2013 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

In August 2012 I bought my 3rd Tacoma. This is a base, MGM 4 door 4x4 5 speed auto with vinyl floor; stripper model, no options. I negotiated the selling price down to around $25,500, put new wheels and tires on it, added fog lights and 80% tint all around. Very nice looking truck if I do say so myself.





Alright, to the point, I drove by a dealer lot a week and a half ago and there sits one of the coolest Wranglers I've ever seen. It's a 2013 Unlimited Rubicon in stock form (32" BF Goodrich MTs) in Commando Green. Very cool color.

Interior is loaded with leather heated seats, navigation, 5 speed auto (same as my Tacoma) black hard top, and heated mirrors and rear window. Took it for a drive and was AMAZED! This is not my college roommates 1997 Wrangler softop. It rides every bit as well as my 2012 Tacoma. Great 5 speed auto, and plenty of power from the new Pentastar. A little jittery on wash boards or road-surface imperpections, like my Tacoma, but it's got all the creature comforts I wish they'd offer from Toyota, especially heated mirrors and seats. And of course, a removable hardtop. Comfortable seats too. I've always been a fan of Wranglers (I'd bet most guys on this forum are) even drove one when I bought my Tacoma new this past August, but knew if I bought one, I'd want a Rubicon, and they were out of my price range. Now, here's a "new" one with only a few miles on it and great options.

I'm not afraid of showing numbers, asking price is $34,000. Remember, this is a '13. You can't even check appraisal values on these as far as I can tell. I've been on Edmunds, KBB and NADA.

All that said, the salesman offers me $27,500 for my truck. I've got 7500 miles on it and it is in excellent condition, no scratches dings, nothing.

It'll have a better warranty than my Tacoma and better options for very similar payments. I don't use my bed that much and have already decided to buy a landscape type trailer whether I keep the Tacoma or not. If I didn't think this was a great deal, I probably wouldn't even be tempted, but everything checks out.

What say you Toyota fans? Thoughts? Similar decisions you've made?

Here's some pics of the Rubicon too. And yes, I would use it, already had plans for lockers in my Tacoma, but the Jeep's would be under factory warranty. Also, it would be my 2nd vehicle as is my current Tacoma.

 

I like it and nice color choice. GL with it if you get it.

 

Sounds like you made your mind up already.

 

If you like it and can do it financially, go for it. I think they are pretty awesome. Chris4x4 just switched to a jeep, shoot him a pm

 

I love my 12 unlimited Rubicon. You are right, these aren't the Jeeps of old. If you don't absolutely need the bed then I would make the switch. With just a small lift these things are very capable offroad. My wife loved our Tacoma, now she won't drive it. She always drives the Rubicon. Great visibility, easy to park, plenty of room, and a good ride with the longer wheelbase. I have had a lot of cool fun vehicles and the new JKUR is at the top. My pops bought an identical 13 after riding in mine.

Long term reliability is still a concern because its a chrysler, but you can pick up an extended warranty if that is a concern.

I kept my Tacoma, so I cheated, but eventually the Rubicon will probably transition into the primary offroad vehicle.

 

I like them and that color. My reasoning was the bed in the tacoma and the mileage. So if you dont need the bed and as you stated it is not a dd go for it

 

I have an older model Jeep JK Unlimited (4-dr) and love it.
Really depends on how are using the Tacoma and /or will use the Jeep.
Obviously no bed on Jeep and back seating area in Jeep is not as roomy as in the Tacoma (do you have back seat passengers often?). Not sure what mileage you're getting in the Tacoma but likely less in the Jeep...but who are we kidding, that's not why you'd drive either one of them.
The new Jeeps drive like a dream (especially compared to the ones of earlier years) and there is of course the "cool" factor of able to pop the top and/or doors. If you go with the Jeep see if comes with dual top option (both hard top and the soft top) as this would save you $$ for soft top later, although some god aftermarket ones are available. Given what their willing to give you the Tacoma sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

My JKUR gets better MPG than my Tacoma. It will pull 21-22mpg on the freeway. I got 18mpg total for my last trip to Sedona. Thats loaded with 4 adults, a baby and luggage running 75-80 up the mountains out of Phoenix and doing a couple hours offroad in the back country.

 

I make my mind up every 5 minutes, unfortunately, it's a different decision each time

I get about 18-19 on the highway with my Tacoma. Those 32" BFG ATs are heavy buggers compared to stock. Figure I'll get about that with the JKU.

Backseats are very roomy in both. Online data says there's more leg room in the JK. I think my Tacoma is a bit wider though (shoulder room-wise.)

Still trying to figure out how much I'll miss my bed. Honestly, the only time I think I'd miss it is hunting season, and I am an avid deer hunter.

 

Yeah, the hunting part is the tough one. I took an Elk on the Archery hunt last year and have a tag this year. Not sure how I would do it with the Jeep. I'm sure a lot of guys do, just haven't seen a good solution.

 

My buddy bought a jeep after his 1st gen died and bought a small trailer for those times he needs the bed

 

You have a beautiful truck my friend. Wish I would have done what you did instead of getting all the TRD stuff. But the new jeeps seem to be pretty good vehicles. My roommates girlfriend just got a new jeep liberty and they are no longer the sluggish jeeps of old. I say go for it if thats what you want.

 

You Sir have me thinking... Any ways do it!

 

Love Tacomas but that's is a nice Rubicon. Do what ya want but I couldn't live without my truck bed.

 

We have a 08 Wrangler Sahara, a '11 Taco 4x4 access cab and a '13 Subaru WRX, and the Jeep now sits there, day after day until heavy snow. The jeeps are no where as reliable as the TACO, but just as good, if not better off road.

You seemed to have made your choice...best of luck with the Jeep.

Howard

 

I thought I could go without a bed and boy was I wrong, if you like the wrangler you can get a utility trailer fairly cheap. That new pentastar is supposedly alot better that the old motor from what I have read and is very off road capable

 

Hey Kraig, how tall are you? My only gripe when I drove in my friends 2012 Rubicon was the lack of headroom. Im only 6', but it felt like i was staring at the sun visor the entire drive.

With that being said, it does sound like a fair deal. Jeeps tend to hold their value . Maybe not as well as Tacoma's, but what other vehicles do.

 

Is look into the head recalls they are having on that 3.6 first and check out some jeep forums before I pulled the trigger. As far as deer go, a good bull bar on the front holds em good if it the ones that are integrated into the bumper. That's what we did with my sisters wrangler. Couple of bunjies and Ur good to go.

 

Glad to see I'm not the only Tacoma owner fighting this inner battle. I've had many Jeeps and many 4wd Toyota, usually lower valued ones so I could keep one of each. I sold my 2006 Rubicon in order to get my 2012 Tacoma, hoping I could settle back to one vehicle thanks to our questionable economy. If you don't need the bed, go for it. The numbers are close and the JKU-R will hold her value well. I've always come out well with Tacoma and Wrangler resale values.
I have driven a few JKs and they weee all more comfortable than my TRD Tacoma too. Go figure.
Keep us posted!

 

That Jeep is ugly