Thanks for the info guys. I do know the Sport I drove had the 3.21's. I asked about it and it does state that on the Window sticker. 3.73's is an option but not the standard on the 12's.

 

Hey Guys - as a prior Rubicon Owner (2007 JK) when I heard that Jeep was finally putting an updated motor in the JK I figured I needed to test drive one ASAP! Found one nearby in MA, and test drove it yesterday - here are my thoughts and comparo to my '07 Rubi Unlimited.

First, the new engine is dramatically quieter and smoother. What auto magazines call 'more refined'.

I know the interior was changed in '11, but this was the first 11+ JK I've been in, and I was really impressed by the new digs. I especially like the padded arm rests on both sides, and Jeep really responded to the 'sea of plastic' criticism of the older JKs, which is to say it now looks and feels like a luxury vehicle.

Anyway, the dealer handed me the keys and let me take it for a spin. The Jeep I drove was a 2012 2-Door Sahara automatic.

Off the line the '12 still feels sluggish. I was a tiny bit disappointed, but I think it's tough to make any vehicle with 31" - 32" wheels/tires feel snappy off the line. I think the torque curve is a bit higher in the new DOHC engine too. This could also be a result of the engine being brand new - not broken in yet.

Once I got past about 5mph the engine woke up and I was blown away! The 3.6 is a night and day upgrade from the 3.8 on the road - I mean it's a HUGE improvement. Not only does it accelerate smoothly, but it pulls - and pulls hard - all the way up to highway speed limits and beyond. I took it to 75mph, and it had plenty left in it.

My older JK used to struggle at anything over 65mph unless I was on level terrain, but the 3.6 has no such issues. It didn't downshift going up inclines nor did it feel like it was straining. It doesn't feel like a sportscar, but it feels much faster than other trucks and SUVs I've owned and driven.

The Automatic Transmission feels like a good fit too. It shifts quickly and smoothly, and the best thing I can say about it is that I didn't even notice it. That's a lot more than I can say for the older tranny - although the engine was a big part of that as the lack of power forced gear changes and gear hunting.

All that said, I think I'm going to order a new Rubi. I'm not in a rush (on the easy coast at the moment), but I'm excited about it, and really love the way the 3.6 drives.

Final notes - The Jeep Dealer out here offered to order me a Rubicon for $250 off Invoice which I thought was very fair. (Harr Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Worcester MA)

I got to see the sticker for a Rubicon they have on order - Rubi Unlimited with 4.10s and Auto - and the mileage rating was a bit disappointing at 16 city/ 20 highway. I thought that they'd do a bit better than that - but again wheels/tires are part of it, and you can't help the aerodynamics (or lack thereof) on a Wrangler.

Also, I saw a question about this somewhere, and you can definitely get painted fenders/hardtop on a Rubicon (not sure why you'd want to ). The paint adds $1080 to the MSRP. You now have to add 4.10 gears if you want them, but they're only $50 so no big deal.

They didn't have any of the 'good' colors on the order sheet yet. Actually the Deep Cherry is decent, but other than that is was white, black, the sahara putty color (meh), dark green, Red, and Dozer (yellow). I'm not a fan of the primary colors, but some of the upcoming colors sound interesting.

So long story short - good job Jeep! I'll be ordering soon, and looking forward to having a Wrangler again, I've missed it!

 

Citadel credit union 5 years at 2.49

 

No noticeable difference in the body. Just interior and engine.

 

No lag, seems faster but I am not punching until I get 500 miles. Gas mileage on mixed ride from dealer to my office was 21 mpg.

 

Can anyone tell me whether the non-tow package equipped automatics have a transmission cooler? I couldn't tell from the package description.

I found one that I want but it doesn't have the tow package. I know I can add the hitch easy enough but it would be nice to have the factory cooler.

 

My Dozer Orange 2 door hit D1 today, from what I can tell it should be in by early september!

Route Movements Event Date Location
Current
Scheduled for Build (D1) 08/08/2011 06:33 AM CDT Toledo Supplier Park, OH
Future
Loaded On Railcar 08/20/2011 01:00 PM CDT Toledo Supplier Park, OH
Railcar - Interchanged 08/26/2011 05:00 AM CDT Kansas City, KS
Railcar Placed at Destination Facility 08/30/2011 12:00 AM CDT Phoenix, AZ
Unloaded From Railcar 08/30/2011 01:00 PM CDT Phoenix, AZ

 

I am soooooo jealous!!! When did you order?? I also ordered Dozer

 

We wrote up the order on July 25, congrats on your new jeep too

 

Congrats to you too! Just finished up my order on Saturday. As far as I know mine hasn't made any progress.