Why not buy a full size truck for the same price?

[CMac]

ewwiieee

WTF is this? I wouldn't own this turd, even if you gave it to me.

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[slothead]

I am still trying to figure this out. I am on my 5th Wrangler and I get the fun of top off and doors off and wheeling. I live in Colorado, one of the best off road places around! My last truck was a JLU Rubicon. I was very interested in the JT, particularly when I heard about the towing capacity. But as I do my price shopping I have hit the wall. Basing pricing assumptions on the JL gets us pretty close to guess what this truck will sell for. Optioned well it just isn't gonna be less than 50k, and probably several thousand more. A Sahara optioned well is north of $52,000.

And yet, the new redesigned half ton full size trucks with much more capability from the big three are all about the same price, or even cheaper, including the off road equipped with factory 2" suspension lift trucks like the 2019 Silverado which I just "build and priced" at around $56k MSRP. I am not thrilled about a full size truck as a daily driver, its hard to park, costly to insure, poor visibility etc. But after looking around I am fast losing interest in the JT. Maybe I will buy a used JL for the DD and the full size truck for towing. much as I hated the idea of buying two new vehicles. (I have an '01 Silverado 2500HD with the 8.1L (yes, 8.1!) that gets around 7 mpg towing a 5000 lb trailer).

Help me out boys and girls, I just don't get Jeep's justifying the pricing of these. They are mid-sized trucks priced like full size in my view.

Because full-size is just too big!

 

[Jeepjeff1]

For me, it’s just a Jeep thing.

 

[Dash68]

Does this still apply if you keep the vehicle for 10 years or more? My wife and I usually finance new vehicles for 4 or 5 years and usually manage to pay them off early and drive them for at least ten years before passing them on. Our last two new vehicle purchases were well above 25k.

Buying a new car or a car costing more than 25k is not a wise financial decision for 99% of us. Worse yet, is doing that every few years. Plus most families have 2 cars now, which makes the math even worse. https://smartasset.com/auto/how-much-should-i-spend-on-a-car

Point being, buying the JT or JL have never been a practical investment. If you want a cool vehicle, you buy a jeep. If you want a practical vehicle, you buy used (and definitely not a used jeep).

True jeep owners never follow the math or practicality, which is why "it's a jeep thing". And also why you have already owned 5!! lol

 

[Dash68]

The Gladiator has it's own unique frame--it is not built on the Ram DT frame; but it's rear suspension is partly borrowed from the Ram; the 2021 Wagoneer will be built on the Ram DT frame.

Interesting that the new Wagoneer is going to be built on the Ram truck frame. It is going to be huge, like an Excursion or Suburban.

 

[jeepguy225]

Does this still apply if you keep the vehicle for 10 years or more? My wife and I usually finance new vehicles for 4 or 5 years and usually manage to pay them off early and drive them for at least ten years before passing them on. Our last two new vehicle purchases were well above 25k.

As long as those vehicles are jeeps, the math does not apply as it melds vehicle ownership and having a hobby into 1 expense. Just don't do any other expensive hobbies, like having a boat or worse, a second Jeep!! Plus I'm pretty sure there is a special tax break / deduction for jeep parts. lol

Then to get all technical, what is the opportunity cost of owning an expensive vehicle. A few more years of working into your retirement age (per vehicle), not taking those dream vacations every few years, or missing those last minute weekend getaways. A 50k daily driver today is worth a whole lot less in 20 years vs a 25k vehicle and 25k in a retirement or savings account. The DOW Jones and S&P dropping a 3rd of their value these last few months is a perfect example of a lost opportunity cost if you spent way too much on a vehicle and left nothing for savings/investing/retirement.

I am currently investing in a pretty good stock, its ticker is: TJ. It promises to take to all of my money and throw mud on me in return.

 

[Dash68]

As long as those vehicles are jeeps, the math does not apply as it melds vehicle ownership and having a hobby into 1 expense. Just don't do any other expensive hobbies, like having a boat or worse, a second Jeep!! Plus I'm pretty sure there is a special tax break / deduction for jeep parts. lol

Then to get all technical, what is the opportunity cost of owning an expensive vehicle. A few more years of working into your retirement age (per vehicle), not taking those dream vacations every few years, or missing those last minute weekend getaways. A 50k daily driver today is worth a whole lot less in 20 years vs a 25k vehicle and 25k in a retirement or savings account. The DOW Jones and S&P dropping a 3rd of their value these last few months is a perfect example of a lost opportunity cost if you spent way too much on a vehicle and left nothing for savings/investing/retirement.

I am currently investing in a pretty good stock, its ticker is: TJ. It promises to take to all of my money and throw mud on me in return.

LOL, I get your point. Hope the enjoyment of working on your TJ project is worth it. I'm sure it will be.

 

[Mr. Wuf]

Because I couldn't find a full-sized truck with a removable top and doors.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk!

 

[DirkG]

Because I couldn't find a full-sized truck with a removable top and doors.

^ this ... and also for me I wanted a truck to fit in my garage.

 

[DAVECS1]

I have had full size trucks forever. As I get older I find myself using less and less of the capability. The Jeep had some cool family features and could still yank my toys around, so done. Is it practical, that is somewhat subjective. For an off road topless roadster it is really practical. Also the truck capability is real! Not a numbers gimmick. Lastly what midsize truck has solid axles???? Good ones at that!

 

[rolape2]

A co-worker and I have had this conversation since the rumors of and especially since the pricing of the Gladiator came out. I have wanted another CJ/Wrangler since I sold my CJ7 decades ago. But I needed to tow a boat. Now I have/can do both. My friend kept trying justify the price of a Gladiator. I kept telling him (and others) I did not want to use a chainsaw to take my top off. Convertibles always cost more. I have no regrets, Except when my wife has it and I have to drive her truck.
I sold an F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually to buy my Gladiator. I felt a little cramped at first, but now I drive my wife F150 I feel like I am going to fall over and I can't reach the arm rests. You get used to the size. I don't have as much giddy up as the old turbo diesel, or the wife's 3.5 Echoboost. But it has plenty with the 4.10s and 8 speed tranny.

 

[z0lt3c]

In my case, full size trucks usually lease very poorly, suffering from residual values in the 50%'s or worse after 3 years. Where-as the Gladiator leases very well, given the residual value tracks closer to a Wrangler, at 76% after 3 years.

 

[jeepdan]

I have to admit, it's a jeep thing for us also.
Absolutely loved my 2016 JKU, but didn't have the towing capacity that I needed to haul my army jeep to shows.
The Gladiator is perfect for me and my wife as our primary vehicle.
If I need to haul long/ large building materials, I have a 14' dual axle equipment trailer for that.

 

[koala]

OP here. Just thought I would update everyone - first I am amazed that this thread going back to December 2018 is still alive with 26,000 views. But I did end up with two vehicles so all is well - bought a '20 Sahara 2.0lT with the Sky One and love that engine and that top. That was last fall and got it off a lot for 8% off invoice. Then last month took advantage of GM panic selling and got a '20 Silverado to tow my trailer at 11% off invoice. Like I said alls well that ends well. I still DO like those JTs too!

 

[Anthracite Hooligan]

Because full-size is just too big!

I traded my 2019 Tundra (awesome vehicle BTW) once we downsized our trailer from a 6000 lbs 26 foot Forest River Mini Lite to a 2800 lbs Geo Pro. The Geo is narrower with better suspension, solar power, etc. and more suitable for dry camping, and the Gladiator is narrow and more suitable for off road exploration. It really came down to right-sizing our vehicle and RV to fit what we wanted to do with like minded friends.

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