needs, and I do still plan to have one, but damn it’s hard to get over the smaller less capable for MORE money thing. This is especially true when as a truck buyer you are used to shopping the massive rebates.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Your comments about the 1/2 tons are exactly what has held me back from buying one yet (and i bet alot of other ppl too). Always driven 1/2 ton and even a few 3/4 ton trucks- although I really dont require their work utility for my hunting fishing etc... The JT would certainly fit my needs, and I do still plan to have one, but damn it’s hard to get over the smaller less capable for MORE money thing. This is especially true when as a truck buyer you are used to shopping the massive rebates.

I understand - and I don't want to dissuade anyone from buying - they are nice, and once you get past the more narrow cab, I found the leg room and sitting space is better than what my extended cap Silverado 1500 had. And the space under and behind the seats - I have more under these JT back seats than I could get under the Chevy seats - and the stuff kept sliding out from under the seats of that truck.
Don't get me wrong - loved the Chevy, ZERO regrets, it was a good, reliable truck. But - it was time for a few things like tires, and I missed the technology my wife's JGC has, nav, heated steering wheel, a few other "luxuries" you want more of as you get older and arthritis takes over life. The Jeep had most of those things (most, but I understand why not all - it's a Jeep, you give up power seats for the ability to drive through a stream and wash the cab out with a hose later)
Most of the things I'll be dealing with have more to do with choices, and the way Jeep chose to "package things", not with the quality of the Jeep and such.
Don't be afraid to give a JT an honest look - you will have to make choices - if you want xxx, you have to move to a different level and may have to give up yyy, but if you make a list of your own personal priorities, regardless of what anyone ELSE thinks, it can be your vehicle and do what you need in the end. I do think the JT as they are packaged and marketed make you deal more with choices than other brands, but if you are honest with your own priorities, they are a good little truck.
I WOULD buy a JT again - maybe differently, maybe different dealer, different level or options, but if I went back in time, I pretty sure I'd still have a JT today.

 

[ZTMAN]

I own a super crew F150. Also have a JT. The Ford is more comfortable than my recliner and drives like a dream. Tons of space. But I walk by the Ford to drive the JT every chance I get. Really love the JT.
I don't think you can compare a full size truck to the JT any more than you can compare a JL to a Tahoe.

If you "need" a full size truck, the JT is probably not the right choice, IMO

 

[5JeepsAz]

Price. Period.

JT's are great and will sell out at a lower price.

If they are aiming at August 2020, they might have time to move existing units at 5 or 7K less than MSRP.

If they will continue production and will need to sell existing and new units by Aug 2020, it'll be 10-15K less than MSRP.

 

[jwilson2899]

Here in North VA I see Rubicons discounted a lot, from $5 to 11K. Between the initial high prices and now steering concerns, people are holding back.

https://www.lindsaychryslerdodgejee...2020-Jeep-Gladiator-Rubicon-1C6JJTBG0LL122008

Damn thats a good deal

Have to watch the catch of freight not being included, but yes it’s a good deal. I bought my LE from them in November, ended up just over $56k OTD. Unless they sold it, they till had a white LE on the lot recently.

 

[BAT]

Price. Period.

JT's are great and will sell out at a lower price.

If they are aiming at August 2020, they might have time to move existing units at 5 or 7K less than MSRP.

If they will continue production and will need to sell existing and new units by Aug 2020, it'll be 10-15K less than MSRP.

Exactly, I know some folks that would buy a JT if the price was lower but they are not going to jump out of a loaded 1500 that drives like a dream and is a very good all around truck for the JT at a crazy high price point. What I get next year will I guess depend where they are on the pricing at that time. I am hoping to be in one before May but guess will have to wait and see. The Diesel will add gas mileage but its going to drive the cost up even more than it is now.

 

[BAT]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, and noticing similar trends on the dealership lots down here. Almost 50 Gladiators sitting on one lot, most with big discounts attached to them. A $43,745 Sport S marked down over 5k for example.

I'm in no rush to buy, but I'm tempted to go make an offer at the end of December if a vehicle with my preferred configuration appears. These advertised prices are basically even with the custom order discounts, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go lower to clear some vehicles out.

Many of the units sitting are loaded with nothing anyone want's is a big issue. They screwed the pooch I think in just putting out so many JT loaded with junk

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Many of the units sitting are loaded with nothing anyone want's is a big issue. They screwed the pooch I think in just putting out so many JT loaded with junk

My issue was that none of them had the options I wanted -they all LACKED a lot of things.
I wanted a LOADED truck - if it's available, I wanted it. That's how I bought my Silverado in 2011 - that's how I wanted to buy a truck. Of course no dealer anywhere was stocking any Jeep with body color roof and fenders or even just body color roof, most were about half loaded, a few things but the combinations weren't right.
Even my Silverado I had to have them add the backup camera and trailer brake controller.
Even a few days ago when I was contemplating trading my Overland for a more capable JT - I did a search, nothing even close to the equipment I wanted - not a single thing. All were pretty much basic models of each level, you know when they advertise a Rubicon for $55,000 MSRP it's lacking most things, for example. I only saw a couple that were in the $58,000 MSRP range - still not loaded.

