Any Advice for a first time New Jeep buyer?

[Crossbones55]

I have never had a new vehicle, super excited that my first one will be the Jeep I have been hoping Jeep will make for many years! A jeep truck and (maybe) even a Diesel! I am not new to the Diesel vehicles, my first one was a 2005 Liberty with the Diesel, I loved that Jeep so much, incredible mileage, fun to drive, and mine had a Green Diesel tuner installed and maybe I was lucky but it was the most reliable car I have ever had (bet you never heard anyone say that before)!

Anyway, now I am driving a VW Toureg with a 3.0 Diesel. Great car once again, love the Torque!

Anyway, hoping to get a Diesel Jeep, still on the fence as I really don't NEED the Diesel, I plan on running 35's, do some off road playing, and it will be my daily driver so there will be some long trips and I like the feel of the Torque.

I am limited on budget, would my money be better spent on a gas Rubicon rather than the Diesel (posting on the Diesel boards so I think I can predict the answer to that

Anyway, as I have never bought new before, what types of things have the dealerships tried to talk you into? I have always bought used so its the usual extended warrantee, gap coverage and crap like that. I just want to be aware before I go in of anything that might be thrown at me. First post here and I am so excited for this purchase! Thanks in advance for any advice!

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[BAT]

I have never had a new vehicle, super excited that my first one will be the Jeep I have been hoping Jeep will make for many years! A jeep truck and (maybe) even a Diesel! I am not new to the Diesel vehicles, my first one was a 2005 Liberty with the Diesel, I loved that Jeep so much, incredible mileage, fun to drive, and mine had a Green Diesel tuner installed and maybe I was lucky but it was the most reliable car I have ever had (bet you never heard anyone say that before)!

Anyway, now I am driving a VW Toureg with a 3.0 Diesel. Great car once again, love the Torque!

Anyway, hoping to get a Diesel Jeep, still on the fence as I really don't NEED the Diesel, I plan on running 35's, do some off road playing, and it will be my daily driver so there will be some long trips and I like the feel of the Torque.

I am limited on budget, would my money be better spent on a gas Rubicon rather than the Diesel (posting on the Diesel boards so I think I can predict the answer to that

Anyway, as I have never bought new before, what types of things have the dealerships tried to talk you into? I have always bought used so its the usual extended warrantee, gap coverage and crap like that. I just want to be aware before I go in of anything that might be thrown at me. First post here and I am so excited for this purchase! Thanks in advance for any advice!

I was limited on budget which meant I couldn't touch a Rubicon at the time I bought mine. But for what I do I didn't need that. If the diesel would have been available It still wasn't in my budget. I kept some money for upgrades, etc. But really just take an honest look at what you think you will be doing with the truck now and possibly into the future. Then get what you can with your budget. Just understand that if you put all your budget into the truck and have nothing to make changes then you will have to be good with running what you got until further notice. But the stock truck itself is plenty for truck for most anything.

 

[sass JT]

Get the diesel

 

[Tart_Cart]

If youre anything like me Id go diesel. I know i wanted the diesel and to order a brand new vehicle I knew i had to get the key parts i want. Like led headlights, heated seats, and in this case absolutely the diesel.

I would try to test drive both a diesel and a gasser and see what you think. As for the dealers, I would simply go to Gupton, talk to them and theyll take care of you. They have been the most pleasant BUYING (not only cars) experience Ive had.

 

[ilovebikes99]

If youre anything like me Id go diesel. I know i wanted the diesel and to order a brand new vehicle I knew i had to get the key parts i want. Like led headlights, heated seats, and in this case absolutely the diesel.

I would try to test drive both a diesel and a gasser and see what you think. As for the dealers, I would simply go to Gupton, talk to them and theyll take care of you. They have been the most pleasant BUYING (not only cars) experience Ive had.

I was the same way, if I'm ordering new, I'll order with everything I wanted. LED, heated, remote start, diesel... No regrets! Best buy ever

 

[jeepin48]

Get the diesel if you have a second car.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Sounds like you really like diesels….I’d go for the diesel Sport S. If you’re into rock crawling then maybe the rubicon. I don’t see another reason for spending on a Rubi though.

Just my two cents. I also don’t have the diesel or a Rubicon so there’s that lol. I do have a Sport S with the limited slip and it’s everything I need.

