Help me make up my mind

[Seal]

Okay, two ways I might go here.

One is to get a Rubicon or Mojave and leave it largely stock, for daily driving and light offroading.

The other is to save a few thousand, buy a Sport S with some options that I want, have the dealer install the Mopar 2 inch lift on it, put some decent sized tires on it straight away. I figure with that approach, I might save $5-$10,000. But obviously, would have no lockers.

Any thoughts?

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[Dryfly24]

If you don’t intend on wheeling it hard you don’t really need lockers.

 

[Hootbro]

IMHO, the Sport model with the Max Tow package is the best all around configuration if you only plan a mild lift and no more than 35's for tires.

 

[Gvsukids]

@Seal, have you been kissed by a rose? Depending on what kind of driving you do, there's also a diesel option to throw out there. How much you are looking to tow?

 

[jac04]

My (biased) opinion is to just get a Mojave and call it done. For a daily driver, the Mojave rides super nice and the Mojave-specific seats & steering wheel are very comfy. It also has just a touch of 'lift' from the factory, which gives it a more Jeep-ish look without having to install a lift. IMO, if it is going to be your DD, don't mess around with installing anything that will give the dealership any opportunity to dispute a warranty issue.

 

[joeym7]

Okay, two ways I might go here.

One is to get a Rubicon or Mojave and leave it largely stock, for daily driving and light offroading.

The other is to save a few thousand, buy a Sport S with some options that I want, have the dealer install the Mopar 2 inch lift on it, put some decent sized tires on it straight away. I figure with that approach, I might save $5-$10,000. But obviously, would have no lockers.

Any thoughts?

You can do a heck of a lot more with either as stock vehicles, well beyond "light" off roading...I don't have a ruby, but my MO is a very capable off road machine stock, very capable. The only time I feel at a disadvantage against my mates in the Jeep club with pumped up/modified Wrangler machines is when the water gets toooo deep. At that time I wouldn't mind bigger wheels .

If you are only going to do "light" off roading you can save some $$$ by buying some of the other Gladiators, they will all be great for casual OR.

 

[cafecito]

Okay, two ways I might go here.

One is to get a Rubicon or Mojave and leave it largely stock, for daily driving and light offroading.

The other is to save a few thousand, buy a Sport S with some options that I want, have the dealer install the Mopar 2 inch lift on it, put some decent sized tires on it straight away. I figure with that approach, I might save $5-$10,000. But obviously, would have no lockers.

Any thoughts?

Daily driving and light offroading = Definitely not Rubicon. That's like buying a sledgehammer to hang pictures on drywall. In fact, I've heard some people say that because the Rubicon is so built for hardcore offroading that it makes a worse daily driver than other trims. (Obviously you CAN daily drive one - my wife does - but it's not ideal.)

I'm going to vote for the Mojave in this case. As a previous poster mentioned, it already has a slight lift compared to the Rubicon, and for light offroading, it has absolutely everything you could ask for. The big shocks make for a cushy daily driver, and the high fender flares give you the option to go up to 35s if you want.

Ultimately, I'm highly skeptical that you would really save money going with a lower trim. I ended up buying my Mojave specifically because of all of things I would have ended up wanting to do to a Sport/Overland, it came within a couple grand. Which, over the span of years, is basically nothing.

 

[chorky]

My original plan was to get a max tow and build it as desired. I put one on order, then my other vehicle had a major shop induced failure, so I needed a rig fast. Ended up buying a Rubi off the lot with only the 15 miles from the factory testing.

I cannot be happier. Later on I 'counted the costs' of what I would have had to do to get the Max tow to the level of the Rubi, and it would have been a much bigger headache than I truly wanted. I never though I would ever use lockers, and I don't hard core rock crawl. But there have already been a few times in snow while spring hunting, or going up some steep gravel trails that I used lockers, not out of need, but simply to make it easier on a steep shelf road with minimal room for mistakes.

I hands down recommend the Rubi option instead of the max tow and building it up. Of course it comes at a cost...which I think is excessive but given todays market, thats what it is. I also dislike some of the things I did get from it being a 'lot' truck, like the extra soft top (trying to sell but nobody seems to want it), and leather seats. But other than that, I am very happy with getting a Rubi over the other way. After having it for 6 months, I would have been very disappointed in myself had I not gotten the Rubi

Disclaimer - I have not seen nor been in a Mojave.... So unsure how they compare.

Daily driving and light offroading = Definitely not Rubicon. That's like buying a sledgehammer to hang pictures on drywall. In fact, I've heard some people say that because the Rubicon is so built for hardcore offroading that it makes a worse daily driver than other trims. (Obviously you CAN daily drive one - my wife does - but it's not ideal.)

I disagree with this completely...

 

[Sandevino]

For what it’s worth…

Ive owned Jeeps most of my adult life, long before the Rubicon package was cooked up in some (at the time) Chrysler marketing war room. Yes, the Rubicon is capable but it’s not for everyone. It’s not a security blanket, not a get out of this or that golden ticket nor is it the end all be all off-roader. In the wrong (read inexperienced or over confident) hands it’s a detriment if not a liability.

I had a stock 2002 Wrangler X (only option was A/C) that came out before the first Rubicon in 2003. I wheeled the hell out it for the next 10 years. Breaking things, upgrading things but never did I wish I waited for a Rubicon as those STARTED at $33k…. Over the next 10 years I found the limits of both my skills and the Jeep’s abilities and upgraded both as time and funds permitted. The next 10 years I enjoyed the rig I built knowing everything was purpose built to my liking.

