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 just bought my 06 Rubi unlimited and I love it! I looked at the 07s and thought ….Nawwwww! I want a jeep that looks like a jeep not a dandified hummer. The 2WD option……I won’t even mention ewwwwww! I traded in my 05 rocky mountain edition wrangler and what a difference between the two. I get a better ride nicer looks sat radio ( which I have become hooked on ) and I can go places I was scared to go before…. with no problem. This thing is limited only by your guts. all in all it was a good thing to change…….even my wife who was not real thrilled about trading in the 05 for another of the same thing. Agrees it is a better rig and was worth the extra $$.
Congratulations! I love my 06 Rubi, too!! It’s only my first addition (the first of many to come!) to the Jeep since I’ve bought it, but I just installed a new TJ Wrangler Kwick Kit for it last night. Have to start somewhere, right?!
My wife told me to get the ‘06 Rubi. She said the ‘07 was cheaply made, and I agree. As soon as I pushed in the plastic grille, I knew that there was something wrong. Yes, the new breed has all the amenities, but what are amenities in a Wrangler? I think the ‘07 is more style than substance, and I am proud to drive the culmination of the true Wrangler line, the 2006 Rubicon.
i was in the same boat as a good majority of the people involved with this discussion. 2006 or 2007. i’ll admit i’m far from a veteran when it comes to jeeps, as this was my first time purchasing one.. any and all experience comes from the thrills i gained riding in the passengers seat of my friends TJ’s and CJ’s.. but i’ve always been a firm believer in ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ — i also have this assumption that if it looks less capable off-road, it probably is.. and to me, the 2007 just looks too ‘pretty’. another factor that helped make my decision, valid or not, was the price. i had a hard time grasping the lower window sticker on a newer vehicle.. what made the 2007 so much cheaper than the 2006? all previous experince told me you get what you pay for, so i went with the 2006.. however, i decided to purchase the X model instead of the rubicon since i plan on replacing the suspension, tires, and gears anyways.. i have to say i’ve been thoroughly impressed with the performance, even entirely stock. the first weekend after purchase my fiance and i took it out to ocatillo with another couple who had just purchased a 2006 as well, but the rubicon model.. though i’m sure there were aspects a more experienced person would notice that i did not, besides ground clearance it seemed my little Jeep X could go anywhere they could.. i love my wrangler so much i’m already making plans to get the fiance one.. but i’m leaning toward the 2007 4dr 4wd for her as it seems to be a little more city friendly and has room for groceries.. yet still has the capability to go basically anywhere she needs to go..
Maybe this will work this time (I have left comments twice and not seen any of them!).
Had an opportunity to check out the new Rubicons! Ouch!!!! Has anyone looked at how low the rear shock mounts are??? They extend below the bottom of the rear differential!!!! Other than that, I think the 07s will be great!
Currently have a challenge going with the local Jeep - a new 07 versus my friend’s 04 Rubi!!! Dealer says the new 07 will walk over the 04!!! We shall see — as soon as he can get his hands on one for off-road testing! Says all the Rubis coming in right now are pre-sold
And this dealer says he will see me one at dealer invoice!!! No dealer profit, etc!!!! Again we shall see as my purchasing timefram looks like next spring!
Take care,
Paul
No such thing as “no dealer profit”!
That’s the truth, even if you do get a good deal.
For those of you who ordered the 2007 Rubicons. Were you told how long it would take for it to be built? I ordered one a month ago and they told me about 12 weeks. Just wondering what other have been told.
Enjoyed your ramblings so I thought I’d let you know I just bought by 07 Rub 2 days ago and I LOVE it. When it came down to it for me the 06 lost the debate, though it was a tough call especially with the dealer incentives to get rid of the 06’s (that almost changed my mind). I’ve had an 83 CJ5, 86 CJ7, and a 98 Sahara. Currently own an 87 since new and a 76 Commando. I don’t think you can go wrong though, whatever decision is right for you…
I bought a 2007 Rubicon, and previously owned a TJ Sport. I don’t feel much difference in the 3.8, or 4.0. I do like some of the new features on the 2007. A/C, locks on the storage areas (glove compartment, center console), bigger tires, better stereo. But the biggest was the lower price on the new model. I get so many “double takes” on my Rubicon. I had it “in the snow” with this recent “blizzard” in Colorado. I went through 3 foot snow drifts. But, that’s what makes it a JEEP.