Can you build a better Jeep and save money by starting with a Sport S?

[Pow_wagon]

I enjoy the build process. I had a fully loaded Power Wagon before this. Loved that thing, but quickly became bored after a few mods because there was nothing it needed to become more capable for my purposes. Thoroughly enjoying taking my base model and turning it into much more, even if I do end up at the JTR price tag (unlikely unless I go with forced induction) it’ll be exactly what I want.

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[eternus]

"Better" is the operative word here, as there is a different "better" for everyone that buys a gladiator. I like the Rubicon but couldn't justify the cost difference to get the lower gear transfer case (i didn't want it anyway), the lockers, and a handful of other features. They're great for someone else, but features I would never use or need. I would consider going with the Mojave... its closer to my speed, but ultimately realized I could buy and pay off a Sport S quicker and add stuff at my leisure to get where I need. I really only want the improved suspension for things like washboards (i will never be jumping my truck on sand dunes.) So... long term, I'll add the Teraflex shocks and some nice springs and I'll be done with major modifications.

The most annoying thing to me is when people presume some level of superiority based on the truck they bought. It's a thing you own, based on your priorities and income... if your ego is attached to your truck then really, I don't much care about your opinion anyway.

 

[Jonny A]

I don’t understand people’s fascination with this topic. I can’t tell if it’s little man syndrome or some weird pride to save 600 dollars.

I don't think there is a syndrome. Some folks just like the pride
Of doing it themselves. I am not exactly on of them, I'll do easier mods. I am a little man myself. So I don't know any better, LOL.

 

[Summitsearcher]

I don’t understand people’s fascination with this topic. I can’t tell if it’s little man syndrome or some weird pride to save 600 dollars.

Woah dude! No need to get personal. ? I can’t help I’m hung like a newborn and sometimes having to force a sneeze to grab ahold of it, but hey we’re all Jeep people here. The difference of an inch is an ooooh or an aaaah according to my wife. What’s 600.00 to one seems like 6000 to others. Potato/Pataaato in my book.

 

[Brfertig [HACKED ACCOUNT]]

Well, very interesting to read all the comments. There was one other point I saw that someone had mentioned from my channel. I have 10s of thousands of dollars in tools. That certainly changes things for many Jeep enthusiasts. I also saw someone mention wrenching as a distraction to life's painful seasons. I found wrenching was a way to unwind from post deployment stress. I have served in every crap hole you can imagine on 7 combat tours . I don't want to claim ptsd or a mental heath issue but I sure needed a way to get out of my head and heal. I obviously obsessed on tewltalk to find a healthy distraction.

 

[Brfertig [HACKED ACCOUNT]]

But did yours and that one have the exact same equipment/options on it? I think that’s where a lot of the bad information comes from and people get confused. They compare a moderately equipped Sport S to a fully loaded Rubicon and then yell that’s there’s $15-$20k difference. Of course there is when you add a bunch of options to it. My point was that if you compare them apples to apples, then the difference is much smaller. Believe me I priced both out before buying mine and poured over the spreadsheet many times before I pulled the trigger.

Yes, loaded sport was 47k, rubi was similar and 77k. Guam life. ??‍ no discounts available and 1 dealer.

 

[jwilson2899]

Yes, loaded sport was 47k, rubi was similar and 77k. Guam life. ??‍ no discounts available and 1 dealer.

Man, that’s just crazy then. Nothing like that here is n the lower 48.

 

[XJADDICTION]

Well, very interesting to read all the comments. There was one other point I saw that someone had mentioned from my channel. I have 10s of thousands of dollars in tools. That certainly changes things for many Jeep enthusiasts. I also saw someone mention wrenching as a distraction to life's painful seasons. I found wrenching was a way to unwind from post deployment stress. I have served in every crap hole you can imagine on 7 combat tours . I don't want to claim ptsd or a mental heath issue but I sure needed a way to get out of my head and heal. I obviously obsessed on tewltalk to find a healthy distraction.

