Can I get opinions on trading '23 Rubicon for '26 Rubicon X?

[BlackRuby23]

I bought my '23 off the lot for a great price in January '24. It was almost 27% off msrp. I am at 33.5k miles, so the 36k warranty is up soon. Rather than spend thousands on an extended warranty, or forgoing it period, I've started kicking around the idea of trading it in on a new Rubicon X. Why?

First and foremost, mine did not come with heated seats and wheel, and remote start. These options are not able to be added at the dealer, which sucks ass. I live in a cold winter climate and part of the reason my Jeep was a leftover was the lack of the cold winter group. Next, I got a black vehicle which is beautiful when clean, but is never clean. I want white.

I have started to see heavily discounted white 2026 Rubicon Xs for the same price as I paid for my '23. These have all the features I want, including the steel bumper group. I'd rather trade up than spend the coin to try to add all this stuff, and I get a brand new Jeep in the process. I will take off my tonneau, rack and RTT.

The only things that really make me hesitate is that I love the red dash and smaller screen in my truck, and don't like the nanny state kill switch which the new ones may have. Would be interested in hearing from people who have made a similar move, and what kind of bath they took on a gently used rig.

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[camss69]

I have a 25 JTRX and LOVE the new screen vs the old. It’s much much nicer. The X adds the premium sound also which is really nice. I don’t even live in that cold of a climate but the heated seats and steering wheel are must haves once you have them. And you get a new Jeep! I say go for it lol!

 

[RickelPickel]

If your accountant gives you the green light. Then there should be no problem.

 

[Narth]

I bought my '23 off the lot for a great price in January '24. It was almost 27% off msrp. I am at 33.5k miles, so the 36k warranty is up soon. Rather than spend thousands on an extended warranty, or forgoing it period, I've started kicking around the idea of trading it in on a new Rubicon X. Why?

First and foremost, mine did not come with heated seats and wheel, and remote start. These options are not able to be added at the dealer, which sucks ass. I live in a cold winter climate and part of the reason my Jeep was a leftover was the lack of the cold winter group. Next, I got a black vehicle which is beautiful when clean, but is never clean. I want white.

I have started to see heavily discounted white 2026 Rubicon Xs for the same price as I paid for my '23. These have all the features I want, including the steel bumper group. I'd rather trade up than spend the coin to try to add all this stuff, and I get a brand new Jeep in the process. I will take off my tonneau, rack and RTT.

The only things that really make me hesitate is that I love the red dash and smaller screen in my truck, and don't like the nanny state kill switch which the new ones may have. Would be interested in hearing from people who have made a similar move, and what kind of bath they took on a gently used rig.

If you can find a heavily discounted 2026 Rubicon X, pulling the trigger is a smart move despite taking a hit on your trade-in. Because you originally bought your 2023 at 27% off MSRP, your depreciation hit will be significantly softened compared to owners who paid full sticker price. You will likely still face a noticeable market drop since Gladiator values have softened across the board, but moving into a brand-new platform with a fresh warranty, factory cold weather group, steel bumper package, and low-maintenance white paint perfectly solves your daily driving frustrations.

 

[WambliSka]

I drove to the dealer just to "shop" and the guy started giving me numbers on the perfect Mojave X on the lot who was the model I really wanted. I kept saying no and he kept reworking the numbers until I was basically forced to say yes because it was what I call a no-brainer deal. And I didn't give him $1 dollar out of my bank account and certainly did't take a bath on my trade-in. I drove home The new truck with dealer plates that night and the dealer told me he sold my '22 Overland that night.

You won't know where you are at until you sit down with the dealer. And if you don't like your sales person just ask for another one. That is a mistake many folks make, they stick around with a sales guy that doesn't want to make a deal because they are afraid to offend them. They are not my family, friends or even close aquaintances. I find the one guy I feel comfortable doing business with, play no games and close the deal.

 

[rbroncotx]

Traded mine before the warranty ran out rather than gamble on a used claim fight. Missing options you can't retrofit later is a real gut punch.

 

[Bully4]

Sounds like you already own it-just sign the paperwork, LOL.
BTW- I like the larger display-I can read it without reading glasses. Plus you can configure a bunch of options on the truck with it. Including the four accessory switches if equipped. I traded my first gladiator on a Toyota without heated seats. Didn't really like the Toyota (boring) plus got tired of the wife bitching about no heated seats. So........I have a Rubicon with heated seats now. My biggest concern would be trade value.....they go down with msrp discounts.
I don't think the nanny state software is a big step--I bet they already track all your habits with the app and their wi-fi. Jeep probably makes a ton of money marketing your driving habits to ins. companies and anybody willing to pay for it.

 

[bmpcamry09]

You don't have to come on here asking to get closure on the decision, just buy the 2026. Life is short, plus if the accountant/wife complains, you can just say us forum guys bullied you into a new one

I asked my wife tonight if I could add a 2026 Gladiator to the business fleet for "testing." My local dealer has a nice Shadow Ops Rubicon for like $10,000 off right now. I got turned down.

 

[BlackRuby23]

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate the input.

Missing options you can't retrofit later is a real gut punch.

Yeah. At the time when I bought the vehicle I thought "I'll just add those factory options, I'm sure it's not a big deal." When I found out it ain't happenin' I was pretty bummed. I want all of them, and factory not aftermarket.

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