Is it Wrong……

[COJeeper]

Have you looked at a Bronco?

The Bronco is really nice! Much more comfortable than a Jeep Wrangler. The 2.0 gets better fuel economy though and dealers would do below invoice pricing for an order, Ford dealers wouldn't so I went with Jeep.

Sponsored

 

[USNavyLDO]

High Altitude owner here. I absolutely love mine, I’d probably love a Rubicon too, but this is a very livable Jeep. Only thing I didnt like was the 20s with street tires. Immediately switched to KO2s which helped but after a while I just couldn’t handle the wagon wheels. Just switched to some XR takeoffs. High Altitude already has taller fenders than a regular Sahara although not quite as tall as a Rubicon, and has the 3.73s soit fits and handles the XR 35s without a lift although I may bump it up just a bit to regain some articulation.

 

[Kyanche]

I have to admit, I like the high altitude's painted bumpers. I think it's hilarious how family SUVs like the Rav4 and Subaru Crosstrek have black plastic all over the place. Then you can get a Jeep with painted bumpers.

"Oh you'll damage that on the trail right away!"

SURE! And you'll damage the unpainted bumpers too. And they'll both look like ass if you scratch them up enough. At least the painted stuff won't bleach or get weird stains or whatever.

Anyway, just get whichever trim you like. I went with a Rubicon and don't regret it. The person who said the "sport" trim has the best resale is absolutely correct lol. A base model wrangler with few options is the best way to maximize resale. A base model Rubicon is like $8k cheaper than a fully loaded one as well.

Of course, I have a fully loaded rubicon. The hell with it. xD

 

[jessedacri]

Get the Rubicon. 20 inch wheels and street tires are really not desirable on a Jeep especially if you ever plan on going off road. If you really want them, you can get them dirt cheap on FB marketplace or on here as takeoffs. The color matched bumpers are just the cheap plastic bumper that can be had for $50 or less as a takeoff, get it painted for a couple hundred if you dig the color matched vibe. I've seen some sweet rigs that color match an aftermarket steel bumper to the Jeep also.

You're leaving like ~$5k in lockers, gears, t-case, and swaybar disco on the table by buying a High Altitude for the same price as a Rubicon. Get the flagship of the Wrangler, you will absolutely not regret it. A stock Rubicon is great on the road, and you can add and mix and match anything from the HA trim cheaply - you can't say the same if you decide you want any of the Rubicon hardware.

I get genuine excitement watching one of these do as they're designed to. I don't get much out of seeing a Wrangler drive by on street tires and 20s, IMO.

 

[USNavyLDO]

Of course a lot of this “leaving money on the table” discussion is only true if they are identically equipped other wise. There are several packages included by default in the HA that are add on for a Rubi. So if he’s adding all of that to the Rubi as well and still within $450 then yes I agree. Of course we’d have to see the build sheets to know if it’s apples to apples.

 

[jellis4148]

I agree. But Rubicons statistically do not have better resale value than other models. That myth has been debunked many times. In fact, the base sport is the one with the best resale value. Go figure.

They all have great resale value anyway, almost the same. Rubicon's resale value being the best is an old myth used by dealers as they're incentivize to sell more expensive trims.

Then they tell you "You should buy the extended warranty because as soon as you drive off the lot your vehicle depreciates 50%" lol. This is usually the line used by the "finance specialist" which truly is a salesman.

In the car business for 23 years and have never heard anyone say that. They will say that the vehicle they are buying has well over 15+ separate computers in it that can cost quite a bit of money to replace. They will also say if you're not putting 10-20% down you should buy GAP.


Also, the base Rubicon trim actually has the best resale value for the money. When looking at the auction a lot of appraisers don't know a Rubicon can have a $10,0000+ swing in MSRP and will a lot of time bid a base Rubicon like a loaded because of the auction reports.

 

[WasMFD]

DD its the HA. I couldn't be happier w/the performance of my Rubicon. However I go off road and overland. I have driven a buddy's HA and the ride is more smooth and the seats are WAY more comfortable to my old bones. Daily Driver its the HA for happy off pavement its a Rubicon ever day.
IMHO

 

[entropy]

In the car business for 23 years and have never heard anyone say that. They will say that the vehicle they are buying has well over 15+ separate computers in it that can cost quite a bit of money to replace. They will also say if you're not putting 10-20% down you should buy GAP.


Also, the base Rubicon trim actually has the best resale value for the money. When looking at the auction a lot of appraisers don't know a Rubicon can have a $10,0000+ swing in MSRP and will a lot of time bid a base Rubicon like a loaded because of the auction reports.

Yeah KBB says the very base sport, followed by the Rubicon, followed by sport s, then sahara. But who knows how accurate that data is. At the end of the day, they are all pretty darn close. I can see how the base Rubicon would have a very good resale value because it is a really good deal. I think this is exactly what happens with the base sport, it is so cheap to begin with and the sport S also has $10,000+ swing in MSRP so they bid higher.

Every car I've bought they've thrown that line at me, the 50% line. Maybe because I am so reluctant to buying any of the crap they try to push down my throat and I haggle so much. The one with the 15+ separate computers is a very common too nowadays. Before they used to say "mechanical devices break, it is just a matter of time" then I'd say "so you are telling me the vehicle I am buying is mechanically unreliable?" now they switched to the electronics going crazy and costing more to fix than a transmission. Hey I don't judge, people just trying to make a living and there is always a grain of truth on a salesman pitch.

 

[Shark01]

I continue to be very impressed by the passion the group has in the brand, very similar to another forum I frequent (Ford GT Forum).

While the choice is still up in the air (I received a discount quote from the recommended dealer closest to me, they are now only $280 apart) the usage is becoming clearer. I know I will be using it as a daily driver, while I don’t know how much if any off-roading I will do. And most likely be as a beginner on the bunny trail. So my capability needs would be less than most Rubicon owners.

So it may be more efficient for me to make small improvements to the High Altitude, such as buying a used set of wheels/tires. The next step might be a new gear set, but a few have said that the 3.73 gears can handle a mild change.

I’ll keep thinking about it, because I really want to see Reign in person before ordering. Purple is tough for me….when it’s right it is awesome, but too much of the time it has too much blue, and/or it’s too dark.

While waiting, I need to finalize an engine choice. I’m bothered by how hard a 2.0T would have to work moving around a 4,200 lb vehicle with a high Cd on a long term basis.

Have looked at a 4Xe but there are so many little issues, from do I qualify for the tax credit, can I install a level 2 charger outside (opinions differ), is the real world mileage really what it is supposed to be, finding chargers with the right connection around town or on the road, long term battery replacement, and others.

So now I’m down to the etorque and the diesel….a $2,000 difference. I haven’t owned a diesel, it has advantages on paper.

 

[KHR Racing]

Purchase the one that your wife Likes the best. 1) She is the one you have to sleep with. 2) If she likes it she’ll let you buy more parts for it.

 

[gregdavis11009]

There's no right answer. Get the one that gives you the biggest smile.

But you just gave the right answer, so you were wrong.

 

[40Caliber]

I wanted a willy's but I didnt want to wait to order. A red 2 door rubicon rolled off the truck and I bought it. Was it more money? Hell yea,,, buy once, cry once.

as I have gotten more into wheeling (heading to colorado/Moab right now) I read on what is needed on trails.

High clearance, 33s lockers for some moderate to tough trails... basically it's a stock rubicon. Others may need to build their Rubicon for more capability. I don't see me needing to . That being said, i have yet to use my lockers. I have enjoyed my sway bar a couple times.


if you just want a "pretty jeep" go sahara or altitude. They will also most likely hit 100% of your need anyway....

Sponsored