I am a noob when it comes to Wranglers, but I have never been obsessed with a vehicle as I am with the Wrangler. I am not into off-roading, but I wouldn't mind trying it every once in a while. I plan on trading in my 09 FWD Patriot for a '14 Wrangler Unlimited but I am debating between Sahara and Rubicon. I have read the 2014 threads, but need more clarification.
First of all,
Are Rubicons really for hardcore off-roaders and not typical drivers like myself? :0
Do Rubicons drive smoother on the highway than Saharas?
2014 Saharas will have painted fenders right? (by the thread from Pat, I am guessing not, but figured I would ask for better clarification)
In the ordering phase, can you order tinted windows/half metal doors for the Sahara?
Any clue on when USAA might have them ready for ordering? Or know a dealer in San Antonio that is taking them? I just came from one here and they said "maybe" in 3 weeks.
Personally, I always recommend that unless you ARE a hardcore offroader ( and plan on installing massive D60s, etc) to go for the Rubicon. I made the mistake and didn't, and now it's going to cost me a lot more. If you can afford it, it's better to have all the rubicon goodies and not need them. As for the painted fenders, they are an option on the Rubi, but in the city, they are prone to damage from idiots opening their doors at parking locations, and on the trail, they get pinstriped to hell, so as a result, they look like crap when damaged. Mine came with body color fenders, but I removed them the third day and installed rubi takeoffs. As for 20s, you're on your own on that one....you won't get any encouragement from anyone here. The rubi rides rougher thanks to the MT tires, but that is a dead issue if you are planning on changing them out anyway.
My view is this. The Wrangler (in any configuration) is awesome off road, and in many cases just a tire change (to off road tires in a stock size) can take you many, many places. In short:
1) If you are into hard core offroad buy a Sport (as you are going to be junking/replacing so many things on it anyway).
2) If you want to mall crawl buy a Sahara (painted fenders are standard), and it comes nicely equipped.
3) If you want to off road some (and/or want some increased capability in really dicey snow, etc.) but are sure you don't want to mod the heck out of your vehicle buy a Rubicon.
When I say off road some, I mean way off road. I currently have a Sahara (with Rubi wheels/tires), I have never gotten stuck, and I have pulled out all manner of other 4x4's in the backcountry.
Sahara comes with painted fenders. Rubicon can be ordered with painted fenders.
Rubicon adds locking differentials, electronic sway bar disconnect and a different transfer case with a lower gear. Unless you plan to go off road, the extras on the Rubicon will be wasted.
You can put up to 33" size tires without a lift. So you can easily fit 20" wheels if you use low profile tires. Why you'd want to do that is other question.
x2 @ NFRs2k. once you take ur first steps offroading, its quite addicting and you'll want more!!! the rubi will definitely save u some money in the long run.
i was just gonna get some stock take offs but once i got my feet wet from my first adventure...it was shot to hell.
I suppose I am more of a luxury driver, that is why I am not that big into off roading although I am sure it would be fun. I am still looking forward for the 4WD / towing capabilities when I need it.
A Rubicon's added goodies will only be wasted on an "occasional" off road adventure and to get it comparably (read comfort and whatnot) equipped to a Sahara, the extra money you DON'T spend on the Rubi you'd have enough left over for those wheels and tires and a puck style leveling kit.
The problem with this advice (the same advice that was given to me) is that you will be hooked sooner or later, and will want to go offroading more and more, and then the expenses will start to pile up, just like mine are. I stand by my suggestion....if you are occasionally going to go offroad, get a rubicon. If you are going to go offroad all the time and going to do monster trails, get the cheapest one and build it. If you are going to keep it on the road only, buy a BMW convertible.
Oh and one more thing...between a Sport and a Rubi I can see the "you're not going to use it argument." When I bought my Sahara, a Rubi would have cost me about $2500 more than my sahara (37ishK vs 34.5k). Just a D44 will cost me 2K, not to mention the added cost of lockers, the edisco, the 4:1 T case, etc. For $2500 more, it's a steal. Biggest newb Jeep buying mistake ever. Basically for me, the Sahara doesn't exist. Its either the sport for the builders or the Rubi for everyone else. Getting a Sahara is like going to the movies and buying the medium sized popcorn, when the large was 25 cents more, and the small was $3 less.
I am on the side of going with the Rubi just in case you need it.
Additionally, think twice about the half doors. They are great if the top is off. Rest of the time its a big step down. Also consider you are paying close to 40k for a vehicle with zip down windows. It will hurt your resale value. Its why I got my Rubi so cheap.
