This is just one family's experience, trying to buy a Wrangler just the way we want it. Take it with a grain of salt, or a quart of oil. It's just our experience, emotions and opinions.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
We Got It!
Took delivery today and put about 30 miles on our new Jeep. We are very happy that we waited and got what we wanted. The half doors and white are well worth it. It only took about 5 weeks, October 13 to November 19. Pictures tomorrow.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
J Day
Got a message from our salesperson yesterday that they'd be taking delivery and we could pick it up Today or Tomorrow. Hmmm... yeah I think today. Now we just have to get our paperwork in order, get a big check from the bank and hope Chrysler financial thinks we're a good risk.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
KZN
I just called Chrysler and got our build status. We are KZN, which means, "first rail arrival". I'm now wondering how many stops (if any) there are between Toledo and Captain, I mean Selkirk, NY. We're supposed to get our Jeep next week, but it's a holiday week and I'm afraid that might mess us up.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thankful for a Jeep??
Went to the dealer today to drop off some paperwork and found out that our ride is gonna be in next week!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sticker
I've been checking online for the window sticker just about every day and today it was there! I called Chrysler and they told me our Jeep came off the assembly line yesterday! Now if they would just ship the thing.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
D1 Status Confirmed
Called Chrysler again last night, and today. Both times they had trouble finding our info. Yesterday they told me it was scheduled for 12/5 (a month after the date they gave me Thursday). Today they told me 11/5. I also got email from the sales manager at our dealer. And I quote:
Your wrangler has been assigned a full ID number. It is in fact in a D1 status. Which means will be built any time next week. The plant is in Toledo, OH. So it should be released to shipper within 2 weeks.
The Status then will Show KZ, and the Jeep will be in Selkirk, NY. It is our holding ground for most of New England. That should happen all by the end of the month...
My best guess work at this point that your Jeep will be here the first week in December. Calling anyone by phone, and if they know how to read the routing and work screen, will only be an approximate at best.
I will keep in touch with you as our current D1 status change.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
It looks half full, but I have a suspicion it's half empty...
I couldn't put it off any longer, and called Chrysler tonight. It was my third call since we ordered. As before, they couldn't get any information with the vin number at first. Finally the guy was able to tell me it's status was "gateline" with an estimated ship date of 11/8! I was trying to stop my head from reeling, along with looking through my papers for more info on what "gateline" is. I finally found my list of build status codes and asked him if we were in D1 status (gateline, scheduled to be built). He seemed surprised that I knew the code and said something like, "You must be looking at the same thing I'm looking at". If I had his access, why would I call?
Anyway, from his info, our Jeep isn't built yet (today is Thursday), but could be shipped as early as Monday! Do they work weekends in Toledo?? I've been checking the "find your sticker" site every day, but our vin number doesn't pull anything up yet.
He did say a couple times that the ship date has a 30 day leeway, and that the dealer could get the Jeep as late as December 8, but that's still almost a month earlier than we thought, after the last call to Chrysler. I guess I'll call next week.
"The life we live is tricky tricky
I love my home, and my family
Who's gonna love you when the
Mountains gets steep?
We're gonna make it-in a jeep"
--Iggy Pop
Anyway, from his info, our Jeep isn't built yet (today is Thursday), but could be shipped as early as Monday! Do they work weekends in Toledo?? I've been checking the "find your sticker" site every day, but our vin number doesn't pull anything up yet.
He did say a couple times that the ship date has a 30 day leeway, and that the dealer could get the Jeep as late as December 8, but that's still almost a month earlier than we thought, after the last call to Chrysler. I guess I'll call next week.
"The life we live is tricky tricky
I love my home, and my family
Who's gonna love you when the
Mountains gets steep?
