H3 VS new Rubicon Wrangler......

[yzergod]

Originally Posted by XM DUDE

This is a tough choice as they both look good, Wrangler soft and hard top options.
Would be temped?

Although new to this forum, here is my take...

I have owned a Jeep for quite a while ('97) and came close to buying a new Rubi. But... although my Jeep has run some serious trails, I am still not wanting to leave the top off and have the interior get all crappy. I still have the carpet, nice seat covers, and love to run it with the top off. However, here in the Colorado Mountains we get an afternoon shower almost daily and I HATE coming home from work with wet seats. Also, even though the top is a convertible, it is a pain in the ass to put up and down. It isn't anywhere nears as easy as say a one button electrical top on a Mustang. So, I end up leaving it covered or top up.

The H3 is by far a better riding, quieter, more luxurious vehicle. I love taking my Jeep offroad, but I don't enjoy the drive to and from work unless the top is off and tunes are loud enough to mask the rattles/squeaks/clanks and noise of the tires. The ride is harsher and it wanders more and is a lot squirrelly in the turns. And for my money, I'd buy a 3 again before a Rubi. If you are serious about playing offroad, your money would be better spent on a Currie built Jeep rather than a Rubi. Or, put your money into a H3 for lift/tires/winch if you can stomach taking a brand new rig off-road.

Or, do what I did and buy the H3 for most of your driving and trail running and get a cheap Jeep you can thrash on the harder trails.

HTH!