First Post & a Question About the Sahara Configurator

[rcadden]

First, thank you very much for suggesting the High Altitude, for some reason I never looked closely at it. For what I want, the price slots right between a Sahara and Rubicon and has some cool stuff inside. My only initial misgiving is the lack of exterior colors.

My personal thought on the now very common 2.0L T that most automakers have, is that for my 240 hp Ford Escape that weighs 3,500 lbs it is a great fit. For moving around a 4,200 lb Wrangler with the CD of a house, I'm not sure about the longevity...plus they must have raised the boost to get 270 hp.

Haven't ruled it out, just trying to think my way through it.

To be clear, I'm recommending the *Sahara Altitude*, not the *High Altitude*. The Sahara Altitude is just a trimmed-up version of the Sahara. It includes blacked out badging, different wheels, a body-color hard top (I actually didn't want this particular "upgrade", but was able to trade it out with a local Jeeper for the black one), and the hardtop headliner, among other stuff.

With as many trims as Jeep has on the Wrangler, unless you're going to take a trim as-is with no options, it's usually a good idea to go ahead and build out the next-up trim with the same options - in many cases, it's equal or cheaper to just get the next trim, if that makes any sense.

The default on the forums seems to be just go with a Rubicon, but for many of us, that's way overkill - if you don't need it, there's no shame going with the Sahara, and a Sahara with the LSD can hold its own on many, many trails without issue.

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[QwikKotaTx]

Thank you, after reading about it I did join up, and after 8-10 calls, did find a dealer willing to take it. I need to start calling out of town dealers also.....but I do have a trade to sell also.

Don't waste any more time. Ask for Renae at Mark Dodge. It's only a 2 hour drive and the savings is worth it.

 

[jessedacri]

To be clear, I'm recommending the *Sahara Altitude*, not the *High Altitude*. The Sahara Altitude is just a trimmed-up version of the Sahara. It includes blacked out badging, different wheels, a body-color hard top (I actually didn't want this particular "upgrade", but was able to trade it out with a local Jeeper for the black one), and the hardtop headliner, among other stuff.

With as many trims as Jeep has on the Wrangler, unless you're going to take a trim as-is with no options, it's usually a good idea to go ahead and build out the next-up trim with the same options - in many cases, it's equal or cheaper to just get the next trim, if that makes any sense.

The default on the forums seems to be just go with a Rubicon, but for many of us, that's way overkill - if you don't need it, there's no shame going with the Sahara, and a Sahara with the LSD can hold its own on many, many trails without issue.

I second the Altitude over High Altitude - High Altitude comes with 20" wheels and highway tires which IMO are a disservice to what a Jeep is supposed to be, whether you off road it or not. Rubicon is the way to go if you have the funds with its better gearing and rugged looks alone (not to mention the off road hardware) but Saharas are not a bad option at all and are plenty capable off road, moreso than just about anything else on the market. I'd just change the wheels/tires to Rubicon takeoffs for about a grand on Facebook Marketplace. ATs and MTs are what belong on Wranglers.

And the 3.6 vs 2.0 debate is as strong as ever - I couldn't personally stand the blender/Nissan Sentra type sound the 2.0 made coupled with the fact that it runs on the hotter side and the loud-ass JL cooling fan is constantly ramping up and down. Drove me crazy even on post-cooling fan update versions. The 3.6 sounds assertive and sporty, crackles on manual upshifts and is a satisfying drive albeit not the fastest thing on the road. It may be a couple of horsepower down vs the 2.0 and it's subtly noticeable, but I just couldn't personally deal with the 2.0's overall offering. I would highly suggest test driving both, some people do love the 2.0.

 

[rcadden]

I second the Altitude over High Altitude - High Altitude comes with 20" wheels and highway tires which IMO are a disservice to what a Jeep is supposed to be, whether you off road it or not. Rubicon is the way to go if you have the funds with its better gearing and rugged looks alone (not to mention the off road hardware) but Saharas are not a bad option at all and are plenty capable off road, moreso than just about anything else on the market. I'd just change the wheels/tires to Rubicon takeoffs for about a grand on Facebook Marketplace. ATs and MTs are what belong on Wranglers.

100%. I bought Rubicon takeoffs for my Sahara and it's absolutely perfect for my needs.

 

[Shark01]

I second the Altitude over High Altitude - High Altitude comes with 20" wheels and highway tires which IMO are a disservice to what a Jeep is supposed to be, whether you off road it or not. Rubicon is the way to go if you have the funds with its better gearing and rugged looks alone (not to mention the off road hardware) but Saharas are not a bad option at all and are plenty capable off road, moreso than just about anything else on the market. I'd just change the wheels/tires to Rubicon takeoffs for about a grand on Facebook Marketplace. ATs and MTs are what belong on Wranglers.

And the 3.6 vs 2.0 debate is as strong as ever - I couldn't personally stand the blender/Nissan Sentra type sound the 2.0 made coupled with the fact that it runs on the hotter side and the loud-ass JL cooling fan is constantly ramping up and down. Drove me crazy even on post-cooling fan update versions. The 3.6 sounds assertive and sporty, crackles on manual upshifts and is a satisfying drive albeit not the fastest thing on the road. It may be a couple of horsepower down vs the 2.0 and it's subtly noticeable, but I just couldn't personally deal with the 2.0's overall offering. I would highly suggest test driving both, some people do love the 2.0.

There is no Sahara Altitude in the 2023 configurator, just High Altitude

 

[jessedacri]

There is no Sahara Altitude in the 2023 configurator, just High Altitude

Ah, strange. They never cease to confuse with the sheer number of trims and how often they make certain ones available / unavailable. I'd say High Altitude is a good choice if you plan on swapping the wheels and tires for Rubicon takeoffs. If I remember right, High Altitude was getting heavier duty thicker walled JT axles for some reason as well, which is always a plus. Heck, you may like the 20s on there - they're not bad looking, but to me it's like putting vanilla frosting on a burger.

 

[EXPFDR]

Has to be a glitch in the system. I just tried building the Saraha, I could get all engines except the diesel. Used both my mac and smartphone to build them.

 

[rcadden]

There is no Sahara Altitude in the 2023 configurator, just High Altitude

That's interesting - don't remember seeing anything about discontinuing the Sahara Altitude, but hot damn, you're right.

Sport Altitude is missing, as well.

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