Sport S over Sahara?

[meshtinfreedom]

I’m preparing to purchase a new Wrangler sometime in the near future.

I won’t be off-roading, so on paper the Sahara makes most sense. However, there are two things I don’t like about the Sahara:

1) it only comes with a bodymatched painted hard top, not the black freedom top. I much prefer the look of the black hard top (and no, I don’t want a soft-top nor do I want a black body).

2) you can’t get a new Sahara with a manual transmission. I know a lot of people don’t love the JL manual, but I much prefer rowing my own gears.

So this leads me to the Sport S, which I would get pretty well equipped, including the Mopar Katzkin leather seats, side steps, safety group, etc.

My sense is a loaded-up Sport S is pretty much the same as a Sahara, but am I missing anything? Am I making a mistake?

Thanks!

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[Ratbert]

2) you can’t get a new Sahara with a manual transmission. I know a lot of people don’t love the JL manual, but I much prefer rowing my own gears.

There's a big chunk of us here that absolutely love driving manuals. Just make damn sure you test drive one back to back with an automatic before opening your wallet.

I stupidly didn't. Don't be me.

 

[whitechocolate]

I’m preparing to purchase a new Wrangler sometime in the near future.

I won’t be off-roading, so on paper the Sahara makes most sense. However, there are two things I don’t like about the Sahara:

1) it only comes with a bodymatched painted hard top, not the black freedom top. I much prefer the look of the black hard top (and no, I don’t want a soft-top nor do I want a black body).

2) you can’t get a new Sahara with a manual transmission. I know a lot of people don’t love the JL manual, but I much prefer rowing my own gears.

So this leads me to the Sport S, which I would get pretty well equipped, including the Mopar Katzkin leather seats, side steps, safety group, etc.

My sense is a loaded-up Sport S is pretty much the same as a Sahara, but am I missing anything? Am I making a mistake?

Thanks!

There are so so many issues with the manual and the ZF8 is a sweet transmission. The Sahara has heavy duty monotube gas shocks instead of the twin tube on the sports, you will have to opt into other packages as well if you want the upgraded driver bezel, dual heating etc

 

[Pape]

Do your build side by side and get the one that fit your need and is less money.
I echo other poster, Test drive both, manual/ automatic before buying

Trim level are just that, trim level.
Btw Sahara can do as much or more off-road than the sports. The reason peoples prefer sports for off road is the entry price for a platform they tend to hack

 

[GinaC]

Time for my regular PSA: make sure you don't want remote start, because you can no longer get that with a manual.

And don't discount the Willys, even if you won't be offroading. It's a fine middle of the road trim, and you can add many comfort options like I did.

 

[BXFXJeep]

Why not a Willys instead of the Sport S, I've always wanted a Willys, but in Canada they are configured weird, so I always went with the Sahara.

Might buy a used Willys from the US if my 4xe croaks.

 

[Stetson]

If you just want a street jeep (totally cool) then a Sahara or a sport S would be totally fine. I had a ‘19 Sahara I towed with my RV for a long time and other than winter snow it did basically zero ‘off roaring’. I would pop the doors off in the summer and it was a very good jeep.

I sold it last summer and I got a Willy’s because I wanted to get into a little more off roading, which I have. Probably not anything the Sahara couldn’t handle, but also just wanted something different.

For what you want to do, there is no wrong answer. Just pick the one with the features you like and be happy

 

[Ratbert]

You're probably already aware, but check the spreadsheet in my sig if you're planning on ordering one or want some leverage if buying off the lot.

 

[Kracka]

Absolutely go for the Willys over a Sport or Sahara. Seems to be the perfect middle ground between trims with the recent additions.

 

[meshtinfreedom]

If I have no intention of off-roading, why would I get a Willys?

 

[Heimkehr]

If I have no intention of off-roading, why would I get a Willys?

By that standard, a Wrangler, with all of its compromises, won't be the best use of your purchase dollars.

This is a Jeep enthusiast forum. That's going to color the advice that you've solicited. The Willys is a good value for what the buyer gets with it.

 

[iklo]

There are so so many issues with the manual

Do tell more. I am yet to notice a single one.

 

[GinaC]

If I have no intention of off-roading, why would I get a Willys?

Tow package and snow capability, in my case. I don't go offroading either. (Yet. I'm hoping to get down to Bantam this summer.)

 

[Ratbert]

Tow package and snow capability

Those are reasons to get a Willys over a Sport S or Sahara???

 

[BXFXJeep]

If I have no intention of off-roading, why would I get a Willys?

There is off-roading, and then there is off-roading.

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