Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

[Autos_Editor]

Jeep builds all-star anniversary model and proves the Jeep legacy is far from over.

Read More...

[sailor723]

Too bad Jeep didn't make a version for those of us that don't really care about off road but want to be able to take the doors and roof off and bomb around looking like we do. 

[Thinking Out Loud]

Too bad Jeep didn't make a version for those of us that don't really care about off road but want to be able to take the doors and roof off and bomb around looking like we do. 

In the US, the Unlimited comes as either 2 or 4 wheel drive...not sure how much improvement you would see in fuel economy savings though.

[sailor723]

Too bad Jeep didn't make a version for those of us that don't really care about off road but want to be able to take the doors and roof off and bomb around looking like we do. 

In the US, the Unlimited comes as either 2 or 4 wheel drive...not sure how much improvement you would see in fuel economy savings though.

I was thinking more about exchanging some off road capability in return for better on road manners/performance/handling/ride quality etc etc but keeping the same body style. I'd still want AWD for winter driving

[OliverD]

In the US, the Unlimited comes as either 2 or 4 wheel drive...

Not anymore.

[JacobBlack]

I was thinking more about exchanging some off road capability in return for better on road manners/performance/handling/ride quality etc etc but keeping the same body style. I'd still want AWD for winter driving

Bah! Soft!
Half the fun of my old Series 2 Land Rover was the horrible, horrible road manners. No top, no doors, no comfort = bulk fun.

[Northernridge]

Fifty grand for a Wrangler? Yikes, that doesn't work for me. I bought a new 4x4 Pickup, a side-by-side ATV and a trailer for less money. I have dramatically better on-road and off-road capability...and utility...for less money.

[paul246]

Fifty grand for a Wrangler? Yikes, that doesn't work for me. I bought a new 4x4 Pickup, a side-by-side ATV and a trailer for less money. I have dramatically better on-road and off-road capability...and utility...for less money.

You have a good point there.

Problem is, in the winter the typical 4x4 pickup can't even cross the street in Moose Jaw without getting stuck in the ruts... I'm not exaggerating all the much either. Have seen it happen several times last winter. The Rubicon comes with the requisite selectable lockers in each axle to solve that little problem... and a whole lot more.

[sailor723]

Fifty grand for a Wrangler? Yikes, that doesn't work for me. I bought a new 4x4 Pickup, a side-by-side ATV and a trailer for less money. I have dramatically better on-road and off-road capability...and utility...for less money.

What's even more amazing is that when you look at the Jeep site Wranglers start at under 20K. Talk about the Germans having pricey options! 

[Apok]

I always get a kick out of the Rubicon's I see absolutely spotless.

Why? Why not just buy a Sahara? Or a Sport for that matter?


$50k is alot, but what else out there has these sorts of options at this price point? At any price point? LandCruisers? G-Wagens?

If I wanted a very capable off-roader with minimal fuss, this would have to be at the top of the list.


As an aside, the local Jeep dealer has a Rubicon converted into a pickup with the Mopar kit. I havn't seen the price tag but the rumors I heard were in the $60k range.

[Fobroader]

The Rubicon is the ultimate out of the box offroader, nothing on the market will touch it, take the top off, take the doors off and go to Ruby Falls. Saying that, if I wanted a JK for offroading, id buy a miled out Unlimited with the old 3.8 minivan motor and start with that. For between $10-12K you can buy a platform, rip out that horrid 3.8, NSG3700 tranny and the weak Dana 30/Dann 44 hybrid axles and build the Jeep right. For $50-60 I can build you a more capable, comfortable, reliable, more powerful and bad ass rig. From the factory though, the Rubicon will take on all comers.

[tooscoops]

don't forget that this is not only the specific "rubicon" package that only like 5% of people want... but a 10th anniversary so even more goodies on it for the sake of being "special"... so that price is reflective... (not to mention a jeep like this on any lot right now would be sold for 6k+ off), so 42 sounds a lot better!

this is the first time i have EVER heard someone say that a rubicon had better road manners than the sahara... when you were given one to drive before, did it have 200,000kms on it, mudders and a lift kit or something?! the whole point is that the sahara rides better on the road... just the noise from the tires is enough to usually make my customers looking for a daily driver turn towards the sahara from the rubi. for something in between the two, every year there is a special edition that is a frankentruck of the two... last year it was the moab edition...

anywho, as always, this jeep is as advertised... out of the box ready...

and for those who don't get it, i guess it's a jeep thing.

