Out with the old, in with the new. Maybe...

[96Cherokee]

Hello fellow Jeepers/Jeepettes.

I've had my Jeep Cherokee Sport since new in 1996, and I have nearly 350,000km on it.  I replaced my old '76 CJ5 with it back in the day.  Now, I'm thinking it's time for the new generation.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Cherokee, and love the engine.  I'm starting to need things done here and there.  If I keep it, I need to spend about $3000 on a bit of a lift (because the suspension needs to be re-done anyway), and if I re-do the suspension with a lift (maybe 3"), I'll need to get new tires, which I need anyway, and probably new cheap rims so that I can still steer without widening my turning circle too much.

So I've been looking at the 2011 Rubicons.  Checking out dealerships, doing some research etc.  I feel bad that I know way more than any of the sales people.  I feel like I'm doing their job for them, and teaching them stuff they had no idea about the new jeeps.  I digress.  Does anybody on here have one yet?  They have a new interior, bigger back window, and a few new little options (most of them I don't want).  I still don't like the very plastic interior which is good for getting dirty yes, but to me it doesn't feel as cozy as my Cherokee.  Also, I don't like that there aren't any back heating vents like the old Cherokees (am I wrong on that?).

So, I just wanted to know of people's opinions on Rubicons in general, good vs. bad dealerships, any discussion at all is very welcome!   

[specialk]

Well, what do you plan to do with it?   If you are going to wheel, the rubi JK over a old-station-wagon (did I just write that? ooops), the JK is kick the wagons arse.

If money is tight and you nostalgic, you are going to save a ton o cash fixing the shaggin-wagon... 

And I'm becoming more nostalgic these days... 

You are right, there is a ton of plastic in the new JKs

[96Cherokee]

I plan on wheeling with it for sure, and it'll also be what I drive when it's not motorbiking weather!  I've always thought it was funny that my current registration said that it's a station wagon.  I agree that the JK will be better, and that's why I want one.  But you have to admit that my wagon's 4.0L engine kicks arse on the 3.8 V6.

On that note, I'm debating waiting until the 2012 comes out with the new Pentastar V6.  I can't decide if it's worth the wait or not.  Also, I wonder if it'd be more expensive... hmm...  I wish there was a diesel verson for North America... I would pay extra for that!

You're becoming more nostalgic?  Wanna buy a Cherokee?  haha

[AV.NINE]

I plan on wheeling with it for sure, and it'll also be what I drive when it's not motorbiking weather!  I've always thought it was funny that my current registration said that it's a station wagon.  I agree that the JK will be better, and that's why I want one.  But you have to admit that my wagon's 4.0L engine kicks arse on the 3.8 V6.

On that note, I'm debating waiting until the 2012 comes out with the new Pentastar V6.  I can't decide if it's worth the wait or not.  Also, I wonder if it'd be more expensive... hmm...  I wish there was a diesel verson for North America... I would pay extra for that!

You're becoming more nostalgic?  Wanna buy a Cherokee?  haha

Im one of the guys who went from an 08 JK Rubicon to a 02 TJ. Best swap I have done. I regret nothing.

[ornamental]

last year i was looking at 08 rubi unlimited's,  ended up with a 98 XJ it was a great swap!!
just think about the 3 grand will keep your loved cherokee going for a long time.  in  a JK there will be 3plus grand gone the minute you drive off the lot.

[cLAY]

Yep for the money you spend on a new Rubi($35Kish?) you could totally rebuild your XJ from the ground up and modify it how ever you want/as far as you want. A rubi you'll be fighting the dealer about every little mod you do till its off warranty.

But what are you looking for? More of a daily driver or an offroad rig? Personally have next build I want to do will be more of an expedition style that still has good road manners and could be used as a second vehicle. My though was to use either a WJ or 4 door Wrangler. I like the WJ casuse I'm a sucker for a V8 but there is room for a Hemi in a Wrangler.....

[Jrama]

Friend of mine just bought a 2011 Rubicon 4dr with all the options and I must say it is extremely good. I only drove it on pavement and it is miles ahead of a TJ in terms of interior, comfort and handling. I don't mind the engine, atleast on the street and the options that thing has you'd think you were in a mercedes at times. The interior wasn't cheep for jeep it was above par for what I'd expect to be in a wrangler (two tone). Most suprisingly about the 11's interior was the little attention to details it honestly seems like some good effort was put in. I think the key to being happy with JK is not to get the base version, I think you need to get some bells and whistles, or the interior upgrade to really make it worth your money.

[Justink]

$3000 should get you about half way to a newer, lower miles cherokee

[96Cherokee]

Yes I know that $35,000 could totally rebuild my XJ, which could include gold fillings in all of the rust holes!  My XJ has been my best friend for 14 years, and I'm still on the original clutch!  It's been good to me.  Anyway, the point is that I don't just have a pile of cash to throw onto fixing it up.  The new JK would have to be financed until I move up the ladder in my line of work and make the big bucks (which shouldn't be too long hopefully, maybe a couple years).  I drive a lot and need a reliable DD.  I wheel when I can too.  Should my DD and wheeler be the same vehicle?  It always has been so far.  Or should I get 2?  I don't have enough room in my garage for another vehicle, I'd have to leave it on the street somewhere.

