Robust. That’s the kind of person you are. The wind in your dusty hair, crawling on sick mountain trails that haven’t been traveled in years. You love being alone, master of your destiny, captain of your soul.
That, of course, is why you chose to buy a Jeep. You were told it’s the only vehicle that will take you to those remote and hard-to-reach places in this world, and that’s exactly what you intend to do.
However, when you start driving miles in your brand new 4×4, you can’t help but notice that there isn’t much luxury in the cabin and the ride is quite rough. The parts are quite expensive, and in fact, you can hear the engine on the radio!
This raises the question…
Why Are Jeeps So Expensive?
#1 – Supply and Demand
Jeep Wranglers are very popular and Jeep knows it. Everyone loves the removable doors and the classic slotted grille on the front of the Wrangler. People love buying Jeeps because of their off-road capability, even if they don’t intend to venture outside the mall.
As a company, Jeep also maintains low production volume to ensure demand remains high. This way, they can charge $40,000 for a mid-range version and people will line up to pay the exorbitant “dealer markup.”
Basically, if you have something that everyone wants, why would you lower its price? A well-equipped Jeep Gladiator can be bought for nearly $70,000! That’s a lot for a utility farm truck!
#2 – History
Part of the reason Jeeps command such a high price these days is due to this automobile’s long and successful history.
Used as a utility troop carrier during World War II, the Jeep was supposed to cross any terrain, carry .50 caliber machine guns, and tow anti-tank weapons to the front line. It was supposed to be light enough that, if it ended up stuck, one or two guys could lift it and get it moving down the trail.
The original “Willys” Jeep, as it was called then, was also supposed to be easy to work on, meaning all parts were readily available and quite simple to use. Interestingly, many Jeeps were shipped to the army as crates of disassembled parts. Frontline mechanics were supposed to assemble the entire vehicle in one day to get it to the front line!
What I also hear and see in Jeep circles is that there is a fairly loyal brotherhood around these vehicles. When you buy a Jeep, you wave to other Jeep owners and say, “Hey! You have a Jeep like mine! Hey buddy, isn’t it cool that we bought the same car?”
When you fill up at the gas station, people might come up to you and ask you everything there is to know about your car. That’s another reason Jeep prices go up every year, because you’re not just buying a car, you’re buying a complete experience.
It’s safe to say that the Jeep Wrangler’s rich and interesting past, along with the brotherhood, have created greater demand for the Jeep brand as a whole.
#3 – Competition
While we’re talking about Jeep Wranglers, I’ll also mention that they are priced so high because they don’t have much competition. For the price, you can’t get a solid front axle, electronic sway bar disconnects, front and rear lockers, and all-terrain tires in a vehicle from the factory.
So, for those who place great importance on off-road performance, there’s really only one option on the market: the Jeep Wrangler.
When you look at the other models in the Jeep lineup, all are equipped with the optional “Trailhawk” trim that offers huge improvements in off-road capabilities, which can compete with any of the other SUVs offered on the current market.
How to Get a Good Deal on a Jeep
As with most other cars, the best deals you’ll find will be on the used market. Normally, you want to look for cars with less than 100,000 miles, a full maintenance history, a clean title, and preferably “Certified Pre-Owned.”
This way, you avoid the huge depreciation in the first two years of ownership and you still get a car with plenty of life left.
Are Jeeps Expensive to Maintain?
The average maintenance cost for a Jeep Wrangler is $694, barely $100 more than other SUVs in the segment. Although the average cost is higher, the likelihood of you needing to go to a mechanic is quite low on average.
That being said, repairs on Jeep Wranglers are on average more severe because there are more issues than on a standard front-wheel-drive sedan, for example.
Now, if you plan on taking your Jeep to MOAB for the Easter Jeep Safari (I know I am!) and you want to tackle Pritchett Canyon, you risk breaking a tie rod, your axles, your differential, maybe your transfer case, and your transmission.
Not to mention that if you need someone to tow you from a difficult spot, you’ll spend at least $2000 just to get to the nearest gas station. So, you’ll have to spend a lot more than $694 a year if you want to keep up this hobby.
Plus, if you’re going to have a Jeep, you better be sure it won’t stay stock for very long! You need to get the big 35-inch tires, the gold rims, the King Shocks, and make sure not to forget the swiveling light bars!
Otherwise, why did you even buy a Jeep, right? It’s a situation where you have to pay to play with the big 4X4 bois.
Jeep Insurance Costs
With Progressive insurance, you’ll spend about $950 per year on average to insure a Jeep Wrangler. However, as with all insurance premiums, this can be modified by your age, driving history, and the type of car you drive.
I’ll also add that almost all insurance companies will not cover accidents/damage caused by tackling sketchy trails in the mountains. So, make sure not to try to file a claim for a bent rock slider or a torn sidewall, because you might get a few raised eyebrows from your local insurance agent.
Overall, Jeeps are quite expensive to purchase and may cost you a bit more each year to keep them running properly. However, when you compare its off-road capabilities to any of the other options in this class, there’s no doubt which is the better deal.
Simply put, if you go off-road and love exploring most of the time you get in your vehicle, get yourself a Jeep.