[Indefatigable]

Like I said in my earlier post, I'm on the verge of getting a new 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited... but after comparing the specs between the Jeep Rebicon and the Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, I don't see the major difference that the salesman assured me was there.

He said that the unlimited offered significant increase in gas mileage and it's only like 1 mpg! The only tangible benefit that I can see is the larger rear area... but other than that, is there really a major difference, or am I missing something?

What so I do... is the Rubicon Unlimited really better than the normal Rubicon?

[C2U5H]

Gas mileage? The Rubicon and Unlimited Rubicon share the exact same engine...the gas mileage, in theory, should be lower for the Unlimited for the extra weight (the extra 10" of wheelbase has to come from somewhere).

I love the Unlimited (even more the Rubicon edition), and could definitely use the extra room. I WILL agree however, that it doesn't look too good...until you lift it and put 33-35's on it...then it looks great!

Benefits:
More cargo room/rear seat room
Longer wheelbase...somewhat safer/more stable and such if you ever wheel it that hard.

~J

[Indefatigable]

Originally Posted by JeepinTJ99

Gas mileage? The Rubicon and Unlimited Rubicon share the exact same engine...the gas mileage, in theory, should be lower for the Unlimited for the extra weight (the extra 10" of wheelbase has to come from somewhere).

I love the Unlimited (even more the Rubicon edition), and could definitely use the extra room. I WILL agree however, that it doesn't look too good...until you lift it and put 33-35's on it...then it looks great!

Benefits:
More cargo room/rear seat room
Longer wheelbase...somewhat safer/more stable and such if you ever wheel it that hard.

~J

OK, More direct question. I'm just a grad school student who doesn't do massive off roading (the occasional washed out, mud-filled trail) and will use it more for the Vermont winters (which seem to dump unglodly amounts of snow that stop everyone elses car) than exploring the Sahara Should I pop for the unlimited or just go with the normal?

[Vauxilicon05]

Maybe I can help a little...I just bought a Rubi Unlimited in April...I have owned a SWB wrangler as well...I love my Unlimited. It is MUCH more practical. The gas mileage was pretty much identical. To give you an idea of what you'll get...1st 3k miles I got around 13mpg...after that it bumped up to 13.5-15mpg...that is city driving. I just took at trip that was around 1500 miles round trip and got 18mpg on the highway going about 70MPH on a few tanks and 16-17mpg on the others. The extra cargo room is such a great improvement. On the trip I just took, we had 3 adults and a 65lb. golden retreiver and gear, luggage, and food for a week all packed in there...could have never done that without racks on a SWB. The ride is noticeably better between the SWB and Unlimited...The Unlimited has the Sunrider top if you get the soft top which is awesome for times when you are unsure of how the weather will act, or if you just don't want to mess with taking the top all the way down and back up. You can get the Unlimited Rubi for just 1k more than the SWB Rubi and in my opinion it is more than worth it. Some say they don't look good until they are lifted, but I disagree completely, they look great either way. Although I am putting 33's on mine within the next few months. I went in to the dealer planning on getting a regular Unlimited but ended up with the Unlimited Rubi because of how well the dealer was working with me...got about $5500 off the sticker. My vote definately goes for the Unlimited Rubi, especially if you do a lot of driving...its just more practical...

[makara]

Originally Posted by JeepinTJ99

Gas mileage? The Rubicon and Unlimited Rubicon share the exact same engine...the gas mileage, in theory, should be lower for the Unlimited for the extra weight (the extra 10" of wheelbase has to come from somewhere).


~J

The weight difference is not that great. I imagine that the better gas mileage from the unlimited comes from slightly better aerodynamics. A longer body flows through the air better than a short one.

[unlimited05]

I bought an Unlimited about 2 months back and have been pleased with the purchase. I've never owned another TJ or YJ but I owned a CJ back in the day. The additional space is well worth the extra money. It turns a fairly impracticle vehicle into a fairly practicle one. I wouldn't worry about people saying they don't look as good. I agree that they look different but I still think they look good. So if you are a purist, you might want to pass. If you are an everyday joe shmo that wants a fun and practicle vehicle get the unlimited. Also, if you aren't planning on doing lots of offroading, the rubi model is probably money not well spent. Just my $.02. Good luck with your purchase.

[4wheeln]

I will agree with you on the looks issue... i baught my rubicon unlimited last week and it turned driving into an addiction. the extra room in the back is certainly key. and her performance in the mud was outstanding... i didn't even have to throw it into four wheel drive and still made it through a 2 1/2 foot deep puddle of crap. rubicon unlimited is definitely a worth while buy!

[C2U5H]

Originally Posted by makara

The weight difference is not that great. I imagine that the better gas mileage from the unlimited comes from slightly better aerodynamics.

Did you just use the word "aerodynamics" to describe a TJ (or Longer TJ)? I chuckled a bit, but I guess being longer may effect GM a bit.

[D`Nyed]

Originally Posted by Indefatigable

OK, More direct question. I'm just a grad school student who doesn't do massive off roading (the occasional washed out, mud-filled trail) and will use it more for the Vermont winters (which seem to dump unglodly amounts of snow that stop everyone elses car) than exploring the Sahara Should I pop for the unlimited or just go with the normal?

Well.. the longer wheelbase should be slightly better for snowy conditions to help keep you going straight. However I'm not really sure how much better 10" of wheelbase will be, somebody with experience should be able to give a better answer on that one.. as I don't see a lot of snow in the Sacramento Valley of California

[TucsonRubicon]

I put this together the other day for my web page. I just bought an unlimited last week and after looking at a standard rubicon next to the unlimited for me it was a no brainer. Difference in price was only 1,000 bucks and the extra storage area and the 2 inches of increased rear seat leg room sold me. Hope this is helpful.
Rick


* The most obvious difference is the Longer wheelbase @ 103.4 Vs. 93.4 inches. Unlimited has an extra 15" inside. 2" were used to give passengers more leg room and the other 13" on increased cargo space.


* Unlimited offers a 'Sunrider' Option with the soft-top. It is a 45" x 23" Sun roof created when the front section of the top is folded completely back over the driver and front passenger.


*Larger Side Windows than the standard Wheelbase @ 40.5" x 17.8" vs 31.3 x 21.5"


* 3500 lb towing capacity-1500 lbs more than the Standard Rubicon


* 22.3" of Cargo Room Vs. 9.5"


* $1,000 difference in Price


* 4013 lb curb weight Vs. 3770 (automatic)

[87warrior]

Originally Posted by Indefatigable

OK, More direct question. I'm just a grad school student who doesn't do massive off roading (the occasional washed out, mud-filled trail) and will use it more for the Vermont winters

With this in mind, and being directly out of school, there is no reason to buy the Rubi version. It simply is NOT worth it if you are not going to use all the bells and whistles often. In the snow filled streets, anything and everything the "rubi" option includes is nearly worthless (besides the tires in DEEP snow).

This is IMHO. You are in school and there is no reason to pay the extra for a rubi edition, if your not going to use it.

[Greydawg]

I agree with 87warrior. Sure, you'll get the cool hood decal, but if you never use any of the rubicon features it's really pretty pointless.
Any model TJ should get you through just about anything that a sane person would try. If you have the money, get an Unlimited. The extra length makes a BIG difference (I had a '97tj since '96 and my kidneys know the difference) and I love the sunrider top. After a little practice you can get it opened or closed in about 1 minute. It's great for those short trips when you want a little blue sky action.

If you are on a budget, the swb jeeps are much cheaper and almost as useful. I had my plain-jane SE for 9 years and the only thing I regretted was not getting a 6-cylinder.