 

[Insert_Clever_Name_Here]

Here in North VA I see Rubicons discounted a lot, from $5 to 11K. Between the initial high prices and now steering concerns, people are holding back.

https://www.lindsaychryslerdodgejee...2020-Jeep-Gladiator-Rubicon-1C6JJTBG0LL122008

I've noticed a lot of deals in the DC to Nova beltway. I'm going to take a trip down to a few dealers from PA this weekend.

 

[BAT]

My issue was that none of them had the options I wanted -they all LACKED a lot of things.
I wanted a LOADED truck - if it's available, I wanted it. That's how I bought my Silverado in 2011 - that's how I wanted to buy a truck. Of course no dealer anywhere was stocking any Jeep with body color roof and fenders or even just body color roof, most were about half loaded, a few things but the combinations weren't right.
Even my Silverado I had to have them add the backup camera and trailer brake controller.
Even a few days ago when I was contemplating trading my Overland for a more capable JT - I did a search, nothing even close to the equipment I wanted - not a single thing. All were pretty much basic models of each level, you know when they advertise a Rubicon for $55,000 MSRP it's lacking most things, for example. I only saw a couple that were in the $58,000 MSRP range - still not loaded.

Well I guess its a blessing for me that I am not in a position at this time to get one otherwise I probably would get something and have to make some exceptions. I did find a Gobi with most all the stuff I wanted loaded on it (Sport S Max Tow) but the dang thing is located in Idaho. Would be a heck of a road trip for me. Hopefully by April or May there will be some changes in price and offerings. If not then will just have to see what I can work out.

 

[aj8544]

Many of the units sitting are loaded with nothing anyone want's is a big issue. They screwed the pooch I think in just putting out so many JT loaded with junk

Not only are the options terrible on most Ive seen, but the ratio of trim levels seems off too. For most people that actually need a truck over a JL it seems like the Max Tow Sport S or the Rubicon are the only way to go for reasonable towing and payload. Some dealers here who have 25 on the lot have 12-15 Overlands, a bunch of regular Sports and a couple Rubicons. The max tow package is pretty much nonexistent here, and I would think it would be the volume seller if it was readily available. Not to offend anyone who bought them but the Overland model almost seems silly on the JT imo. On the JL I understand the Sahara- ppl who want luxury- leather etc... but dont hardcore offroad. On the JT where you also lose truck capability it seems less desireable-doesnt seem like many people would choose an Overland for 52k or so over a much more capable Rubicon ( both off-road and just as a truck)for the same or slightly more money.

 

[Insert_Clever_Name_Here]

Funny.... I just test drove a Gladiator Rubicon in the color I want with all my required options checked off (Only one I could find in 150 miles). However, it has a few thousand in options I perticulary don't want and is a tuff pill to swallow at MSRP. I actually got my 2018 Raptor new under MSRP for a few hundred less. They have taken off $3500 from the msrp but I'm looking for a few more.
Most trucks I'm finding have Proximity, Safety, Leather, cruise control (4 things I really don't want) but lack trailer tow and the auxilery switch (which is a pain to install afterwards). I told my salesman Jeep made a huge mistake flooding the market with loaded trucks at first and he totally agreed. He said they have only started moving them now that they have some lower price models in.

 

[prototyp3]

Many of the units sitting are loaded with nothing anyone want's is a big issue. They screwed the pooch I think in just putting out so many JT loaded with junk

I certainly agree with that. A lot of the load outs I'm seeing on the lots are downright strange.

For a truck you'd think I could find a Sport with max tow and a bedliner. Nope, none within 150 miles.
There are however 11 Sports with Active Safety Group, Adaptive Cruise, and Convenience Group optioned up!

 

[ZTMAN]

I've noticed a lot of deals in the DC to Nova beltway. I'm going to take a trip down to a few dealers from PA this weekend.

Good luck.Should be able to get at least %5 below invoice without too much effort. I bought my JKU from a No.Va. dealer. They are high volume, high pressure. It will be a fun experience if you stay one step ahead of them.

Do you have a trade? Problem with those fellows is they don't seem to give a reasonable price for trades.I ended up buying my JT from a dealer in South Central Pa because they had good discounts, and, after a lot of negotiation, gave me top dollar for my trade.

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