Possibly moving to the dark side...

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:11 am

Hey guys. I just want y'all to know that I have been a loyal KJer for over 2 years now. However, after a stop to the Jeep dealer today I took a TJ Rubicon out for a spin and o my dam! I fell in love...awesome ride, awesome Jeep. Yellow, lockers, the works (y'all know). Anyways, the guy was being a usual salesman saying crap about my KJ, everyone knows the drill, but he did say that they would buy mine for a good price and because of all the aftermarket goodies they would even overlook some of the trail damage. I said I would have to think about it. They said they could even lower the monthly payments on the Rubi and all this good stuff and I am so tempted, but I have grown so attached to the KJ. I need help. I cannot afford 2 cars now, I am moving in with my fiance in a couple of months, I am getting married in the not so distant future, I cannot afford 2 Jeeps. I NEED HELP! :shock:

What Jeep should I go with? Thanks guys!

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:17 am

So it's keep 2 out of 3 correct?
Rubi
Kj
Fiance
:wink:

priell3 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:23 am

I know the Rubi is tempting. but don't want to start more payments.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:12 am

How soon do you expect to have little KJ-in-a-tight-spot's running around. Which do YOU think will be better to have for future little ones?

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:15 am

Well little kj in a tight spots will be around in a few years...hopefully :wink:

m0th · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:54 am

Take a look at the cargo area in the Rubi. Can you live with that if you are planning on using the rear seats?

My TJ Sport had the rear seats in long enough to get it home. They've been in my basement gathering dust ever since. I use mine as a work truck, so it has a Tuffy lock box covering the entire rear. I drive mine daily 100-200km and the ride can get a little grating at times. Mine's stock and gets worse mileage than my lifted KJ. It's noisy and bouncy. Your left arm will take months to find a comfortable spot. The short wheelbase and rwd make it squirrelly in patchy snow/ice where you can't really use 4x4.

But when the summer comes and the lid comes off....

IMO everyone should own a Wrangler at some point in their life. Just make sure it's the right time and enjoy it.

Taz · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:31 am

First what does your finacee drive? Perhaps you could get rid of it and have her drive one of the Jeeps. Second, I would wait for the new Wrangler 4dr if you are planning on kids, we have looked at Wranglers every time we bought new vehicles and the kids always kept us out of one, with the 4dr going to be available I think that we might finally get one, and we will be keeping the KJ.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:03 am

tight spot,

Don't wait to have kids. There is no greater motivator to accel. Too many folks try to plan these days.

It keeps children in check when you are fresh enough to stay on top of them.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:25 am

Keep the KJ. Make a plan to eventually get a Rubi if, after thinking it over for a while, you decide IT is really what You both want.

:shock:

WOW! THey will lower the payments for ya?!?! Sure is darn nice of them. :roll:

Typical Hook technique at the Stealer. You know they are not losing a dime, so where are they making it up at?

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:31 am

It took me almost 2 years to decide between a KJ and a TJ Unlimited or Unlimited Rubicon, all the while my daily ride was falling apart. It's a tough choice if you can have either. Someone on here has both (Longarm I think). Yesterday on my lunch break I found what I would have gotten had the coin flipped the other way, an '05 Khaki Unlimited Rubicon soft top and I parked my Khaki CRD next to it.

I was immediately reminded of why I went with the KJ. It's bigger inside and out, it's a diesel, it's more comfortable, it's WAY cheaper. This is coming from a guy that is asolutely in LOVE with the I-6 engine that will no longer be available after this year. Very tough choice. I've been the 3 vehicle route and it's a pain - I wanted to enjoy what I drive, and drive it all the time - so I had to really think about the KJ vs. the TJ.

One after the fact piece of information that I've learned is that I'm averaging 22-24mpg in the diesel CRD around town, and a few other guys in town here with their Rubi Unlimiteds are averaging 12-14mpg around town in the same city traffic. If I was choosing between a gas KJ and the I-6 TJ, that would have been real hard.

