Prior to COVID, and I'm sure back to it soon, I traveled a bunch for work. Usually every other week I couple a flight or two with a few hundred miles on the road. For the past couple years, Hertz sends me an annual summary with number of miles driven and number of rentals. On the average year, I'm at ~60 rentals and "enough miles driven to go from Florida to Alaska XX number of times" (or whatever cutesy thing Hertz throws in there). I've driven over 200 cars and probably 100,000+ miles since taking my new role in 2015. I've had everything from bare bones Kia SUVs to Escalades and Camrys to AMG SL 55 drop tops. I even had a Hellcat Charger one time (though it was in LAX, so not as fun as it could have been)
When I considered buying a new vehicle for myself just prior to COVID hitting - oddly enough, only FCA vehicles were on my list (a Power Wagon actually was what I was looking at, but a Rebel was a back up). I never thought I'd say that, but of all the newer cars I get to drive, FCA has been the only one to impress me. When my wife got rear-ended last year, I suggested the Grand Cherokee Limited, knowing that is was probably the only SUV she'd ever get, and she's loved it...
The one advantage is that it won't sound like a tractor anymore
Though I don't know if sounding like a minivan is any better
I was never impressed by the JKU, including when I first went to test-drive one back in 2007 when I was looking to buy a new one (but ended up getting a V8 4Runner). The JLU on the other hand was impressive, especially when I had my first JLU rental right after a JKU rental. It was the turbo 4-cyl version and it legitimately shocked me (again, compared to the JKU). Power, handling, HVN reduction, ergonomics (except that damn 4x4 shifter location), and fit and finish were much, much better than the JKU.
Agreed though - I would never buy a new Jeep to go beat on in the rocks... most aren't doing that (I would argue that even most TJ owners aren't either).
They're expensive because that's what the market will bear. Why sell something for less (from a capitalism-centric mindset)?
I don't think they are as highly priced as they appear. I mean, have you priced a decently equipped sedan lately? You're talking high $20s for a compact, $30's for a decent sedan, low to mid $40's for an AWD family wagon, low $50s for a halfway respectable SUV, and near $60s for decently equipped 4x4 pickup. Prices in general have gotten insane lately but I don't think a modestly equipped Sahara is really high compared to similar rigs. Throw in the residual/resale values, solid axle w/on frame construction, aftermarket support, and removable doors + convertible tops, it's easy to see why they command their sale prices.
