Gladiator Rubicon - buy now or wait?

[Pilsner]

The Jeep wheels better even with the bed overhang, but it's also taller and on 37s and Bronco is on 35s. Jeep has better build quality. It's easier to lift and parts are more available and cheaper. Stereo is significantly better. Jeep is easier to work on. The engine bay in the Bronco is stupid. I prefer the 8 speed in the Jeep over the 10 speed that feels like it's always shifting (would have got the 7 speed manual if it was offered with the 2.7l at the time) . Bronco is louder inside even with the liners in the hard top. The Bronco has a lot more power and is better on the road. Enough torque that I think 37s and stock 4.70 gears will turn fine without a regear. It is better over rough or washboard road especially at speed. We've ended up in the Jeep on almost every trip. Bronco is nice, but I prefer the Jeep usually. If you prioritize off road and accept the trade offs, Jeep. On road with off road trade offs, Bronco.

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[Catahoula7]

That's a great deal, and even better than my 2023 I bought in Jan 2024. What was the msrp?

At a certain point, Stellantis will right size their inventory problem and also adjust their msrp to something less delusional, then the massive price cuts will be a thing of the past. The real question is what IS a sane msrp for these things?

Suggested retail MSRP was 63275. I ended up going new because I was literally looking at saving 2k off to go used before I went 3 rounds with the dealership.

 

[ExpoGuy]

The Jeep wheels better even with the bed overhang, but it's also taller and on 37s and Bronco is on 35s. Jeep has better build quality. It's easier to lift and parts are more available and cheaper. Stereo is significantly better. Jeep is easier to work on. The engine bay in the Bronco is stupid. I prefer the 8 speed in the Jeep over the 10 speed that feels like it's always shifting (would have got the 7 speed manual if it was offered with the 2.7l at the time) . Bronco is louder inside even with the liners in the hard top. The Bronco has a lot more power and is better on the road. Enough torque that I think 37s and stock 4.70 gears will turn fine without a regear. It is better over rough or washboard road especially at speed. We've ended up in the Jeep on almost every trip. Bronco is nice, but I prefer the Jeep usually. If you prioritize off road and accept the trade offs, Jeep. On road with off road trade offs, Bronco.

Thanks for the comments comparing the Jeep & Bronco. I'll keep it in mind.

The Gladiator Rubicon that I'll look at tomorrow has a lot of packages added...
Steel bumper group, Convenience group, and Active safety group. Also the power adjustable
Nappa leather seats.

It doesn't have the Gargo group or Technology group, so I won't get the Alpine audio, forward
trail camera, Android Auto and GPS navigation, and some other things. I would have liked
to have those items, but I'll have to do without in order to get the 20% off.

Configured on Jeep's site this Glad Rubicon costs $63,040. Dealer price is $52,600 so
I'm saving over 10 grand.

I'm not good at negotiating car prices but I'll give it my best shot.

 

[ecidiego]

Thanks for the comments comparing the Jeep & Bronco. I'll keep it in mind.

The Gladiator Rubicon that I'll look at tomorrow has a lot of packages added...
Steel bumper group, Convenience group, and Active safety group. Also the power adjustable
Nappa leather seats.

It doesn't have the Gargo group or Technology group, so I won't get the Alpine audio, forward
trail camera, Android Auto and GPS navigation, and some other things. I would have liked
to have those items, but I'll have to do without in order to get the 20% off.

Configured on Jeep's site this Glad Rubicon costs $63,040. Dealer price is $52,600 so
I'm saving over 10 grand.

I'm not good at negotiating car prices but I'll give it my best shot.

Don't quote me because I have an old school 2021.... but no Android Auto? I am fairly certain every 2024+ has it.

Edit: Confirmed. All 12.3s have both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Also....power adjustable seats on a Non X? What?

 

[Catahoula7]

Don't quote me because I have an old school 2021.... but no Android Auto? I am fairly certain every 2024+ has it.

Edit: Confirmed. All 12.3s have both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Also....power adjustable seats on a Non X? What?

Power leather seats are a stand alone option you can add. I have them on my 2024 Rubicon that just has the convenience package and preferred 2R. 2024 Rubicons also all seem to come with the tow and aux packages as default now.

 

[Catahoula7]

Thanks for the comments comparing the Jeep & Bronco. I'll keep it in mind.

The Gladiator Rubicon that I'll look at tomorrow has a lot of packages added...
Steel bumper group, Convenience group, and Active safety group. Also the power adjustable
Nappa leather seats.

It doesn't have the Gargo group or Technology group, so I won't get the Alpine audio, forward
trail camera, Android Auto and GPS navigation, and some other things. I would have liked
to have those items, but I'll have to do without in order to get the 20% off.

Configured on Jeep's site this Glad Rubicon costs $63,040. Dealer price is $52,600 so
I'm saving over 10 grand.

I'm not good at negotiating car prices but I'll give it my best shot.

Negotiation is an art form I never really picked up from my dad. He could sell ice to an Eskimo. I was still able to hold them to a pretty hard line. Just remember, negotiation is part of the experience and these sales are because Jeep overpriced and undersold these trucks. If 52600 is a price you can do and it makes you happy, it is by no means a bad price, but self advocacy is healthy and you won't be doing anyone a disservice by trying to get them to go lower.

 

[bill61]

Thanks for the comments comparing the Jeep & Bronco. I'll keep it in mind.

The Gladiator Rubicon that I'll look at tomorrow has a lot of packages added...
Steel bumper group, Convenience group, and Active safety group. Also the power adjustable
Nappa leather seats.

It doesn't have the Gargo group or Technology group, so I won't get the Alpine audio, forward
trail camera, Android Auto and GPS navigation, and some other things. I would have liked
to have those items, but I'll have to do without in order to get the 20% off.

