Need some help from the JK Community. Right now I have a 2007 Rubi with 80k miles on it. She has the usual Rubi options - also winch, front and rear bumpers. I bought it a few years ago used and my wife was never truly happy I bought a used Jeep. She has been good but at 80k I know things will start to go. There is a local dealer with a 2013 sport that they lifted (3") and 35" tires for display purposes that they are looking to sell at a good price. My wife thinks that it would be a good time to trade the old one for a new with a warranty (which mine does not). Part of me agrees since the. We engine is SO MUCH better than the old caravan engine. But I would be going from a Runi to a sport..... We have 3 kids under 5 so I don't take her our as much as I want so maybe get the sport with the new engine and build her as I get money - friends suggestion.

I am truly on the fence. Thoughts?

 

Don't get it lifted! Well at my local dealer they added like 10 grand for maybe 3k worth of mods

 

That's a really tough call! I have a '12 sport and I recently had the chance to upgrade to a rubi, long story short I kept my sport. The reason I did was due to the fact that I started to notice how many rubi owners on here end up changing the parts they bought the rubi for. My dozy is a DD so my justification for having all the rubi extras failed since i've only gone offroad a handful of times since I got it. I used to build and race imports during my stupid days and really grew a knack for building something from the ground. Ultimately that's what I decided, to build my sport in an exacting way after it's retired from dd status.

I look forward to slapping a "built, not bought" sticker on it.

Ps- the wife telling u to buy a new Jeep is kind of a big deal...
Also be sure to remove the parts you can remove before u trade it in.

 

Happy wife = happy life lol.


Just sayin.

 

I agree about being built and HAPPY WIFE. And usually wives don't tell you (her words) "get what you want as long as you don't break the bank"! Which leaves a lot for interpretation.....

 

Was in the EXACT same boat this weekend and drove a 13 Sahara. Dealer lifted, XDs and 33s. They upped the price $6k for the lift, tires and wheels! That's about double what it should have been. I'm sure I could have talked them down but the sticker on it was $42k.

I have an 08 Rubicon. I went home, washed it, painted some spots where the black on the wheels were peeling, installed a new water pump (it was leaking) and located a REALLY annoying metal vibration (heat shield against my exhaust) and fixed that too. Took the top off and took the family out for ice cream. Basically fell in love with my 08 again. Did I mention it was a Rubicon that I was almost going to trade for a Sahara???

I slept on it and realized I would have probably had to put another $15 - $20k in to get the new Jeep. Mine is paid off. So, do I keep my Rubicon for free or finance $15 - $20k to get a 13? Math was easy for me.

 

Work a deal so you can swap bumpers and winch and do it. You can upgrade axles and lockers down the road if you see fit.

 

3 kids under 5? there goes the mod money!

but seriously, really your weighing more payments vs fix it money, and if you are "fixing" things then replacements are more likely to be aftermarket. With the new stocker you have to start over with more payment and your gambling on reliability. if you made 80k and havent had any major issues then you shouldnt expect them based only on milage, my buddys tj is at 120k and it needs a service once in a while but nothing serious.

If your not wheeling much or at all then lockers and disco arent going to matter though and you can swap the bumpers and winch and it already has 35s. I say go new, may be the last chance you have with the kids eating all your money up and the wife may decide an SUV is smarter if you wait to long. I would however look long and hard for a Rubi at a similar price without the 35s that you could swap all your stuff to, i agree that th dealership has to have marked up the extras.

Sorry for the ramble

 

I agree with your reasoning to trade for the better engine , warranty ,especialy if you can swap over some expensive to replace parts. As the kids get older, they can learn from you as you modify the jeep to suit your needs .The 3.6 and 5spd auto are enough of an improvement that the pre 2012s are going to see a drop in trade-in value ,resale in general.

 

If urs is paid off I say keep it.