Do you really want a first year production?...

[Oilburner]

As soon as I'm above water on my current vehicle I'm ordering one. Probably a 2021 Overland - possibly diesel.

I'm witchu -

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[GladMike]

Hi! Got any more pics of the Scrambler?

I'll add a few more to my garage folder =)

 

[5JeepsAz]

I'll add a few more to my garage folder =)

Welcome! Great Jeep!

 

[avnmech]

My Grandfather's rule was to never buy a brand newly developed vehicle but to wait three to four years so that they get all the problems solved.

My Grandfather, and even my father had the same rule, but look what they had to choose from, '60's aside, because the had some bad-ass cars, with relatively few problems, but the crap Detroit pushed out in the '70's, and for the most part lasted till the late '80's was unbearable, and that was 3rd and 4th year production having nothing but problems, so yeah I get it don't buy first year, great advice given the time, but much like my dads 8 tracks that he still listens to, times have changed, and the JT has benefited from the JL. I've owned a JL since June 2018 and love it, I came out of a 2008 JLUX 3.8L and that thing burned more oil then gas, it seemed, I had to add 5 quarts every time I filled up, which was every 3 days, and I'd only get about 12 mpg. Heck my JL gets 12 mpg pulling a 3400lbs camper trailer (Clipper BH17) going 70 down the highway with a 2.5" lift and 33's. On a recent trip to Panama City Florida we were pulling 22 mpg with the JL. Everything about the JL was an Improvement from the 07-11 JK. Yes I'd love to get the manual, but with a JT. I can get more stout axles with the Max-Tow package, and the Cold weather group is a game changer in the winter time, and even in the summer time if your back is aching, turn on your seat for some relaxing heat therapy. So yes I'll be buy sooner that later.

 

[ZEN357]

My Grandfather, and even my father had the same rule, but look what they had to choose from, '60's aside, because the had some bad-ass cars, with relatively few problems, but the crap Detroit pushed out in the '70's, and for the most part lasted till the late '80's was unbearable, and that was 3rd and 4th year production having nothing but problems, so yeah I get it don't buy first year, great advice given the time, but much like my dads 8 tracks that he still listens to, times have changed, and the JT has benefited from the JL. I've owned a JL since June 2018 and love it, I came out of a 2008 JLUX 3.8L and that thing burned more oil then gas, it seemed, I had to add 5 quarts every time I filled up, which was every 3 days, and I'd only get about 12 mpg. Heck my JL gets 12 mpg pulling a 3400lbs camper trailer (Clipper BH17) going 70 down the highway with a 2.5" lift and 33's. On a recent trip to Panama City Florida we were pulling 22 mpg with the JL. Everything about the JL was an Improvement from the 07-11 JK. Yes I'd love to get the manual, but with a JT. I can get more stout axles with the Max-Tow package, and the Cold weather group is a game changer in the winter time, and even in the summer time if your back is aching, turn on your seat for some relaxing heat therapy. So yes I'll be buy sooner that later.

I get what your saying, but in the back of my mind I see my GrandFather and Father telling me not to do it. LOL!!! Hard to change old habits!!!!

 

[Ole Cowboy]

So as the title says, are you really ready to be a "beta tester" for Jeep?
I really like the look of the JT, BUT, I have been down the "first year production" road
before. Even if there are no serious issues mechanically, structurally, electrical, etc.,
the pricing is usually not discounted, then there is the usual differences that follow in the second year. Colors, option choices, some features become standard that were optional.
I am Sooo tempted to order one when available this year, but a little voice in my head says
wait a year.
BUT, my wife is the service manager at the local Jeep dealership, so if it turns out
to have a lot of issues, she knows of them first, and she can take it to work and get it fixed
ASAP.

Remember, you are buying a JL with a tub. Extended frame, driveshaft and a handful of unique components to the JT and that is it!

 

[LidLess07X]

I understand why some would want to wait, but keep this in mind...


There are often mid-year or mid-model changes that don’t turn out to be the best

Sometimes getting the earlier one is better.

You never really know what you’re getting in any model

My wife bought a Toyota Camry brand new in 2014 that was the biggest pile of junk we’ve ever owned and that was the last year for that model

 

[Hootbro]

None of the tech in the Gladiator is new or first year for me to worry about it.

 

[Godfadr]

So as the title says, are you really ready to be a "beta tester" for Jeep?
I really like the look of the JT, BUT, I have been down the "first year production" road
before. Even if there are no serious issues mechanically, structurally, electrical, etc.,
the pricing is usually not discounted, then there is the usual differences that follow in the second year. Colors, option choices, some features become standard that were optional.
I am Sooo tempted to order one when available this year, but a little voice in my head says
wait a year.
BUT, my wife is the service manager at the local Jeep dealership, so if it turns out
to have a lot of issues, she knows of them first, and she can take it to work and get it fixed
ASAP.

Like many have already said...the JL paved the way for most of this model. So, are you really ok buying a second-year car...on a brand that has been around for some time...Yep...I am ok with it.

