Took the plunge!

commodore_dude · 07-17-2006, 06:06 PM

Well, after 6 years with a 2wd Cherokee that was going to need a whole lot of work soon, and a lifetime of being a Jeep fan, I decided employee pricing was too good to pass up and traded for this Thursday:

06 Rubi Unlimited with all the goodies! Got $1k off Employee Price, even got more than KBB on my trade. After a few days of getting used to it and doing some searching here, I've got a few questions/observations:

-Are there still no stone guards for the 05-06 fog lamps? I'll get the covers if I must, but I like the look of mesh type ones better, and they go with my natural laziness better since I don't have to take them off

-When starting, the engine often revs to ~1500 rpm and sometimes idles there until I get moving, my dad's Rodeo does the same thing and I can't see that being normal... my XJ went right down to 800 or so.
-Cruise appears to be a lot less useful, as it loses speed on even slight inclines very quickly in my opinion... I realize the gearing is a lot different, but this was a bit of a surprise, has everyone else with a Rubi observed this? For comparison, there's a 50-mile or so stretch of highway that I've driven a lot over the last few years, my XJ would only need to downshift 2-3 times, with the TJ I was constantly canceling cruise to avoid that.
-MPG... been about 200 miles since leaving the dealer with a full tank of gas, and it's reading 1/8 of a tank... I'll accept 12mpg to have my dream vehicle, but I have a feeling it's going to get a lot more painful over the next few months, please tell me it will improve after break-in!

Like a lot of others, I'd been seriously considering whether to wait for the 07 or get a TJ. The way I figure it, the engine is proven, they've had 10 years to work out the bugs from the front seats forward and a while to work out bugs with the Rubicon package and Unlimited model. I think I'd really want a V8 or diesel in anything bigger, and if one came out after I bought an 07 there would be serious buyer's remorse. Besides... the price was right, and I think it will be a while before deals this good are available on the new models!

As far as mods go, have to upgrade security so I can switch to the soft top, and then I definitely want to get steering box, engine and radiator skids before going off-road, the Skid Row offerings look pretty good for the money

And finally... nothing reinforces my purchase like getting plenty of

right from leaving the dealer!

omega1300 · 07-17-2006, 06:11 PM

looks awesome!! How's the interior room feel compared to your xj?

victory red · 07-17-2006, 06:18 PM

well,congrats!! awesome rig you just got. i also looked for stone gaurds for the fog's, for my 05, and dealer does not carry them (never made). mine is not a dd, but yea, mileage is going to hurt. i put $43 in at a quarter tank! enjoy! and don't forget to wave.

to look at the offerings, go to www.quadratec.com sit back..enjoy..and watch your check book dissappear!!

Yesfan70 · 07-17-2006, 06:23 PM

Nice Rubi.

As for fog lamp covers, try Jeeps are Us. Here's a link:

http://www.jeepsareus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JAU&Product_Co de=FC&Category_Code=Wrangler5

rockhi · 07-17-2006, 06:32 PM

For some strange reason I really like your Rubi??

Postal · 07-17-2006, 07:21 PM

Gratz!!
And WELCOME my fellow Georgian!!

What dealership did you buy yours from?
I got mine from Woodstock CJD back in May (being that I worked there). I, too, got plenty of waves when leaving the dealership.

**GeoBigJon** · 07-17-2006, 07:30 PM

Congrats!

JeepinYahoo · 07-17-2006, 07:36 PM

Thats a sweet Jeep man, welcome to real Jeep ownership. Don't get me wrong I love XJ's but they are a different sort of vehicle. You have my exact dream Jeep. I'm so jealous.

TurboTJ · 07-17-2006, 08:41 PM

Your gas mileage does seem unusually low. I get about 16 MPG city. I have never heard of an engine increasing in MPG after break in. Maybe talk to you dealer about that. The wrangler is the most inaerodynamic vehicle made! This does make it hard to maintain highway speeds at times. Before the turbo, when i had an intake, throttle body space, headers and a cat-back exhaust system, I was getting 22 MPG highway.

commodore_dude · 07-17-2006, 09:09 PM

omega1300 - Feels very similar up front, maybe a big bigger without an overhead console, although I'm short so my opinions aren't universal! I can rest my elbows at pretty much the same places on the door and console, and that was my only concern. Certainly not as much cargo area behind the rear seat, but the times when I'm hauling 3 passengers AND a lot of stuff will be very minimal... and that would just be an excuse to get a roof rack! I could never have gone with a SWB after a 4 door XJ, but the Unlimited is great with no family to haul around.

rockhi - I can't imagine why!

Postal - Got it at Carmax in Norcross. There were three places with basically identical Jeeps, but they treated me right and as this was my first new vehicle purchase I doubt I could have negotiated the same price elsewhere. I mean damn, they had Commanders with V8 and 4wd for under 28 (If that was my thing)!

I guess I can't be sure the dealer topped off the gas tank, so I'll wait a few fillups before getting concerned about the mileage.

victory red · 07-17-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yesfan70

Nice Rubi.

As for fog lamp covers, try Jeeps are Us. Here's a link:

http://www.jeepsareus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JAU&Product_Co de=FC&Category_Code=Wrangler5

good find. not bad covers. BUT..what does it mean "will fit 05 & up with 2003 mopar kit installed" ?? i have the factory hella's. will these fit?? ..thanks..

awarsoca · 07-17-2006, 09:25 PM

Congrats. I hardly ever see a hard top LJ and I like the looks of yours. Not enough for me to trade in my TJ though (c;

MT3Geiger · 07-17-2006, 09:34 PM

Congrats man. Lookin good.

Gabe · 07-18-2006, 02:57 AM

that rear window bothers me for some reason

Yesfan70 · 07-18-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victory red

good find. not bad covers. BUT..what does it mean "will fit 05 & up with 2003 mopar kit installed" ?? i have the factory hella's. will these fit?? ..thanks..

I sent you a PM, but after looking back at my link, I see what you are talking about now. My guess is Jeep went with the Hellas in '05, but I don't know what they mean by the MOPAR Kit, I would definitely contact them before ordering to make sure they will work. Hopefully someone else can chime in that knows.

07-17-2006, 06:32 PM	#5
rockhi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 403 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	For some strange reason I really like your Rubi?? __________________ 2006 Rubicon unlimited--6 speed--4" Skyjacker lift- AR Wheels 16x8-MT Baja claw 33x12.50- Jeeperman Frt. & Rear Bumpers- -Rock Crusher Diff. covers X2 -Powertank CO2-

07-17-2006, 08:41 PM	#9
TurboTJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Steamboat Springs, CO Posts: 24 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Your gas mileage does seem unusually low. I get about 16 MPG city. I have never heard of an engine increasing in MPG after break in. Maybe talk to you dealer about that. The wrangler is the most inaerodynamic vehicle made! This does make it hard to maintain highway speeds at times. Before the turbo, when i had an intake, throttle body space, headers and a cat-back exhaust system, I was getting 22 MPG highway.