If you are really going to use that Rubicon, and I mean REALLY use it, go for it. I figured out I could have gotten away with just a base Unlimited and never maxed out it's capabilities as it came with the D44 rear and most of the heavy duty goodies in stock form - but even that would have cost me a few more $k than the CRD Liberty - and once you go diesel - you'll most likely not go back.

Good luck with your decision.

Edwin · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:04 am

Heck, just wait and buy a goot used one.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:59 am

Edwin wrote:

Heck, just wait and buy a goot used one.

That's a much better idea. If you're getting married and having kids soon, definitely don't move to a smaller vehicle. But save up a little dough and buy an OLD wrangler for a couple grand (like 2 or 3, maybe 5). Spend money building it as your project, and it'll be a ton more fun than just buying a new rubi (and when you destroy it on the trail, it's not as big a deal, you can call the wife to come pick you up in the KJ and tow the wrangler home :-P

)

zeero · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:58 pm

Hey Bro.....congratulations on the move with your Fiance...just did the same...we bought a house in the summer....living here ever since....as far as KJ vs. TJ....don't worry about us man, just go with what feels right....my "policy" on cars is "If you drive it once and you love it then you'll ove it as long as you own it" Not to mention its a new side of wheeling for you...so the adventure is staying fresh. In other words......enjoy your new Rubi bro!! :wink:

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:25 pm

Thanks for all the replys to my dilemma. Hopefully I'll make a good decision. This is why I love this group of KJers, y'all are so helpful and supportive of people you have never even met most of the time. Thanks guys!

auggy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:38 pm

I'd get the rubi if it was up to me but good luck with your choice

raceinfan · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:43 pm

KJ is more practical,& roomier,& on those HOT summer days out wheelin who will be nice & cool :wink:

I say stick with the KJ just for the room alone & if kids do come along you won't be kicking yourself in the butt because you may have to sell it due to no room & you should've kept the KJ just my .02

jjnord · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:26 pm

I really like the rubicons too, but with that said....
I think the Rubi with be just like my YJ; a money pit.
More parts and stuff for it than the KJ and it starts out a lot more $ to buy too.
Keep the KJ and get a CJ7 that has been built already. It will/could be bigger/stronger/tuffer/etc for about 10-13k...ALOT cheapper than builting the a built Rubi.

Norseman · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:30 pm

The question you need to ask yourself is how likely is your fiance going to let you get the Rubi in the next year or so. I've heard from many married guys that it is much easier to get the Jeep first and the wife second. They'll throw crap at you about how you can't fit a child seat in the back of a TJ, it looks unsafe/roll over, blah blah blah... If she's like most women, I think if you play your cards right you can pick up the TJ now and get another KJ in the next few years.

TomCat · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:51 am

If you decide TJ (Rubi or otherwise) get the Unlimited if rug rats are in your future.

tskalil · **Posted:** Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:05 am

Tough choice. When I bought my KJ I kept my 87 YJ, which is well set up. The idea was to wait for a year to see if the KJ would totally replace the YJ. Well, the year has rolled by and I'm still not sure I want to part with the YJ. In addition to good trail tires, I have sand paddles for the dunes. The top and doors come off. Clearance is better than my lifted KJ. But it's noisy and vibrates a lot at speed. I know it possibly shouldn't but most do because of lifts and other factors.

The KJ is a great ride. It can do all the most difficult trails on the local mountains and deserts and is a dream on the highway, especially in comparison to the YJ.

So, this probably hasn't been much help. I guess I'd second the suggestions to buy an older TJ or YJ or CJ, preferably one that's already well set up. It's cheaper that way. Then, you can see what you like best. If it's the older Jeep, then you can make the decision to buy a newer one. But if it's the KJ, then you won't have spent much money and chances are good you can get most or all of your money back from the old one.
Good luck! :lol:

Possibly moving to the dark side...

Who is online