We're gonna make it-in a jeep"
--Iggy Pop
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Update
I called Chrysler yesterday for an update on the build status of our Jeep. It took some time, but the guy was able to tell me that it's in the system and has an estimated ship date of January 1st (Isn't that a holiday?). Folks at the Jeep forums think the color and/or the half doors are making it take longer than it should. At least we'll be able to save more for the down payment (and wheels & tires, and other upgrades...). We wait for 1/1/11...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
D Status
Today was allocation day at our dealer. I got an email saying our Jeep is being built!! We are in "D Status", which I guess means scheduled and we also have a VIN number.
Also, we've joined TreadLightly.org, which is supposed to give us a price that's 1% below invoice and a $100 rebate on new Goodyear tires.
Also, we've joined TreadLightly.org, which is supposed to give us a price that's 1% below invoice and a $100 rebate on new Goodyear tires.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Be a Sport
Just got back from our dealer. They're going to order us a Sport this week. We added half doors (of course), the tow group (which changes the rear axle to 3.73), the Infinity speakers, and the limited slip rear differential. It's going to be about $7000 cheaper than the Rubicon. The things we're going to get asap are the heated seats, a GPS unit (I think the Garmin Nuvi 550, which is waterproof and rugged, so I can take it snowmobiling), and better wheels and tires. The wheels and tires are pretty cheesy, only 16", but they'll do for now.
Of all the stuff we wanted, we got the two most important things, and the things that would have been the most expensive to do after: the Bright White and the half doors. Everything else is either doable after we get it, or not important. Thinking back, we kinda talked ourselves into the Rubicon, using the old line, "ah, we're getting a new car let's do it up right, what's another couple thousand?" In a way I'm glad we weren't able to order the Rubicon when we wanted to, the extra time has helped us make a better decision. And now it'll be easier to pay it off early.
The sales manager said he'd be able to order it Wednesday the 13th, and if we're lucky we'll have it for Christmas. He's going to call us with the VON (vehicle order number) and then I should be able to track the progress.
Until then I can finish researching the GPS and start looking at wheels and tires.
Of all the stuff we wanted, we got the two most important things, and the things that would have been the most expensive to do after: the Bright White and the half doors. Everything else is either doable after we get it, or not important. Thinking back, we kinda talked ourselves into the Rubicon, using the old line, "ah, we're getting a new car let's do it up right, what's another couple thousand?" In a way I'm glad we weren't able to order the Rubicon when we wanted to, the extra time has helped us make a better decision. And now it'll be easier to pay it off early.
The sales manager said he'd be able to order it Wednesday the 13th, and if we're lucky we'll have it for Christmas. He's going to call us with the VON (vehicle order number) and then I should be able to track the progress.
Until then I can finish researching the GPS and start looking at wheels and tires.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Our Prerogative
We've (I've) changed our minds. We now want the Sport with the 1/2 doors, built up as much as we can. We want to add the factory tow group, which also changes the rear end to 3.73, the Trac-Lok limited slip rear diff, and the Infinity speakers w/subwoofer. This way we get most of what we want. The stuff we can't get is mostly serious off-road equipment.
So we now think we want the Sport. Let's face it, we're not going to seriously off-road a 35k vehicle, and we can do a lot of upgrades for the eight thousand dollar difference (like buy a whole 'nother car!).
