[sceia]

Hi all...this is my first post and I'm excited to get started. I've been doing a ton of reading on here and thanks for all the helpful info!!

I'm looking at getting a 2012... There's a dealership in Dallas that does some pretty nice mods and sells them. I'm intrigued at the Kevlar paint they do...anyone see it or have any experiences?

Secondly...I'm trying to figure out which is better....get a rubicon and then have to wait a good while and then mod... Or get a sport and mod from start. I'll likely be doing some mid trail stuff, nothing crazy. I'm looking at a 3-4" lift with 35s... I'm wondering if the stock d30 would suffice or is all the rubicon stuff really needed?

Scott.

 

[SoK66]

Many opinions on this. Either way, chose mods and parts wisely and you'll have a great rig. My opinion only based upon building a Rubi, if I had to do it again and build to the level I now have mine I'd start with a Sport instead. The reasoning is that much of what I paid for in the Rubi package has been replaced (wheels & tires, suspension, skids, rails). I haven't run precise side by side numbers, but I think I could have built a stouter rig for the same money, using the Rubi option cash for an Atlas II, specialist front axle, ARBs. Something you should compare before you buy.

 

[peanut]

Hi all...this is my first post and I'm excited to get started. I've been doing a ton of reading on here and thanks for all the helpful info!!

I'm looking at getting a 2012... There's a dealership in Dallas that does some pretty nice mods and sells them. I'm intrigued at the Kevlar paint they do...anyone see it or have any experiences?

Secondly...I'm trying to figure out which is better....get a rubicon and then have to wait a good while and then mod... Or get a sport and mod from start. I'll likely be doing some mid trail stuff, nothing crazy. I'm looking at a 3-4" lift with 35s... I'm wondering if the stock d30 would suffice or is all the rubicon stuff really needed?

Scott.

What state do you live in? The other thing is your saying mild trail stuff if that is the case you will probably not dedicate enough time to build up a sport. The Rubicon is very capable out of the box and will be a great jeep to start with and handle 35's with no problem. Lift it slap on the tires and get a winch.
Get a sport and you will spend a lot of time and money to get to the same point.
Good luck with your choice.

 

[venom]

I'm looking at getting a 2012... There's a dealership in Dallas that does some pretty nice mods and sells them.

big thing from what you said is that you will 99.99999% likely get raped if you buy it pre-modded by the dealer.

advantage is you can finance your mods and will probably have less of a warranty fight since you bought it new from them that way


My take on the rubi/vs non argument is this:

with a rubi, you get a very capable rig out of the box with less stuff that you "have" to add.
As you mod it, you just make it even better.

main perks - front and rear lockers, 44 axle in the front, 4:1 t-case, 4.10 gears, electronic sway bar disco (even though they can be prone to failure if you get it wet, its still a nice feature), rock rails.

 

[sceia]

What state do you live in? The other thing is your saying mild trail stuff if that is the case you will probably not dedicate enough time to build up a sport. The Rubicon is very capable out of the box and will be a great jeep to start with and handle 35's with no problem. Lift it slap on the tires and get a winch.
Get a sport and you will spend a lot of time and money to get to the same point.
Good luck with your choice.

I'm in Lafayette, La.... We have some nice trails around and a bunch of mud holes. I was thinking of a stock Rubicon...msrp with the options I want puts me at 41ish. The dallas dealership is quoting out a sport with bumpers, lift, wheels and tires, kevlar paint, lights, winch, and custom leather interior for around 42. I'm going to lift it either way I go...sport or rubicon. Also going to change the bumpers and side skids. It just seems like I'm spending way more for the rubicon only to replace everything except the swaybar disconnect, stronger axle, and a better crawling gear...

Scott.

 

[Goodysgotacuda]

Do not buy a pre modified new Jeep. They charge about 300% markup n the actual value of the parts, more if you would ave DIY'd those mods.

The rubicon v. Sport debate has been done a million times. A lift is cheap. Lockers and axles are not. A transfer case is not cheap either. Also consider most people start off way more reluctant to "wheel it" than they end up[\b]. Meaning the initial rubicon leaves you ahead of the game. Somehow the 4drs you are looking at are $20,000 more than I paid for my new Rubicon in 09. So I can't quite say what id do if I was talking those kinds of numbers.