 

[trailless]

Test drive both back to back. Once you do, you'll make your choice. If you don't want to spend the money on a diesel, don't test drive it.

 

[BEERviper]

You said you plan on running 35's, do a search for people driving a Sport S gasser on 35's and see how many have decided to regear (some may have Max Tow so it already comes with 4.10:1 like the Rubicon or Mojave). The money you spend on a regear will largely offset the upcharge for the Diesel.

I have a Sport S Diesel on 37's with the stock 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and I have towed a 6,200 lb camper like it was nothing. I can still hit 8th gear at 59mph on flat roads (and I live at 5,000 ft elevation).

Then you have the fuel economy of the Diesel which you are well aware. If you are on any of the multitude of Facebook JT groups, it seems like daily there's a new post about the same thing and one of those are complaints about the gasser fuel economy.

My salesperson did not push any extras on me, but then again I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted. On top of that by spending a couple of days on these forums you are FAR more knowledgeable than 98% of salespeople about the Gladiator.

Do not buy an extended warranty through the dealer, there are far cheaper options (ask me how I know). Gap coverage is typically something through your insurance company.

Do your homework, figure out what options are available, and then make a MUST HAVE list and a NICE TO HAVE list.

 

[Crossbones55]

You said you plan on running 35's, do a search for people driving a Sport S gasser on 35's and see how many have decided to regear (some may have Max Tow so it already comes with 4.10:1 like the Rubicon or Mojave). The money you spend on a regear will largely offset the upcharge for the Diesel.

I have a Sport S Diesel on 37's with the stock 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and I have towed a 6,200 lb camper like it was nothing. I can still hit 8th gear at 59mph on flat roads (and I live at 5,000 ft elevation).

Then you have the fuel economy of the Diesel which you are well aware. If you are on any of the multitude of Facebook JT groups, it seems like daily there's a new post about the same thing and one of those are complaints about the gasser fuel economy.

My salesperson did not push any extras on me, but then again I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted. On top of that by spending a couple of days on these forums you are FAR more knowledgeable than 98% of salespeople about the Gladiator.

Do not buy an extended warranty through the dealer, there are far cheaper options (ask me how I know). Gap coverage is typically something through your insurance company.

Do your homework, figure out what options are available, and then make a MUST HAVE list and a NICE TO HAVE list.

Thank you so much for the super informative answers. One last thing, Like I said I want to run 35s but want no lift or maybe a level kit at most. Can I run 35s without, or at least under normal driving until I get a leveling kit? I read that most people say yes but with the extra weight of the diesel I am a bit concerned. I really like the look of the larger tire sizes and want to take my jeep from the Dealer to the tire shop to get some nice shoes on it!

 

[Free2roam]

Diesel! Second advice.
Go to Daniel or Renee at Gupton motors in Tennessee. Best deal in the 48. Order it directly from them.

 

[BEERviper]

Thank you so much for the super informative answers. One last thing, Like I said I want to run 35s but want no lift or maybe a level kit at most. Can I run 35s without, or at least under normal driving until I get a leveling kit? I read that most people say yes but with the extra weight of the diesel I am a bit concerned. I really like the look of the larger tire sizes and want to take my jeep from the Dealer to the tire shop to get some nice shoes on it!

All depends on if you plan on flexing the suspension at all, however I would still suggest a leveling kit to give a little buffer when turning lock to lock you don't want to rub.

The extra weight of the diesel should technically be irrelevant since the the springs are rated for the heavier engine already. You will find that several diesel owners have indicated problems with bottoming out on stock suspension, but a leveling kit has helped that issue.

 

[ecidiego]

Don't listen to these guys. Get a Mojave. Gasser and comes from the factory with a bent frame so you don't have to worry about that.

 

[Chance575]

Make them throw in the true coat

 

[rharr]

research all the build options using the dealer order form found on this forum build what using that excel file it will calc all the costs, then start talking to dealers about ordering exactly what you want at a known price point. Then you have less games to play. If the dealer doesn't want to give you close to what the worksheet estimates then walk away and find another.

Get a diesel if you have a second car you can drive. I use my JTRD as a trip vehicle where i can run long high way stretches. That is where it's happiest. As a DD city car forget about it, to much overhead, potential fickleness and maintenance for a city car.

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