Had a deep water blue 2009 Sahara and traded it for a 2011 Rubi. My main concern for taking the Sahara offroad was the painted fenders...it was too pretty to get all scratched up! Also wanted the Rubi for the "completely ready to go offroad" features.
If your trails will be clear or your not afraid to get your Sahara bruised, then the choice is clear.

 

I would not want to get a $35k vehicle bruised :

 

A few months ago we hit Rausch Creek Off Road park in PA. I had an Unlimited Rubicon and my friend had a 2 door X. He ran every trail that I did but one which was a steep rock climb and he just didn't feel comfortable with it.

What a regular Jeep can do is pretty impressive.

 

I had a standard X up in Alaska. Loved it but didn't have the time to mod it. Got here to Kansas and decided to pull the trigger on a Rubi. I figured the Rubi is going to be "the" Jeep, so start with as much accomplished as I could and add when I had the time / money. Never regretted it. I love my Rubicon.

 

Hey all, I ended up getting my Sahara over the Rubi as we do a lot of traveling and are a little older, so we appreciate the conveniences with out giving up the off road ability. I think its a great compromise to the price of a Rubi and the generic X/Sport. Let me finish by saying if you have the its a jeep thing feeling we all have a lot in common, See you on or off the road

 

You won't regret your decision, A jeep is a Jeep. I had a Sahara for 3yrs and wheeled it everywhere lifted and locked TJ's and YJ's went. The computer controlled rear differential performed way above my expectations on rocks and mud. Have fun with the new TOY!!!!!