 

[sceia]

Do not buy a pre modified new Jeep. They charge about 300% markup n the actual value of the parts, more if you would ave DIY'd those mods.

I'm waiting on a response to my trade inquiry. Once he sorts out giving me what I want (he's pretty close)... I'll start picking the jeep deal apart. I like a few things they do...thinking of maybe sticking with getting them to do the kevlar paint and matching fender flares on a rubicon and doing the rest on my own. We'll see how the deal looks when numbers start coming across.

Also, leather in the jeep...is the only option that saddle brown package?...that's all I'm seeing around here...

 

[Thisguyhasadd42]

i was in the same boat i opted for the rubicon do to the fact that it is very capable out of the box like stated above also my skill level for modifications is limited do to the fact i am new to the sport, i am slowly adding things to the rubicon building it in phases my first phase i got full RROR skids, PSC BFH bumpers front and rear and a warn 9.5cti winch i wheeled it for the first time last weekend and was very impressed with no lift and tires i am happy i got the skids. But it is up to you in the end and how you wanna tackle this thing good luck make sure you post up some pics of what you get

 

[levellinebrad]

need to talk to jdemoto on this board. He is a jeep dealer and heard that he has made some nice deals

 

[peanut]

I'm waiting on a response to my trade inquiry. Once he sorts out giving me what I want (he's pretty close)... I'll start picking the jeep deal apart. I like a few things they do...thinking of maybe sticking with getting them to do the kevlar paint and matching fender flares on a rubicon and doing the rest on my own. We'll see how the deal looks when numbers start coming across.

Also, leather in the jeep...is the only option that saddle brown package?...that's all I'm seeing around here...

You can get black also. Matching fenders is a $100 option not sure what the deal is with Kevlar paint...

P.S no way I would ever pay 42 K for a sport

 

[sceia]

You can get black also. Matching fenders is a $100 option not sure what the deal is with Kevlar paint...

P.S no way I would ever pay 42 K for a sport

It's not just a sport...lol... It's got the bumpers, whinch, lift, tires skids, fenders, lights..... I'm (right now) thinking of getting them to get a rubicon....put the fenders I want on and kevlar paint it. Then when it gets done order what I want and put on it... Here's the list I come up with:

XRC grill guard
10,000 lb. XRC winch and Kevlar Rope(2) 3/4" Shackle Anchors
HID Lighting Package
Special Off/Road Heavy Duty Locking Lug Nuts with Key
Expedition One Trail Series Rear Bumper with Smooth Motion Tire Carrier
Rock Krawler 3.5 X FACTOR MID ARM SYSTEM
RRD Racing Shocks
Wheels and tires:
5 Toyo open country mt 35x12.5r17
Ultra "Gauntlet" 17" Black Matte Wheels 705

Scott :bounce:

 

[Idriveoverstuff]

I'm in Lafayette, La.... We have some nice trails around and a bunch of mud holes. I was thinking of a stock Rubicon...msrp with the options I want puts me at 41ish. The dallas dealership is quoting out a sport with bumpers, lift, wheels and tires, kevlar paint, lights, winch, and custom leather interior for around 42. I'm going to lift it either way I go...sport or rubicon. Also going to change the bumpers and side skids. It just seems like I'm spending way more for the rubicon only to replace everything except the swaybar disconnect, stronger axle, and a better crawling gear...

Scott.

Not sure what kind of trails you have, but the Rubicon isn't going to be worth the extra money in the mud. The lower t-case ratio won't help at all, the lockers won't make much of a difference over the brake-lock diff function, and the swaybar disco won't make much difference either. The Rubi's hardware pays off the most for crawling.

I'm in agreement with everyone else that says don't buy a modded Jeep from the dealer. Add-ons just give them more opportunity to inflate their profit margin. Get the best price you can get on a stock one, be it Rubi or Sport, and mod it how you like.

p.s.- Don't know what kevlar paint is, but it sounds gimmicky

 

[sceia]

Not sure what kind of trails you have, but the Rubicon isn't going to be worth the extra money in the mud. The lower t-case ratio won't help at all, the lockers won't make much of a difference over the brake-lock diff function, and the swaybar disco won't make much difference either. The Rubi's hardware pays off the most for crawling.

