Considering Buying a 2005 or 2006 Rubicon Unlimited...

[nwoods]

I'm a Land Rover guy, but my wife love's Jeeps, and I am in support of the whole topless thing, so...

I test drove this today:

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4, soft top, silver with black, 27,000 miles (balance of factory warranty remaining), automatic with overdrive, Sirius satellite radio and CD player, Southern California vehicle, no accidents, clear title. Vehicle includes original window sticker, brochure, all manuals, video explaining proper use of soft top, all receipts and manuals for accessories. Rubicon package includes locking differentials on front and rear. California registration good through July 2008. In addition to the $30,560 window sticker I have receipts totaling about $6,000 for the accessories which include a ProComp 4" lift with adjustable ProComp MX-6 shocks, Cepek DC-1 polished aluminum wheels in 15x8, Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ mud terrain tires in 33x12.5x15 size (significant tread remaining), HighRock front bumper with grill guard and approach roller, D-rings on the bumpers, HighRock rear bumper with class II 1/2 2" receiver hitch, Warn M8000 8,000 pound winch with roller fairlead, Helle Rallye 1000 Black Magic driving lights, tri-bar blue dot clear headlamps, dark tinted windows, and to keep it all secure a Ravelco anti-theft device (information available at www.nohotwire.com). This vehicle is extremely capable off-road but also is tame enough to serve as a daily driver.

And am driving this one on Saturday:

5,500 miles, all off road mileage, 4" Currie Suspension Lift, 1" Body lift, 35 inch tires, 6 Cyl stock 40L EFI, Front Lockers, Rear Lockers, Custom Bumpers, Winch, Dana 44 front, Dana 44 rear, Auto Transmission, Disc Brakes, Power Steering, On-board Air, Soft Top, Hard Doors - Full, Air Conditioning, Factory Stereo or Radio, CD Player, CB, Alarm.

Which would you pick, and why? What things should I be on the look out for?
Also, for a family of 4 using the Jeep for a weekend trip or towed behind a larger vehicle, would you reccommend the LJ or the new JK 4 door?

 

[badfysh]

rear air?

dual sunroofs?

legendary? (questionable but not quite the same as land rover)

always leave it unlocked and windows down. otherwise the thieves liek to slice up the soft top to get in and steal stuff

how much is HID headlight option? leather? nav?

does it come with a spoiler or helmet for your head when you stick out the roof (seeing you are 6'5"

good luck packing gear and supplies for a family of four for a week overland in that thing

still not a diesel

 

[nwoods]

rear air? dual sunroofs?

Yes, lots of both with the top down

legendary? (questionable but not quite the same as land rover)

Yes, in capablity on the trail

always leave it unlocked and windows down. otherwise the thieves liek to slice up the soft top to get in and steal stuff

Tuffy box?

how much is HID headlight option? leather? nav?

Everything is dirt cheap compared to my Land Rover, and there are tons more suppliers to choose from.

does it come with a spoiler or helmet for your head when you stick out the roof (seeing you are 6'5")

LOL, well I'm closer to 6'7", but I actually fit in the TJ, but less well in the new JK. I've had to mod the seats of all my vehicles, it's probably easy to do in the Jeep.

good luck packing gear and supplies for a family of four for a week overland in that thing

Very very true. The Jeep represents a paradign shift in our off road model. The recent Utah trip really highlighted the impacticality of traveling long distances in a single vehicle with a family's gear on board. We are only considering the longer wheelbase LJ (Unlimited) simply for day to day room, or the new 4 door JK ($$$). The idea here is that we can flat tow the Jeep behind the Armada which fits every piece of gear in our entire house, then set up base camp and tool around in the Jeep. Can't tow the LR.

still not a diesel

Sigh...I know.

 

[bigreen505]

I would test drive a new one and see what you think about the used ones. I have heard that new ones are much nicer and the prices I have seen on used Rubicons (TJ or LJ) are on the high side unless you just have to have the 4.0 motor.

 

[nwoods]

I've rented a JK four times, once on local trails, once in Maui, and twice in Moab. From my limited test drive today, the 2 door JK Rubicon on 32" Goodyear MTR's was smoother than the LJ on 33's, but totally gutless. The new 3.8 is disappointing compared to pretty much anything else I've ever driven, but I hear that AEV is cooking up a drop in V8 kit.... However, the engine really is not that big a deal. Gear storage, room for people, and trail capablity are the biggest considerations besides of course, BUDGET.

 

[WFTW]

I'm on my 4th Jeep. The first 3 all had soft tops and a REAL NICE sound system and I never had anyone cut my top to steal anything...or even steal anything when I had the top down. Oh, and I spent 2 1/2 years in crime-ridden Washington, D.C....still no issues.

The JK would solve your space issue if it's just 2 people. Or, a small trailer would solve your space issue as well.

Jeeps are cheeper to upgrade due to the massive amounts of parts available on the open market. Compared to the Hummer H2 (6" lift with 37" tires) I had before the JK, everything is dirt cheap. hahahahaha

You can drop a deisel in it if you want one that badly.

I will be traveling across the country next year for 6 months straight without a trailer or a truck to tow the Jeep. I'll be off-roading in the best places around the country every weekend and a few times on the weekdays. If that's not going to be the ultimate test of a vehicle, then I don't know what is.

From the way you answered the above post, it sounds like you've already talked yourself into getting a Jeep...just have to decide which one. Do yourself a favor and test drive a JK X or Sahara (stay away from the Rubicon if you're going to do major mods anyway). If you don't like it, then I'd recommend the 1st Jeep you posted the picture of.

Hope my comments and suggestions help.

