Sahara vs Rubicon HELP!

[ShaggyL]

Greetings all!
I could really use some insight from real jeep enthusiast here...
Long story short, I had a 2019 JL sport for a few months and looking to get another Jeep (No I don't want another Sport).
I have an option to buy a left over 2018 Sahara with 196 miles, fully loaded to the teeth, painted tops and fenders, LED, navigation, 8.4" screen, AND an extra soft top included.. Basically brand new for $37,000...plus tax and fees..obv.

Second option is a used 2018 Rubicon with 16,200 miles, also fully loaded, 8.4" display, painted roof and fenders, cold weather package, LED, steel bumpers, etc.. One owner, older gentleman that has an impressive history of cars. Daily driven, maintained through dealer.. heck, he never even opened the hood before I did when looking at it.
Can get him to $38,000...

Which is the better buy? They will both end up being the same price, except one is "new", while the other being a "Rubicon".
If you had a choice, would you get the used rubicon or the new Sahara?
Do the 16,000 miles justify not buying new?
Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks

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[Fonzilla85]

It’s all depends on what your needs are, both Jeep’s look awesome. Would you rather have a new or used Jeep?

 

[multicam]

The Sahara is a better deal. I’d go with that.

 

[ShaggyL]

It’s all depends on what your needs are, both Jeep’s look awesome. Would you rather have a new or used Jeep?

I was looking at the value for each. Id love a new Jeep, but I can't justify spending $52k+ on a rubicon. Seeing them priced the same, it really made the decision that much harder haha.

 

[jrohan07]

You are going to get a bunch "get the Rubicon" so I will say get the Rubicon.
I have a Rubicon, Sport S and JT Rubicon.
Had a few Sahara's JK's but best bang for the used buck would be the Rubicon.
Just made my sport all Rubicon Takeoffs and can hardly tell the difference except wheelin the Rubicon hard vs the Sport

 

[ads75]

If you plan on doing a lot of off roading, Rubicon. If you want something better in the snow, the Sahara would be better. But both can do either. If the soft top doesn't matter to you, it will just be a hassle to store, but you can always sell that also. The Sahara sounds like the better deal, but I might still lean towards the Rubicon because it looks a little better stock.

 

[TrailJoy]

I voted yes but only because your question was "Which is the better buy". Which is the better vehicle FOR YOU is a different question entierly.

If you need disconectable sway bars or lockers for rock crawling, or serious off-roading (etc) then buy the Rubicon. You simply won't be happy with a Sahara if you want to do anything serious.

If your vehicle is a daily driver and the only off-roading you do are backroads for exploring (nothing major), then the Sahara is the one you want.

 

[ShaggyL]

If you plan on doing a lot of off roading, Rubicon. If you want something better in the snow, the Sahara would be better. But both can do either. If the soft top doesn't matter to you, it will just be a hassle to store, but you can always sell that also. The Sahara sounds like the better deal, but I might still lean towards the Rubicon because it looks a little better stock.

The rubicon would mostly be for bragging rights, although Im definitely not opposed to off-roading it. I live on Long Island, NY so most of the offloading around here is done on the beaches. Anything else would be a two hour drive to PA.
I just always thought the Rubicon was the ultimate Jeep, but not sure on the reliability of it...
I heard somewhere that the Rubicon wears off worse on flat roads than a Sahara. Is that true?
Anyone daily drive theirs only on highways that want to chip in?
Thanks guys for the continued input!

 

[Cthehentz]

I voted Rubicon but after reading your last post I would get the brand new Sahara, it will better suit your needs.

 

[MendyOffroad]

I did not vote, because this isn't something to ask other people. Don't buy a the Jeep because it says Rubicon on the side, it means nothing if you're driving around on the highway and never take it offroad.

Do YOU need locking diff's and a sway bar disconnect? do YOU need beefier axles? Will you use it for what it's made for if you get the Rubicon? if so, get the rubicon.

Or is this going to be out and about on the road only and not see any offroad usage? - then it doesn't really matter anyway and get the one that has less miles on it.

There are some minor aesthetic changes from a sahara to rubicon, but just don't get a rubicon just becuase it says Rubicon on the hood and never take it offroad and on some rocks.

just my 2 cents

 

[ViperJon]

I was looking at the value for each. Id love a new Jeep, but I can't justify spending $52k+ on a rubicon. Seeing them priced the same, it really made the decision that much harder haha.

Nobody pays that much for a Rubicon unless you just fell off the turnip truck.

 

[ShaggyL]

I voted yes but only because your question was "Which is the better buy". Which is the better vehicle FOR YOU is a different question entierly.

If you need disconectable sway bars or lockers for rock crawling, or serious off-roading (etc) then buy the Rubicon. You simply won't be happy with a Sahara if you want to do anything serious.

If your vehicle is a daily driver and the only off-roading you do are backroads for exploring (nothing major), then the Sahara is the one you want.

Isn't it better to have and not need than need and not have? or something like that.
Again, they are both same price at the end of the day. Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't the rubicon a beefier Sahara and therefore can withstand more abuse?

 

[BrntWS6]

If you have a garage dual tops are great. Its nice to be able to take the top down quickly on nice days. But the hard top is awesome in the Chicago winters. I built my own electric hoist with storage platform for $250.00.

 

[OnlyOne]

If they’re both the same price, buy the Rubicon. Pretty easy decision.

 

[ShaggyL]

I did not vote, because this isn't something to ask other people. Don't buy a the Jeep because it says Rubicon on the side, it means nothing if you're driving around on the highway and never take it offroad.

Do YOU need locking diff's and a sway bar disconnect? do YOU need beefier axles? Will you use it for what it's made for if you get the Rubicon? if so, get the rubicon.

Or is this going to be out and about on the road only and not see any offroad usage? - then it doesn't really matter anyway and get the one that has less miles on it.

There are some minor aesthetic changes from a sahara to rubicon, but just don't get a rubicon just becuase it says Rubicon on the hood and never take it offroad and on some rocks.

just my 2 cents

My thought process going into this was if the cars are priced the same, then why opt for the Sahara rather than the "stronger" Rubicon? I don't not want buyers remorse after getting the Sahara and thinking crap, I should have gotten the rubicon instead...
At the end of the day, I think what I really should be asking is if 16,000 miles is a lot on a 1.5 year rubicon.
If they were both new and priced the same, then its a no brainer. The upgraded parts on a Rubi definitely outweigh getting a Sahara.

I should just flip a coin lol.

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