Jeep Wrangler / Rubicon or Sport?

[JGB]

Hi guys!

First time posting but a hopeful Jeep owner. The wife and I have been wanting for a bit and finally decided we'd take the plunge. After doing lots of research and talking to friends who own Jeeps -- I thought I'd just ask point-blank to the lot who probably know best.

I know I want a Wrangler. And I've been looking at the Sport and the Rubicon but don't know how 'worth' the extra mile is for the Rubicon. And then, is the Petrol Rubicon any good? When put against a Diesel Sport?

And the stronger axles on the Rubicon -- Worth it? I'll mostly be on the beach with it so I don't see the worth in the stronger axles in that respect.

Is there anything else that I'm missing? Should I go the Rubi? And if so, how is the new Petrol? Bit more torque / grunt than the older ones? (Drove a friends Petrol way back in the day and remember it being a bit so-so).

Too many variables for me and I'm just not sure.

Any help to push me one way or another would be greatly appreciated!

As said, we'll mainly be using it on the beach and on the road.

Ideas? :-}

[Bryan]

I had the same dilemma. In the end I opted for a sport because I felt the Rubicon's low range is too low and I need momentum on the soft sand. I don't do any trails but spend a lot of my spare time driving on beaches to get to fishing spots. I'm looking at disconnecting that ESC thing like some others on here have done as it does affect momentum.

The original idea was to install front and rear ARB lockers but from the research I've done, there is no clear indication if lockers help or not. But I will be fitting lockers later on as I intend to get rid of my motorhome and get a Vista Crossover to tow and see some of the places my motorhome can't get to.

[rjvines]

I've got a Rubi and i love it off road.
While Im pretty new to wheeling I go out every few weeks with some mates. So far the rubi has been unstoppable, leaving bits broken off patrols and straining HiLux's in its wake.
I extra bits on the rubi that make a difference for me are the crawler transfer case and the rear diff lock- these 2 things make situations that challenge the other cars in our group a breeze for the Jeep.
Those 2 items are not necessarily going to be of much use on sand so in your circumstances id be looking at the Sport.
diesel or petrol...dunno...i originally ordered the diesel but have no regrets switching. In fact if a diesel rubi was available I think i would still go with the petrol- the 2.8 seems neither efficient or reliable.
Best of all worlds would be the engine and gearbox from the Grand- 3.0L TD with 8 speed auto, high efficiency and heaps or torque.
Id love to think that will end up on the MY16.

[nicholas2230]

Originally Posted by JGB

Hi guys!

First time posting but a hopeful Jeep owner. The wife and I have been wanting for a bit and finally decided we'd take the plunge. After doing lots of research and talking to friends who own Jeeps -- I thought I'd just ask point-blank to the lot who probably know best.

I know I want a Wrangler. And I've been looking at the Sport and the Rubicon but don't know how 'worth' the extra mile is for the Rubicon. And then, is the Petrol Rubicon any good? When put against a Diesel Sport?

And the stronger axles on the Rubicon -- Worth it? I'll mostly be on the beach with it so I don't see the worth in the stronger axles in that respect.

Is there anything else that I'm missing? Should I go the Rubi? And if so, how is the new Petrol? Bit more torque / grunt than the older ones? (Drove a friends Petrol way back in the day and remember it being a bit so-so).

Too many variables for me and I'm just not sure.

Any help to push me one way or another would be greatly appreciated!

As said, we'll mainly be using it on the beach and on the road.

Ideas? :-}

The sport is a more than capable vehicle for what you are looking at doing, I had the sport in the 3.6L petrol and it absolute killed the beach and sand work.

The rubicon is a great vehicle is you are need things like electric sway bar disconnects thicker axles and lower low range for crawling.

You will not regret buying a Diesel Sport it will have Shitloads of torque, I sold my 2012 JKU petrol and got into a MY14 Grand Cherokee CRD and I absolutely love it. I honestly found the Petrol pretty thirsty and was getting approximately 14L/100km.

[AroGantz]

I bought my Sport for the same reason you are buying it but I now go bush more than on the beach, I never had any plans to do this but once I got the Wrangler it was a natural progression to go offroad and keep looking for new spots to go to. For this reason I wish I waited for a Rubi since it is now going to cost a lot more time and money for me to get the Sport to the same standard but if you are sure you are only going to be on the beach save the cash.

[JGB]

Fantastic, guys. Thank-you so much!

Just called and have the paperwork underway for a Wrangler Sport in a Manual Petrol -- I can't wait to get it. Exciting!

I'm sure I'll be picking everyone's brains soon as it arrives as to what to add to the thing to make it look / drive even better :-}

Thankyou!

[warnabrother]

go the auto.. seriously..