Jeep reveals Moab Easter Jeep Safari concepts

[Justincredible]

I totally agree with the first part; the newest Wrangler is the most capable out of the box open-top Jeep yet. However, as to the second supposition, the new base-level, 2-door Wrangler is more expensive than a stripper CJ was back in the day, even adjusted for inflation. Let's go back to 1982. Why 1982? No reason other than that happens to be the year my Scrambler rolled off the line. In that year, Jeep was promoting CJ7s and Scramblers for $6,765. That same year, the base price for the Corvette was $18,290. Why a Corvette for comparison? Well, it is also a vehicle that has been in continuous production since 1982 (more or less. There was no 1983 model year for the Vette, much like there was no Wrangler for 1996). It is also a specialty vehicle, filling a very different niche and appealing to a relatively small percentage of the total car-buying public. It, like the Wrangler, is a bit more than basic transportation. And finally, the base price of the Corvette tracks pretty consistently with the Median Household Income for any given year, oddly enough. I'm sure that's just a coincidence. The stripper '86 CJ was about 37% of the cost of the Vette. To be fair, the CJ did not include carpeting (much less floor mats), radio, top or doors, for that price. Still, a fairly well optioned Scrambler was only hitting about $7,900 or 43% of the Vette. Now, a 2013 JK base 2-door runs about 47% of the $49,600 base Corvette. And the JK Unlimited STARTS at $35,190, a whopping 70% of the Vette. Now, keep in mind there really is no such thing as a "base" Corvette or Wrangler for that matter. The reason is that the dealers make the most markup on the options. Heated seats, NAV systems, and sub woofers are high-profit items for the dealer, and many of these options can only be had as part of a package. The new Wrangler costs more than a 1986 CJ for the simple fact that NAV systems and heated seats did not exist then. And Jeep will never sell a stripper JK as long as they are selling every single one they can crank out. When was the last time you saw incentives on a Wrangler or Vette? People need transportation and tend to shop by price for the necessities of life; no one "needs" a Vette or a +$50K JKU.

My local dealership has several on the lot for about $27,000. The only option is a hard top.

 

[Mbogo]

Well, as the asterisk, fine print reads, "MSRP, dealer sets actual pricing." My bad, the $35,190 I quoted was the top of the range, which would be a JKUR. Still, $27,000 is a great price for a JKU. In the Denver Metro area, one would be lucky to negotiate a 2012 for that price. However, in my own rambling way, the main point I was trying to make is that it is very rare to find a plain-Jane Wrangler or any high-demand vehicle because the profit margin for the dealer is so much slimmer. To get a stripper, one would almost need to have a prior relationship with the dealer where they wouldn't mind special ordering one that way. The bright side is, with so many JKs being sold now, the used market will look pretty good in a few years, despite the fact that Wranglers historically hold their value very well.

 

[proper4wd]

I have no reason whatsoever to comment in this thread other than to share my experience in the car business.

We do not make significant money on options. In fact, percentage wise, it is practically nothing compared to the markup in the MSRP... which is only 8-9% anyways.

The reason that car dealerships only order and stock vehicles with options is because that is what the majority of people want! You expo crowd are a very small slice of the market. The vast majority of people buying new Jeeps WANT air conditioning, they WANT a radio, they WANT carpet, etc. Most of them WANT automatic transmissions.

If YOU want a bare bones stripper Jeep, buy one. But dont be surprised when it has to be special ordered for you that way, because you are bucking the market trend.

 

[Frank]

The Jeeps at the safari look great in the field!

I really like the Grand Cherokee and the red Wrangler! Not fancy but look like they can get the job done.

 

[Silvanus]

I have no reason whatsoever to comment in this thread other than to share my experience in the car business.

We do not make significant money on options. In fact, percentage wise, it is practically nothing compared to the markup in the MSRP... which is only 8-9% anyways.

The reason that car dealerships only order and stock vehicles with options is because that is what the majority of people want! You expo crowd are a very small slice of the market. The vast majority of people buying new Jeeps WANT air conditioning, they WANT a radio, they WANT carpet, etc. Most of them WANT automatic transmissions.

If YOU want a bare bones stripper Jeep, buy one. But dont be surprised when it has to be special ordered for you that way, because you are bucking the market trend.

NO, it's want manufacturer pumps out and the buyers have to settle for! Special Order is a good way to discourage anyone wanting an utilitarian JK when there's high priced stock sitting in the lot. Most of your clientele no nothing about Jeep and that's the way you like it! We EXPO people are the reason there's an market for this in the first place!

What part of Boston do hail from, I'm originally from Uphams Corner,Ma.

 

[proper4wd]

NO, it's want manufacturer pumps out and the buyers have to settle for! Special Order is a good way to discourage anyone wanting an utilitarian JK when there's high priced stock sitting in the lot. Most of your clientele no nothing about Jeep and that's the way you like it! We EXPO people are the reason there's an market for this in the first place!

What part of Boston do hail from, I'm originally from Uphams Corner,Ma.

Sorry to say but you are off the mark on this one, my FIRST hand knowledge is that the cars that sit on the lot the longest are the base package cars with no options. They are the hardest to sell because the incremental cost to go from a base model to the next to the next is very small compared to the initial cost of the vehicle.

Have you purchased a new car from a dealership before?

 

[Silvanus]

Sorry to say but you are off the mark on this one, my FIRST hand knowledge is that the cars that sit on the lot the longest are the base package cars with no options. They are the hardest to sell because the incremental cost to go from a base model to the next to the next is very small compared to the initial cost of the vehicle.

Have you purchased a new car from a dealership before?

What dealership do you work for?

 

[mikeg1713]

A hard day at work on the trail with Sarge...

 

[mikeg1713]

Oh, and the Mighty FC stopped by our condo to say hi.