My most recent Jeeps were Gladiators - a gas Texas Trail which I’ve sold (hated leather and the V6) and picked up an Overland Diesel with cloth seats. I thought I’d like leather for the cleanup (dog, mud and muddy dog) but swamp a$$ in the Texas summer heat was a deal breaker. Diesel…mmmm. Back on topic…I looked at a diesel Rubicon as this is likely the last Jeep I’m buying for a long while. Option for option, the Rubicon was $25k more expensive than my comparably equipped Overland minus the paint color. In the end, it wasn’t about the money (well maybe just a little) it was about the enjoyment I had making it my own and not running around with something EVERYONE ELSE HAD at any given shopping mall.

In the shop, I’ve got a 12k winch, rear steel bumper, and other various kit like shackles, lights and sunshades to install. My upgrade plans are a lift(2-4”), upgrade tires (35-37”), add OX cable lockers when up upgrade gears and fix what breaks along the way.

Rubicon USED TO MEAN SOMETHING when it came out, similar to GM’s Z71 and Ford’s FX4 variants of their trucks. They we’re exclusive. You had to know someone, have deep pockets (you still do) and you had a leg up. Now, sadly, they’re just another sticker required for entry to the Dude Jeep Bro club.

 

[jac04]

I test drove a JT Rubicon and it was OK on the road. I was very used to driving my 2014 JK Rubicon, so the way the JTR drove and the on-road ride did not surprise me. I never test drove a JTM before ordering it.

But, on the ride home in my JTM I realized how magical the suspension is.

 

[cafecito]

Disclaimer - I have not seen nor been in a Mojave.... So unsure how they compare.

...

I disagree with this completely...

I mean, it's great if you like your Rubicon, but it's definitely overkill for the majority of buyers. If you like using yours as a daily, cool, good for you. That doesn't mean other trims aren't more suited for what the OP is asking about, and it's not really doing any good to announce your disagreement when you've never set foot in another trim level.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Okay, two ways I might go here.

One is to get a Rubicon or Mojave and leave it largely stock, for daily driving and light offroading.

The other is to save a few thousand, buy a Sport S with some options that I want, have the dealer install the Mopar 2 inch lift on it, put some decent sized tires on it straight away. I figure with that approach, I might save $5-$10,000. But obviously, would have no lockers.

Any thoughts?

Would you really leave it stock?
Something you didn't mention were options which had nothing to do with off-roading, like leather, safety group, etc.
If you want leather and a hard top, the best way to get into them is the Overland (at least when I was shopping last summer.)
When I started looking, I wanted a diesel sport. Then noticed the Overland was a good but if I wanted leather but you had to get the hard top (I wanted soft top.)
I was not entertaining Mojave or Rubicon as I considered them too ostentatious and not just for my budget, but once Mrs saw the Rubicon there was no turning back for her, lol.
As I thought about it, and I bought my Jeep to off-road, the Florida trails I would be riding would often be muddy or sugar sand and while in other regions lockers would be considered an option only for extreme off-roading, here they would be a common utility.
So practicality met taste and was consummated by a very big factory order discount, and the rest is history.
My wife gets to be driven around in the Rubicon, and I've only gotten stuck on one trail because of a submerged obstacle.
Very happy with my choice.

I will add this though you didn't bring it up, having owned my diesel Rubicon as of one year and 18k miles yesterday, but having wheeled a gas JLUR out west for over a week:
In my opinion, the diesel makes a better commuter or highway vehicle, and the gas engine a better off-roader.
On road: the gas mileage (which at this point is moot,) and extra power in traffic belong to the diesel.
Off-road: The better balanced vehicle and smoother application of low-end power belong to the gas motor.

Take your time deciding and drive them all and you'll come to the right conclusion for you.

 

[chorky]

I mean, it's great if you like your Rubicon, but it's definitely overkill for the majority of buyers. If you like using yours as a daily, cool, good for you. That doesn't mean other trims aren't more suited for what the OP is asking about, and it's not really doing any good to announce your disagreement when you've never set foot in another trim level.

I have driven other non rubicons. Just not the Mojave. My original choice was a max tow and then build it up like how the OP suggested. I use it as a daily because I am not rich. And I cant afford multiple vehicles…buying a rig, and right away doing a lift, tires, axle work, etc….it will end up being about the same cost as a Rubi in the first place only without the warranty, depending on options of course (if doing axle work). For my specific situation I actually placed an order for a max tow. I ended up with a rubi because a shop messed up my TJ leaving me with no vehicle and it took 2 months to get parts. So I canceled the order and got the Rubi off the lot. Looking back, the rubi was only 10K more than the max tow I ordered. The main difference was the Rubi came with the dual top group, lockers, sway disco, and leather seats. So in that respect its not really a savings to buy a sport s and immediately modify it to what is close to the rubicon or mojavie. Prices do seem to differ quite a lot depending on geographic location though. I guess for those who are fortunate enough to have a shop full of tools and a body capable of working on a rig and not caring about a warranty then it doesnt matter. Given I had enough money for multiple vehicles, then my Rubi would not be a daily, and instead would strictly be for exploring and camping. But I cant afford that. And I am willing to bet the others are in the same situation.

Not every Rubi daily vehicle is a city going mall crawler.

 

[graham5david]

Buy the rubicon. You already mentioned it as an option. Which means that it is what you really want. Don't settle. Get what you want from the start it. You are going to waste money going the other route when you want to get lockers or eventually trade it in for a rubi anyway.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Buy the rubicon. You already mentioned it as an option. Which means that it is what you really want. Don't settle. Get what you want from the start it. You are going to waste money going the other route when you want to get lockers or eventually trade it in for a rubi anyway.

Mentioning Rubicon means you really want it?

I'll probably have to trade mine because of this post.

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