Jeep Wrangler Rubicon pricing...

[swatski]

I can't believe I'm asking this on the internet forum but this group has given me solid advice on various topics in the past, I kind don't know where else to go, I don't have any jeep friends really.

Here is the deal. My wife has been obsessed with wranglers, basically her whole life, ever since she was sixteen or so. Somehow, she never got one, and it is partially my fault, I just don't care for them. We have developed a habit of looking and test driving one every 3 or so years, and it has been consistent disappointment in the past, until now. We recently drove a couple of new manual jeeps and I was... impressed.

So, finally after many many years this thing is coming to a head... Just in time for post-covid nightmare market and chip shortages and you name it what, but here we are...

She wants a 2dr manual transmission, and rubicons are what looks best to her, which I would agree. Well, I would rather be looking at 392s but those go for 100k or so which crazy and hilarious.

So the question is this: can I possibly get a new (2021/2022) Rubicon 2dr with minimal or no extras for less than $50k? Maybe 40k? or what is the realistic OTD number? I must admit to complete ignorance, browsing the internet is not particularly productive. I know I can put them together on the jeep side, but no idea what the dealer markups end up being etc. etc.

It is almost impossible to find one new put together like that: manual, rubicon, 2dr; but they do pop up here and there.
So, if I find one, what is the actual OTD damage? I'm bracing myself...?

TIA.

 

[Trannyguy]

I’ve been watching car gurus watching for a gladiator but I just saw a new 2022 2 door manual wrangler rubicon for $46900 in Arkansas.

 

[ripler]

I have a Gladiator Rubicon and the wife has a Wrangler Unlimited sport S. One thing about a Jeep is people are crazy with mods and you can get take off parts for pennies on the dollar and Jeeps are easy to mod. I put a 1.5" leveling lift and bought five 33" Rubicon tires for 700.00 with 20 miles on them and now we have the Rubicon stance. If you want a Rubicon suspension you could easily get a takeoff for 200.00. The only thing she won't have is Rubicon hood, but people sell those also. She will probably never use the Rubicon at its full potential, so you could save thousands and buy a Sport S and do some mods.

If she's dead set on the Rubicon, you could always order one and have it in a few months. I would recommend joining Tread Lightly which will give you affiliate pricing, your negotiating will start at 1% under invoice. I would recommend the 2.0 turbo without etorque, that's what's in my wife's JLU and I like it way more than my V6. There a bunch of dealerships that will sell you a special order for upto 8% under invoice. There are never factory incentives on Wranglers.

Also join https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/ there's a ton of info there.

 

[swatski]

Thank you, good info, funny how this was the first thing that caught my eye in the wrangler forum:


Basically, that is exactly why I came asking here, lol. Buying a wrangler, it feels like visiting a different planet...

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[swatski]

If she's dead set on the Rubicon, you could always order one and have it in a few months

This part is a bit of a puzzle to me, as there are no clear guidelines on expected wait for builds involving manual models such as this one w/ two door, rubicon trim, and couple other things.

Just watching current trends in boating very closely and perusing a lot of shows and dealer lots, I've seen a lot of corner cutting in boat manufacturing of late...; it can be subtle but if one looks at enough units - pretty apparent.

That motivates me, in part, to try looking for a unicorn: a pre-shortages unit that's still new...
But those are few and far between, and I don't have any good appreciation of pricing structure. I doubt it will change much if not for worse - supply chain issues not necessarily improving.

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[suke]

Your best bet is to build one, honestly. If you're willing to order out of state and either pick it up or have it shipped to you there's dealers that still will sell/build all day for a steal. I ended up driving 5 hours each way on July 4th weekend to pick up my Jeep back in 2016. All the dealers within 200 miles wouldn't budge off MSRP even back then. So I kept expanding my search until I found one in MD. Rented a car one way and went and picked it up. Signed the paperwork and was on the road within an hour. Fastest/easiest buying experience I've ever had. Trying to remember which Jeep forum I saw the dealer post on. He sold a butt load of Jeeps doing this too.

 

[BlkGS]

Koons in Virginia offers nuts pricing on orders. Local dealers were asking 20k over for wagoneer when we were looking, but only 10k over if you ordered. Koons was selling under invoice.

 

[rkluck]

We have had many jeeps and my wife loves them as well. We have a Rubicon 2 door auto and love it but have had several Wrangles (2 and 4 door). We prefer the 2 door for playing around and I just think they look better. If you don't plan on doing real off road stuff and she will be mostly driven on road or normal off road (National forest roads etc.) I wouldn't pay all the extra for a Rubicon. We have done some amazing stuff with the basic Wrangler. Another site that I am a part of and is very knowledgeable is www.jk-forum.com. Lots of upgrade knowledge and help with solving problems. I can't wait to see what you get.

 

[swatski]

Those are great suggestions, and great information - much appreciated!

