So I got what I feel was a pretty good deal on a Steel Blue Sahara, which is on its way to the dealership and should be here this coming friday. I got it for $300 over FWP which is invoice. I also had my eye on a black Rubicon that they have at the dealership and can get it for MSRP.

I am torn on what to do. I am not torn because I can't wait till friday, I am torn on the benefits of the Rubicon over the Sahara. I like the fact that the Rubicon comes equipped the way it is over the other models. 17" wheels/tires, D44 front and rear, lockers, sliders.

Please help me decide! I want to go look at it right now, but I know what will happen if I do.

Tim

 

...and where you plan on going! For us, I knew the Rubi was overkill for 90+% of what we'd do. Which made it simple - we went Rubi because of the 10% I knew I'd get myself into and wanted the heavier duty components right out of the box. From what I've read - I'm even more glad we did because I probably would've been on talking about what we broke rather than how much fun we had and how everything still works!

No regrets what so ever - but still buying basic toys too!

Like a lot of other things - it really is a personal choice - good luck!

 

Get the Rubi.

 

I have a Sahara and i love it. so far it does everything i need it to do. However, i bought it as a "starter Jeep" of sorts. I will eventually get a Rubi, but this is just where i began as it was in my price range. I intend on using it to determine what lift/tires etc. i want or dont want. Then when the time comes to replace it (i am shooting for 2yrs. 3 outside) I will have a good handle on what i ultimately want, then when i order my Rubi, i will also order all the stuff to go with it and do it more or less all at once.

That is my plan anyhow. But if i had the quid to get one right off, i would have.

 

I originally wanted a Rubi, but "settled for a Sahara" (after some significant soul-searching to determine what was really important to me about this new jeep). Now that I've got it, it seems to be plenty capable for my intermediate wheeling.

At the time I bought it, I figured I would either trade it in a year or two for a Rubi (once the market cools a bit and Chrysler catches up production to demand) or I would fall in love with this one and mod the heck out of it (in which case I would keep it for a long time).

About a month in with safari doors just installed but no lift and tires yet, I'm strongly leaning toward the latter.

 

In all fairness, we seriously considered each model and it wasn't until we realized that little issue I have (getting into situations I probably shouldn't) that we went the way we did.

I think you could make a great case for any one of the models depending on your intended use, expected budget for initial purchase and then for modifications.

Somewhere in here was a poll on how much folks are spending right after purchase. At first glance, I remember thinking nah - can't be. Yet here I am - even with a Rubi - and we've dropped a bunch each month on things that we are finding are necessary for our specific type of use.

No matter which way you go - consider it a learning experience and enjoy.

 

I ordered my four door jk in Dec 06 and finally got it on May 29th, 07, my sons birthday.

When I was deciding to order back in December, I tossed about the two jeep models, Sahara and rubi. I do some off roading up in Big Bear, CA and will be doing others. My mechanic and co driver thought the rubi would be over kill and that the Sahara would be fine for the type of driving we do. Another friend strongly suggested going with the Rubi.

I decided to go with the rubi and ordered it.

This past weekend, my mechanic/co-driver and my two kids went to Big Bear for the weekend. We did a moderately difficult mountain that had some good rock water falls and a rock garden.

We used all of the rubis standard equipment, the anti sway bar disconnect, the front and rear lockers, etc.

During and after the ride, my mechanic/co-driver kept saying, "I'm glad you got the RUBI"

I too was very impressed with the Rubi, and am very glad that I paid the extra money for all of its standard equip.

So I tell everyone, that if you are going to do any type of moderate to severe offroading, then get the Rubi.

Of course I did get it for $500 under invoice, through Costco.com program


Mike in Seal Beach

 

"(getting into situations I probably shouldn't)"



that's the story of my life right there in one little quote!

 

...but at least some of them make for entertaining stories later in life! It usually takes a bit before you'll want to even admit you got into them. Then another bit when people keep asking you about them 'cuz someone opened their mouth and spread it around before you finally just have to figure well maybe someone else can learn from my mistake.

Believe it or not - most usually don't learn or swear it could never happen to them and before you know it - someone else is saying yep - happened to me too!

Funny how Jeep trails are an awful lot like life!!

 

i went with and X over a sahara...

A) i wanted to mod everything myself

B) i will be going off road and on narrow trails... scratched plastic fenders look better than scratch/chipped painted one


with that said... i would go with a rubicon