[Fobroader]

This has fancy AEV bumpers, cool but nothing special, the hood, the AEV heat reduction hood is awesome, reduces underhood heat and makes installation of an AEV snorkel a snap  Plus the wheels look awesome but they would be replaced by beadlocks anyways on my rig.

[tooscoops]

hate that water pools on the hood though... have to clean it constantly!

[PJ]

Too bad Jeep didn't make a version for those of us that don't really care about off road but want to be able to take the doors and roof off and bomb around looking like we do. 

In the US, the Unlimited comes as either 2 or 4 wheel drive...not sure how much improvement you would see in fuel economy savings though.

I was thinking more about exchanging some off road capability in return for better on road manners/performance/handling/ride quality etc etc but keeping the same body style. I'd still want AWD for winter driving

I can only imagine the amount of static Jeep would get if they built a Barbie Jeep. 

[sailor723]

Too bad Jeep didn't make a version for those of us that don't really care about off road but want to be able to take the doors and roof off and bomb around looking like we do. 

In the US, the Unlimited comes as either 2 or 4 wheel drive...not sure how much improvement you would see in fuel economy savings though.

I was thinking more about exchanging some off road capability in return for better on road manners/performance/handling/ride quality etc etc but keeping the same body style. I'd still want AWD for winter driving

I can only imagine the amount of static Jeep would get if they built a Barbie Jeep.

 I was thinking of another, additional model in the Wrangler lineup. ...not softening what they build now.

[tooscoops]

can't water down the brand... bad enough that the occasional 2wd wrangler finds it's way across our borders... if you want the look of the jeep, they are going to make you pay for it!  whether with the ride, capability or whatever.

if you just want it to say jeep but ride a bit softer... get a patriot, compass, cherokee, grand cherokee, liberty or commander... lots of choice. plus, the wrangler ride is SOOOOOO much better now than generations past.. plus they are better on gas, better power, more passenger space, more cargo ability, more compliant ride, more available options and prices have actually gone down... so anyone wanting to make it even softer shouldn't be looking at it in the first place.

[sailor723]

can't water down the brand... bad enough that the occasional 2wd wrangler finds it's way across our borders... if you want the look of the jeep, they are going to make you pay for it!  whether with the ride, capability or whatever.

if you just want it to say jeep but ride a bit softer... get a patriot, compass, cherokee, grand cherokee, liberty or commander... lots of choice. plus, the wrangler ride is SOOOOOO much better now than generations past.. plus they are better on gas, better power, more passenger space, more cargo ability, more compliant ride, more available options and prices have actually gone down... so anyone wanting to make it even softer shouldn't be looking at it in the first place.

I'd just like the Wrangler's top off, doors off capability/look in a CUV to cruise around in. Don't really care if it says "Jeep".

[Fobroader]

can't water down the brand... bad enough that the occasional 2wd wrangler finds it's way across our borders... if you want the look of the jeep, they are going to make you pay for it!  whether with the ride, capability or whatever.

if you just want it to say jeep but ride a bit softer... get a patriot, compass, cherokee, grand cherokee, liberty or commander... lots of choice. plus, the wrangler ride is SOOOOOO much better now than generations past.. plus they are better on gas, better power, more passenger space, more cargo ability, more compliant ride, more available options and prices have actually gone down... so anyone wanting to make it even softer shouldn't be looking at it in the first place.

I'd just like the Wrangler's top off, doors off capability/look in a CUV to cruise around in. Don't really care if it says "Jeep".

So what's wrong with the wrangler?? Its decently reliable, the resale is good, huge aftermarket.....don't know what else you want. It will do 130km/h down the highway safely.....

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[sailor723]

can't water down the brand... bad enough that the occasional 2wd wrangler finds it's way across our borders... if you want the look of the jeep, they are going to make you pay for it!  whether with the ride, capability or whatever.

if you just want it to say jeep but ride a bit softer... get a patriot, compass, cherokee, grand cherokee, liberty or commander... lots of choice. plus, the wrangler ride is SOOOOOO much better now than generations past.. plus they are better on gas, better power, more passenger space, more cargo ability, more compliant ride, more available options and prices have actually gone down... so anyone wanting to make it even softer shouldn't be looking at it in the first place.

I'd just like the Wrangler's top off, doors off capability/look in a CUV to cruise around in. Don't really care if it says "Jeep".

So what's wrong with the wrangler?? Its decently reliable, the resale is good, huge aftermarket.....don't know what else you want. It will do 130km/h down the highway safely.....

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Well, maybe I should go drive one. From this review it sounds like a pretty uncomfortable ride anywhere but offroad.