I would not be surprised if, in the current environment, JJP offers CE's for around $18,000. And why not? Assuming the game is great, why should they give all the profit to flippers when they could give half to themself (JJP). If the CE game is as good as prior games let's assume retail on a CE is $18,000. Within weeks flippers could easily get $22,000. Seems like a fair play to me for JJP to go to $18,000. In addition, 1,000 CE's would seem about right.
Assuming the game is actually different than LE's and below as most JJP are it would be "worth it". Otherwise, buy LE's and get most of the goodies.
If CE's are more "loaded" as in the past, I have $36,000 for two CE's. One to play immediately and one to save for the future.

To me, much of these arguments remind me of Mac vs PC (JJP vs Stern) in the early days of the arguments around 2010 or earlier.
PC's are cheaper, they're what we are used to, there are more choices etc., Macs are more expensive, more elegant, more a closed system.
I think JJP is like Apple in some ways, that is, changing the game, making them more user-friendly and more elegant. Clearly thinking Different.
There will always be fans of both, so it will never end.
Buy what you like and can afford.

Gotta disagree with you on that. I own several Sterns and several JJP's. JJP's are clearly better built in my opinion. And true, JJP does better Marketing than Stern as well!

Just watched Dead Flip play Toy Story 4
OMG! I want to play Tiki Party!!

Recognize this Grogu ? He made it into Stern's Mandolorian:

https://www.amazon.com/Grogu-Mandalorian-Collectible-Stuffed-Character/dp/B0825SNHP1/ref=sr_1_4

https://sternpinball.com/game/the-mandalorian/