 

[mikesjt]

I agree guys. I'm not really worried about buying the first year of the Gladiator. I bought a 2015 Mustang GT in 2015, first year of the new platform and had zero issues. Awesome car. I bought a 2018 Ram 1500 CC last year and have received several recall notices on it. Also has the annoying Hemi tick that Ram says is normal. Still been a good truck. But how many years had they been making the Ram platform as of 2018? LOL! So to me, it doesn't matter if it's a first year or final year of a platform. This is why I'm thankful for warranties lol

 

[wannajeep]

Do you really want a first year production?

Yes.

JT is based on JL which is based on JK etc.

Some say the final year of production is the best. That might be true in terms of bug fixes, but it's also when manufacturers have found all the ways to cheapen production and cut costs. First year of production might give you the highest quality parts. I think it's safe to say that as time goes on, costs go up and manufacturers are trying to cut costs, and one way to do that is with cheaper parts. Cheaper parts often means lower quality.

Maybe the best year to buy is midway through the product's life cycle. The biggest bugs are worked out, but the product hasn't been totally cheapened down yet.

All just speculation. Just a thought.

And... this is what warranties are for.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How do you know what the final year of production is? How do you know all bugs are worked out? In fact, mid-model year changes can introduce MORE issues, not necessarily fix issues. I've been in this game long enough to know there's no perfect time. For example, a car I happen to own - that model got a different transfer case a couple of years later - introducing different issues. Changes were made to the transmission.
Second year of production the steel valve cover was replaced with a plastic one - and that introduced tons of new issues - so the first year in that case was better than the second, after a couple of years of the plastic they went back to steel. So...... you can't say without HINDSIGHT which year is going to be the best. Automakers change things all the time. For all we know next model year JT may see changes in electronics that introduce more troubles than anyone is seeing now. They may try to increase CAFE numbers and cause trouble.
So what if you wait for the 2021 or 2022 model year and they try to lighten up things and have axle issues. When I was shopping for trucks back in 2011 - I was aiming at Ford - good reputation, been around for many years - but that year had mega-transmission issues in the models I was looking into. First year MAY have troubles if the entire platform is brand new - electronics and all, but in this day and age, I believe we're beyond 100% new anything.
Any given model year will likely be the first year for something in that vehicle.......... so just pick one and run with it.

 

[wannajeep]

Any given model year will likely be the first year for something in that vehicle.......... so just pick one and run with it

My point exactly. It's all speculation. Quit worrying and obsessing; rely on your warranty (if needed) and simply enjoy your rig.

 

[xpcdoojk]

I have bought a lot of first year production cars, because while I am not and never have been rich, I am an early adopter. In cars, first year models. RX7 Mazda, still have it in a garage. RX300 Lexus, we donated it to charity this spring, with 150,000 miles and very little problems. My beloved, MINI Cooper S (never been more passionate for any car despite its flaws) has almost 100K on it and brand new all season tires for the first time in its life, because I sold my passionless Nissan Frontier crew cab 4x4 a few months ago. The wife’s new XC40 Volvo, which she adores, and now the Jeep Gladiator hope to have it by the end of the year. There are a lot of trucks that are just as capable and with more creature comforts on the lots today and for less money, but I have zero passion for any of them. Although, I might could work up passion for a Raptor if I tried. I am buying the Jeep because I can be passionate about it.

JC

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have bought a lot of first year production cars, because while I am not and never have been rich, I am an early adopter. In cars, first year models. RX7 Mazda, still have it in a garage. RX300 Lexus, we donated it to charity this spring, with 150,000 miles and very little problems. My beloved, MINI Cooper S (never been more passionate for any car despite its flaws) has almost 100K on it and brand new all season tires for the first time in its life, because I sold my passionless Nissan Frontier crew cab 4x4 a few months ago. The wife’s new XC40 Volvo, which she adores, and now the Jeep Gladiator hope to have it by the end of the year. There are a lot of trucks that are just as capable and with more creature comforts on the lots today and for less money, but I have zero passion for any of them. Although, I might could work up passion for a Raptor if I tried. I am buying the Jeep because I can be passionate about it.

JC

A friend of mine had an early RX7 - this was in the late 70s and isn't that about the time they first came out?
I tuned it for him and I will never forget opening the hood and having to look DOWN and - really, they are that small - was the first thought in my mind. But I took that thing out and man would it scooot. I'd read about the Wankel and studied it in classes - but had never actually touched one or driven a car with one. The trailing and leading spark plug thing was something - two rotors and 4 plugs.
The fuel filter was in the rear and not real easy to get it, but not bad either. My first experience with a Mazda and a rotary engine and I was impressed in both cases.
I've PERSONALLY never cared for the Mini Cooper but man do those have a following. The owners are very passionate about their cars so I can "get that". They sell a ton of 'em around here so as a car they must be decent. My son loves 'em and has said he'd love to have one some day. I figure it's got an eye for style and such so ok.
If everyone had the same tastes, every one liked the same shapes, styles and colors, we'd all still be driving black Model Ts I guess. What a BORING world that would be! It's the differences that make life interesting.

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