New here with questions

[Tsblue83]

Hello all, I’m new to this forum. I’ve got some newb questions for y’all. Hopefully I can get some info from you guys with experience. I’ve been lurking here the last few weeks reading up a ton. I’ve wanted a gladiator for a long time. Wanted a wrangler and saw a brute conversion and thought it was awesome but something I’d never be able to afford. Ended up getting a frontier and eventually a ram 1500 and then my current grand Cherokee. Had to trade in the ram, dealership replaced the hemi and messed up the tranny in the process and it was going to become more headache than it was worth so I got the Jeep. I wanted to get a gladiator but couldn’t afford it at the time. My family is moving to Florida from Colorado in a month or so though and we made a heck of a profit from the house so I’ll be able to get one finally and the wife is getting a wrangler too. It’s going to be fun being a Jeep family lol. Anyway, here’s my dilemma as I’m sure many have had… I don’t know what to get.
I wanted a Mojave, and have one on hold currently, just waiting for the house to close so I can go pay for it. The issue though is that we may have to use more of the profits for the new house than planned so I’m trying to find a way to reduce the costs a bit and still walk away happy. Here’s my choices, assuming the rest are still around in a couple of weeks:
On hold I have a Mojave, gecko, trail cam, 8.4, leather, heated, auto, safety, led. Wouldve preferred the aux switches to the cam but is what it is. This one is around 58k

Also found another, Mojave, sarge, bed liner, 8.4, leather, heated, safety,led, auto for about 55.5k

found a pair of freedom editions, one sting one sarge, both built the same, max tow, safety, bed liner, auto, 4hauto, 8.4, aux switches, led. Both are 52.5k

lastly I found an overland, gecko, 8.4, heated, leather, led, safety, auto, 4hauto. 52.8k

I wanted the gecko first and sarge and sting are two and three respectively. Want the bigger stereo screen and leather seats(dogs and kids) and heated seats. I know I’m moving to Florida and will rarely need them but after having them for so long I’d love to keep them. I know each of these would be capable trucks and do fine off road. I don’t think I’ll do a lot of rock crawling but I do want to get out and get dirty. Any help is greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post. Thanks all

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[chrismeece74]

First question you have to ask is how are you going to use it? Mostly fire roads and sand when off roading. If it were me, I'd go with the freedom editions with max tow. Can't go wrong there, you get the higher towing capacity and all the extras of the freedom package, the steel bumpers alone will save you a ton in upgrades.

 

[Painkillerspe]

Assuming the engines are all the same, I would go with the Mojave in gecko. Not really any hills or rocks in Florida, and it would be ideal for the sandy forest roads and beaches there, plus you get the rear lockers.

If you did travel somewhere with more extreme terrain, it would do just fine there as well.

 

[MoxiesDad]

I'd wait until you're settled in Florida, then order exactly what you want from Gupton and make a road trip when it's ready. Too many dealers are ripping people off, over charging right now.

 

[Josh00333]

Ya to echo what Dad said.

Not trying to be your "Dad" but your are rushing. You get trapped into things when you rush.

Move, get settled. See what you REALLY have funds wise then make a decision. Order exactly what you want, unless you find that on the lot.

Selling a house, having a lot of cash out equity (you are addressing the capital gains tax yes?) and buying two new depreciating assets dose not sound like the best move.

Maybe buy one new car, at first then really look at the second one?

Just food for thought.

You want Aux switches, they are just to awesome. Really heated seats in FL sounds like throwing 1k down the drain. LED is more than worth it.

 

[Tsblue83]

Ya to echo what Dad said.

Not trying to be your "Dad" but your are rushing. You get trapped into things when you rush.

Move, get settled. See what you REALLY have funds wise then make a decision. Order exactly what you want, unless you find that on the lot.

Selling a house, having a lot of cash out equity (you are addressing the capital gains tax yes?) and buying two new depreciating assets dose not sound like the best move.

Maybe buy one new car, at first then really look at the second one?

Just food for thought.

You want Aux switches, they are just to awesome. Really heated seats in FL sounds like throwing 1k down the drain. LED is more than worth it.

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it. I would wait to purchase but need one before we move. My oldest is not coming with us. She’s moving in with the grandparents. She just started college and doesn’t want to move. I’m giving her my Mazda that my wife has been driving and we need two cars to drive down with. Can’t fit both dogs, both kids, wife, bird and a few things I don’t want to put on the moving truck all in the grand Cherokee. Gonna need the bed. We’ll probably wait for the wife till after we’re all settled in there. I like the Mojave but I can save about 5-6k going for the other options. It’s going to be my main vehicle and I’d like to go exploring Florida and hitting some
Trails and doubt I’d need a Mojave but wanted it lol. I’m wondering if it’s worth the extra to get that or if the overland or one of the two freedoms would do well enough.