Sport | Rubicon | |
3.8-Liter V6 SMPI Engine | ||
6-Speed Manual Transmission | ||
Command-Trac® Shift-on-the-Fly 4WD System | 4:1 Rock-Trac® Part-Time 4WD System | |
(can upgrade to limited slip rear diff $295) | Tru-Lok® Electronic Locking Frnt/Rear Differentials | |
Electronic Stability Control | ||
Media Center 130 CD/MP3 | Media Center 130 CD/MP3 (we'd upgrade 1) | |
>> | SIRIUS Satellite Radio w/ 1-Yr Radio Subscription | |
6 Speakers (upgrade to 368W 7-Spkr Infinity w/sub - $395) | 368W 7-Speaker Infinity® Sound Sys Incl Subwoofer | |
Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls | ||
Cloth Seats with Adjustable Head Restraints | ||
16-Inch Styled Steel Wheels | >> | 17-Inch Aluminum Wheels Painted Satin Carbon |
P225/75R16 BSW On/Off-Road Tires | > | LT255/75R17 BSW Off-Road Tires |
Matching Spare Wheel | ||
Full-Size Spare Tire | ||
Next Generation Dana® 30 Solid Front Axle | > | Next Generation Dana® 44 Heavy Duty Front Axle |
Next Generation Dana® 44 Heavy Duty Rear Axle | ||
Full Mtl Drs w/ Roll-up Wind (replace w/Half Doors & Locks) | <<<<< | Full Metal Doors with Roll-up Windows |
Sunrider® Soft Top | ||
> | Remote Keyless Entry | |
Air Conditioning | ||
(would want to have one put in) | >> | Security Alarm |
> | Rock Rails | |
Speed Control | ||
>? | Performance Suspension | |
> | Elctrnc Frt Sway Bar Dscnnct (for serious off-road) | |
> | 115-Volt Auxiliary pwr Outlet | |
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||
Mileage 15 city/19 hwy | ||
Jeep Badge | ||
Sport Badge | Rubicon Badge | |
Trail Rated Badge | ||
Wrangler Unlimited Badge | ||
100-MPH Speedometer | ||
140-Amp Alternator | ||
22.5-Gallon Fuel Tank | ||
4-Wheel Disc Anti-Lock Brakes | ||
600-Amp Maintenance-Free Battery | ||
Accent-Color Fender Flares | ||
Automatic Headlamps | ||
Auxiliary 12-Volt pwr Outlet | ||
Base Interior Accents | ||
Black Front Bumper | ||
Black Front Frame Overlay | ||
Black Rear Bumper | ||
Body-Color Grille | ||
Bright Interior Accents | ||
Bucket Seats with Adjustable Head Restraints | ||
Cargo Compartment Floor Mat | ||
Cargo Tie-Down Loops | ||
Center High-Mount Stop Lamp | ||
Chrome / Leather-Wrapped Shift Knob | ||
Easy-Folding Soft Top | ||
Electronic Roll Mitigation | ||
Fog Lamps | ||
Front and Rear Floor Mats | ||
Front Axle Differential | ||
Front Dome with On/Off Switch Lamp | ||
Front Passenger Seat Belt Alert | ||
Front Seat Area Carpet | ||
Front Seat Back Map Pockets | ||
Front Stabilizer Bar | ||
Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield | ||
Full-Length Floor Console | ||
Halogen Headlamps | ||
Height-Adjustable Driver's Seat | ||
Hill Start Assist | ||
> | Hood Insulation | |
Hydraulic Brake Assist | ||
Instrument Panel Parts Module | ||
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||
Locking Glove Box | ||
Non-Locking Fuel Filler Cap | ||
Normal-Duty Suspension | >? | Performance Suspension |
Power Steering | ||
Premium Instrument Cluster with Tachometer | ||
Protective Coating and Remover | ||
Rear 60 / 40 Split Folding Seat | ||
Rear Compartment Covered Storage | ||
Rear Dome Lamp with On/Off Switch | ||
> | Rear Passenger Assist Handles | |
Rear Stabilizer Bar | ||
Rear-Seat / Wheelhouse / Cargo Carpet | ||
Rear-Seat Adjustable Head Restraints | ||
Rearview Day / Night Mirror | ||
Reclining Front Seats | ||
Sentry Key® Theft Deterrent System | ||
Single Low Note Horn | ||
Sliding Sun Visors with Mirrors | ||
Speed Control (out with 1/2 doors?) | Speed Control | |
Sport Bar with Full Padding | ||
Storage Tray | ||
Temperature and Compass Gauge | ||
Tethered Fuel Filler Cap | ||
Tilt Steering Column | ||
Tinted Front Door Glass (not with half doors) | Tinted Front Door Glass | |