People either love or hate half doors. I personally love them and think they look a lot better than full doors. If you live in a warm part of the country then I would go half doors. If you are up north then full doors would likely be best. I know plenty of guys willing to trade their full doors for factory half doors. I say get the half doors and if you decide you don't want them I'm sure someone will trade you for them.
If you aren't considering the sport and all you are looking for is a mall crawler then I would go with the Sahara - Rubicon is a waste of money if you don't take it offroad. If you get bit by the offroad bug you can always trade it in for a sport or rubi later. I hate the painted fenders and 20's:nonono: but that is just me. I'm going with either a 15 or 16" wheel and 35's.
I guess I am not understanding the down side to having half metal doors. Do they not make them with power windows, or do they just come with a zipper windows?
I really don't think I will be affected by the jeep bug, I have other hobbies I am addicted to now (golf, school, volunteering, learning the job, just moved here plenty to do).
NFRs2000NYC, I like your analogy with the popcorn... your tempting me, go big or go home right? The thing holding me back though is that I have never been into cars, ever, I would rather work on a computer. I find them quite boring to be honest, but for some random reason since November, "I need/want a Wrangler." Time is money, which is why am not the type to be working/modyfing his car on the weekend. I would rather pay someone to do my oil change lol.
I am appreciating everyone's input. Keep it coming guys! <3
I guess I am not understanding the down side to having half metal doors. Do they not make them with power windows, or do they just come with a zipper windows?
With the half doors you get a hard plastic frame with a soft plastic window that has 2 zippers to open. But if you open them that way, they most likely will scratch. And it will be that way every time you look out that window. Its just easier to pull them out unless you are going through a drive through or toll booth.
You also can't get power locks or windows (since there is no glass to lower). But if you get full doors you can get those and add aftermarket half doors and add the power locks too.
Half door rock, but I really want both for when the top is up.
I want a bigger car than what I have ('09 Jeep Patriot FWD). Wrangler
Don't really care about speed. Wrangler
Wouldn't mind some more horse power/big boy power. Wrangler (trucks are lame and ridiculously big. One of the things that grinds my gears is parking right next to a truck, because they take up too much space.)
I've driven a Sahara and absolutely loved it (definitely need to try Rubicon before I order though).
I've accepted the gas cons a long time ago. I enjoy driving/going out to places, but doesn't necessarily mean I have to be off road to do it.
Just one more thing to add. Jeeps are great for many reasons so people like them for various reasons. If you are passionate about your jeep, you may turn into someone who wants to work on it or more of an outdoor person.
If not, you can take something like the Rubi, which looks tough stock to me, and do easy upgrades to make it yours, decent seat covers, spiderweb, etc. And still have a 4x4 that can do more than you will ever ask it too.
Best of all, if you live near a coast, you can drive on the beach, if up north you can play in the snow or simply drop the top whenever you want to anywhere else.
I am in my mid 40s and my jeep finally broke the video gaming habit I had since the mid 90s. I love my jeep more than the sports cars I had when young and more than my last luxury truck even though its less useful, slower and uses more gas. I don't plan to hardcore wheel till after its paid off, just dirt roads, snow and mudding.
I have a 2013 JKU sport and when I got it I thought this is all I ever need...wrong this week we are going Rubicon shopping. Get the Rubicon and be done with it.
For your needs....a Sahara. But being in Texas, you can get away with a Rubi easier than others because you don't have to worry about MT tires in snow or lots or rain, nor are you in a quite a big a need for limited slip (only available on the Sport and Sahara, as lockers take the place of optional limited slip). So in the end, you are golden either way.
All jeeps ride and drive roughly the same. They are all solid axle 4x4's. The only differences in all of them are accesories. Oscar mike, freedom, rubicon, sport are all look the same with rims, lift and tires. The differences are gears in the axles, axles,, lockerz and superficial options in the cab.
And just to offer some info on a sahara.
Tires stick out on jeeps, and at one time or another will throw rocks. Rocks and painted fenders end up looking bad. May be a thought to think about. You can option a sport just like a sahara with exception of painted fenders and top. Just bringing up some things I have noticed.
Tires stick out on jeeps, and at one time or another will throw rocks. Rocks and painted fenders end up looking bad. May be a thought to think about. You can option a sport just like a sahara with exception of painted fenders and top. Just bringing up some things I have noticed.
This isn't quite accurate. You can add most of the stuff, but some of the options like heated seats, Nav, and auto temp are not available on the Sport. The Sahara and Rubi also come with auto headlights, which again isn't available on the Sport.