Configured on Jeep's site this Glad Rubicon costs $63,040. Dealer price is $52,600 so
I'm saving over 10 grand.

I'm not good at negotiating car prices but I'll give it my best shot.

If I was you I would offer them $53 out the door (if it’s a 2024). I just (last Friday night) got a loaded ‘24 Rubicon X for $56 out the door. They had it listed at $52,700. The painted top and fenders are a few grand. I wouldn’t budge on $53K out the door if it’s a ‘24. Remember they want to get rid of inventory pretty bad if they are already discounting the way they have been. BTW, my window sticker was almost $69K.
I live in Southern California where Jeep dealers usually don’t cut much off prices.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Don't quote me because I have an old school 2021.... but no Android Auto? I am fairly certain every 2024+ has it.

Edit: Confirmed. All 12.3s have both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Also....power adjustable seats on a Non X? What?

Take a look at this link, it shows the power adj seats as a $1995 option.
Scroll down a bit and it shows the $2295 Technology option (which isn't included with mine).


https://www.jeep.com/bmo.gladiator....PBJ,X9,ERC,DEM,DMF,Z1B,TW2,WFV,K7,UBP,SDD,23R

 

[legacy_etu]

You are right, I should go out and test drive the Bronco Badlands. I'll try tomorrow.
The dealer I bought my Rav4 hybrid from 3 months ago don't have any 4Runners
on their lot. And it could be a couple of months before they get the Trailhunter version.
I have experienced the buying process with Toyota, as you mentioned.

I consider myself a "Toyota Guy". I like the reliability of Toyota. But of the 3 off-road vehicles
I'm considering the 4Runner Trailhunter is at the bottom of the list. It has only 895 lbs of
payload capacity (the Glad has 1250 lbs). And its towing capacity is 1,000 lbs less.

One more nit-pik against the 4Runner...to me it doesn't look like an off-road vehicle.
Looks more like a large SUV that has some 4-wheeling features. Think soccer mom.

And from a practical point of view the Gladiator Rubicon is between $14k and $17k less
than my two other choices. That speaks volumes.

Tomorrow I'll visit the Gladiator and Bronco.

895 lbs payload??!! Wow, that's worse ( I think) than the Mojave x. The Trailhunter is supposed to be the overlanding rig. To overland you need to carry lots of stuff so I fail to see how the TH qualifies with an 895 lb payload.

As for shopping for a Jeep, don't limit yourself to your local dealers. Lots of us buy out of state and drive/ship home. I did. There's some dealers on this site you can reach out to as well that give deals.

 

[new to gladiator]

I got 34% off sticker back in August on a ‘23 rubicon sticker $61K paid $40K plus tax.
that being said, I’d buy soon if that’s what you want because at least around here (metro Detroit) dealers have seemed to learn there lesson and they are no longer over inventoried with gladiators, several don’t even stock them but they will “order” you one at who knows what kind of discount…

 

[professorkx]

The key to successful negotiations is that you need to OK with walking away if the deal doesn’t work for you. Treat the transaction (house, car, job) as a business transaction, not a personal transaction, and be ready to walk if the deal doesn’t work.

there will always be a different, house, car or job down the road, so don’t be married to any of them…

 

[Vetterestorer]

I don't haggle. I make demands.

When I bought my Rubicon, the salesperson said it has a $1150 clear bra that we have to add to the price. My response was something like: "if you do, I walk -- there are over 1000 2024 Gladiators available nationwide and this one has been on your lot for 8 months so simply say yes or no". Then they said that part of the dealer rebate is for a trade-in allowance. You know what I said. It was sold to me without any further back and forth. I also told the salesperson up-front not to bother me with extended warranties, dent repair, paint protection or other dealer nonsense and they didn't. Since I was not buying local, the ability to walk was greatly enhanced.

 

[Vetterestorer]

FYI, I just noticed that 2024 Rubicons with the tech group and convenience group are dwindling on dealer lots. In my case, those were the two deal breakers since I wanted heated seats and a front trail cam. On cars.com, Rubicons with both groups are below 300 nationwide. Unfortunately, the dealers are slow to update sold cars so the number may be significantly less.

 

[Craig Ruskaup]

Hello, this is my first post...

Jeep has extended the 2024 Gladiator Rubicon & Mojave 20% discount until March 3, 2025.

I'm very interested in the 2024 Rubicon. The problem is there are almost none available where I live (Los Angeles area).
I guess most have been sold. But I did find a Rubicon not too far from me. And it's the only one I can find.
On the plus side it has many upgrades, just about what is found on the X trim. And an exterior color I like.

So why don't I jump on it? Because I'm also considering other off-road vehicles...Bronco Badlands and 4Runner Trailhunter.
I need more time to test drive these vehicles and think about which one will be best for me. The price on these will be
around $67k - $70k.

But the 20% discount is very tempting! The price after discount is $52,600. There are no markups.

So my question...Soon all the 2024 Gladiator Rubicons will be sold. Do you expect Jeep to offer any significant discounts
on the 2025 Rubicon during this year?

Thanks, folks.

for sure buy a 24 now, would not wait unless you don't care about colors and options. A 25 I would wait a little, bigger rebates coming next month but not big enough to make a 25 worth buying over the value of a 24.

 

[professorkx]

FYI, I just noticed that 2024 Rubicons with the tech group and convenience group are dwindling on dealer lots. In my case, those were the two deal breakers since I wanted heated seats and a front trail cam. On cars.com, Rubicons with both groups are below 300 nationwide. Unfortunately, the dealers are slow to update sold cars so the number may be significantly less.

Yup, those two groups were required for me as well. The trail cam is a game changer on trails like the Rubicon, as my wife doesn’t have to spot me, I can see everything myself.

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