Trust me on this, have a friend that’s been through it to talk to at any hour of the day, wrenching, woodworking, and mountain biking help me tremendously. Road bikes are no good you can think too much... before the new driver runs your butt over while on their phone.

Oh, and CrossFit, you will find fantastic friends there and have a moment to clear your mind.

Not to go too dark, but I want you to know that you have to have someone other than military counselors, spouse that didn’t experience it. my best friend that served with me is gone because he didn’t reach out. That hurts a lot of people...

 

[Munkey Boy]

Well, very interesting to read all the comments. There was one other point I saw that someone had mentioned from my channel. I have 10s of thousands of dollars in tools. That certainly changes things for many Jeep enthusiasts. I also saw someone mention wrenching as a distraction to life's painful seasons. I found wrenching was a way to unwind from post deployment stress. I have served in every crap hole you can imagine on 7 combat tours . I don't want to claim ptsd or a mental heath issue but I sure needed a way to get out of my head and heal. I obviously obsessed on tewltalk to find a healthy distraction.

Sooooo much this!

We all have hobbies and every man/woman needs a shed. Mine happens to be LEGO, and when asked how a 50 year old man (today in fact) can justify playing with a child's toy for recreation, I have always given the same answer for decades: I can turn off my brain without turning off my brain. Same here with my intentions to mod my Sport. It's not any disrespect for Rubi owners at all, it is more a challenge for me to adventurously dive into something fun and exciting, scary and expensive, and unique and distracting. All in pursuit of having a blast on and off road in a bad ass truck that looks like it was modeled after a LEGO build. Win, win!

 

[XJADDICTION]

For what it’s worth this is My Experience;

When I bought my JT in October 2019, my dealer I buy from had 3 sport s, one overland with no idea when they would get more and ordering would take even longer. The overland was 57K maxed out with adaptive speed control, leather, safety group really nice, the sport s was stripped (dinky stereo, cloth, no side steps, nothing special only option beside the S package was 8 speed auto.) and priced $46,900. I tried to work a deal with them and they wouldn’t budge.

I went 80 miles to find a dealer with 60 JT’s in stock (un heard of back then, but they are a Jeep and Dodge Truck only dealer at that location, they have other locations for the cars). coming from my Top of the line 2016 JKU Rubicon Hard Rock, 125,000 miles small lift, color matched hard top, cut flat fenders color matched ( also had the original fenders color matched not cut for the dealer) LED lights, soft top, sun screen Carolina Metal Works grab handles and 35’s on stock HR rims (it did have the 6 speed manual and I loved it). My trade in price was $29K on paper I had from previous dealer with no inventory.


This second dealer had a top line launch edition Rubicon lifted with good parts and nice wheels and tires for $77K. They had a second Rubicon top of line launch edition 60 and 80 dynatracs, 6.4 Hemi, bumpers winch, etc ready to Rock for $130+ k
They did all the work and they know what they are doing.

They had one Max Tow Sport S and not many knew what that trim level was back then. This dealer did and ordered with aux switches, 8 speed auto ( I know I thought I wanted a stick again because the old 5 speed auto sucked, but the 8 automatic is awesome! Besides, the Max Tow only comes with Automatic) cold weather package, cloth seats, could only get mid grade stereo with apple car play at the time, but they were able to purchase the Mopar premium top line speakers and sub and installed in their shop, tinted front windows, and the Ceramic Coat (the expensive real deal kind professionally applied by same place they had the front window match tint done) in Red (which was same color as my JKUHR and I love that color) with hard top black and fenders black ( this was the only way to get the Sport S back then) and side steps. Plus the payload and the towing I wanted since it was the Max Tow with a class 4 hitch, 4:10’s, wide HD 44’s, with all the Max Tow upgrades ( I did wonder why it didn’t have a brake controller ?)!

I had them pull up a Rubicon and the Max Tow in front of dealership parked side by side same color Red.