When I went through this last year, I took stock of my former Jeeps. My 99 Wrangler was a Sport and I started getting more into wheeling, so when I bought my 06 LJ I got a Rubicon. I wheeled that thing a ton and loved it. When our son was on the way, I decided a 4 door would be the way to go, so I bought an 08 Rubi and set it all up like my 06. Then between time demands of changing jobs, having a child, and life in general, I found I just didn't have time or desire for wheeling anymore. After being out of a Wrangler for a but, I got back into one last year. I knew that wheeling other than the beach or a fire road just wasn't on my plate, so I actually started with Sports. Then I realized by the time I optioned it up, I was almost at a Sahara, plus I still couldn't get all the options I wanted on the Sport. Based on that I ordered a Sahara instead. For me, the $2500 to move to a Rubicon would have been unused, and therefore I didn't consider it. I find the Sahara as the compromise between not having all the heavy duty off road goodies and still being able to get a Jeep with all the stuff I want.
The Sports are getting the 430 touch screen, but not with the Nav Option.
The unpainted standard fenders (even the black on black) would look all kinds of horrible on a street ride with low profile tires.
Polished rims and tires, unpolished fender, polished body color.
Unless you went with a completely aftermarket flat color body repaint (I keep seeing this done around here, like a truck bed lining on the whole thing) it would look like ass.
If you want the street look, like in that photo, some things aren't negotiable.
- color-matched hard top
- painted fenders
- big ass wheels
- low profile tires (tread pattern is negotiable, but most go with street tread)
- a leveling kit to get the rake out or better yet, drop that sucker
What you do not want is:
- wheel gap (you want the fenders to look full)
- plastic fenders
- a soft top (unless it's some custom deal that looks really clean)
- anything that looks like it's for the dirt
So you know the MPG sucks, and you know it sucks as a car, but you want it.
That's ok. In fact, it's cool as hell.
SA, H-town, Austin, all of the Texas Triangle is full of otherwise capable bad-ass off-roaders that are tricked, sleeked up or slammed for the street. Game on.
I know all this is subjective man, but plastic fenders hovering over big street wheels would be hard to pull off.
Just get a Sahara and get the checkbook out. The other alternative is to get a Rubicon and make it look like an off-road champ with big ass mud tires, a winch, about 10 off-road lights but just don't get it dirty. Folks down there do that too (and here, and everywhere else) and that's cool too.
If you like getting dirty and plan to do it, trick an 85 Cut or a slam a 79 Chevy truck for the street and buy a Jeep to get on with the dirt :thumb:
I plan on towing small stuff in the near future (doesn't bother me). I did check out the Grand Cherokee, but I want to be able to take off the top (I love the inside of the GC)...
Hi,
I'm totally new to the Jeep-- in the throes decision making this weekend. Love the Wrangler 4-door body style. Have owned 3 black Mustang GT Conv over the years but ready for a change and need the space to transport bikes and dogs. I've driven a 2014 Sahara & Rubicon-- love the tougher look of the Rubicon, but will be driving on streets. Is it better to buy Sahara and toughen the look more like the Rubicon or go all in and have the tools if I need them. Is there a way to soften the Rubicon ride for around town w/o replacing suspension? Any suggestions/advice would be most appreciated. Thank you.
Hi,
I'm totally new to the Jeep-- in the throes decision making this weekend. Love the Wrangler 4-door body style. Have owned 3 black Mustang GT Conv over the years but ready for a change and need the space to transport bikes and dogs. I've driven a 2014 Sahara & Rubicon-- love the tougher look of the Rubicon, but will be driving on streets. Is it better to buy Sahara and toughen the look more like the Rubicon or go all in and have the tools if I need them. Is there a way to soften the Rubicon ride for around town w/o replacing suspension? Any suggestions/advice would be most appreciated. Thank you.
My rubi came with MT load range E tires (load range E is what should be on 3/4 ton tuck). I replaced them with GY Duratracs load range C and it made a night and day difference.
my guess is if you test drove a new rubicon from the dealer they had the tire pressure jacked up way to high. I know when I picked mine up they were around 45 psi or something like that. lower them to 32psi and smooths right out. Also stock rubicon rubber is not the smoothest out there. better to have all the tools in the tool box for when you need them then trying to add them when it is too late.
I traded a Sahara for a Rubicon. My Rubicon rides as good as the Sahara. I still have leather, heated seats ,and navigation. Me and a friend went out trail riding yesterday, him in a Sahara. We decided to pull up and park on a cutoff log that was about 12-18 inches tall. in 4lo my Rubicon drove straight up the log. His turn in 4 lo and he struggled, he had wheel spin and lugging the engine from the transfer case difference. We drove up the side where it was cut flat not the rounded side which wasn't hard but the rubicon handled it better.
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