KenPewPew
Well-Known Member
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I finally received my 2021 Granite Crystal Metallic 2dr Rubicon about 5 days ago and has been putting on line about 150 miles so far!! I traded in my one and half years old 2019 Granite Crystal Metallic 2 Dr Sport S (both custom built) when I picked up the new ride.
Most of you know that I was unfortunate to have the clicking problem on my rear differentials. It is not a big deal (at least I don't think so but it is driving me crazy). I took it back to get it fixed but it always come back 3 months after. And then I joined this forum which is like the most awesome forum EVER but the discussion here are SO HARD CORE that I keep on learning all the things that I need to learn about Jeep Wrangler. Over a period of a month and half of reading the discussions here, I am like feeling really INADEQUATE - its like how could all the people know what to get and why I did not get these features on my Jeep. It was an eye opener with yearning for all the spiffy Jeepy part that others have.
And my Jeep was clicking - which is driving me crazy and I could not upgrade my Jeep with all the spiffy toys that the others have here - so what a man to do? Might as well as bite the bullet and just get a new Jeep and this time - I will be doing it RIGHT!!! Yeah!
So here is my spanking new 2021 Rubicon 2dr - which looks almost identical to my old 2019 Sport S - hopefully this time without the clicking sound.
This are the configurations:
My thoughts on the new Jeep compared to my trade in 2019 Jeep. I don't know if this is because I am driving Rubicon - I know that Rubicon are different in a few ways but here are my thoughts:
Pros:
Cons:
I am sure that there are more - but overall I am very happy with my Rubicon.
Here is a shoutout to Alex Musumeci at Suresky Jeep in Goshen, NY for being the most amazing sales person ever. I did a research on getting it from other long distance dealership that was recommended by many people here, but I had the best experience with Alex. Cost Benefit - it is almost like zero sum game if you have to travel a lot to Maryland and Virginia to get your jeep just for a few percent discount - but Alex is able to give you the best price around the tri-state area. And this guy is super diligent, straight to the point, no BS and he is very direct with me. Some stupid dealership offer me 22K for my one year and half Jeep, even the popular dealership from the forum here offers an estimate of $25K - but Alex checked my VIN and he said that based on my VIN they can do 27.5K. And that is what I got when I trade in my ride. Very serious young guy who knows what he is doing. I ordered the Jeep on July 1st and it was delivered to the dealership on 9/12 which I went to pick it up a week later. Everything, price, specs are the same as what was quoted initially. I was also surprised that they only asked for $500 deposit to start the buying/building process. Their finance department are very helpful and down to earth - I told them what I want and they respect it and don't do further pushing. I think Alex and his team know that people that bought thru the internet are educated consumer and we know the best price. While the other dealership charged you a high documentation fees or requires you to finance to get higher percentage off the invoice price (say 7%) - I got straight 4% below invoice with no clause, the documentation fee in NY is capped at $75 and there is a plate fees (which all dealership would charge) is a direct transfer from the company that they work with. Best experience ever! They were helpful in showing me the features of the Jeep and then gave me a $25 Quickchek gift card where I can top up my Jeep with some gas (or buy lunch) from the nearby QuickChek store. I was beyond delighted. I highly recommend that you check Alex out if you are close to the tri-state area. Everything was done via emails and phone call - and our initial meeting was the day when I pick up my Jeep!
I am going to dress up my new Rubicon with the same decals from my old Jeep. It is going to be my V.2 Jurassic Park/World Jeep!!
And to all the AMAZING, wonderful fellow Jeepers here! I can NEVER EVER thank you enough for being here for me. I asked a lot of questions - some of them are super silly - and you guys provide all the information that I needed! And you do it with so much care and love. Thank you thank you thank you so much. I love you guys (and gals) and truly appreciate you. Words cannot define how thankful I am for you.
Most of you know that I was unfortunate to have the clicking problem on my rear differentials. It is not a big deal (at least I don't think so but it is driving me crazy). I took it back to get it fixed but it always come back 3 months after. And then I joined this forum which is like the most awesome forum EVER but the discussion here are SO HARD CORE that I keep on learning all the things that I need to learn about Jeep Wrangler. Over a period of a month and half of reading the discussions here, I am like feeling really INADEQUATE - its like how could all the people know what to get and why I did not get these features on my Jeep. It was an eye opener with yearning for all the spiffy Jeepy part that others have.
And my Jeep was clicking - which is driving me crazy and I could not upgrade my Jeep with all the spiffy toys that the others have here - so what a man to do? Might as well as bite the bullet and just get a new Jeep and this time - I will be doing it RIGHT!!! Yeah!
So here is my spanking new 2021 Rubicon 2dr - which looks almost identical to my old 2019 Sport S - hopefully this time without the clicking sound.
