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2024/25 Sport vs Rubicon - the delta is shifting

Brewster

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I owned several JLs since 2018 (and many JKs and TJs before that) and like everyone else I often waver between buying a sport and building it up or just buying a rubicon. I know I am going to lift it anyway.. and replace wheels and tires... and probably regear to 4.88s or 5.13s..... and so on. But in the past the price difference often came down to 6 or 7 grand, so it made sense to buy the rubicon. The stock take off parts often bridges the gap most of the way.

The base price of an unlimited Sport and a Rubicon is not almost 15 grand! I couldn't believe it. Starting price on an unlimited Sport is $36,595 and the Rubicon starts at $51,295. Im just sort of baffled by the difference now.

But what I have also noticed is that the Rubicon comes with a lot more than it once did, which partly explains the big jump in price. Having an extra 15k to throw into a sport buys you nice axles that are already regeared with a locker of your choice, suspension, wheels, tires, etc. But the fact that Rubicons now come with proximity locks, LED lights, Tow Package (none of which came standard a couple of years ago) when you add everything up, I think it probably still makes sense to buy the rubicon.
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Zandcwhite

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I'm not sure you'll pull off a full build including axles for $15k put you'd come close. The other issue going that route is trade-in/resale/insurance value (unless you pay for an extra rider for aftermarket parts) is still based off your base sport. You'd have $50k plus into each one and one will be worth $20k in a few years and the other will be worth $40k.
 

rohdawg

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Just buy the Rubicon. If your wife doesn’t like it there’s plenty of room inside to stretch out and sleep in it.
 

autotragic

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I owned several JLs since 2018 (and many JKs and TJs before that) and like everyone else I often waver between buying a sport and building it up or just buying a rubicon. I know I am going to lift it anyway.. and replace wheels and tires... and probably regear to 4.88s or 5.13s..... and so on. But in the past the price difference often came down to 6 or 7 grand, so it made sense to buy the rubicon. The stock take off parts often bridges the gap most of the way.

The base price of an unlimited Sport and a Rubicon is not almost 15 grand! I couldn't believe it. Starting price on an unlimited Sport is $36,595 and the Rubicon starts at $51,295. Im just sort of baffled by the difference now.

But what I have also noticed is that the Rubicon comes with a lot more than it once did, which partly explains the big jump in price. Having an extra 15k to throw into a sport buys you nice axles that are already regeared with a locker of your choice, suspension, wheels, tires, etc. But the fact that Rubicons now come with proximity locks, LED lights, Tow Package (none of which came standard a couple of years ago) when you add everything up, I think it probably still makes sense to buy the rubicon.

I wavered over this exact thing, I have wanted a Rubicon ever since they first announced them over 20 years ago but life and money always found a way to get in the way.

Started with ordering a 2024 Sport in May 23 from local dealer at MSRP (arrived Nov. 24)
Ordered a 2024 Willys in June 2023 from Koons (arrived late Jan. 24 after I had bought Rubicon)
Bought a 2021 Rubicon with 12,439 miles on the clock first week of January 2024.

All of them came out to within just $2,200 of each other out the door. The Sport at MSRP, Willys from Koons at significant discount and the lightly used Rubicons depreciation.

It just made sense to get the Rubicon as it was what I had really wanted from the start. Before the Rubicon I would have been perfectly fine with a Sport.
 
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Brewster

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I also feel with the Sport, you end up with 50k into a vehicle that still doesn't have power windows, power locks, automatic headlights, etc. Those things didn't matter to me once before a time, but I've grown accustomed to them at this point. And if Im spending 50k either way, I think I would want those things...
 

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rohdawg

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The Last Cowboy

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Willys is the choice if you don't want to go full Rubicon. Wide D44/M210/M220 axles. High flares, XR pkg available. No 4.1 transfer, no electronic sway bar disconnect, locker in the rear only. 33s with 4.10 gears at it's base spec.
 

darnett

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I had the same dilemma but ended up walking into a used Sport with power windows, leather seats, LED, headliner etc for a great price, never taken off road and low miles. Since then I installed 392 axles, MC lift, Method 701's and BFG 35's. Since I have done all the work myself I am still under a Rubicon. Also note I pull this behind my motorhome, I plan on keeping if for a long time, I love working on it and it's not a daily driver.

All that being said, buy a Rubicon, wheel the heck out of it and go from there.

cheers
 
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Fatboy97

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A big plus is ordering a rubicon is you can get 4:56 gearing from factory.
 

autotragic

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I also feel with the Sport, you end up with 50k into a vehicle that still doesn't have power windows, power locks, automatic headlights, etc. Those things didn't matter to me once before a time, but I've grown accustomed to them at this point. And if Im spending 50k either way, I think I would want those things...
The only reason a Sport cost 50k is because it has those things...base Sports don't cost 50k. Also base Sports get power windows and locks now.

A big plus is ordering a rubicon is you can get 4:56 gearing from factory.
4.10 is standard with 4.88 optional if you get a manual transmission. 4.56 is with the 35 inch tire package (previously XR package) which is also available on the Willys. 4.56 gears aren't standard for any trim.
 

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hoch

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I was in the exact same dilemma. Sport or Rubicon. I knew I wanted a stick (non-negotiable).
What sold me was the 4:1 xfer case. Wonderful with the stick shift. I’ve had other offroad manuals, but other than a twin stick Toyota, this thing is absolutely beautiful on the trails.
The only thing I do not like about the Rubicon is the silly hood and gaudy red dash. I like the plain, old school look of the Sport.
 

autotragic

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I was in the exact same dilemma. Sport or Rubicon. I knew I wanted a stick (non-negotiable).
What sold me was the 4:1 xfer case. Wonderful with the stick shift. I’ve had other offroad manuals, but other than a twin stick Toyota, this thing is absolutely beautiful on the trails.
The only thing I do not like about the Rubicon is the silly hood and gaudy red dash. I like the plain, old school look of the Sport.
I like my red dash but I do think the hood is silly, there is just no reason for a Rubicon to have a special hood. It adds cost for no reason at all.
 
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Brewster

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The only reason a Sport cost 50k is because it has those things...base Sports don't cost 50k. Also base Sports get power windows and locks now.



4.10 is standard with 4.88 optional if you get a manual transmission. 4.56 is with the 35 inch tire package (previously XR package) which is also available on the Willys. 4.56 gears aren't standard for any trim.
The Sport does not cost $50k. If you read my first post, I was referring to buying a sport and using the 14k difference to build the jeep, so you would ultimately have 50k into it, but still have the crank windows, etc.
 

Terrymo

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I like my red dash but I do think the hood is silly, there is just no reason for a Rubicon to have a special hood. It adds cost for no reason at all.
Bro…fake hood vents and Rubicon decals for the win! I took the decals off day 1 and looked for a while to swap out to a regular hood and plain grey dash. I guess I got lazy and got over it.
 

KimFN24

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I also feel with the Sport, you end up with 50k into a vehicle that still doesn't have power windows, power locks, automatic headlights, etc. Those things didn't matter to me once before a time, but I've grown accustomed to them at this point. And if Im spending 50k either way, I think I would want those things...
Yes and for me it's the heated steering wheel and heated power seats with 4 way power lumbar for the driver in the new Rubicon, and if you opt for the Rubicon X you get the steel bumpers and winch. It's a no brainer for me, all I need is the $$$$$! lol.
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