Here's a thing

"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly) 01/30/2019 at 07:34 • Filed to: How do they sell any?

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The average Australian weekly pay packet is a smidge under $1,600 at the moment.

The starting price for a JL Wrangler (2 door Sport S `which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights with daytime running lights (DRLs), push-button start, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 7.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight-speaker audio system, black soft-top, Selec-Trac traction control system, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera` [words stolen from Goauto.com.au]) is $48,950 plus on road costs...so add another 3 to 5 grand. This is with the Pentastar V6 and 8 speed automatic.

The top model is the 4 door Rubicon with the 2.2 litre TDi engine, again only with an 8 speed automatic...$68,950 plus on roads.

Fifty to seventy grand...

Average price increase over the JK is about $8,500.

Fifty grand buys an awful lot of Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux. Seventy grand sees you into Toyota Prado or even squeaks you into 75 Series LandCruiser

I’m going out on a limb here to say that Jeep aren’t planning on selling too many JLs into Oz. As for the Gladiator...ah no.

Attention, Jaguar Land Rover...this niche is now yours to properly fuck up.

E90M3 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/30/2019 at 08:05

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People spend ludicrous amounts on Jeeps because of the image. They’re not great value for money, but people still buy them because that’s what they want to be seen in; they want whatever image is associated with the Jeep life, regardless of the cost or need of a vehicle. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > E90M3 01/30/2019 at 08:26

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It’s worth noting that the Jeep image here in Oz is not quite the same as the Jeep image seems to be in the US...

Jeep here used a clever ad campaign that played on the riff ‘I bought a Jeep!’ like it was some sort of illicit secret...and then it seems that those  who got suckered wished it was. 

DipodomysDeserti > E90M3 01/30/2019 at 08:28

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In North Anerica, yes.  Jeep doesn’t have that same pull in Australia

Arrivederci > E90M3 01/30/2019 at 08:29

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Yep - something about a Jeep thing and we wouldn’t understand.

Nothing > E90M3 01/30/2019 at 10:17

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Depends on your perception or wants of a vehicle. Is a 4 door Rubicon any worse value than a Mustang GT convertible?

I get there are people that buy it because of the “Jeep thing”, but when I drove one, it rode well (especially compared to the Tacoma), had usable interior space, and was functional as a family vehicle. The 2 door is a niche vehicle for sure. The 4 door is a viable option for those that want something a little more interesting than a typical crossover/SUV.

And despite the absurd MSRP, it’s quite easy to get a decent deal . Heck, without negotiating, you can get 1% under invoice just by having s Tread Lightly membership. When I negotiated, I was at 6% under invoice before I decided on the 4Runner.

E90M3 > Nothing 01/30/2019 at 10:23

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I can’t get over the mental road block I have because of MSRP, the short rides I’ve had in my friends 2017 Jeep, and the number of modified jeeps that have seen as much offloading as my M3 has . I have a negative perception that has not been helped by any of my experiences . I don’t think you necessarily have to justify any purchase beyond the reason of I wanted it and it fits what I want to do with, well, besides the caveat of I can afford it. I can see why people buy them, even if their reason perplex me, but it’s absolutely not for me.

Nothing > E90M3 01/30/2019 at 10:36

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Right, just like people that say “how can you spend 40,50,60k on a PICKUP?” If you want it, you want it, I guess. The tacky modified Wranglers doesn’t help the perception either. 

My wants when I looked at one were, carry kid, carry hockey gear, be something fun . That was when my thought process was “one vehicle, no project car”. Once I decided I still wanted two vehicles, the Jeep was kicked aside. Even with discounts, I couldn’t wrap my brain around paying $44k for what was essentially a compromise vehicle, knowing full well that if I really want a Jeep as a fun vehicle, an old TJ at a fraction of a cost would fit the bill.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Nothing 01/30/2019 at 15:07

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No doubt but low volume and likely low dealer/importer stock (so most customers will wait for their cars) will make US kind of deals virtually impossible.

It’s also worth noting that the base Sport S 4 door starts at $ 53,450 but the other two trims (Overland & Rubicon) with the features that people who’d consider a Jeep would actually want are respectively $9,000 and $10,000 more. Plus on road costs.

You can buy an awful lot of other very well equipped body on frame 4x4s in this market for that sort of coin...often even much less coin (hello Isuzu MU-X) . G ranted they don’t have the look of the Jeep but they may well be far more practical on a day to day basis...

Oh and the new Jimny is half the price of a base Wrangler 2 door!

Nothing > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/30/2019 at 16:44

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Understood that it’s a completely different market there. Saving $10k is one of the reasons why I’m in a 4Runner instead of a Wrangler, admittedly, I only was interested in the Rubicon model. 

Nauraushaun > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/31/2019 at 00:37

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... New Jimny?

Here?

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Nauraushaun 01/31/2019 at 00:50

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Yep. Launched last week. However , the 2019 allocation is only 1,100 (annual production is circa 60,000) and a quarter of those are already pre-sold apparently. $24,000 for the manual and $25,000 for the auto.

Nauraushaun > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/31/2019 at 04:24

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24k? No t in Australia!?

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Nauraushaun 01/31/2019 at 05:00

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$24k. Plus on roads. In Australia.

It does hurt a little doesn't it. But then what is the alternative?

Nauraushaun > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/31/2019 at 06:36

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If a base Jeep is almost 50k. And that new Alpine (which is a 1.8 turbo) is something like 100k. And even the basement Toyota 86 is a smidge over 30k. Seems you can’t get much of anything interesting for new for anywhere near 24k.

I think it’s a goddam bargain.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Nauraushaun 01/31/2019 at 07:31

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Maybe....but I’d like it to be closer to 20 grand.

As for cheap and interesting...have you noticed the launch of the Kia Picanto GT? 1007 kg, 1.0 litre turbo, 74 kW/142 nM and 5 speed manual only ...$18,000.

I’ve driven the basic auto version and reckon this GT version would be something else!!

Nauraushaun > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/31/2019 at 16:53

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Wow. So light! For a new car! Such a small engine! Only a 5 speed! I think that would be a bit of fun to throw around.

But surely a Co rolla would be cheaper, bigger, more powerful, better in every way?

No I pay little if any attention to new cars, I just don’t care.