skibum

I have an '07 Unlimited X with auto and 4.10s. I love my Jeep with the exception of the continually leaking soft top and the auto tranny. Can't wait for it to blow up so that I can justify replacement with a TH350 or 400. I live in a very hilly area and the stock auto doesn't do well here at all (and yes, I turn the OD off frequently). The tranny hunts for, and frequently fails to find, a gear that will be suitable for the circumstances. As an example, I will be driving up a significant hill, holding the throttle steady, decelerating, and the tranny will UPSHIFT. Pushing down on the loud pedal results in significant pedal movement with no corresponding response from the engine until the pedal is nearly to the floor. Then it downshifts violently, revs go to 4000+, but again no corresponding acceleration. Tranny (torque convertor) also rumbles slightly at about 1400-1500 rpm (yes, the tranny flash has been done). Dealer and DCX can't duplicate the problem and have therefore decided that there isn't one. Add to all this the tranny overheating issues that are posted elsewhere, then do yourself a favor and buy the 6-speed.

superboo

what are these "creature comforts" that you can get in sahara that can't be had in an X? the _only_ options a sahara has that won't be found on an X are painted fender flares and YES fabric seats. oh, and a couple of stickers...wasn't worth my money....was worth plenty other peoples' money though, up to you.

Westbayou

You tell me? This is the kind of info I am looking for. Painted flairs look good, but also scratch...

superboo

that's a big part of the reason i don't like the painted flares. i also appreciate the contrast the black flares provide. if you custom build an X with "S" package, you can get all of the sahara's features other than the flares and the seat fabric at a lower end cost. one can argue for the sahara's 18" wheels, but personally i prefer to add my own anyways. there's otherwise no real suspension (and no engine difference) between the two. for me, the decision came down to X vs rubicon. the sahara was a complete non-factor as i have no need for painted flares or YES seat fabric. if you feel in the least way that you might ever desire those two features, then i highly suggest you consider a sahara.

SBlair

One of the main reasons I got the Sahara's was the Infinity speaker system and the painted flares. I have dealt with the black fenders and they did not age well. Then again there are some pretty snazzy aftermarket fenders.
Once you add all the stuff on a Sahara to an X, the price washes.
Out the door, the Sahara looks much better than the base X. I have hit medium trails with the stock 18's and had no issues.
You have to seriously ask yourself how much more you want to spend and what you want to do. Are you going to be a serious Rockcrawler or are you going to be a commuter with some weekends out in the boonies. 35's and 4" lifts do not make for a good commuter just as a bone stock X does not make for a good expert trail rockcrawler!

Westbayou

As of now my plan would be the Terraflex BB and 35 Mickey Thompson MTZ's and Mickey Classic II's. Being that I am in Florida, rock crawling just isn't ever going to be much of a concern. Here we get MUD, and lots of it. Good point on the black fenders fading, I had the same issues on my YJ. I guess really it is going to come down to what I find the best deal on. Sahara or X, so long as it has the power convenience package and the 4.10's I'll take a good close look at it.

superboo

a sahara is no better at trails than an X is. and you're mistaken about the price. if you price a stock unlimited sahara at jeep.com, it comes to $28,300. if you price an unlimited X with "S" package and add the stereo/side steps, it comes to $26,695. at that point, you're missing 18" jeep rims + applicable tires, painted fender flares, YES fabric and two stickers. i'm no sahara hater by any means and encourage any informed, interested shopper to get what they want. but i AM concerned about sahara owners thoughtlessly downplaying the X when there's no practical difference between the two other than price and the possible observed "necessity" of YES fabric.

now if you think about the quality of those options, it's an entirely other story. the stereo options that separate the X and the sahara are $600 in added accessories. for that amount, i could even pay inflated crutchfield prices and build you a superior system; not to mention what i could do with wholesale prices or even through a specialist. the side steps are laughable in practical application...$400 side steps that serve no practical function other than future trail-litter. i believe a durable, quality set of shrockworks rails run about $500; purejeep's version is even less. even rubicon owners are trading up their stock rails for a more-robust-than-stock set. plus there's the wheel/tire trend. most people seem to be upgrading theirs as soon as they can afford it.

putting all of this into perspective, if you like the looks of the sahara's painted flares, find the YES fabric to be a necessity, or don't mind spending the extra ~$1600 and you know your JK won't ever walk outside of the white lines thus negating the inclination to modify....then go for a sahara!

otherwise...X or Rubicon - you make the call.

edit: i don't want this to seem like an anti-sahara rant. my comments are strictly based on fact, no matter how biased they may seem. but believe me, i obsessed over the practical differences between all 3 trim levels when i was doing my own research a year ago and made my decision accordingly. in the time since, it has become quite apparent to me that many owners and shoppers have a few deeply rooted misconceptions regarding the different models and are unfortunately propagating those same errors. my only hope is to clarify the ambiguities and hopefully assist newcomers in making a more informed decision. i am in no way trying to rally a future super-army of X owners. i like diversity. but i'm a far bigger fan of accuracy.

superboo

if you want 4.10's, you're gonna have to look at a properly equipped '07 x/sahara or any 07/08 rubicon. one thing to consider since you're planning on immediately upgrading rims/tires is the added premium of approximately ~$300 you'd already be paying for by getting a sahara. that is, unless you also plan on immediately removing the stock wheels/tires for sale and installing aftermarket upon delivery.

Westbayou

Superboo: Thank you for the info. That is the EXACT type of stuff I was looking for. I do 90% of my own work on my vehicles, so in retrospect unless I find a killer deal on an 07 Sahara, the X looks like the way to go. Like you said, for $600 I can build a much better stereo than the Infinity stuff, and I don't really care about the YES fabric. 4.10's and Power group. That is what matters. Wheels, tires, and lift will be virtually immediate, already have that money set aside. Other stuff like rails etc will be added over time. I can add a better set of speakers for a couple hundred bucks.

TEEJ

I did find out that the 08's do not come with the 4.10's even with the tow group anymore. The tow group now uses a 3.73 ratio.

The std ratio is now 3.21...and the tow group, OR a $50 option, can get you 3.73's.

I specified the 3.73 ratio for an extra $50, plus the LSD.

I wanted the rear locker, but it ends up costing $1500 by the time they add in the mandatory front disco which doubles the $. :(

IIRC, fog lights in the front bumper are another Sahara/X difference as well.

If not getting a Rubi, you need a used '07 to get 4.10's. I don't know of any new '07's laying around still.

Food for thought.



If you want to get a head to head/feature to feature comparison...go to jeep.com, and use the comparison chart to enter the jeeps you want to compare, ad it lets you read off on an itemized basis what's the same, and what's different.