My options are:
1. Buy a JK Rubi; Sell the XJ
2. Buy a JK Rubi; Keep the XJ (don't see too much point in this except for nostalgic reasons)
3. Buy a new Subaru or something; Keep the XJ as the Wheeler
4. Wait until the new Pentastar V6 comes out for the JK before buying (and insert option 1 or 2)
5. Keep the XJ and keep putting money into is as things slowly start dying on me.

Opinions?

[AV.NINE]

Yes I know that $35,000 could totally rebuild my XJ, which could include gold fillings in all of the rust holes!  My XJ has been my best friend for 14 years, and I'm still on the original clutch!  It's been good to me.  Anyway, the point is that I don't just have a pile of cash to throw onto fixing it up.  The new JK would have to be financed until I move up the ladder in my line of work and make the big bucks (which shouldn't be too long hopefully, maybe a couple years).  I drive a lot and need a reliable DD.  I wheel when I can too.  Should my DD and wheeler be the same vehicle?  It always has been so far.  Or should I get 2?  I don't have enough room in my garage for another vehicle, I'd have to leave it on the street somewhere.

My options are:
1. Buy a JK Rubi; Sell the XJ
2. Buy a JK Rubi; Keep the XJ (don't see too much point in this except for nostalgic reasons)
3. Buy a new Subaru or something; Keep the XJ as the Wheeler
4. Wait until the new Pentastar V6 comes out for the JK before buying (and insert option 1 or 2)
5. Keep the XJ and keep putting money into is as things slowly start dying on me.

Opinions?

My vote is for option 3. You don't want to wheel a DD without having access to another vehicle. Plus I love Subaru's.

[w squared]

AV.NINE does have a point - an inexpensive, efficent, reliable (Jeeps are none of these) daily driver that leaves money over for working on the Cherokee would be a smart choice.

Then again, I really like my '08 JK. If you do decide to get a JK, here's what I would suggest:

If you wheel frequently, and want a capable rig but know that you're not going to want anything bigger than 35's then a Rubicon is probably a good choice. You can't mod a base model JK to be as capable as a Rubi without spending at least as much money as the Rubi would cost.

If you wheel a LOT, and know that you're going to want something bigger than 35's, then buy the base model and stick some serious aftermarket parts in there.

If you don't wheel all that often, and aren't going to go bigger than 33's, can you justify shelling out for a gee-whiz transfer case, a Dana 44 in the front, and lockers? I couldn't justify the expense if I didn't wheel a fair amount.

As far as the "new" interior, I haven't seen them in person - but the pics look cool. More Grand Cherokee than Wrangler - but that's kinda nice on a DD. I don't know what to tell you about the pentastar...it'll probably be quite a bit better than the current 3.8...but you may be holding your breath for a while. Running with the 3.8 does suck a little bit, but it isn't the end of the world. You just have to understand that while you have a touch more HP than the 4.0, it is available in a completely different part of the rev range.

[Waytec]

Yes I know that $35,000 could totally rebuild my XJ, which could include gold fillings in all of the rust holes!  My XJ has been my best friend for 14 years, and I'm still on the original clutch!  It's been good to me.  Anyway, the point is that I don't just have a pile of cash to throw onto fixing it up.  The new JK would have to be financed until I move up the ladder in my line of work and make the big bucks (which shouldn't be too long hopefully, maybe a couple years).  I drive a lot and need a reliable DD.  I wheel when I can too.  Should my DD and wheeler be the same vehicle?  It always has been so far.  Or should I get 2?  I don't have enough room in my garage for another vehicle, I'd have to leave it on the street somewhere.

My options are:
1. Buy a JK Rubi; Sell the XJ
2. Buy a JK Rubi; Keep the XJ (don't see too much point in this except for nostalgic reasons)
3. Buy a new Subaru or something; Keep the XJ as the Wheeler
4. Wait until the new Pentastar V6 comes out for the JK before buying (and insert option 1 or 2)
5. Keep the XJ and keep putting money into is as things slowly start dying on me.

Opinions?

Toyota Tacoma 4 door TRD. 

[AV.NINE]

Totally agree with w squared, for 35s get the rubi. But anything bigger even if you think in the future you want to go bigger than get the x. Then build some front and rear 9"s!

[Immortal]

My vote is for option 3. You don't want to wheel a DD without having access to another vehicle. Plus I love Subaru's.

X2!!

I vote for option #2, or 3.
You can build up the XJ as funds become available. Then when a tree jumps out from the trail at you, it won't be as big of deal. Or, when you break things on the trail rig you have a vehicle to do parts runs. (that is my situation).

[raf2379]

go for option 3. i had my xj as an offroad vechicle and a DD and i hated it especialy when i knew i only had a saturday and sunday to fix or mod it because i had to goto work. so i bought a dodge caliber for a DD its cheep its good on gas and i can even fit parts in there when i visit pick n pull (example: a ZJ passanger door and rear hatch) it great. plus there might be a new long arm upgrade kit coming out for the XJ`s, just some rumours i`ve been hearing.