 

[Ryanmb21]

I would choose the white one. No good reason or analysis done, but just throwin that out there.

I own a toyota but I like jeeps. There are several things in life I don't like but I won't litter your thread with them.

Good luck!

 

[Purple People Eater]

There are several things in life I don't like but I won't litter your thread with them.

Nice.

But I, too would choose the white one. I see it has better rocker protection than the silver, on-board air, and stock Rubicon wheels. Also, I hear ProComp lifts aren't up to par with their competitors. No personal experiences, just big ears. Although the ProComp Xterrain tires are notable off-road, quieter on-road, and I would pick them over Mickey T's any day of the week and twice on Sunday. The silver one has more gadgets on it though (ie sat radio), if that's important to you. I personally would stay away from the shiny chrome wheels if you're planning on using it as a trail mule. Either way, there's a doubt in my mind that either one of these rigs are geared right, so ask, and plan on that mod. On the other hand, buying a JK is more $, and even more $ to get way you want it. And I would think the JK is a little harder to tow.

 

[LUISJG]

I would just buy an 07 or o8 2 door rubicon.
or 4 door.

im on my third jeep ,,and would not go back to a tj.

I will only change my jk 4 door for another one, in white color,
my only complain with my jk is that I have the jeep green and its not
what you want if you are going to be offroading in Mexico, or further south.

 

[maximumrob]

Stay away from the 2nd Jeep you pictured because of this text: "5,500 miles, all off road mileage." 5.5k miles in the dirt is a LOT of abuse. Give me the one with 27k street miles instead.

Pros on the TJ: very few unknowns left. Almost everybody knows how to mod them and fix their weak points. Buying used on a vehicle you're going to beat up off-road is a better use of your money.

Pros on the JK: new is good, especially with a lifetime powertrain warranty, and even tastier at 0% financing. Going to do mods? I've heard actual accounts from wheeling partners who say a stock JK Rubi will wipe the floor with a stock TJ Rubi on any trail.



.

 

[TheGillz]

From my limited test drive today, the 2 door JK Rubicon on 32" Goodyear MTR's was smoother than the LJ on 33's, but totally gutless.

Proper gearing to keep the JK in the upper RPM's (3k and up) will get rid of this gutless feeling. If I were in a 4.0 and was going 35 in fourth and stomped on it to get to 55 compared to the JK i would think it was gutless too, but it's a fine engine when revved where it likes to perform.

 

[Trail Monkey]

As an LJ owner im a bit slanted.. but i would say you need to give a lot of consideration to the four door unlimiteds. if you will often have rear passengers, its alot more comfortable..

ultimately i still believe that LJ's are the best offroad trucks, when it comes to raw ability. no doubt they are not particullarly comfortable. hence i also now own a Tacoma for less difficult trails and more over road travel mixed with overland..

all depends how serious you want to get.. LJ if you plan on rock crawling or extreme trails.. i ilke the white a bit more. both nice..

if your not getting to crazy offroad. get a new jk unlimited rubicon do a 4" lift with 33's front and rear bumper, winch and sliders, call it a day and enjoy it..

 

[BIGdaddy]

i have an 04 LJ...:wavey:...having driven honda's, chevy's, a plush ford expedition, etc on the highway...the LJ is a great onroad vehicle. no problem in my book. I "dd" mine all week.

here's my pro list...

1. its impressive to me how well it rides, while being a truck that can spank most other brands offroad, while in stock form.

2. i have two kids and they fit just fine in the back.

3. parts are cheap, plentiful and proven

4. you do join a lifestyle "club" just like the land rover marque when you drive a jeep.

5. the unlimited fit these things plus my two kids and wife last camping trip...

-stove,
-propane(2),
-tent,
-camp chairs(4),
-kids clothes bag,
-adult clothes bag,
-bedding,
-food box,
-kitchen box,
-normal blue cooler,
-4 or 5 gallons of water,
-and basic recovery gear.
(drings, tow rope, patch kit, compressor, first aid, hand tools, shovel-axe, etc) and thats stock. no rack or trailer.

cons

1. this truck makes it hard not to want to mod it. (its fun!, but 4wd hardware catalogs are the devil!)

2. 2door makes carseats a bit harder than 4door, but my oldest is now three and can hop into her seat just fine, which makes it easier. (i've not had many adults in the back cuz car seats are pretty standard everyday, but if i fit back there without too much trouble (6'-270lbs), i shouldn't hear too much complaining. )

other

1. i've specifically decided not to list mpg as a "con". my jeep is a direct descendent of the jeeps that fought in all theatres of WWII. it has power-nothing and mechanical everything. (other than a radio and rear wiper on my hard top, but even GPW's sometimes had radio sets, so there:victory: . it gets upwards of 19mpg on trips and the 6cylinder is a dependable/proven powerplant. i'm fine with that.

its a jeep.
its tough. its simple.
its gotten me there and back already. gotta dig it.

 

[JohnnyS]

The white one appears to be have better aftermarket components.
I highly doubt if all of it's 5500 miles were off road, even if they were it would take a long time to rack up 5500 miles through hairball stuff.
Drive the white one and if you like it buy it!
I love my LJ, what other vehicle (sold in the past few years) can you pull the doors off of without an angle grinder or sawzall?
Less goofy electronic stuff than the JKs, even though I will buy a diesel JK pickup if they make them.

 

[Mudpro]

I've had my 05 TJ Unlimited Rubicon (LJ) since July of 05 and I absolutely love it. If there is only two of you, take out the back seat and you have tons of room. If you are use to a normal 2 door SWB Wrangler, the extra room behind the back seat is massive in comparison.