Couple of questions before I make a buying decision

[dcmdon]

First...what everyone said so far is all true...I love my Rub, I dont take it as offroad as I should ...I drive it a bunch...I camp a bunch...but dont get to use the bells and whistles that it comes with...at the end of the day I would/will get another

Second, as an avid cyclist (road competing un DU's and now gravel races)...I struggled with how to carry my rig(s). I have a bed rack for a RTT that can also hold bikes on the side like saddlebags and they lock. At the same time I use KUAT hitch rack...which I love but sitting on the tailgate changing shoes sucks with those...AND gas mileage is less using that one. (I am sure someone here can tell me why). Anyway...best car for this stuff

You can't buy the best car for a cyclist anymore. A BMW 5 series wagon. Bike rides inside, great handling and power, decent mileage, and a comfy place to sit to get ready.

My Gladiator is on order and I'm thinking of putting a topper on it. I figure that way I can just put the bike inside. For me its mainly about hauling bikes, skis, and a dog (in a crate)

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[Pedalmasher]

Fascinating, that's good to know in that I think it is my favorite trim as for looks, but all I have driven is an incredibly accessorized Sport S. The 911 is a '98, the first year they water cooled. I've owned over 40 cars and lots of performance bikes and cars. The only PU I have owned was I had one of the first Ford SVT Lightnings in the Orlando area. After putting a large air box and an incredible chip from Superchips, located locally it turned it into a 13.1 in the quarter performer.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

From what I understand after being on the forum for about 9 months, the Mojave is going to give you the best ride quality and in my opinion, the best looks too. I think it better suits your needs too vs the Rubicon since you most likely won’t be rock crawling.

Don’t go getting a Sport or Willys to save money (unless you want to). Plus after owning 40 cars in your lifetime, it doesn’t sound like you need to save the extra 10k or so. Good luck.

 

[Motoarch]

I agree with this. But for one problem. The Willys comes with mud tires that are terrible on the road. Very loud.

Does the Willys ride higher than the sport S?? Or is it just bigger tires.

For what its worth, I think the Willys wheels are the best looking ones jeep offers. Maybe the answer is to get a Willys and swap out the tires.

They are certainly not the most comfortable tires but I don't think they are loud. It's a bit subjective though and they aren't for everyone.

I have a soft top so my perception may be a bit different as it's already noiser to begin with.

I get people wanting some level of everyday comfort but really if you're buying a gladiator or wrangler you need to come into it with some realistic expectations.

 

[dcmdon]

They are certainly not the most comfortable tires but I don't think they are loud. It's a bit subjective though and they aren't for everyone.

I have a soft top so my perception may be a bit different as it's already noiser to begin with.

I get people wanting some level of everyday comfort but really if you're buying a gladiator or wrangler you need to come into it with some realistic expectations.

I agree that you have to have reasonable expectations. I am coming into a Gladiator from a car.

But even within the Gladiator world there is huge variation in terms of ride quality and noise. A soft top with mud tires is about as loud as it gets.

A hard top with either street tires (S, Overland) or AT tires (Rubicon, Mojave) is going to be a lot quieter.

Coming from a car I found the Willy's to be too loud for ME. I was fine with anything else on AT or street tires.

For what its worth, I think the 2 door Wrangler Willys S is an absolute steal for use around town and off road. With the short wheelbase it doesn't have to be very tall to get over things that will high-center even a lifted Gladiator. Kind of the elemental Jeep.

 

[Pedalmasher]

From what I understand after being on the forum for about 9 months, the Mojave is going to give you the best ride quality and in my opinion, the best looks too. I think it better suits your needs too vs the Rubicon since you most likely won’t be rock crawling.

Don’t go getting a Sport or Willys to save money (unless you want to). Plus after owning 40 cars in your lifetime, it doesn’t sound like you need to save the extra 10k or so. Good luck.

No, money is no object especially considering the candy store with free money the stock market has been this year. I just want one that looks great with the best possible ride.

 

[Pedalmasher]

I agree that you have to have reasonable expectations. I am coming into a Gladiator from a car.

But even within the Gladiator world there is huge variation in terms of ride quality and noise. A soft top with mud tires is about as loud as it gets.

A hard top with either street tires (S, Overland) or AT tires (Rubicon, Mojave) is going to be a lot quieter.

Coming from a car I found the Willy's to be too loud for ME. I was fine with anything else on AT or street tires.

