Sahara w upgrades vs Rubicon

[Schmeegz]

I am going to purchase one of the aforementioned models and could use some input on which is better/more cost efficient.

I will be wanting 35’s and actually prefer the look when they are “stuffed”
(Rubi can handle them stock supposedly)

I will not be doing very much off-roading as this will be my everyday vehicle. Possibly an occasional muddin or easy trail but nothin like true crawling. Call me a mall crawler if you will lol

I like the look of the powerdome hood

I don’t need the bigger axles or electronic disconnect sway bar. Or any of the extreme off-roading capabilities the Rubi provides. At least anything more than the standard 4wd can’t handle.

Looking to get the blue but want to deck it out in black accents so the silver Sahara accents might not go as well.

Thoughts? And thanks

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[Billy]

Rubi

 

[word302]

Actually sounds like sport or sport s would suit you best.

 

[bilash31]

I will not be doing very much off-roading
I don’t need the bigger axles or electronic disconnect sway bar. Or any of the extreme off-roading capabilities the Rubi provides. At least anything more than the standard 4wd can’t handle.

Just simply writing this seems to me you have your answer already.
Powerdome hood can be added. Hiline fenders can be thrown on-although you say you like the stuffed look so probably don't need these.
Then if you're getting a JLU you will have the new selec-trac option.
Honestly I think you have your answer already.

 

[Schmeegz]

Just simply writing this seems to me you have your answer already.
Powerdome hood can be added. Hiline fenders can be thrown on-although you say you like the stuffed look so probably don't need these.
Then if you're getting a JLU you will have the new selec-trac option.
Honestly I think you have your answer already.

Well I would need the hi-line fenders to fit the 35’s without a lift kit.

I guess would it make more sense to buy the Rubi, since it doesn’t really need anything other than tires, or the Sahara and buy all the upgrades. (Ie. hood, fenders, wheels, stronger spare holder,)

I will be getting leather interior and prefer the body colored fenders

 

[Stuweeks]

I’m in the same situation. Just waiting to see final pricing to build out both exactly how I want it and see the price difference.

I currently have a JKU sport that I ordered. With all the things I want done to it, I should’ve purchased a Rubi in the first place.

 

[Billy]

Well I would need the hi-line fenders to fit the 35’s without a lift kit.

I guess would it make more sense to buy the Rubi, since it doesn’t really need anything other than tires, or the Sahara and buy all the upgrades. (Ie. hood, fenders, wheels, stronger spare holder,)

I will be getting leather interior and prefer the body colored fenders

The Rubi gets slightly longer axles, so your desire to "stuff" the wheel wells is better with a Rubi.

Having said that, you could simply add wheel spacers...

 

[ThirtyOne]

One thing about the JK line is they did a lot of special editions to deal with specific needs like yours.

While you can build exactly what you want and nothing that you don't, a lot of times when you do that you find that the Rubi is the best deal. You get some things you may not use but you also get better resale value than a built Jeep.

 

[bilash31]

would it make more sense to buy the Rubi, since it doesn’t really need anything other than tires, or the Sahara and buy all the upgrades

That simply should come down to your price point. And the difference between these two options. Based on your proposed use, you just don't need a rubi. If you want one for certain included items, go for it. It's your purchase.
Full disclosure here, I am a bit old school, and buy sports and build them up how I want and wheel mildly hard. My opinion is Rubis are way overkill for most people who buy them, whether or not they know it or want to believe it.

 

[Schmeegz]

You are all correct! Yes! The Rubi is overkill, especially for how I will use it. But the “creature comforts” that come standard in the Sahara also come in the Rubicon.

Thanks all for your opinions and feedback! Keep ‘em coming !

As far as the one mention of getting a sport I was very dissapointed to see so many options that aren’t even available for the sport models. So that basically rules them out for me.

There will be many thing mostly small and cosmetic to add afterwards but the bigger upgrades I plan on ordering w my new JLU.

I want the 8.4 techy package
Body colored top and fenders
Leather interior
Etc.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

I would suggest building both and looking at the price difference. Then get a quote from the dealership on the power dome hood and highline fenders installed and add it the Sahara price. Then you will get your true cost comparison.

I did this when buying my JKU and they were only about $3K apart, but the Rubicon's have better resale value so its even less of a different once you factor that in.

 

[YFD_322]

I compare this question to things I have purchased in my life. I've always found things cheaper on eBay or elsewhere and every time I purchased those cheaper things it always cost me more in the long run, what part was missing, what extra thing I needed so I would say go for the Rubicon. By the time you factor in all the parts you have to purchase, installation, shipping, taxes and the chances of your car getting scratched buy a mechanic or worse just go for the factory-installed options.

 

[Billy]

My mantra is "buy the best and cry once".

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

For the daily driver the Sahara SelecTrac makes a lot of sense since, muddin’ will be the extent of the efforts/challenges put toward the 4x4 system for your use-case.

You can upgrade the little things, and perhaps if an SE were to break ground, then a Sahara with Rubi touches like the HoodVents would be an option.

Since you have Wrangler experience in your garage, then you know the ride and what to expect, you know the requirements of PT 4WD, so the Rubicon is an easy, buy-all-in-one-at-once option, that most importantly you can get right now; but for most of the Sahara benefits it requires waiting until sometime next year, so that’s a consideration.

However if you are at all compelled to wait for the Sahara, and especially the power-top you previously mentioned, then it’s worth seeing what the Spring offers in way of additional models (Willys, Winter, etc).

 

[YFD_322]

I do like the Sahara interior better. The only think I do not like about the Rubi is the high line fenders, sorry it just don't look right to me.

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