The Similarly speced Rubicon same cloth, cold weather package, same options mid grade stereo with standard speakers black hard top, fenders, halogen lights I hate the rock rails, my JKUHR has the extra step bar these were base Rubicon rock rails.

The Rubicon was $54K
My Max Tow was $42k

After dealing on price. The Rubicon stayed at $54k they wouldn’t budge on that, the Max Tow went from $44k to $42K. The Max Tow had been on their lot the longest, since late June 2019., remember this is early October when I’m shopping. MYJTMT had 122 test driven miles on it. Their non Max Tow sports, Overland’s, and Rubicons sold quickly.

I decided I had to have this JT MT right then, My JKUHR was out of warranty and showing locker trouble signs again, so I bought the Max Tow on the spot! We wheeled and dealed and they were fantastic! Columbia Jeep Dodge Spring Hill, TN.

I showed them the offer from my favorite dealer Premier Dodge Chrysler, Jeep in Mt Juliet, TN and they added $1000 to their offer which brought my trade in value up to an even $30k. I told them about the rear locker and sway bar DC issues and he said they are used to dealing with that.

When I was leaving my salesperson said we can take your Jeep and drop a Hemi in it for you! ?

My favorite dealer took me right back with all free services done including adding tire rotation and synthetic oil for no extra cost, all free. I love that dealership, Premier Mt Juliet TN!


Early on the Rubicons were selling like crazy and the difference really was $10k + in my case $12k more.

I have a LOT of room with $12K. Again this is early offering of the JT, today it’s different although I would still get the Max Tow and work a deal.

So yes the Rubicons in October of 2019 were at least 10K more similarly optioned.

 

[Summitsearcher]

Sooooo much this!

We all have hobbies and every man/woman needs a shed. Mine happens to be LEGO, and when asked how a 50 year old man (today in fact) can justify playing with a child's toy for recreation, I have always given the same answer for decades: I can turn off my brain without turning off my brain. Same here with my intentions to mod my Sport. It's not any disrespect for Rubi owners at all, it is more a challenge for me to adventurously dive into something fun and exciting, scary and expensive, and unique and distracting. All in pursuit of having a blast on and off road in a bad ass truck that looks like it was modeled after a LEGO build. Win, win!

Happy Birthday young man! ???

 

[Summitsearcher]

Well, very interesting to read all the comments. There was one other point I saw that someone had mentioned from my channel. I have 10s of thousands of dollars in tools. That certainly changes things for many Jeep enthusiasts. I also saw someone mention wrenching as a distraction to life's painful seasons. I found wrenching was a way to unwind from post deployment stress. I have served in every crap hole you can imagine on 7 combat tours . I don't want to claim ptsd or a mental heath issue but I sure needed a way to get out of my head and heal. I obviously obsessed on tewltalk to find a healthy distraction.

Thank you for your service brother.???

 

[869 KPH]

I told them about the rear locker and sway bar DC issues and he said they are used to dealing with that.

Bless you coming clean on that! I've read before where people are all proud of hiding this kind of stuff and it always makes me queasy. I couldn't do it for sure.

 

[Geekjeep]

I don’t need the lockers or disconnects. Sport s suit the needs and I put that money into lift and gears. Truck is suited for what I need. With that being said. It’s like splitting hairs. The rubi is a bargain for what it brings. In my case for similar price I prefer sport s with gears and a lift. To each their own.

 

[Gvsukids]

My wife said no to the Rubicon, so Max Tow it was. We've gotten stuck, but only three times needed a yank; locking differentials could've helped.

I never thought of resale until I owned a Wrangler. Now resale is a key factor for buying another one —and modding it.

Strong resale is a funny thing: you never care for it until you get it; then you can’t go on without it.

On the same vein, I’ve learned to stay away from mods that reduce resale.

If I can choose between two mods that get me the same result: one that does it by holding resale, the other that doesn’t, I’ll pick the former.

Of course none of this is a perfect science. But after having owned and sold a few Jeeps, one learns the tricks and gets the hang of it.

How does one know what mod holds value?

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