Delivery Dilemma

[Edub]

ok guys, what would you do?

I ordered a almost fully loaded Sport S W/ Max tow back at the end of November and I'm supposed to be taking delivery sometime in the next 2 weeks. the only option I didn't get were the LED because it was starting to get a little expensive. To say I'm excited is an understatement. And I just sold off my 07 JKUS at a great price so I'm committed now.

The dilemma comes to play here. I was surfing through the dealers inventory online (fantasizing about my Gladiator) when I came across a Rubicon at a similar price. The only difference is that this Rubicon is a 2020 model with the Tan leather (not a huge fan) and LED package. its missing the color match fenders and some of the other accessories but generally speaking all the important bits are there.

Should I go for the Rubi instead?

This is a daily driver with minimal off road. I'm also looking at this from a resale value perspective in five to ten years. I guess in the end I'm trying to weigh out the pros and cons.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Resale value will be speculation only. Guesses at best. Look at what happened to things this year. Pandemic drove resale prices, trade values, through the roof. Something else could happen to make them go down the toilet. It's also a new vehicle - value in 5 to 10 years will depend a lot on how many are around, what ELSE is being sold at that time, how these will improve, what options will they have next year or the year after.
You can add the LED at any time! In fact, you can add almost anything to any level Gladiator. I got an Overland and have made a number of minor changes to bring it up closer to what I wanted - passive entry, steel front bumper, and other stuff.

Most opinions will be based on what the person answering has now. If they have a Rubicon they'll typically say that's the only way to go. IF they have a Sport, that will be their answer. To say otherwise would admit they have something other than what they should have.

You can take your time, save up money, put in LED lighting later, or use after-market conversions for cheaper than through the dealer. There are some good lighting options out there.
Buy what you NEED, what you will really use it for, and modify as you go along.

I never buy based mainly on resale value because that can change that far in the future. I buy Jeep brand vehicles as they tend to hold value better than others over-all, sort of like John Deere equipment does, (and because I've had good luck with Jeep stuff) but otherwise, that's it.

Them's my opinions, worth every penny, so no money-back guarantee, not valid in Canada.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

In ten years they’re worth the same. In five the rubicon is worth more. How much remains to be seen

 

[Edub]

Resale value will be speculation only. Guesses at best. Look at what happened to things this year. Pandemic drove resale prices, trade values, through the roof. Something else could happen to make them go down the toilet. It's also a new vehicle - value in 5 to 10 years will depend a lot on how many are around, what ELSE is being sold at that time, how these will improve, what options will they have next year or the year after.
You can add the LED at any time! In fact, you can add almost anything to any level Gladiator. I got an Overland and have made a number of minor changes to bring it up closer to what I wanted - passive entry, steel front bumper, and other stuff.

Most opinions will be based on what the person answering has now. If they have a Rubicon they'll typically say that's the only way to go. IF they have a Sport, that will be their answer. To say otherwise would admit they have something other than what they should have.

You can take your time, save up money, put in LED lighting later, or use after-market conversions for cheaper than through the dealer. There are some good lighting options out there.
Buy what you NEED, what you will really use it for, and modify as you go along.

I never buy based mainly on resale value because that can change that far in the future. I buy Jeep brand vehicles as they tend to hold value better than others over-all, sort of like John Deere equipment does, but otherwise, that's it.

Them's my opinions, worth every penny, so no money-back guarantee, not valid in Canada.

I completely understand what your saying about the resale value. I guess its just at the forefront of my mind having just sold the 07 for 15K. I was so impressed with that fact that it suddenly became a factor in one ill be replacing it with.

In the end, I think it comes down to something so silly that its almost embarrassing to mention on here - I hate the way the fenders look on all models except the Rubicon lol. I just think the Rubicon fenders with LED look sharp as hell. the way the Sport has all the access plastic under the light drives me insane and even the LED package looks cheap on it.

I think what I need to do is just find someone selling their fenders and replace mine. the lockers and sway bar disconnects are all nice to have but not necessary for my needs at this time. but the fact that I could have all of it at the same price is making me wonder.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I like how my Overland looks, fenders and all. And I really like the color-matched fenders and roof.
I really liked the looks of the stock bumper but wanted a winch on it and a bit more substance up there. This is Iowa, drivers are nuts.

Winter tires on it here - and stock tires/wheels below with stock bumper...........(I just plain like the looks)

 

[SuburbanGP88]

Don't worry about the SS. There's a big shortage of them. My dealer had which I took. Every dealer has Rubicon and Mojave up the wazoo. It'll be fine.

 

[bsd103]

What color is the Rubi? My Sport S is coming with color matched flares in sting gray and I actually prefer the plain black ones..

 

[steelponycowboy]

If and when you go to sell, the Rubicon will sell faster and for more money than a sport, or any other model for all that matters. 3 years, 5 years and 10 years down the road, the Rubicon is the most sought after model which is why they don't ever do rebates or employee pricing on them.

 

[SuburbanGP88]

My Sport S came standard with painted fenders, can't find one with black fenders in the area. I prefer the black fenders. No worries about scratches or bird poop.

 

[Edub]

I think if its still there at the time of delivery, ill take a good long comparison of the two and decide then.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

............. No worries about scratches or bird poop.

It's not the fenders I have issues with............

Bird poop.........

 

[HorneyBadger]

If you are worried about resale vs usability then its already a lost conversation. You ordered an SS the way you want it. Run with it! The last few we have had have been Saharas and they resell well!
Fenders is an easy fix. But in your case only for looks. Rubi fenders allow more clearance.

Get your NEW vehicle and enjoy!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you are worried about resale vs usability then its already a lost conversation. You ordered an SS the way you want it. Run with it! The last few we have had have been Saharas and they resell well!
Fenders is an easy fix. But in your case only for looks. Rubi fenders allow more clearance.

Get your NEW vehicle and enjoy!

A friend of my brother, and another person who is a friend of my wife both had Jeeps, the Sahara versions - one sold his a few years after he bought it new for almost the same price he paid for it, and the other sold theirs for MORE than they paid for it used 5 years prior.

 

[Holoscape]

another thing to consider since its a build...did you put a down-payment down to build it? Would the dealer refund that down-payment? Any stipulations to canceling a build from said dealer?

 

[Edub]

So is there a kit to convert the fender lights to LED like the Rubicon? all the kits I see on Quadratec or either replacement or only for the Rubicon fenders.

Edit if anyone is following. I called Quadratec and they reassured me that the LED fender lights can in fact be placed on the Sport S with halogen bulbs and a taser min. I also found these that claim you dont need a flash at all. - Jeep Wrangler JL (18+): Morimoto XB LED Turn Signal I TRS (theretrofitsource.com)

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