Moving down to a Sport

[Some Random Guy]

I’m thinking of trying to swap my 4-dr Rubicon to a 2-door JL Sport (not S). My Jeep is generally not a daily driver. I will have a car during good weather, and carpool with my wife during bad weather or during winter. That being said, anytime I need to go my own way outside 40+ and dry, I’ll be driving the Jeep. For anyone that’s moved down to the stripped down version from any higher trim or a more luxurious vehicle, did anything bother you? I’m a bit excited for a simpler vehicle. At first I thought the manual locks/windows would bother me, but in a 2 door I’m thinking they won’t. It will get built up quickly to 60’s or 70’s with at least 39’s.
Only option I’m definitely getting is A/C (and thus upgraded radio). HD electrical would be cool, but there’s one locally without it.
I’ve gathered unless it comes with factory half doors, the wiring is not present to add power locks/windows later if I realize I made a mistake. If anyone knows different I’d appreciate the correction. No car payment might be worth the risk though. Katzkin seats might get added.
Anything else I should consider when pondering this?

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[GATORB8]

I’ve done the opposite. Kept an old truck and got a sports car toy. In that case, I drove the toy every chance I got.

Been a while since I had manual everything, locks were easy to add with a cheap kit. Didn’t use buttons, just linked acuators so when I unlocked the driver it unlocked the passenger, that makes it easier to let someone in, and will really be what you miss. May be a little frustrating when you drop top and have to lean over to roll the passenger window down.
Other than tow/aux, I don’t see anything else I’d change if you are doing axles.

 

[Zandcwhite]

A sport with ac added is less than $2k cheaper than a sport s. Rather than buying off the lot, order from one of the many dealers at 5-6% below invoice and I’m willing to bet you could get a sport s with tow package/ upgraded electrical for less than an in stock sport with AC. Yes you’ll have to wait a few months, but then you’ll get exactly what you want and won’t have to worry if manual locks and windows are going to bother you in day to day use.

 

[GATORB8]

A sport with ac added is less than $2k cheaper than a sport s. Rather than buying off the lot, order from one of the many dealers at 5-6% below invoice and I’m willing to bet you could get a sport s with tow package/ upgraded electrical for less than an in stock sport with AC. Yes you’ll have to wait a few months, but then you’ll get exactly what you want and won’t have to worry if manual locks and windows are going to bother you in day to day use.

That just makes the sport even cheaper , mo money for axles!

 

[Dan M.]

I actually wish I had roll up/down windows so when I put the doors back on I can still work the windows without hooking up the wiring.

 

[Some Random Guy]

A sport with ac added is less than $2k cheaper than a sport s. Rather than buying off the lot, order from one of the many dealers at 5-6% below invoice and I’m willing to bet you could get a sport s with tow package/ upgraded electrical for less than an in stock sport with AC. Yes you’ll have to wait a few months, but then you’ll get exactly what you want and won’t have to worry if manual locks and windows are going to bother you in day to day use.

You are not wrong, and I am considering just cashing out the Rubicon and ordering a Sport S. I’ll also be weak and order more options if I go Sport S. I guess it comes down to instant gratification, lol.
I also think my trade-in value dropped quite a bit since Jan and a Sport S may have to wait 6 months to stay out of loan territory. And who knows what happens in 6 months. As @GATORB8 said, that also eats into axle upgrade timeline.
Just noodling through it, and as always appreciate different perspectives from the members.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Also, I’m waiting on production for my Mustang. If I ordered a custom Jeep knowing my luck they’d both arrive the same week!

 

[GATORB8]

You are not wrong, and I am considering just cashing out the Rubicon and ordering a Sport S. I’ll also be weak and order more options if I go Sport S. I guess it comes down to instant gratification, lol.
I also think my trade-in value dropped quite a bit since Jan and a Sport S may have to wait 6 months to stay out of loan territory. And who knows what happens in 6 months. As @GATORB8 said, that also eats into axle upgrade timeline.
Just noodling through it, and as always appreciate different perspectives from the members.

