Are all 392's the same?

BL Beast

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2024 392 Rubicon
New to this forum but I have a thought provoking idea to float and get reactions from the members. Are the 392's all the same? I mean do they drive the same, perform the same, ride the same? My experience is absolutely not! A lot of them are close but some drive horrible compared to others I have driven many brand new and performance varies from Jeep to Jeep. My experience in the auto industry is I've bought and sold THOUSANDS of vehicles and I can absolutely testify the same vehicles all have different characteristics. This is why I drove from dealer to dealer and drove NEW 392's before pulling the trigger and saying this is the one for me. Let me throw in a little more personal experience of my own with brand new Mustang GT's with V/8's under the hood. I personally, having been a Ford dealer at one time, raced side by side brand new off the delivery truck new Mustangs and will tell you POSITIVELY they don't perform the same. Thoughts?
 
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Reactions: @JC
New to this forum but I have a thought provoking idea to float and get reactions from the members. Are the 392's all the same? I mean do they drive the same, perform the same, ride the same? My experience is absolutely not! A lot of them are close but some drive horrible compared to others I have driven many brand new and performance varies from Jeep to Jeep. My experience in the auto industry is I've bought and sold THOUSANDS of vehicles and I can absolutely testify the same vehicles all have different characteristics. This is why I drove from dealer to dealer and drove NEW 392's before pulling the trigger and saying this is the one for me. Let me throw in a little more personal experience of my own with brand new Mustang GT's with V/8's under the hood. I personally, having been a Ford dealer at one time, raced side by side brand new off the delivery truck new Mustangs and will tell you POSITIVELY they don't perform the same. Thoughts?

To make myself clear on this, are you saying that there are noticeable performance variations between 392s of the same model year, such as could exist between your 2024 392 and my 2024 392? If so, can you mention any?
 
To make myself clear on this, are you saying that there are noticeable performance variations between 392s of the same model year, such as could exist between your 2024 392 and my 2024 392? If so, can you mention any?
Yes, there are differences in performance as well as driving. I have driven some that I wouldn't ever consider buying. There are also some that are actually quieter than others. That might be issues with door seals and windshield seals. If you don't drive several, you'll never know the difference is there. I also know, from past experience that this is not an isolated thing. I have lined up brand new SUV's, automobiles, even Vans. They are all different. Some drastically, some not so much. That's the disadvantage to ordering a new one that you never have the opportunity to really evaluate before you take it home. In my day, we called that buyers remorse.
 
Yes, there are differences in performance as well as driving. I have driven some that I wouldn't ever consider buying. There are also some that are actually quieter than others. That might be issues with door seals and windshield seals. If you don't drive several, you'll never know the difference is there. I also know, from past experience that this is not an isolated thing. I have lined up brand new SUV's, automobiles, even Vans. They are all different. Some drastically, some not so much. That's the disadvantage to ordering a new one that you never have the opportunity to really evaluate before you take it home. In my day, we called that buyers remorse.
Yeah, here in Seattle the dealers said to test drive a 2024 392, I'd have to order one. I did test drive a 2024 4xe with SOT that they had on the lot and also rode as passenger in someone else's new 2024 392 with hardtop and felt I was able to make a useful comparison between SOT and hardtop in terms of noise interference with conversation. (I didn't find any difference, although owners here with prior model years warned me of how noisy Jeeps are. I read that improvements were made on the 2024 such as extra floor carpeting, double-glassed windows, and extra sealing around windshield including where it met the roof. But you're saying that quality on the production line varies within a given production run.)

Thanks.
 
Yeah, here in Seattle the dealers said to test drive a 2024 392, I'd have to order one. I did test drive a 2024 4xe with SOT that they had on the lot and also rode as passenger in someone else's new 2024 392 with hardtop and felt I was able to make a useful comparison between SOT and hardtop in terms of noise interference with conversation. (I didn't find any difference, although owners here with prior model years warned me of how noisy Jeeps are. I read that improvements were made on the 2024 such as extra floor carpeting, double-glassed windows, and extra sealing around windshield including where it met the roof. But you're saying that quality on the production line varies within a given production run.)

Thanks.
I'm saying quality may vary but also the components vary also. Your friends 392 might walk all over you in the quarter mile. It may also drive like a dream compared to yours. Your friends 392 may burn oil while yours, even though you thrash it, runs like a top. I'll share another tip with you. After selling tons of brand new vehicles over the years........... If you drive it like you stole it, from day one, it will last just as long as those that BABY these things like they marry them. OTOH if it's going to break you want it to do it ASAP so either the warranty kicks in or LEMON LAW which ever comes first. I have seen numerous performance vehicles, with numbers still on the windshield in the dealer for service on Monday mornings. These things have been thoroughly tested for years before they release them.
 
