2006 vs 2007 Jeep Rubicon…
Deciding between the 2006 Jeep Rubicon and the newly redesigned 2007 has been difficult.
The Superficial Stuff
Color: Black, flame red, and impact orange are completely out of the running; not interested. The green and midnight blue models look nice, but not enough to go for one of those. The light khaki wasn’t light enough online, although close to acceptable in person. I just don’t care for the khaki with the ugly “different shade of khaki” tops, and the black hard top just wasn’t contrasty enough. That potentially leaves stone white, bright silver, and solar yellow. Fairly iffy about the yellow, white is a bit too “Daisy Duke”, and silver is a bit too “Lara Croft”. Still leaning heavily towards the white at this point.
Interior: While I normally prefer a lighter color interior, I like the look of the dark slate gray as opposed to the khaki, even though the khaki might be better at disguising dirt and grime. They just don’t seem to get “khaki” right for my tastes. A khaki interior is available only with the stone white, not the bright silver — although dark slate is an option with either color. Leaning towards dark slate; maybe it’s because the car I’ve driven for the past ten years has a beige interior. Granted, it’s also a white car, and for some reason I’m still considering a white Rubicon.
Power: 6-speed manual transmission. Automatic isn’t even an option to consider. It might be a bit hard to get used to the position of the 6th gear as it’s scarily close to reverse.
Options: I definitely want a set of metal half doors, probably in addition to the standard full doors. Still confused about various tops and how they work or don’t work with the different door options.
The 2006 TJ or the 2007 JK?
The 2006 TJ Rubicon comes standard with an AMC 190HP, 4.0L, Power Tech inline-six, considered one of the best off-road engines ever made. Also standard are 31-inch tall LT245/75R16 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Music should sound pretty good coming from a 7-speaker system that includes a full center console-mounted subwoofer, 2 midrange speakers in the instrument panel, and 2 full-range speakers mounted in the overhead speaker pods. Cool!
On the other hand, the 2007 JK Rubicon has a standard Chrysler 3.8L, 12-valve, 205HP, V6 engine. Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels sporting LT225/75R17 mud terrain tires are also standard. The six-speaker stereo system has an MP3 input audio jack, ideal for my iPod. Rock rails are standard, unlike on the 2006. This next-generation Jeep is 5.5 inches longer and 1.4 inches taller than the existing model, with a 2.1-inch-longer wheelbase and 2.4-inch-wider track, but with a tenth of an inch less ground clearance. Despite it being taller, there’s a fraction less headroom in front and back in the JK, although shoulder room has increased in both areas. Where the 2007 exceeds over the 2006 is storage behind the back seats: over 17 cubic feet vs slightly less than 12 cubic feet on the 2006 TJ. Not sure I care for the single-hinge windshield vs two hinges. Both model years have dual Dana 44 axles, a heavy-duty transfer case with an ultra-low 4:1 ratio, and 4-wheel disc brakes. The optional security package for the 2006 comes standard on the 2007. Turning diameter is the same. Everything else is little details.
The Jeep forums are abuzz about which engine to covet. The die-hards are asking “why fix what works?” and the modernists are answering “better gas mileage, more power, newer technology!” The 4.0L of the TJ was introduced in 1987 with a Renault engine control system. In 1991, after Chrysler acquired the brand, the control computer was redesigned and the intake ports were raised. Chrysler also enlarged the throttle body and redesigned the intake and exhaust manifolds for more efficiency, and the fuel injectors were replaced with higher flowing units. Small changes were made to the cylinder head and engine block every couple of years until 1998, after which it has remained mostly the same. The 3.8L of the new JK was introduced in 1991 into Chrysler’s Fifth Avenue, Imperial, and minivans (yuck!) and it, too, has had some changes; the intake was redesigned in 1994 and the compression ratio was increased in 1998. The real claim to fame of the 3.8L is the addition of a variable intake system in 2001, increasing horsepower and foot-pounds of torque, but according to the forums the jury is still out as to whether it will have a negative effect on low, rock-climbing RPMs.
