X v. Sahara v. Rubicon
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: NJ
This is one of the most beat-to-death kind of questions on this forum; everyone writes in and says why their model is better than the other two, and sooner rather than later, it becomes a pissing match between forum members.
Having the experience of reading no less than 4 such threads (if not 40!), let me share an objective viewpoint:
1) If you're going to do serious off-roading and don't plan to do many/any modifications, buy the Rubicon without a doubt.
2) If you're more into amenities, you WOULD have bought a Sahara in 07... but I hate the silver overlay that they put on the '08 Sahara's bumper; I believe that you can get just about all the options (except aesthetics) on the X, and personally, I would steer you that way - they've ruined the Sahara IMHO.
3) If you're planning on myriad, costly modifications to your Jeep, buy an X. Likewise, since the 08 Sahara is now a joke, I'd steer you this way (see point above).
In summary:
1) Off-road out-of-the-box = Rubicon
2) "Luxury" = Sahara (or fully-optioned X if you hate that silver crap!)
3) Off-road project starting point = X
Hope this is helpful. To everyone that reads this: See how I didn't try to say that Sahara's are better than everything else, and didn't put any one above the others? Take a note!
Having the experience of reading no less than 4 such threads (if not 40!), let me share an objective viewpoint:
1) If you're going to do serious off-roading and don't plan to do many/any modifications, buy the Rubicon without a doubt.
2) If you're more into amenities, you WOULD have bought a Sahara in 07... but I hate the silver overlay that they put on the '08 Sahara's bumper; I believe that you can get just about all the options (except aesthetics) on the X, and personally, I would steer you that way - they've ruined the Sahara IMHO.
3) If you're planning on myriad, costly modifications to your Jeep, buy an X. Likewise, since the 08 Sahara is now a joke, I'd steer you this way (see point above).
In summary:
1) Off-road out-of-the-box = Rubicon
2) "Luxury" = Sahara (or fully-optioned X if you hate that silver crap!)
3) Off-road project starting point = X
Hope this is helpful. To everyone that reads this: See how I didn't try to say that Sahara's are better than everything else, and didn't put any one above the others? Take a note!
Likewise, since the 08 Sahara is now a joke,
they've ruined the Sahara IMHO.
I saw the bumpers too and I still ordered one. What ruined the '08 Sahara? The easily removed ugly silver bumper overlays? The myGig option? Bigger tires?
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 0
From: AT LARGE somewhere in CT
As far as MyGIG, that was an option last year, too (but only at the end of the model year were they actually MAKING any with MyGIG). Finally, "Bigger tires"?
Don't know what you're talking about - you can get 18" wheels, but the tires are the same size as those that you would get in 2007 with the 18" wheel option...
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Wheels. Tires. They are both round right?
I was a bit disappointed about the change in gearing from '07 to '08 too. You made a good point about the difference in models though, while I aspire to go off-roading as much as possible, w/ a 2 year old it's a bit difficult to get out as much as I used to. Plus it's a daily drive so I went with my 2nd choice of the Sahara. Coming from a mostly stock Sahara that went on a fairly hard trail ride in Camp Jeep and was given props by the guide I'm happy w/ the Sahara package. I can always upgrade later when I hit the lottery. 
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 0
From: AT LARGE somewhere in CT
Wheels. Tires. They are both round right?
I was a bit disappointed about the change in gearing from '07 to '08 too. You made a good point about the difference in models though, while I aspire to go off-roading as much as possible, w/ a 2 year old it's a bit difficult to get out as much as I used to. Plus it's a daily drive so I went with my 2nd choice of the Sahara. Coming from a mostly stock Sahara that went on a fairly hard trail ride in Camp Jeep and was given props by the guide I'm happy w/ the Sahara package. I can always upgrade later when I hit the lottery. 
I've taken my Sahara wheeling at least a half-dozen times so far, and it's acquitted itself amazingly well. Yes, the Rubicon may be the "best" off-road, but the Saharas (and X's) aren't slouches, either!
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 0