I think it all comes down to the person and their selective nature.
Example : A person in the market for a particular vehicle test drives multiple vehicles all differently equipped and color but ultimately the same vehicle just cosmetic and option differences. So let’s say the customer wants a red fully loaded vehicle but the vehicle does not exist on the lot. They test a fully loaded blue vehicle but not pleased with the color any small imperfections stand out because in their mind they are trying to convince themselves they don’t like the vehicle. They even test drive a red version but not fully equipped again they find any small imperfections to convince themselves to hold out for the perfect one. They find the perfect one at another dealer, then pride and excitement take over and they no longer need to convince themselves they are making the wrong decision. Any imperfections are less important because in their mind they got what they wanted and it’s perfect.
i am not a picky person, when I bought my 392 non-XR after a 4 month wait for the order to come in the salesman asked if I wanted to test drive it first. I said no just get the paperwork ready. As I was sitting at his desk waiting I heard the sales manger ask him if I tested it. The salesman said, no he doesn’t need to test it he just wants to get out of here. I was even offered the option to buy an XR that another customer backed out of in the same color I ordered. To this day I couldn’t be happier with my 392. When I bought my 08 Nissan Titan the cowling cover under the wipers was cracked. The dealer offered to replace it, I didn’t bother and the truck has been one of my favorite trucks I have owned and the crack is still there.
I have a friend who is always trading vehicles. “This is the perfect truck, it has this it has that.” A month later he will find a squeak that bothers him and all of a sudden the truck is full of issues and is a piece of junk. He trades in for the next perfect truck and the cycle repeats itself.
I agree that vehicles do have SLIGHT variations. 1 turn in or out on a ball joint can mean the difference in a slight pull, even fit and finish quality may vary slightly and faulty components effect opinion. What I don’t agree with is comparing vehicles by their 1/4 mile times, off-road capabilities and road manners as an accurate test to determine one better than another. That is driver skill and control input, a split second jump on a hole shot, tire pressure, vehicle weight, a high gust of wind, driving line and even a dirty air filter will affect performance and opinion. All that contributes to a faulty test result, two vehicles of identical make with identical characteristics will never give identical results because of human error. Just like the same vehicle with the same driver will give different results every time, one inch off the driving line here, a split second of brake more there, even 1°F in temperature changes effects the outcome. If you tested several Jeeps, did they all have full fuel tanks, did they all have exactly the same tire pressure and did you drive the exact same road. If you hit a pothole with one Jeep but not the other did that change your opinion on the ride quality. Did you stop at several red lights with one Jeep but got all greens with the next. Did that effect your opinion on acceleration.
The last thing I will say in this long ass post is what I tell everyone when similar subjects come up in conversation. Buy what you want, enjoy it for what it is and don’t worry about the little shit. You are only on this planet for a short time and none of this shit will matter in the long run because it could all end in an instant.
I know first hand, but that’s not a story I’m telling here.
 
