That's one of the reasons I didn't spend too much time on the idea of buying a new one. Those prices are freakin outrageous
I'm not too keen on the idea of having 4:1 low-range gears either, and you can't get a Rubicon without them. I'm starting to think it's not such a great package after all, at least not for me anyway.
I seem to remember seeing ads "back in the day" for brand new YJ Wrangler S models for $9,999. Inflation mixed with ridiculous government mandates mixed with Greed is a real b*tch.