Can we talk about the Oz delivered JL Rubicons?

[dimo]

I was booked into to have a test drive on a Rubicon for about two weeks time (potentially upgrading from my JK Sports). I already knew that we are not getting 33s, shame but not the end of the world. But the first pictures of the Rubis that have landed here have a 4H Auto gear which suggests that they have the Selec-Trac system, yet the website still claims we are getting Rock-Trac. Anyone knows what is going on there? Pictures also show CVs instead of U-joints, thought the upgraded Rubi axels came with U-joints? Are we getting some sort of franken-rubi?

[humdingerslammer]

My biggest concern re the JL is its safety rating - or lack of it. 1 star in today's world, Jeep or not, offroad or not, is abysmal.

A lack of side airbags to protect the head when being thrown around in an accident means that the point of contact for the head will be with unyielding A pillar, B pillar, door top edging and unyielding windows. The consequence is fractures to the side of the skull and/or base of skull, leading to catastrophic bleeding within the skull that will compress and kill the brain in a matter of minutes.

You might live, just might, but with an extremely high probability of life changing, severe permanent brain injury. The lives of loved ones will change forever, as well.

What was Jeep thinking? Add a lot of other arguably unnecessary bells and whistles to the JL but bugger the brain of the poor driver or other occupants. Silly me, of course this means being able to add $10000 to the price for the stupid people who buy a JL.

Oh, and what about the high risk of injuries to the lower legs and feet? Living with a broken ankle, I know the impact that this has on one's life. Perhaps I should not be surprised at the blasé attitude to this safety issue. Just par for the course for Jeep, I think.

And, have they fixed death wobble, which apparently doesn't exist. Well, it does. I can attest to many personal experiences in the JK, and some near death misses.

And of course, there are many Cherokees sitting in knackers' yards with the same auto gearbox (or variants thereof) that have spat the dummy at 100000km. And why does it cost an additional $5000 for an auto over a manual gearbox. This is >2X what is the norm and many r thrown in free with other car makers. Yep, ripped off again!! Will Jeep ever learn?

It is disappointing to note a continued cynical disregard for Jeep's Australian customers and what they rightly expect, as well as a belief that they should be ripped off when it comes to pricing. Jeep need to up the game. A Jeep workshop I have visited (and left pretty quickly) has a sign that says "Do it Right. First time. Every time." Perhaps this is a lesson yet to be learned....

I will keep my JK. I have learned to live with its peccadilloes. But I still will not drive with family members in it.

[Andres]

as much as I love Jeep, I am looking at a different vehicle...

Jeep came to OZ overpriced and not giving a F**k about the people that actually like jeeps. They have the worst reputation and close to non-existent customer service, however they think they can charge almost 20.000 more that any dual cab... they just don't get it.


I put my money on a little Jimny, not as capable, not as refined, not as big, but lots of fun. I have no loan and I totally love it. I know is not for everyone but it will go to places that no rubicon will, only because jeep won't sell too many of those and if they do, I don't think they will see dirt. lol.

Good bye jeep family it's been a pleasure but I won't see you at least in the next 4 years.

[SnakeDoctor]

Both Australia and Euro NCAP results are based on the diesel, i'm not a chassis engineer but I would have expected FCA to have designed primarily around the pentastar 3.6.

I'm waiting on the USA test results before I write it off completely.

[NTRubicon]

Having owned my Jeep for 6 years, I have enjoyed it immensely, but have also learned more about cars in this period of time through necessity than every before.

Without local dealer support I am unable to entertain the idea of getting a JL/JT in the future, as I am certain that I will require the assistance of a local dealer for some kind of warranty work that I cannot justify travelling >1500km for.

The lower star rating is a problem nationwide I believe, as it will negatively impact the number of vehicles sold in the country as I expect insurance premiums will be too high to justify the spend.

[TR Laredo]

After reading this article https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...scanner.17101/
it looks like the OBD2 port on the JL's may have some kind of firewall security feature.
It may be worth checking connectivity to your code reader/blue driver etc during a test drive

Cheers

[Nanook]

I've spent so much money on my JK that it's not worth buying a JL especially at the price they are asking. I'll keep mine for a few more years then buy a later model JK and changed everything over.

That will keep me busy for another 4-5 years and by that time there will be some modified JLs second hand on the market that will be sold at a decent price.