 

[HorneyBadger]

Cant go wrong with the Overland. If you find you need a little more aggressive tires then thats an easy fix. and it will take you just about anywhere the Rubi or Mojave will go.

 

[Gvsukids]

Cant go wrong with the Overland. If you find you need a little more aggressive tires then thats an easy fix. and it will take you just about anywhere the Rubi or Mojave will go.

Or Max Tow with the 4.10 gears and wider axles.

 

[Jefe1018]

I think only you can decide and evaluate your needs. Try and maybe find a dealer or multiples that have inventory with the options and or trims you are looking for then make a check list of what you need and want.

Then, order exactly what you want - 8-10 weeks later you have a window sticker with your name on it. I don’t know I could purchase another new vehicle and not do it that way again.

I debated many options, most importantly for me diesel vs gas. Once I drove them I knew I was rubicon destined as the Mojave doesn’t offer that option.

Some people might tell you that you will never need a front locker. My first trip I could have gotten by without it, but locking both axles and disconnecting the sway bar made me not have to use momentum over an obstacle. It was great. I giggled, my dad recording me giggled. It was awesome. It also made this pic a thing I could take (separate from the obstacle where I actually used them for an actual purpose).

However, you might think this pic is stupid and 37’s look stupid or just aren’t practical for you. The only way to find out for sure it drive them.

Regardless, you will be ending up with a super capable Jeep and truck all in one semi-compact package.

 

[berb]

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it. I would wait to purchase but need one before we move. My oldest is not coming with us. She’s moving in with the grandparents. She just started college and doesn’t want to move. I’m giving her my Mazda that my wife has been driving and we need two cars to drive down with. Can’t fit both dogs, both kids, wife, bird and a few things I don’t want to put on the moving truck all in the grand Cherokee. Gonna need the bed. We’ll probably wait for the wife till after we’re all settled in there. I like the Mojave but I can save about 5-6k going for the other options. It’s going to be my main vehicle and I’d like to go exploring Florida and hitting some
Trails and doubt I’d need a Mojave but wanted it lol. I’m wondering if it’s worth the extra to get that or if the overland or one of the two freedoms would do well enough.

Rent a U-Haul and then rent a car in Florida. You can order both Jeeps from Gupton, now, and save a ton of money and get exactly what you want. Hopefully, if you order now the Jeeps will be in shortly after you're all settled in Florida. Don't sacrifice the short term for long term happiness.

 

[Tsblue83]

Rent a U-Haul and then rent a car in Florida. You can order both Jeeps from Gupton, now, and save a ton of money and get exactly what you want. Hopefully, if you order now the Jeeps will be in shortly after you're all settled in Florida. Don't sacrifice the short term for long term happiness.

Can’t rent the I haul with the dogs and kids. Wifey already said she’s not taking all the critters and both kids on the road trip in one car. They’ll all go nutty lol. I get the dogs and a kid. She’s taking the other one and the bird. Uhaul and rentals aren’t keen on animals in the vehicles. Plus that’s extra cash spent. I’ll be happy with any of the choices. Just not sure which is the way to go… trying to shave some money off and look at alternates to the Mojave. The freedoms have max tow and the aux switches and bed liner. Overland has the color I wanted and most everything minus the aux and bed liner. Liners isn’t as important cause that’s the same cost from the factory or after. Aux is a bigger difference but can still be done aftermarket, just not as clean. I guess I’m torn between those ones or am I better off going Mojave and not bothering with having to upgrade shocks and underbody like I would with the others.

 

[Orange01z28]

Ya to echo what Dad said.

Not trying to be your "Dad" but your are rushing. You get trapped into things when you rush.

Move, get settled. See what you REALLY have funds wise then make a decision. Order exactly what you want, unless you find that on the lot.

Selling a house, having a lot of cash out equity (you are addressing the capital gains tax yes?) and buying two new depreciating assets dose not sound like the best move.

Maybe buy one new car, at first then really look at the second one?

Just food for thought.

You want Aux switches, they are just to awesome. Really heated seats in FL sounds like throwing 1k down the drain. LED is more than worth it.

If you're selling a residence and going to another residence you don't have to deal with capital gains

 

[Orange01z28]

Also, Gecko Mojave, no question

There is one at the local dealship and I want to go trade mine in even though its not a great time to buy

 

[Tsblue83]

Also, Gecko Mojave, no question

There is one at the local dealship and I want to go trade mine in even though its not a great time to buy

Right?! I do like it. My biggest thing is trying to get something I’ll still enjoy without giving up too much but to try and save a little extra cash.

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