Man, if I didn’t need a nice truck for work, I’d be doing some crazier things.
Probably would be a lease on a Camaro LT1, and a cash rock bouncer.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Man, if I didn’t need a nice truck for work, I’d be doing some crazier things.
Probably would be a lease on a Camaro LT1, and a cash rock bouncer.

Yeah, if I can get lucky and eliminate my Jeep payment it will probably be a CT5-V in a year or two. At that point the lease vehicle is for guests and days I want to flirt with getting arrested by Highway Patrol.
I love the way the Camaro drives, but found the S550 Mustang so much more beautiful inside and out.

 

[SteadyC]

I bought a 2 door Sport (non S), and have little regrets. I work from home, drive the jeep 1 day a week, maybe 2 some weeks. I did PRP seat covers, they are excellent. not bothered by the roll up windows. The plan was always to get half doors when available, so didn’t want to pay for electric stuff. Not sure if half doors will ever be available, not a fan of tube doors or cloth doors, but I’m still hopeful . The door locks aren’t that big of a deal either, I have long arms and can just reach over and unlock.

with the rear door tho, sometimes I wish I had the electric locks, locking all 3 doors at the same time. I have to manually check and manually lock/unlock the rear door, this is the biggest downside for me.

i love heated seats, but only miss these when wheelin on cold mornings. During the winter, I don’t drive to work, so no issues.

mine had the optional AC, so that was great. About the only other thing I wish I had is the bigger alternator. I’ve added lights, winch, air compressor, others, so kinda wish i had the bigger alternator. I don’t have the trailer package, but did add a hitch that will probably only be used for recovery. If you’re not going to add lots of electrical stuff, then ignore this one.

the aux button package might be nice too, but I like the switch pros and the other 3rd party switches better.

also, the halogen headlights, they are pretty bad. I swapped them out for LEDs. But in hindsight, no lights on my jeep melt snow that builds up on them. Maybe I should have left the halogens, and then just used the other lights as supplement. But, main headlights are used more than all others, so I dunno, maybe upgrading was right.

anyway, these are my main three issues, locking rear door, headlights, and alternator.

im not bothered by the small radio, I like the buttons and knobs much better anyway. But lots of people like fancy radios.

 

[Some Random Guy]

I bought a 2 door Sport (non S), and have little regrets. I work from home, drive the jeep 1 day a week, maybe 2 some weeks. I did PRP seat covers, they are excellent. not bothered by the roll up windows. The plan was always to get half doors when available, so didn’t want to pay for electric stuff. Not sure if half doors will ever be available, not a fan of tube doors or cloth doors, but I’m still hopeful . The door locks aren’t that big of a deal either, I have long arms and can just reach over and unlock.

with the rear door tho, sometimes I wish I had the electric locks, locking all 3 doors at the same time. I have to manually check and manually lock/unlock the rear door, this is the biggest downside for me.

i love heated seats, but only miss these when wheelin on cold mornings. During the winter, I don’t drive to work, so no issues.

mine had the optional AC, so that was great. About the only other thing I wish I had is the bigger alternator. I’ve added lights, winch, air compressor, others, so kinda wish i had the bigger alternator. I don’t have the trailer package, but did add a hitch that will probably only be used for recovery. If you’re not going to add lots of electrical stuff, then ignore this one.

the aux button package might be nice too, but I like the switch pros and the other 3rd party switches better.

also, the halogen headlights, they are pretty bad. I swapped them out for LEDs. But in hindsight, no lights on my jeep melt snow that builds up on them. Maybe I should have left the halogens, and then just used the other lights as supplement. But, main headlights are used more than all others, so I dunno, maybe upgrading was right.

anyway, these are my main three issues, locking rear door, headlights, and alternator.

im not bothered by the small radio, I like the buttons and knobs much better anyway. But lots of people like fancy radios.