Tire and Wheel Parts Module | ||
Tire Pressure Monitor with Warning Lamp | ||
Traction Control | ||
Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield | ||
Two Front Tow Hooks and One Rear Tow Hook | ||
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers (out with half doors?) | Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers | |
Vinyl Shift Knob | ||
Monotone Paint | ||
> | Deep Tint Sunscreen Windows | |
Tinted Windshield Glass | ||
Mirrors | ||
Manual Fold-Away Mirrors | pwr Heated Mirrors | |
Audio Jack Input for Mobile Devices | ||
Fixed Long Mast Antenna | ||
Advanced Multistage Front Airbags | ||
Manual Locks | pwr Locks | |
Manual Windows | pwr Windows with Front One-Touch-Down Feature | |
grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Approach Angle - 40.6 | > | grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Approach Angle - 44.4 |
grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Breakover Angle - 17.8 | > | grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Breakover Angle - 20.8 |
grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Departure Angle - 37.5 | > | grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Departure Angle- 40.5 |
grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Running grnd clrnce - 8.7 | > | grnd clrnce - at curb wgt - Running grnd clrnce - 10.1 |
Overall Body Width - 82.8 | ||
Overall Height - Hard Top - 70.8 | Overall Height - 72.1 | |
Overall Length- 183.7 | Overall Length - 184.4 | |
Overhang - Front - 28.3 | ||
Overhang - Rear - 39.4 | ||
Track - Front - 61.9 | ||
Track - Rear - 61.9 | ||
Turning Diameter - curb-to-curb - Left - 41.2 | ||
Turning Diameter - curb-to-curb - Right - 41.2 | ||
Wheelbase - 116 | ||
Cargo Capacity - Behind 2nd Row Seat - 46.4 | ||
Cargo Capacity - Behind Front Seat - 82 | ||
Head Room - Front - 41.3 | ||
Head Room - Rear - 40.4 | ||
Hip Room - Front - 55.6 | ||
Hip Room - Rear - 56.7 | ||
Leg Room - Front - 41 | ||
Leg Room - Rear - 37.2 | ||
Passenger Interior Volume - 103.9 | ||
Seating Capacity - Maximum Seating - 5 | ||
Seating Capacity - Standard Seating - 5 | ||
Shoulder Room - Front - 55.8 | ||
Shoulder Room - Rear - 56.8 | ||
Trunk Lift-Over Height - 31.4 | Trunk Lift-Over Height - 32.9 | |
Base Curb wgt - Automatic Trans - 4203 | Base Curb wgt - Automatic Trans - 4442 | |
Base Curb wgt - Manual Trans - 4180 | Base Curb wgt - Manual Trans - 4419 | |
Fuel Tank Capacity - 21.6 | ||
Gross Vehicle wgt Rating (GVWR) - Maximum - 5400 | Gross Vehicle wgt Rating (GVWR) - Maximum - 5500 | |
Gross Vehicle wgt Rating (GVWR) - Standard - 5300 | Gross Vehicle wgt Rating (GVWR) - Standard - 5448 | |
Payload Capacity - Standard - 1220 | Payload Capacity - Standard - 1081 | |
Towing Capacity - Maximum - 3500 | Towing Capacity - Maximum - 3500 | |
wgt Distribution - Automatic Trans - Front - 50 | wgt Distribution - Automatic Trans - Front - 49 | |
wgt Distribution - Automatic Trans - Rear - 50 | wgt Distribution - Automatic Trans - Rear - 51 | |
wgt Distribution - Manual Trans - Front- 50 | wgt Distribution - Manual Trans - Front - 49 | |
wgt Distribution - Manual Trans - Rear - 50 | wgt Distribution - Manual Trans - Rear - 51 | |
$27305 (MSRP) | <<<<<<< | $35050 (MSRP, includes heated seats & MyGig) |
Options We'd Get: | ||
can't get factory, but Mopar has for $300 + install | heated seats | |
can get standalong Nav & HD or use flash drive | 1better radio with Nav & HD |
So we now think we want the Sport. Let's face it, we're not going to seriously off-road a 35k vehicle, and we can do a lot of upgrades for the eight thousand dollar difference (like buy a whole 'nother car!).
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