Rubicon...Is it worth it?

[Wanderlusty]

Ok, when it was TJ's, I could easily see that the Rubicon was definitely worth the price. I did not see this in time, unfortunately, and ended up with the (lowly?) X.

But as I look over the options on the new JK, I have to admit I don't know if the Rubicon is worth the $6,000 premium it costs over a similarly equipped X.

To compare and contrast:

Dana 44 Rear - Both Rubicon and X have Dana 44 rears standard on Unlimited

Dana 44 Fronts- Only Rubicon, but the Dana 30 has proven to be a tough axle, and the 'new' Dana 30 is even beefier, I hear.

T-Case: Rubi has a lower 4lo. However, at least in the TJ, I have always found the 'regular' T-Case to be just fine.

Lockers: Ok, Rubi advantage here.

Gears: Rubi is standard with 4:10's...X can be ordered with 4:10's at no charge.

Tires: Rubi has 32 inch BFG's, X has...rubber bands...

So the way I see it, where the Rubi edges the X is lockers, tires and T-Case.

The T-Case, as long as you don't live to rockcrawl, I don't see as an issue.

The tires...I would probably be swapping to 35's with a 3-4 inch lift, so that is kind of irrelevant.

The lockers...ok, I have no good answer here. Yes, I want lockers, but lockers can be added for maybe 2k for selectable lockers (ARB) so that still leaves a 4K difference in price.

Odds are that I am still going to try my darndest to get the Rubi anyway, but I am not as convinced as before that it is worth the premium.

Am I not considering something? Agree? Disagree?

 

[detailbarn]

personally I like to build my trucks the way I want them so I would start with an x. The way I see it building the truck up yourself will allow you to build a better truck overall that suits your specific needs. You may find that you don't need all that the rubicon offers but if buy one you're stuck with it. However if you buy an x you can progressively build it up to the level of performance you need.

 

[Scott Brady]

You get the equivalent of nearly $10,000 worth of aftermarket parts in that package and they are under warranty. Pretty smokin deal IMHO.

 

[Wanderlusty]

You get the equivalent of nearly $10,000 worth of aftermarket parts in that package and they are under warranty. Pretty smokin deal IMHO.

Yea, I can see that if you were rippin' and replacin', but the stuff in the X has a $ value too. (Axles/T-Case) so I guess that bears some considering.

This is mostly a mental exercise, I imagine, though, because I have lusted over a Rubi for a long time. Why let economics bother me now...

Detailbarn: I hear you. The whole "built vs. bought" deal. And I do want to 'Build' mine to some extent. However...I don't think that the Rubi comes with anything I "DON'T" want...save for $6k more on the sticker...

 

[upcruiser]

Interesting post. I did not realize they upgraded axle specs on the new X's for the Unlimiteds. The Rubi is a great vehicle for sure, but I could see the X representing a better value relativel speaking for sure.

 

[goodtimes]

If you are going to be adding lockers, tires, t'case gears, etc to an X....then yes, I think the Rubicon is worth the money. The rubicons are pretty much ready to go out of the box, where the X will need some work before tackling some of the moderate to difficult trails. IMO, it really depends on what kind of trails you are going to be on, and if you do your own wrenching. Anyone priced a pair of ARB's and the install recently? That is half of the premium of the rubicon right there!

 

[Wanderlusty]

Well, what I have travelled so far is about a 2.5 to 3 on the Scotty Scale. The X that I have has never even shown signs of strain. Though it is not completely stock, sporting 3 inch lift and 33 inch tires, it is open diffs and even the :yikes: Dana 35 rear. It hasn't broke yet. I have never been stranded by break down or 'stuck' or to be honest, challenged at all, save for the challenge of picking a good line, which I seem to do ok at.

But at the same time, there are a lot of trails I have not gone on, or turned around when I looked ahead and decided that it would be beyond the capability of my vehicle. Many chances are that I would have made most of those, but I often am a lone vehicle, so I wisely shy away from what can really get me in trouble.

And I do know that I will hit trails when I go out west where some of the stuff the Rubi comes with stock is more "Necessity" than "Luxury" in a lot of cases.

I had priced the ARB lockers themselves, and guesstimated on the labor, but I may be a bit shy.

I just know that when I buy, I intend to upgrade the tire and suspension anyway, so the nicer tires and such were a wash as far as the Rubi goes.

The lift and tires may not be a neccessity for most stuff I run, but I know I have used my breakover angle that I enjoy on my TJ enough to know that I need to do what I can to increase the breakover angle on a JK. The Unlimited is SO much longer...and it fits 35's without near the trouble of the TJ...so that is why I am looking at that size.

But heck, I am sitting on this deal until I find out what they are going to do about DIESEL. Of course, that adds even MORE $$$...