The “new” 3.8L engine just doesn’t seem so new to get all that worked up about since its genesis was only a few years after the 4.0L. So, do I get the last year of a proven classic, or do I wait for the as-yet-unpublished price for a newly designed Wrangler that will probably take a full model year to get the kinks out? And why is it that some aftermarket products don’t seem to be available for the 2006’s? I need some advice from a Jeep owner or two…
UPDATE: Yes, I bought the ‘06. And I absolutely love it!
I don’t get that. It’s not like a certain body only can fit certain interior components. This is color. They have khaki seats. The only difference between white and silver bodies is the color they are painted. Why can’t the khaki seats be put in a silver body? (Or, depending on what order things are done on the automated assembly line, why can’t a body containing khaki seats be painted white?)
Ok, I just bought A new JK~yeah I know it isnt out yet… Military Privlages(lol)
A new Rubicon with bells and whistles will set you back 34,650. And thats the bottom line price w/out dealing with Dealers.
As far as which one is better, well see. It was the new designed hard top that sold me, but to each is own.
I think you’ll find that turning radius is not the same–larger turning circle on the new JK. The Dana 44 axle on the new JK is , at a minmum, wider than the one on the TJ, and may have incorporated other changes even though it is still called a Dana 44. Springs are softer on the JK for a better ride on the road. Plastic bumbers, more airbags and other new features might make the new one a little lesss expensive to insure. If you want power windows, you’ll have to get the new one. If you like the classic narrow TJ, you can easily reach across the Jeep to roll down the passenger window. Apparently production is a little slower than expected due to assembly line glitches–normal in a totally new vehicle. I was going to wait and test drive a new 2-door, but love my ‘04 Unlimited so much that in a moment of weakness I bought an 06 Rubicon, which I love even more than the Unlimited. I’ll still go and test drive an ‘07, and if I really like it beter than the ‘06, I can always sell the ‘06 and get a newer one after they work any bugs out. I want to see what real world reviews have to say, too, not just the car-selling magazines thatn will always say mostly positive things about new vehicles. Plus, I really like the tighter turning radius on the TJ. Good luck.
Well, I really didn’t expect the turning radius to be the same on the JK, but the specs on the Jeep website had exact same number for both — so, despite common sense, assumed it was correct. Buying the ‘06 in the morning!
I recently purchased an ‘06 and love it. The reason I went with the ‘06 is the 4.0 which has its’ roots back to the 258’s. I have had Jeeps with the 258/4.0 since ‘76 and can tell you IMHO there is no better engine. I drove the ‘07 at Camp Jeep and it’s very nice and the V6 is very quite. However, I feel much better knowing the the 4.0 is under the hood of my Rubi.
So did you buy it? I had the same dilemma a couple of weeks ago. I finally convinced my wife to let me get one, and then realized they were coming out with a new one. But, I knew the new ones would be much more expensive and possibly hard to get, so I went ahead and got the 06 (Unlmiited Rubicon). I’m in love. It is awesome. The fuel economy of the 07 might be nice to have as I’m getting a shade over 13mpg average. But, do you really buy a Jeep if you are concerned about fuel economy?
Yes, I did! Unfortunately, just over two weeks after I bought it, it’s in the shop. There’s a problem with the lifter that originated at the factory. Parts are on order. I miss driving it already, despite the 14.5 mpg!
UPDATE: Now that jeep has published their new prices, I recived a huge savings. My new Rubicon is loaded with every option I could get~28,800 out the door. I think this could be the begining of a great relationship! (Thanks Jeep)
So did you get the 06 or the 07? I’m running into a similar situation now trading in my Cherokee for an 06 Rubi…or waiting it out for the 07.
Had an 06 rubicon for 1200 miles. The machine fell apart…literally! Fog lamps broke, radiator leaked, rear seal out, trany shook. The only thing worse, was the customer service. Still waiting to see if they can keep me Jeep…I bet not!!