Thanks for the awesome feedback! Exactly the type of opinion I was hoping for. I’ll be doing hydrosteer, so I suspect I can swap in an upgraded alternator at the same time. I’m pretty comfortable with wiring, so the HD electrical is feeling more like a want than a need. I already have a tazer, so that gives me flexibility on the lights. Honestly, I am starting to wish I didn’t have LED’s. I can’t find the right time/place to re-aim my LED’s and I’m fairly confident I’m blinding other drivers with my 38.5’s and 3.5” lift. Non-LED’s would be less harsh on them.
Thanks again. If the financials work out I’ll feel good about the trade with this type of feedback!

 

[@DesertRubi]

I went from a 2021 JLU Rubicon to a 2021 JLU Willys. I enjoy the Willys more because you don't see them as much around as every Rubicon on the road, and we optioned the Willys with the SOT roof which is really nice. I used the lockers 2x in the year I had the Rubicon, and one of those times was just making sure they worked. The electronic sway bar was nice, but it really annoyed me when it would re-engage itself when I wanted it to still be disconnected. I put a small lift on the Willys and have made it more my own vs what a "Rubicon" is supposed to look like. I only do mild-medium trails a few times per month, and the Willys does all that and more just fine. The major deciding factors for us were we wanted to SOT top, and the market netted us $3k more than we bought it for.

 

[Hennessey17]

For the past 15/20 years, I've been driving the "loaded" versions of a Honda Accord, Lexus ES300, and VW Tiguan. My Wrangler is a Sport... only options were automatic, LSD, hardtop w/tint.

I've been driving since '92 and every car but one had had power windows & locks.

The only thing I miss is Navigation. Of course I bought it in December,so we'll see how much I like the windows in Summer.

 

[Some Random Guy]

I went from a 2021 JLU Rubicon to a 2021 JLU Willys. I enjoy the Willys more because you don't see them as much around as every Rubicon on the road, and we optioned the Willys with the SOT roof which is really nice. I used the lockers 2x in the year I had the Rubicon, and one of those times was just making sure they worked. The electronic sway bar was nice, but it really annoyed me when it would re-engage itself when I wanted it to still be disconnected. I put a small lift on the Willys and have made it more my own vs what a "Rubicon" is supposed to look like. I only do mild-medium trails a few times per month, and the Willys does all that and more just fine. The major deciding factors for us were we wanted to SOT top, and the market netted us $3k more than we bought it for.

Thanks. I’m looking at going air locker. I do offroad a lot.

For the past 15/20 years, I've been driving the "loaded" versions of a Honda Accord, Lexus ES300, and VW Tiguan. My Wrangler is a Sport... only options were automatic, LSD, hardtop w/tint.

I've been driving since '92 and every car but one had had power windows & locks.

The only thing I miss is Navigation. Of course I bought it in December,so we'll see how much I like the windows in Summer.

Great to hear! I use Apple Carplay for navigation, which comes with the A/C anyway!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Lets see. Last Jeep was a JK sport with only AC, 3.73s, limited slip and a hardtop. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the clear glass all the way around. Rolling down windows was easy, what I didn’t like is where the crank clocked with the window up, it hit my knee. A base radio isn’t really base these days. Steel wheels look good with meatier tires on them.

My current Willys is a Sport S based unit. It was power windows, locks and mirrors, which I could easily do without, easily. I like the factory tinted hardtop better than window film. Mine is a 2020 and has the base 5” radio. Easy to go aftermarket if you want more sound. Works for me with the top on, sucks with it off. I really, really like the LED headlights and would want any future Jeep to have them. But, I live in a semi rural area infested with deer and drive often at night. I have base tail lights, and fenders. My hardtop is matte black. I do not have any safety features, not even reverse sensors. Had to warn my wife about that.

So, I could and would do a base Sport if they were still in the mid $20s. But the price difference between a Sport S or a Willys just makes them attractive to get for about $3k more than when a base Sport is optioned with just a Hardtop, auto, limited slip and AC. Take auto out of the equation and it’s still nearly $35k. You can literally option a Sport out higher than a Sport S. And you can option a Sport S into Rubicon territory. Jeep optioning requires a lot of research into what package contains what options. Too bad you can’t pick them all a la cart. Go play with the build and price and see how sometimes a higher trim level can be cheaper than a lower one. Crazy.

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