For what its worth, I think the 2 door Wrangler Willys S is an absolute steal for use around town and off road. With the short wheelbase it doesn't have to be very tall to get over things that will high-center even a lifted Gladiator. Kind of the elemental Jeep.

Thanks for the input!

 

[dcmdon]

Fascinating, that's good to know in that I think it is my favorite trim as for looks, but all I have driven is an incredibly accessorized Sport S. The 911 is a '98, the first year they water cooled. I've owned over 40 cars and lots of performance bikes and cars. The only PU I have owned was I had one of the first Ford SVT Lightnings in the Orlando area. After putting a large air box and an incredible chip from Superchips, located locally it turned it into a 13.1 in the quarter performer.

Its damn near impossible to find a Mojave or Rubicon to test drive. I live just outside of Boston and when I was still looking I did a cars.com search on dealers that had them coming in.

When I called the dealers, none would let me test drive because the trucks were sold before they arrived.

Eventually I found a dealer with an unsold Rubicon and Mojave and test drove those. I'm glad I did because it helped me make a decision.

 

[Killroy Was Here]

I have, I love the looks of both and see that the Mojave is considered superior according to videos I have viewed.

If you are primarily going to use it as a daily driver, & are wanting excellent highway manners (for a Gladiator), you can't go wrong with the Mojave.

Mine handles great on the interstate, and sucks up pot holes like they aren,t there.
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

Here is a link to a good video that helped my decision process before ordering my Mojave.


Otherwise, find some dealers around that have each different trim package, & do some test drive comparisons to see what suits you the best.

Hope some of this is a help.
Dave

 

[Pedalmasher]

Its damn near impossible to find a Mojave or Rubicon to test drive. I live just outside of Boston and when I was still looking I did a cars.com search on dealers that had them coming in.

When I called the dealers, none would let me test drive because the trucks were sold before they arrived.

Eventually I found a dealer with an unsold Rubicon and Mojave and test drove those. I'm glad I did because it helped me make a decision.

So have you compared the Rubicon with the Sport S, etc? They do have a fully loaded Rubicon

If you are primarily going to use it as a daily driver, & are wanting excellent highway manners (for a Gladiator), you can't go wrong with the Mojave.

Mine handles great on the interstate, and sucks up pot holes like they aren,t there.
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

Here is a link to a good video that helped my decision process before ordering my Mojave.


Otherwise, find some dealers around that have each different trim package, & do some test drive comparisons to see what suits you the best.

Hope some of this is a help.
Dave

Thanks so much Dave, very helpful!

 

[Dryfly24]

My Rubicon wearing Yokohama Geo’s steers perfectly on and off pavement. Certainly at highway speeds. Leaugues better than the Toyota Tacoma I drove before it, which handled like an oxcart with the 33” Cooper STT Pro tires I put on it.

Drive the specific truck you are looking to buy before you buy it and make sure the tires are inflated properly. There’s no reason why it should handle badly despite what you’ve read here or elsewhere.

 

[Pedalmasher]

My Rubicon wearing Yokohama Geo’s steers perfectly on and off pavement. Certainly at highway speeds. Leaugues better than the Toyota Tacoma I drove before it, which handled like an oxcart with the 33” Cooper STT Pro tires I put on it.

Drive the specific truck you are looking to buy before you buy it and make sure the tires are inflated properly. There’s no reason why it should handle badly despite what you’ve read here or elsewhere.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Mac]

IMO I would say the biggest impact to perceived ride quality is tires and shocks, both are easily changed at reasonable costs. The Mojave shocks are neat but unless you are truly doing high speed driving over rough terrain off road a remote reservoir shock is cool visually but of no real value. Can only do so much with springs the differences between models is minor.

 

[Pedalmasher]

IMO I would say the biggest impact to perceived ride quality is tires and shocks, both are easily changed at reasonable costs. The Mojave shocks are neat but unless you are truly doing high speed driving over rough terrain off road a remote reservoir shock is cool visually but of no real value. Can only do so much with springs the differences between models is minor.

Thanks Mac!

 

[Motoarch]

No, money is no object especially considering the candy store with free money the stock market has been this year. I just want one that looks great with the best possible ride.

If money isn't an issue get the Mojave. I love the Willys for the value but think the Mojave is the best looking by far and will be more well appointed with no options than a fully optioned out Willys. It'll be more comfortable too.

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