I'm in agreement with everyone else that says don't buy a modded Jeep from the dealer. Add-ons just give them more opportunity to inflate their profit margin. Get the best price you can get on a stock one, be it Rubi or Sport, and mod it how you like.

p.s.- Don't know what kevlar paint is, but it sounds gimmicky

It seems like some kind of rinolining type paint. There's a color I really like. Also the claim is that it doesn't scratch or ding with rock chips....That appeals to me... I donno...I'll see how much that "gimmick" charges...lol.

As far as trails...we do a bit of mudding but not 100%...there's some pretty descent trails and my buddy who used to have a bad ass modded G Cherokee claims the lower crawl gear and lockers will help... Being a newbie....I'm only up to suggestions....

Scott.

 

[sceia]

Ok, sooo after going back and forth...here's the outcome... The dealer came out with a sport with the mods and inflated it up to 46300!! Yea, I doubt I'm gonna pay that. I found a dealer about 150 miles away that has a rubicon that's pretty well spec'd out with a manual trans... MSRP at 38k and drive out price of 35081. I'm thinking of jumping on this deal. I'm going to get the ballpark on the trades on monday. But it looks like with the trades and financing, I'll have around 8k in hand to toss at mods. I've already decided on a rk 3.5" x factor mid arm with 35" open country mts... Deciding on the bumpers right now... Any reviews on the expedition one rear bumper?

Scott.

 

[Wandering Nomad]

Ok, sooo after going back and forth...here's the outcome... The dealer came out with a sport with the mods and inflated it up to 46300!!

Scott.

WOW!!! were they going to kiss you with that deal ?

I don't know if it matters to you but I won't buy a new vehicle anymore. There are dozens of Jeeps around with less than 30,000 miles on them that have never been offroad and in perfect shape. Let someone else eat the initial depreciation on one.
I'm not trying to say anything bad about buying a new one if that is what you want to do.I'm just saying I saved $5,000 on mine buying it used. Even driving a couple hundred miles to save several thousand dollars wouldn't be a bad deal.

 

[TXJKU-Rubi]

WOW!!! were they going to kiss you with that deal ?

I don't know if it matters to you but I won't buy a new vehicle anymore. There are dozens of Jeeps around with less than 30,000 miles on them that have never been offroad and in perfect shape. Let someone else eat the initial depreciation on one.
I'm not trying to say anything bad about buying a new one if that is what you want to do.I'm just saying I saved $5,000 on mine buying it used. Even driving a couple hundred miles to save several thousand dollars wouldn't be a bad deal.

I'd expect a lot more than just a kiss for that!:bounce:

 

[jtphoto JK]

WOW!!! were they going to kiss you with that deal ?

I don't know if it matters to you but I won't buy a new vehicle anymore. There are dozens of Jeeps around with less than 30,000 miles on them that have never been offroad and in perfect shape. Let someone else eat the initial depreciation on one.
I'm not trying to say anything bad about buying a new one if that is what you want to do.I'm just saying I saved $5,000 on mine buying it used. Even driving a couple hundred miles to save several thousand dollars wouldn't be a bad deal.

For only $5000 less then a new one for someone else's possible problems. With the better financing deals and warranty on new, I'd say you'd have been farther ahead buying new.
I personally wouldn't touch used with 30k on it for less the $10,000 less then new. But thats me.
We got my daughter a 09 in 2010 with 10,000klm for $22k, the 09 sticker price was $32k new on that unit.

 

[sceia]

For only $5000 less then a new one for someone else's possible problems. With the better financing deals and warranty on new, I'd say you'd have been farther ahead buying new.
I personally wouldn't touch used with 30k on it for less the $10,000 less then new. But thats me.
We got my daughter a 09 in 2010 with 10,000klm for $22k, the 09 sticker price was $32k new on that unit.

I'm with you on that I don't want someone elses problems. I just got a quote on a fully specd out Rubicon msrp at 39....discounted to 37 and out the door for a tad over 35. I'm thinking of running with that deal. Soooo say my original budget of 47... Well, that's 12k I'll have in hand for mods right off the bat. I'm seeing a hell of a build coming in the next couple weeks... :bounce:

Scott.