This are the configurations:
My thoughts on the new Jeep compared to my trade in 2019 Jeep. I don't know if this is because I am driving Rubicon - I know that Rubicon are different in a few ways but here are my thoughts:
Pros:
- When I first climb on it - I was quite surprised to "feel" how much higher it is.
- Test drive - Rubicon have a tighter control when it comes to maneuvering - I tested it on country road and then on the highway. It has a smoother ride.
- The 8.4 Premium Audio Group - screen wise is way more sharper (higher resolution?) than the then technology group with 7" screen.
- There are way more customized apps and features for the 8.4 screen. One of the thing that I really like is the mirror imaging feature - I tested it quickly and will get into detail when I get a chance because I am running on an Android OS and I am really interested in the integration between my phone and my ride.
- The backup camera is way clearer and sharper!!! It is such a big difference between the one on the 7" screen.
- The ride is smoother and less bumpy!
- In my opinion, The LED light is a must have!! It makes a whole lot difference in driving at night as the light are whiter (can I say that?) and that makes the road clearer.
- It accelerates really well - but I did not enjoy the whirring sound that comes from the acceleration (more on that below)
- The Alpine Sound System is WAAAAAY louder than my old Jeep - I mean like WAY LOUDER and clearer. I was quite surprised at how loud it was - with my old Jeep I like to listen at the volume of 22 (yes I know it is loud) but I get the same loudness at volume of 14 with the new Jeep. And the sound quality is definitely clearer!
- ESS on 2.0 Turbo engine is way quiet than the regular 3.6.
Cons:
- I did not do my homework on the 2.0L Turbo Engine and sometimes during acceleration especially on the higher speed - there is this whirring sound that is really annoying!! I thought that my Jeep was faulty (oh no - not again!!) upon driving home but after reading the posting about Turbo engine, I guess it is something that I have to deal with. I have acute hearing - and sometimes when I am not turning any music on or when I am driving with the windows open, the whirring sound from the turbo engine still bugs me.
- I hate ESS (as many of you know - I raged on it) but for some reason the ESS is not as pronounced on the new Jeep. It is not as loud nor it is as pronounced when it is stopping and starting. Quite smooth in matter a fact. But I always turn it off because I get real sensitive when ESS kicks in!
- Rock Rail vs Step Rail - I still could not decide. I know that being a 2 Dr it is harder for my dogs to climb to the back without the Step Rail, and getting into the Jeep requires a bit more effort especially that I am a big guy and my knee touches the steering wheel (even when I set the wheel higher)
I am sure that there are more - but overall I am very happy with my Rubicon.
Here is a shoutout to Alex Musumeci at Suresky Jeep in Goshen, NY for being the most amazing sales person ever. I did a research on getting it from other long distance dealership that was recommended by many people here, but I had the best experience with Alex. Cost Benefit - it is almost like zero sum game if you have to travel a lot to Maryland and Virginia to get your jeep just for a few percent discount - but Alex is able to give you the best price around the tri-state area. And this guy is super diligent, straight to the point, no BS and he is very direct with me. Some stupid dealership offer me 22K for my one year and half Jeep, even the popular dealership from the forum here offers an estimate of $25K - but Alex checked my VIN and he said that based on my VIN they can do 27.5K. And that is what I got when I trade in my ride. Very serious young guy who knows what he is doing. I ordered the Jeep on July 1st and it was delivered to the dealership on 9/12 which I went to pick it up a week later. Everything, price, specs are the same as what was quoted initially. I was also surprised that they only asked for $500 deposit to start the buying/building process. Their finance department are very helpful and down to earth - I told them what I want and they respect it and don't do further pushing. I think Alex and his team know that people that bought thru the internet are educated consumer and we know the best price. While the other dealership charged you a high documentation fees or requires you to finance to get higher percentage off the invoice price (say 7%) - I got straight 4% below invoice with no clause, the documentation fee in NY is capped at $75 and there is a plate fees (which all dealership would charge) is a direct transfer from the company that they work with. Best experience ever! They were helpful in showing me the features of the Jeep and then gave me a $25 Quickchek gift card where I can top up my Jeep with some gas (or buy lunch) from the nearby QuickChek store. I was beyond delighted. I highly recommend that you check Alex out if you are close to the tri-state area. Everything was done via emails and phone call - and our initial meeting was the day when I pick up my Jeep!
I am going to dress up my new Rubicon with the same decals from my old Jeep. It is going to be my V.2 Jurassic Park/World Jeep!!
And to all the AMAZING, wonderful fellow Jeepers here! I can NEVER EVER thank you enough for being here for me. I asked a lot of questions - some of them are super silly - and you guys provide all the information that I needed! And you do it with so much care and love. Thank you thank you thank you so much. I love you guys (and gals) and truly appreciate you. Words cannot define how thankful I am for you.
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