I think it all comes down to the person and their selective nature.
Example : A person in the market for a particular vehicle test drives multiple vehicles all differently equipped and color but ultimately the same vehicle just cosmetic and option differences. So let’s say the customer wants a red fully loaded vehicle but the vehicle does not exist on the lot. They test a fully loaded blue vehicle but not pleased with the color any small imperfections stand out because in their mind they are trying to convince themselves they don’t like the vehicle. They even test drive a red version but not fully equipped again they find any small imperfections to convince themselves to hold out for the perfect one. They find the perfect one at another dealer, then pride and excitement take over and they no longer need to convince themselves they are making the wrong decision. Any imperfections are less important because in their mind they got what they wanted and it’s perfect.
i am not a picky person, when I bought my 392 non-XR after a 4 month wait for the order to come in the salesman asked if I wanted to test drive it first. I said no just get the paperwork ready. As I was sitting at his desk waiting I heard the sales manger ask him if I tested it. The salesman said, no he doesn’t need to test it he just wants to get out of here. I was even offered the option to buy an XR that another customer backed out of in the same color I ordered. To this day I couldn’t be happier with my 392. When I bought my 08 Nissan Titan the cowling cover under the wipers was cracked. The dealer offered to replace it, I didn’t bother and the truck has been one of my favorite trucks I have owned and the crack is still there.
I have a friend who is always trading vehicles. “This is the perfect truck, it has this it has that.” A month later he will find a squeak that bothers him and all of a sudden the truck is full of issues and is a piece of junk. He trades in for the next perfect truck and the cycle repeats itself.
I agree that vehicles do have SLIGHT variations. 1 turn in or out on a ball joint can mean the difference in a slight pull, even fit and finish quality may vary slightly and faulty components effect opinion. What I don’t agree with is comparing vehicles by their 1/4 mile times, off-road capabilities and road manners as an accurate test to determine one better than another. That is driver skill and control input, a split second jump on a hole shot, tire pressure, vehicle weight, a high gust of wind, driving line and even a dirty air filter will affect performance and opinion. All that contributes to a faulty test result, two vehicles of identical make with identical characteristics will never give identical results because of human error. Just like the same vehicle with the same driver will give different results every time, one inch off the driving line here, a split second of brake more there, even 1°F in temperature changes effects the outcome. If you tested several Jeeps, did they all have full fuel tanks, did they all have exactly the same tire pressure and did you drive the exact same road. If you hit a pothole with one Jeep but not the other did that change your opinion on the ride quality. Did you stop at several red lights with one Jeep but got all greens with the next. Did that effect your opinion on acceleration.
The last thing I will say in this long ass post is what I tell everyone when similar subjects come up in conversation. Buy what you want, enjoy it for what it is and don’t worry about the little shit. You are only on this planet for a short time and none of this shit will matter in the long run because it could all end in an instant.
I know first hand, but that’s not a story I’m telling here.
Good morning. Slight variations isn't what I'm talking about. I'm speaking to glaring differences between 2 close as possible the same Jeep.
I am basing this on my years of owning several dealerships and having the luxury of hands on experience with NEW off the transfer trucks vehicles. As close as possible to exactly the same as the manufacturer builds them. Line them up side by side , less than 5 miles and only the fuel they are shipped with. Some are close but you'll find some run off and hide from the competition. The same road in the front of the dealership with the same possible road irregularities.
It's not just autos, try 2 brand new rifles or handguns new. Some are tack drivers some aren't. If you haven't had these real world experiences then line up beside the next 392 you encounter on the road. They will be found at local Jeep events and more than glad to show you what their Jeep will do.
As for driving? If you can't tell driving one from another you simply haven't driven many of them. I drove quite a few before buying. one.
As for color? I will only buy Black, White or Red............ Years of being in the auto business and survey after survey show these colors are easiest to resale and bring the most money. As well as sit on the lot the least amount of time. I base this on years of brainwash from Ford and Chevrolet. Never had any desire to own or work for a CDJ dealership . They may be different. All other colors are referred to as bastard colors because they are niche sales and come and go. Rendering the resale very limited once folks grow tired of those colors.
I could go on but trust me when I say after 40 PLUS years and THOUSANDS of autos. YES there is a difference in them!
 
As for color? I will only buy Black, White or Red............ Years of being in the auto business and survey after survey show these colors are easiest to resale and bring the most money. As well as sit on the lot the least amount of time.

I recently read that 80% of the cars on USA roads today are black, white, gray, or silver. Driving through my neighborhood of street-parked vehicles seems to fit that. Red is easy to find in a large Home Depot parking lot, I've noticed. Ha, maybe the police would spot a stolen tall, red 392 going down the road or interstate easier than a color that would blend in. Just guessing there.
 
Thoughts?
I call BS.

You've set yourself up as the "authority" in an "appeal to authority" logical fallacy.

The fact that you "think" there are huge variances, simply does not make it true.

Yes, for sure there are both engineering and quality assurance tolerances, but these things are not carved out by hand. Modern manufacturing tracks part variance during manufacture and intake and even fastener torque for everything on the assembly line.

As for backing new vehicles of the trailer.... one of them was first to come off, and had more time to fully warm up. The other had not, making the engine cooler than the first one... BAM... differing performance. (this same trick is used by a lot of "performance enhancing" products to "prove" dyno gains.

Unless you've Dynoed a statistically significant number of identical builds, it's just you convincing yourself there's a huge gap.

I mean, I guess it's a good introductory post to a new automotive forum... it gets lots of attention and reactions but I wouldn't count it as the Gospel.

But... welcome to the group. Lots of awesome folks sharing tips, tricks, experiences, deals, and a love for Jeeps with huge V8s.
 
Repeatedly saying you were a dealer has no meaningful impact on the accuracy of your information. Most salesmen or management don’t know their ass from a hot rock and get their information from a sales brochure. You asked for people’s thoughts on the subject but then try to dominate the conversation with your unverifiable experience to force your point to be fact. People like you are also the reason I order my vehicles and pick them up as soon as possible, so some self proclaimed auto enthusiasts doesn’t take it to the local shopping mall for a few hot laps around the parking lot and speed bump trials like they are playing out some childhood fantasy of being Travis Pastrana.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your life, scrutinizing every little insignificant detail that has no meaningful impact on your life while the rest of the world passes you by, all for a vehicle that you will probably trade in within a year for the next cool status symbol.