I guess here is where I am stuck. Is a phenomenon of "covid-cars" possibly a concern? similar to covid-boats.

I have no doubt about the existence of the latter, as I have been actively searching the boat market for a while and see it first hand (primarily at boat shows). For that reason, I just recently opted for a 2019 model of the boat we were in the market for as opposed to buying it new - after exhaustive search of both. Incidentally, that particular model is even more rare in the boat used/new market than a 2 door manual rubicon!

I can tell from first hand observations, at this point in time brand new boats of all major premium brands (wherever a comparison can be made) show issues consistent with tight parts market and cost/corner cutting, plus some obvious examples of labor and QC issues abound. That gives me much diminished confidence in making a decision to go with a new "build", sinking large sums of money into it, as much as I would like to do that, and as much as it seems most logical solution to the "ask" at hand. During normal times it would be a no brainer...

EDIT: one thing is pretty clear though, these particular models do sell for premium right now and there are no great deals.

BTW - what a game UNC vs Duke... Wow.

 

[gmac03]

If you’re not off roading a good deal consider looking at a Willy’s package. It has the last generation Rubicon shocks and a very useful limited slip.

 

[2kwik4u]

I don't know a ton about wranglers, but have a couple thoughts.

First. The Rubicon is likely WAY overkill for what you're looking at. I get it from a styling perpset, but you're paying for a bunch of hard parts that you're unlikely to use. Lower range transfer case, electronic lockers, different springs/shocks, etc. I really like the other posters idea of getting a less expensive option and upgrading the aesthetics to match what you're looking for. I've been in a Rubicon off-road, and they're impressively capable. If you aren't spending a ton of time in legit off road conditions, it's a bit of a waste.

Second, COVID boats are a bit different than COVID cars. Boats are hand built, don't have high parts quantities of parts orders to shore up supply, and have small QA departments. Cars are built in much larger facilities that have much more stringent QA programs, as well as being more "assembled" than "crafted". Doesn't require a high skilled artisan to put a Jeep together like it does for a fiberglass/wood boat. Completely different paradigms in the manufacturing world. You might see some quality changes in individual pieces from supplier changes, but I doubt you'll find the corner cutting QC issues of boats in a Jeep.

Good luck!

 

[swatski]

I don't know a ton about wranglers, but have a couple thoughts.

First. The Rubicon is likely WAY overkill for what you're looking at. I get it from a styling perpset, but you're paying for a bunch of hard parts that you're unlikely to use. Lower range transfer case, electronic lockers, different springs/shocks, etc. I really like the other posters idea of getting a less expensive option and upgrading the aesthetics to match what you're looking for. I've been in a Rubicon off-road, and they're impressively capable. If you aren't spending a ton of time in legit off road conditions, it's a bit of a waste.

Second, COVID boats are a bit different than COVID cars. Boats are hand built, don't have high parts quantities of parts orders to shore up supply, and have small QA departments. Cars are built in much larger facilities that have much more stringent QA programs, as well as being more "assembled" than "crafted". Doesn't require a high skilled artisan to put a Jeep together like it does for a fiberglass/wood boat. Completely different paradigms in the manufacturing world. You might see some quality changes in individual pieces from supplier changes, but I doubt you'll find the corner cutting QC issues of boats in a Jeep.

Good luck!

Great comments - thank you.
I think you probably right about covid cars, and my perspective is probably lacking (or just somewhat skewed).

With that being said supply chain issues are very real right now; that's reflected in uncertain wait/lead times for model(s) we are looking at. Not a small consideration given dealers we talked to wouldn't commit to specific price, or a date, albeit we only seriously talked to two, both cited issues specific to delays in manual models, but I'm sure there are places more willing to deal than what we have here locally, in the NE.

Buying basic and upgrading to what one actually needs is good advice. I did not consider it because I was thinking of all the modified jeeps I see that I often find downright off-putting, silly looking things; but obviously there is the right way to do it, as pointed out above. Not sure about the value proposition though, I see people overpay for rubicons however those fetch extremely high resale, too... So, there is that.
It's almost like a rubicon is an (short term/mid term) investment. Of course it's not, but they they do seem hold hold value like no other car. Well, maybe G-Wagon, lol.

I don't have any plans for any "serious" off-roading in near future, but I do like things overbuilt.
By the same token, I don't generally use my landcruiser (LC200) anywhere near its full capacity; albeit I have launched and retrieved my yammie in places with no ramp that were pretty wild, so there is that - sometimes a little extra can come in handy.

Not sure which way to go, still kind of feel like a stock rubicon is the "real deal". Well, maybe not if one considered those new 392s!!!
I had seen a couple in showrooms and it is like "wrangler-porn". Unreal. But, so are their stickers pushing 100k, apparently they can go above that now... Nuts.

