We need a second car in the small family. My wife got her "baby" and I'm thinking about (new) Jeep Wrangler... Should I pick Rubicon or maybe go with Sport or Sahara? I'm after few rides in this car in various models.
If I'm gonna buy JK should I invest some money to upgrade something?
I just move to Cali from Colorado. I love great outdoors, kayaking, mountain biking.
Please help me...
I know the final decision is mine but I would like to know what You love or hate in this car...

THX

Marcin

 

I love the fact that it's a Jeep, and not a car....if you can appreciate that first and foremost your on the right forum...


...that aside, do you know the difference between each model? If your only intentions are moderate to light trail use and nothing more, save yourself the cash and get an X or Sahara. The Rubicon is aptly named after the famous off road course, meaning...it's meant for wheeling.... I've seen too many soccer mom's getting these simply because it cost more and they want to show off, they have no idea what any of the functions are for. If your really into wheeling and want maximum off road performance straight off the lot, get yourself the Rubicon....or get the X and build as you go.

A warning to you, if you have never owned a Jeep before and plan to compare a JK to other 'cars' you will most likely be very unhappy....the top may leak, the rides are rough, they don't handle like a lexus, they get crap mileage....they are designed for off road use first, any advances they have made in comfort compared to previous models is simply second to their off road capability. Just putting that out there in case.

 

First of all, welcome to the forum. You will learn a lot about the Jeep and off-roading here.

Where in California are you? SoCal?

I have an X (what the sport used to be called) and it will handle just about anything I can throw at it.

Don't think that because it isn't a Rubicon it can't handle tough trails. All JK's (except 2wd) are very capable right off the lot.


Are the lockers, Transfer case, Swaybar discos, etc on the Rubicon nice? yeah sure, but so is the lift, rock rails, new wheels, 35" tires, and rear bumper that I bought with the money I saved.

 

I just bought my first Jeep a couple of months ago. I have never owned but always wanted one. I bought it to wheel in...the road pleasure(topless,doorless fun ride) are second to why I bought it. With that in mind I went for a 2 door Rubi. I didn't need the extra room and I figured the 2 door would maybe go places the 4 door would struggle with. First off it's NOT a car and should NOT be thought of as one. It is a very capable off road vehicle by design and can be used as fun transportation. The more mods you do to make it more capable/reliable for trail use, take away from the comfort level on the street. If you know and ACCEPT that going into it you will love your Jeep! I know I do. Like I said ..I have only had it for a short time and have really only got to wheel it hard twice....First time out was GREAT FUN!! I am HOOKED! A few small scratches but that was expected..I didn't buy it to Mall Crawl..so it all depends on your mindset as to how you will feel about your Jeep. Milage is a little on the sucky side..but you can't beat it for a kick in the pants fun ride! I have a beater that gets decent milage..33-34 mpg...but I still would rather drive the Jeep...16 MPG..go figure!

 

if u upgrading go for X sport

 

The model that you should get depends on what its primary use will be:

If it will see mostly road use with the occasional trail, the Sahara is a good choices. It's the luxury version. (Wifes future Jeep!)

If usage is the same as above but want to do lots of mods, I'd go with the Sport. It's the "basic" Jeep.

If you plan on wheeling a lot on moderate to hard trails, go with the Rubicon. It already has the lockers, Dana 44 front axle, and sway bar disconnect built in and all under warranty. It's biggest drawback is it's pretty expensive.

Any of the models can be built to handle about anything. The 2 doors can go just about anywhere due to the short wheelbase. I chose to go with the 4 door Rubicon because I didn't want to do too many drivetrain mods but do use it offroad on harder trails. The 4 doors make it easier to handle people mover duties as well. You just have to plan your lines a bit more due to the extra length and breakover angles.

All of them have the same engine and transmissions. The big difference is the Rubcons have 4.10 gear axles versus 3.22 (manual) or 3.73 (auto) and the lower ratio transfer case.

On top of the basic packages, you have an option list about a mile long.
They are also one of the few vehicles that the dealer will install just about any mods you want and warrant it. I was offered a Warn winch, bumpers and a lift from the dealer before I ever drove it off the lot.

Have fun deciding! I did and have never regretted my decision to buy a JK!

 

Im gonna take a guess and say your not into crazy hardcore wheelin? therefore go with the X or Sahara and enjoy it, it will get you to 90% of the places you want to go, then as you see other jeeps and get an idea of what mods you like, use the cash you saved from not buying the rubicon and upgrade, lift, bigger wheels etc.

 

Everyone has summed it up pretty well I think. I chose the Sahara over the x for the few added comforts and didn't step up to the Rubicon because I know myself and my trend of doing upgrades. I mean that I figured I would do mods like lift, tires, wheels, exhaust, lockers ext. And with the Sahara I could pick what I wanted instead of staying with what comes stock on a Rubi ( not that anything is wrong with that I must say). I just wanted the choice,, and I get bored with a toy if I can't be making changes.

 

I plain wouldn't buy an X or Sahara. I wanted the better t-case, lockers, d44s, gear ratio, sway disconnect and rock sliders. I put them all to use every time I wheel. Depends on how you wheel, but the harder to get, the more that Rubicon will walk the obstacle in front of you. (given you are comparing apples to apples and not an X with D60s and a hemi). Anyone that would deny that is in denial. lol. Happens all the time out here on the rocks. It's much more than a decal when you step up to wheel. There are many things the X/ Saharas can do, don't deny them that. But when things get a little loose, wheel wants to hang, etc, it gets tricky.

Plus I paid as much for my Rubicon as some did for their X. So "money saved" doesn't apply here. It's money put to use! I've done many optionals to where the spotter has no faith, this thing locked in is fierce off road...

 

I guess I don't fit the mold. I have a slightly modded X (what's now the 'Sport') and I'm really not what you'd consider an avid wheeler. However my next Jeep will definitely be a Rubi. Like dxbjeep said...an X/Sport will get you to 90% of the places you want to go....but that 10% sure is a bitch to get out of when you don't have lockers!!!