Final thought,
Bees don’t waste their time explaining to flies that honey tastes better than shit.

I’m out.

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"As for color? I will only buy Black, White or Red............ Years of being in the auto business and survey after survey show these colors are easiest to resale and bring the most money. As well as sit on the lot the least amount of time."

I bought mine used with 6k because I absolutely hate dealing with dealerships. Every Jeep stealership in Southern California f'ing sucks! Bunch of greedy crooks! Oh and it's the most popular color...green.
 
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I saw a blue 392 the other day. Mine is white. Looked way different.
 
Repeatedly saying you were a dealer has no meaningful impact on the accuracy of your information. Most salesmen or management don’t know their ass from a hot rock and get their information from a sales brochure. You asked for people’s thoughts on the subject but then try to dominate the conversation with your unverifiable experience to force your point to be fact. People like you are also the reason I order my vehicles and pick them up as soon as possible, so some self proclaimed auto enthusiasts doesn’t take it to the local shopping mall for a few hot laps around the parking lot and speed bump trials like they are playing out some childhood fantasy of being Travis Pastrana.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your life, scrutinizing every little insignificant detail that has no meaningful impact on your life while the rest of the world passes you by, all for a vehicle that you will probably trade in within a year for the next cool status symbol.

Final thought,
Bees don’t waste their time explaining to flies that honey tastes better than shit.

I’m out.

View attachment 36402
Geebus. @Mouse . Buddy.

I do not disagree with what you are saying here, but...

Maybe it's time to try decaf? ;-) lol.

or not. Whatever.

Thanks for the chuckle, I needed that.
 
Geebus. @Mouse . Buddy.

I do not disagree with what you are saying here, but...

Maybe it's time to try decaf? ;-) lol.

or not. Whatever.

Thanks for the chuckle, I needed that.
Geebus. @Mouse . Buddy.

I do not disagree with what you are saying here, but...

Maybe it's time to try decaf? ;-) lol.

or not. Whatever.

Thanks for the chuckle, I needed that.
Well of course you are entitled to opinion as well as I am mine based on experience and BS hearsay. I must have gotten something right as I made a bucket full of money off people like you! Dealerships study one thing or did back in the day. Sell product as soon as possible and make the most that you can. To do that you have to study markets and what sells. I assure you if you order a Jeep you take your chances as to what you get. You know what they say about vehicles made on Mondays ,Fridays or the day before or after a holiday don't you? Good luck with your 392. I love mine and drove a ton of them before settling on the one I purchased.
 
"As for color? I will only buy Black, White or Red............ Years of being in the auto business and survey after survey show these colors are easiest to resale and bring the most money. As well as sit on the lot the least amount of time."

I bought mine used with 6k because I absolutely hate dealing with dealerships. Every Jeep stealership in Southern California f'ing sucks! Bunch of greedy crooks! Oh and it's the most popular color...green.
I'm Happy that you are Happy!
 
Geebus. @Mouse . Buddy.

I do not disagree with what you are saying here, but...

Maybe it's time to try decaf? ;-) lol.

or not. Whatever.

Thanks for the chuckle, I needed that.
I 'll leave the insect study to you.......... I spent my time studying sales reports and market surveys. Spent a lot of time flying around from auction to auction comparing markets on different vehicles. Funny thing about Jeeps is they bring less money up north than in the south. If you want to save money on a new Jeep they bring less, even the 392's where the weather is colder in the winter time. Isn't that odd?
 
Why wouldn't I believe that someone says he's spent years in the auto business? Why wouldn't I listen to what he has to say?

Other people post here indicating they have had many Jeeps over the years. Should I not assume they have any knowledge when they speak?

I guess I don't understand why a dealer apparently has been singled out here for harsh reactions. I want to hear from everybody.

My lousy two cents, that.
 
I 'll leave the insect study to you.......... I spent my time studying sales reports and market surveys. Spent a lot of time flying around from auction to auction comparing markets on different vehicles. Funny thing about Jeeps is they bring less money up north than in the south. If you want to save money on a new Jeep they bring less, even the 392's where the weather is colder in the winter time. Isn't that odd?
No. Not odd at all. Northern states treat winter roads with salt. Salt eats Jeeps. Rusted out Jeeps are worth less, unsurprisingly.
 

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