"Just Empty Every Pocket" for sure...

 

[goodtimes]

If you are thinking diesel....hold off for a year.

 

[Scott Brady]

Then again, my brother in law has run 3+ trails in his stock 4cyl/Auto TJ with 31" tires and sliders.

I just think that buying an engineered solution is almost always a better option. Especially when a 75,000 mile warranty is involved.

 

[jeffryscott]

Buying it built, as in the Rubicon, you are ready to go, no down time getting lockers, etc ... put on. And as Scott says, warranty.

Plus, as you go more places, having "more" vehicle is always better ... thank of how much enjoyment you may have gotten had you gone down some of those roads you turned around at because you weren't sure the TJ was up to it ... As you learn more what the vehicle can do, your confidence and desire to push just a little more will certainly be rewarded by having the Rubicon - I could picture many situations when you would look at a trail and think, if I had bought the Rubicon I'd try that ... whereas I doubt there are too many situations you'd look at a trail and say, I have a Rubicon, It's too much truck for that trail ...

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Funny this thread should show up today!

This morning I was up at 4:30am to take my daughter to the airport.....so she could go find the end of her rainbow in Hawaii.

I remembered seeing an ad in last nights paper regarding a new 2006 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited ....at $6,000 OFF MSRP.

At 9AM this morning I was test driving my first ever Jeep.

A beautiful...white Rubicon Unlimited with "soft top".

$24,500..........after the $6,000 Off. And they were open to offers as today was the last day of the month and year for their dealership.

I took it on a 5 mile test drive which included one freeway entry merge (I was completely underwhelmed with by this merge!).

While trying to merge onto the freeway.....there was no kick down gear that appeared, so I just slowly gained speed.

I'm confused by the "diff lock" switch. I would like to see a switch that locks the front and rear separately, but there was no clue as to how it works....even in their catalog. The salesman didn't even know.

The steering appeared to have tons of over steer on the paved streets I was on. Woooooooo..........Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

The tires were WAY too small............paleeeeeeeeeeeese!

There was plastic everywhere you looked!

I did not like the soft top (way too cold and noisy!) and knew I would Never use it offroad (way too much dust which would ruin my beautiful new Rubicon!)........so only a hartop would do!

I'm really trying to like this Jeep! I know it's good! ......and I respect the Jeeps and all the guys that drive them, own them and love them.

But somehow..........it just does not fit me.

I don't know why and can't explain it.

So.........Anyway!...........Is it a good deal at $6,000 OFF MSRP............?!!!!!! ............hehe


Somehow I think it would take at least another $5,000 to $10,000 for me to be happy with this.

So...........

How does one become a Jeep Luva>?!!!!!!!!!!!!!


.

 

[cshontz]

Take the Pepsi Challenge

The lockers and transfer case are gold. I tend to agree with Scott - plus, its all factory-installed equipment which eliminates the middle-man and pretty much ensures that it is done correctly. For what we do, I'd say a Rubicon would be more than worth it. But it also depends on you - you might find it more fun to build.

I've found for general overlanding the stock t-case is more than adequate, but the moment you set foot on something more technical, you'll love the control that a 4:1 transfer case has to offer. In many cases, that kind of granny makes using your pedals unnecessary, which is wicked cool.

Add lockers to the equation, and technical driving becomes as simple as point-and-shoot.

 

[cshontz]

Oh, and don't forget the electronic swaybar disconnects that are now available on the 2007 Rubicons! Sure, its an electronic gizmo that really has yet to be proven on the trail, but that should seal the deal regardless. Manual disconnects are a pita.

Jeepers should never leave the pavement without disconnecting the front swaybar, whether its a gravel driveway or the Rubicon trail. Seriously.

 

[Gear]

I'd buy it. Where is it located in San Diego. My kids need the leg room.

Or will I just have to wait for the Diesel 4 Door Rubicon. When ever that happens.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Then again, my brother in law has run 3+ trails in his stock 4cyl/Auto TJ with 31" tires and sliders.

Anyone who has spent some time in a Jeep on a trail, even in stock, non-Rubi form...it is amazing what these machines are capable right out of the box.

As far as Diesel...I am waiting for it for now, but it isn't neccessarily a foregone conclusion that I would end up with a diesel. But I like the idea...

The other consideration is Manual vs Auto. For me, my TJ has the 5 speed, and I :drool: over the 6 speed. However, I want my wife to get more involved, both riding along more and driving. Driving a manual is something she can't, or won't do. So thinking auto for that reason. I kinda wanna :violent-smiley-031: and MAKE her learn manual, but that would probably be just mean.

Well, I am trying to wait a year anyway, because I want to pay down (or pay off?) the TJ and get the wife's car paid off too. But it will be hard, because it is getting really tiresome slinging a carseat in the back of a SWB TJ.