Rubicons are expensive

I was just on the Jeep site, and I wanted to know what it would cost the get an Unlimited Rubicon. Jesus those things are expensive! Here are all the options I looked into and here is the final cost

- 2006 WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON U Pkg. $28,535.00


modify
- Primary: Deep Beryl Green Pearl Coat Included
- Interior: Dark Slate Gray Included


modify
- 4.0-Liter Power Tech I-6 Engine Included
- 4:1 Rock-Trac Part-Time 4WD System Included
- Heavy Duty Dana 44 Rear Axle Included
- 4.11 Axle Ratio Included
- 6-Speed Manual Transmission Included


modify
- Cloth High-Back Bucket Seats Included
- LT245/75R16E BSW 31" MT/R Tires Included
- 16" x 8.0" "MOAB" Silver Wheels Included
- Black Hard Top Included
- 7 Speakers with Subwoofer and Tweeters Included
- AM/FM Stereo with CD Player and CD Changer Controls Included
- Air Conditioning Included
- Dual Top Group with Matching Colors $1,435.00
- Speed Control $300.00
- 2 Front Tow Hooks and 1 Rear Tow Hook Included
- Full Metal Door with Roll-Up Windows Included
- Sunrider(TM) Soft Top Included
- Hard Top Included


modify
- Wrangler Black Tie Package 06 $1,246.00
- Wrangler Travel Package 06 $546.00


Final price of $32.722 MSRP

$30K could be spent building your own rig. You would have much more respect for it, then one just bought off a lot. Overall I think you could build a very good rig for $30K, but you would need all the tools and know how.

If you use it to off road, its money well spent. If you dont off road it, its a waste. If you were to build the equivalent of a Rubicon from a Sport,

New Wrangler Sport for - $28000 MSRP optioned out
Regear to 4:10s - $500
Selecable lockers fr/rr - $1700
4:1 t-case - $1000
31" mud tires (5) - $750
Skid plates - $400
D44 front axle - $1000
Total - $33450

This total is a low estimate and does not include labor costs or time for the mods. You can add at least $1500 for that. For a total of about $35000.
So the Rubicon is priced right in there for what you get, plus, you get a full Jeep warranty on all parts instead of blowing your warranty by adding aftermarket items. Im personally not sold on the Rubicon D44 front axle and would opt for a HP D30 from a Cherokee but thats just me.
I have no less respect for someone that buys a Rubicon than someone who buys a Sport and has lockers, gears and a 4to1 installed by a shop. Really, whats the difference? Now if they do the gears and lockers themselves, thats another thing.
If you plan on going up to 37" tires, then the Rubi is a waste. You would be better off buying a Sport and adding D60s, Atlas, NV4500 and so on.
For running stock or maybe 33s and a small lift, the Rubi is a good package from the factory.

I know the package comes for a good price, but I feel jeep is asking a little much for the Wrangler. It's a popular 4x4 and Jeep is charging a pretty penny for it. So far I have about $15k into my jeep and that includes purchase price $7500. I have a superior axle kit with 4:11 ratio and a detroit locker in the rear. I have a Loc-rite in the front with a posi lock to disengage when turning tight. I know there might be a few places that a Rubi can go I might be able to access, but overall I can do all the same trails it can. My next project is to add a 4:1 low range and a slip yoke eliminator kit, when I finally destroy my t-case.
JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket

No doubt you can build up a used Jeep cheaper than buy a new one.
Ive got roughly the same setup as you in my 95 YJ and Ive got under $20000 invested. My YJ was only 3 years old when I bought it.
4 1/2" RE lift, 32" Swampers, D44 rearend, Detroit locker, Posiloc, 4.88s, winch.
Personally, I think all new vehicles are too expensive but in a market where everything is expensive, the Rubicon (and Wrangler in general) offer alot for the price. They really are a nitch market. I dont think theres another convertible 4X4 SUV available in the US market for 06 to compare it against.

Lack of competition in this market is what keeps this vehicle so expensive. I remember Geo used to make that POS Tracker, and Suzuki made the Sidekick. Your right, there isn't a single vehicle the you can take the doors and top off for 2006 except for Wrangler, at least no vehicles for less than $35k. Buy used and customize it yourself!

Jeeps are expensive, far more expensive than the engineering and materials warrant, but we buy them anyway. Used Jeeps are expensive, but we buy them also. Let's face it, for a crappy little obsolete car, they're a lot of fun, so what are you going to do.
94

Jeeps are expensive, far more expensive than the engineering and materials warrant, but we buy them anyway. Used Jeeps are expensive, but we buy them also. Let's face it, for a crappy little obsolete car, they're a lot of fun, so what are you going to do.
94

Im not sure I agree that Jeep should be singled out for costing too much.
Most new cars are nothing more than the same engineering thats been around for decades, held together by a pretty metal shell (thinner than a Jeeps metal shell by the way) covered with nicely shaped plastics. They ALL cost too much but people keep buying them, just like Jeeps.

Why would there be less engineering or materials in a Jeep than any other vehicle? They have computers, airbags, four link suspension, antilock brakes, fuel injection, electronic trannies and so forth.
Its true they have less plastic on the inside, they arent as round and the parts are easier to install/remove so the manufacturing process is simplified. There hasnt been alot of crumple zone engineering going into Wranglers and for good reason, those that like to off road their Jeeps, dont appreciate a built in buckle point.
I would agree that they arent as "engineered" as cars with traction control or interactive suspension or on board navigation etc but thats not why people buy Jeeps is it.
As far as there being less material in a Jeep. If its "material" you want, lets shop by weight. I think you will find that the only thing thats heavier (more material) than a Jeep, for the money, is a pickup truck. If you use the amount of "material" as a standard when pricing vehicles, theres a whole bunch of people getting ripped off and they arent Jeep owners.
It could be argued that some new cars are coming out with high strength, low weight materials. I dont think you will see any of those in the price range of a Jeep. Plastic is plastic, steel is steel, aluminum, copper, brass, silicone, adhesives, glass, its all the same.

Jeeps are more expensive becuase they last alot longer than a Ford Escort say.

Anyway, my dad payed 28000 for his. He's kicking himself. Especially since the most he needs is just a 4cyl se model. We don't even take it offroad or anything.

Jeeps are more expensive becuase they last alot longer than a Ford Escort say.

Anyway, my dad payed 28000 for his. He's kicking himself. Especially since the most he needs is just a 4cyl se model. We don't even take it offroad or anything.
Hey Millermagic, we'll swap you. We have an '04 SE 4cyl, and we go offroad quite a bit and are missing the 6. Where are you located, and is your dad up to the switch? PM me with details....


IMO the Rubicon is a good rig, from the factory floor. Of course mods could make it better, but it's damn good even so. You could take a couple year old Wrangler and modify it to be better, and probably spend less. But some folks just don't have the time/ability to do so.

Overall and in the end, we all just love our Wranglers....

I only paid 27.5 for my 05 when she was brand new. Then it seemed like a steal. 18 monthes later though.......

I don't see us getting one of the 4 cyl ones. We aren't due for a new one until sometime next year ... and we haven't even taken this one off road yet!

The Rubicon is easily one of the 3 most capable offroad vehicles on the market today. Out of those 3 it is the cheapest one.
H1 starts @ $129k (add 6k for the locker option package)
Power Wagon starts @ $37.7k
I only count these, because lets face it, if you don't have lockers you only have 2 wheel drive. Limited slip or Posi-Trac is great for pavement, but won't work on the rocks.

When I go camping with my family, it is going to come up missing for a day.