I almost fell into this category before I thought long and hard about it, and decided that the Sahara would be "enough Jeep" for me... but I WILL admit that I had a bit of an internal struggle... it was like those old "frosted mini-wheats" commercials, but with a more manly slant:

"The brain in me knows that I'm gonna have tons of fun in my Sahara, and don't need all the extras... but the testosterone in me wants the bragging rights of having the biggest, baddest package they offer."

Ultimately, I made the right choice for me - and I hope that all of you with your Rubis love them as much as I love my Sahara. Ditto for the X'ers - as long as you ditch the puny "base-level" tires and get rid of that X decal, you've got yourselves one fine Jeep as well!

 

Sounds like my cue to post - I've ordered a Rubi August 9, 2006 and am still in BG. :sad:

I've thought many times about getting an X and building it up to be equivalent to a Rubi and the Rubi seems like a bargain every time I do the comparison. I calculate a $3,000 difference between a heavily optioned X (including the disco and rear locker) and a heavily optioned Rubi (but no MyGig). Since I would like a front locker and a stronger axle than the D30, seems like it would be pretty easy to eat up that number with an axle replacement w/locker up front, and it wouldn't be warrantied by the factory. The 4:1 also probably isn't necessary but it is a nice plus. So, the Rubi will be what I purchase (if Jeep every builds a vehicle that I order). I don't claim to be the most experienced off-roader on the planet (far from it - I managed to high center a TJ Rubi on a stump a while back - real bonehead move, but that's another story) - so I will take all the technology and lockers that I can get. I may need them - not becuase I'm attempting to tackle the hardest trail possible but because I may choose a stupid line on an easy trail!

But, with that said, I have rented a stock X and thought it was plenty capable on some mild trails outside of the Vegas area. Most of the people on these boards think long and hard about optioning their JKs and the Xs and Saharas are more capable than 99% of the stock vehicles sold today - so I doubt to many are regretting their purchase (unless they had a Rubi on order and decided to get an X or Sahara just to purchase a JK now at a reasonable price).

 

I wish I had any JK... but I'm still savin' up.
We'll see if I have the money for a Rubicon when the time comes.

I am still deciding though.... between the X, Sahara & Rubicon.

No matter what though, I plan on a 3" lift with 35" tires and the rear Dana 44 with locker from the factory. Sooooo... It would seem better to have a D44 up front with those size tires, but I see alot of Jeepers here are putting 35"s on the D30. Hmmm :confused:
I thought it really wasn't best to go more than 33" on a D30.

So as far as that goes it looks like a Rubicon although I'm not too concerned with having the sway bar discos... even the 4:1 T-case will probably be more than I need. I probably won't be doing heavy crawling.

If the D35 is ok with 35"s than I'll go with X or Sahara.