So I rented a 2019 JL Rubicon for a day to do a test drive. It was fully loaded, with leather seats, active cruise control, body color hardtop, and fenders.
It was fun to drive. It was nice being high up, you really feel like your in raised box, but it was nice. It almost feels like a big rig truck, but smaller (if that makes any sense). I really liked the turning radius, it makes driving in the city and parking very easy. It felt a little narrow, but I think that is a good thing, it makes city driving easier, and off road driving easier.
Right now my daily driver is a 2013 Toyota Prius. So, needless to say, the Jeep was uncomfortable compared to the Prius. I've also owned a Toyota tundra, and the jeeps ride was uncomfortable compared to the tundra also. But I think for me, having much better off road capability, is worth it. And for me it wasn't too uncomfortable, but for a person used to a luxury car, it might be really uncomfortable.
But my wife sat in the back seat, and she noticed that the back is much more uncomfortable than the front passenger seat. The bench style stiff seat was uncomfortable to sit on for long periods, and she felt she was bouncing around with the turns, and she felt the bumps and pot holes much more(compared to the Prius)(But that's a given)
But overall she liked the Rubicon also. Driving around near Santa Monica Beach with the freedom panels off was a lot of fun.
Driving at 65-70 mph I did notice wind noise, but it wasn't too bad(it was a hardtop), I did have to speak just little bit louder when talking with my wife who was in the back seat, but I normally speak pretty softly. Now this may get worse overtime as the rubber seals wear.
So I'm thinking about buying a Rubicon JL, maybe near November I'll buy a 2019 when the 2020s come out, maybe I'll get a good deal that way.
Now my only concern is long term reliability. I think having to take it into the dealer frequently for minor things will get pretty annoying (I'm used to Toyota's, and not doing anything other than routine maintenance).
But if I can get a good deal I think I might buy one and keep it for a few years, then sell it or trade it in for a 4runner. If it doesn't give me any problems, maybe I'll keep it forever
My son's 1 year old right now, I want to enjoy the outdoors with him in a jeep. I think he'll think the jeeps cool when he's a little older, and it'll be a father-son bonding activity to take the Jeep out for a spin.
What do you guys think about my plan?
I think the jeeps cool and fun to drive, and giving up on road comfort is not a deal breaker for me. But I've been a Toyota guy my whole life, so I'm used to doing just routine maintenance and nothing more. I'm pretty good about doing routine maintenance on time, if the Jeep continuously starts requiring more than that, then I might not be so excited about the Jeep anymore. Lol
(again, I plan on keeping the Rubicon stock, and don't really plan on doing crazy rock crawling stuff, and I don't plan on turning it into a crazy heavy overlanding rig. But I will, ever now and then, go on some difficult trails. But nothing too crazy) If I do start doing longer overlanding trips, I'll most likely buy a small trailer.
It was fun to drive. It was nice being high up, you really feel like your in raised box, but it was nice. It almost feels like a big rig truck, but smaller (if that makes any sense). I really liked the turning radius, it makes driving in the city and parking very easy. It felt a little narrow, but I think that is a good thing, it makes city driving easier, and off road driving easier.
Right now my daily driver is a 2013 Toyota Prius. So, needless to say, the Jeep was uncomfortable compared to the Prius. I've also owned a Toyota tundra, and the jeeps ride was uncomfortable compared to the tundra also. But I think for me, having much better off road capability, is worth it. And for me it wasn't too uncomfortable, but for a person used to a luxury car, it might be really uncomfortable.
But my wife sat in the back seat, and she noticed that the back is much more uncomfortable than the front passenger seat. The bench style stiff seat was uncomfortable to sit on for long periods, and she felt she was bouncing around with the turns, and she felt the bumps and pot holes much more(compared to the Prius)(But that's a given)
But overall she liked the Rubicon also. Driving around near Santa Monica Beach with the freedom panels off was a lot of fun.
Driving at 65-70 mph I did notice wind noise, but it wasn't too bad(it was a hardtop), I did have to speak just little bit louder when talking with my wife who was in the back seat, but I normally speak pretty softly. Now this may get worse overtime as the rubber seals wear.
So I'm thinking about buying a Rubicon JL, maybe near November I'll buy a 2019 when the 2020s come out, maybe I'll get a good deal that way.
Now my only concern is long term reliability. I think having to take it into the dealer frequently for minor things will get pretty annoying (I'm used to Toyota's, and not doing anything other than routine maintenance).
But if I can get a good deal I think I might buy one and keep it for a few years, then sell it or trade it in for a 4runner. If it doesn't give me any problems, maybe I'll keep it forever
My son's 1 year old right now, I want to enjoy the outdoors with him in a jeep. I think he'll think the jeeps cool when he's a little older, and it'll be a father-son bonding activity to take the Jeep out for a spin.
What do you guys think about my plan?
I think the jeeps cool and fun to drive, and giving up on road comfort is not a deal breaker for me. But I've been a Toyota guy my whole life, so I'm used to doing just routine maintenance and nothing more. I'm pretty good about doing routine maintenance on time, if the Jeep continuously starts requiring more than that, then I might not be so excited about the Jeep anymore. Lol
(again, I plan on keeping the Rubicon stock, and don't really plan on doing crazy rock crawling stuff, and I don't plan on turning it into a crazy heavy overlanding rig. But I will, ever now and then, go on some difficult trails. But nothing too crazy) If I do start doing longer overlanding trips, I'll most likely buy a small trailer.
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