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[suke]

Koons in Virginia offers nuts pricing on orders. Local dealers were asking 20k over for wagoneer when we were looking, but only 10k over if you ordered. Koons was selling under invoice.

AH HA! It was a Koons, but don't think it was that one that posted on the forums. They have a ton of dealerships I bet there's one close(r) to him he could reach out to.

 

[ripler]

Here's a pic of my wife's JLU. I installed a Teraflex 1.5" leveling spacer lift and the tires are 33" Rubicon takeoffs, the rims are factory upgrades.

 

[2kwik4u]

Great comments - thank you.
I think you probably right about covid cars, and my perspective is probably lacking (or just somewhat skewed).

With that being said supply chain issues are very real right now; that's reflected in uncertain wait/lead times for model(s) we are looking at. Not a small consideration given dealers we talked to wouldn't commit to specific price, or a date, albeit we only seriously talked to two, both cited issues specific to delays in manual models, but I'm sure there are places more willing to deal than what we have here locally, in the NE.

Buying basic and upgrading to what one actually needs is good advice. I did not consider it because I was thinking of all the modified jeeps I see that I often find downright off-putting, silly looking things; but obviously there is the right way to do it, as pointed out above. Not sure about the value proposition though, I see people overpay for rubicons however those fetch extremely high resale, too... So, there is that.
It's almost like a rubicon is an (short term/mid term) investment. Of course it's not, but they they do seem hold hold value like no other car. Well, maybe G-Wagon, lol.

I don't have any plans for any "serious" off-roading in near future, but I do like things overbuilt.
By the same token, I don't generally use my landcruiser (LC200) anywhere near its full capacity; albeit I have launched and retrieved my yammie in places with no ramp that were pretty wild, so there is that - sometimes a little extra can come in handy.

Not sure which way to go, still kind of feel like a stock rubicon is the "real deal". Well, maybe not if one considered those new 392s!!!
I had seen a couple in showrooms and it is like "wrangler-porn". Unreal. But, so are their stickers pushing 100k, apparently they can go above that now... Nuts.

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Agree on all accounts.

I didn't want to bring up the no offroading and the Land Cruiser. I remember those ramps in MO you launched from. The capability was certainly used there.

In terms of modifications, it's all about taste and how you go about it. I've long been a fan of what many call OEM+. That is simply upfitting a lower trim with higher trim pieces, as well as small tasteful mods that make the vehicle still look like it came that way from the factory, but add a bit of function or style. Typically don't have to worry about reliability at that level of mods either.

I also fully appreciate the time value of money. Doing those mods takes time and energy, and if you've got bigger fish to fry, then buying the top trim right up front saves that time/effort.

Good luck!

 

[PBear]

Koons in Virginia offers nuts pricing on orders. Local dealers were asking 20k over for wagoneer when we were looking, but only 10k over if you ordered. Koons was selling under invoice.

From www.jeepgarage.org-- info on ordering from Koons. You need to email them and not call them. $8K discount on the 392...

 

[ripler]

@swatski
Here's a link for Wrangler pricing spreadsheets (at the bottom of the first post), you should be able to determine invoice pricing (FWP). The easiest way to do this is build a Wrangler on the Jeep website and then use the pricing on the spreadsheet.

(1) Interactive Pricing Spreadsheet for 2022 JL & JLU | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, 4xe, 392 - JLwranglerforums.com

 

[AZMark]

If only there was a highly capable off-roader with a strong V8 and short wheelbase that could also easily tow the boat…



As another LC owner I’m not mad about this thread…I’m just disappointed

 

[swatski]

Yeah, that's funny stuff, @AZMark!

I can not imagine getting rid of my Landy. I just don't know of any other car I would rather have, to replace it. No real competition.

I will admit, however, to doing a bit of a 180 turn with wranglers.
For years we used to test ride one here and there; mostly to "appease" Kate's obsession with them...lol; it would always be the same story, every time, like clockwork: a short ride with me just rolling my eyes and asking: "why are we doing it again...?".
That is, until now.
Not sure what changed but we drove a couple of new or almost new (2021) manual jeeps and it was... impressive. Kind of reminded my of good manners of her old manual 3-series BMW she used to drive years ago, strangely enough.

Just last week we also drove a complete turd that reminded me of the past experience with the brand, but it was clearly an unmaintained (2016? manual sport) vehicle that sounded like it wanted to fall apart; we cut the ride within a block.

I still need to ride a manual rubicon, if we can ever find one around here; but would expect a better ride if anything.
Is it a 50+k better ride...? IDK...
Strange world we live in, lol.

 

[Jason-]

I spent two years looking for a used wrangler with a manual transmission that didn’t have 100k miles on it. I finally ordered one from my local dealer. Honestly, I was able to negotiate a better price than anything the dealers had on their lots. Its also nice to order only the options you want. It’s a longer process, but worth the wait.