2003-05 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
- Thread starter Thai
- Start date
Thai
Elite Member
Link:
Edmunds Review of Rubicon
Ups: Unsurpassed off-road capabilities, strong six-cylinder engine, compact exterior dimensions.
Downs: Bouncy ride on the highway, heavy steering, limited interior space.
The Bottom Line: Forget the H2, if you want the best in factory off-road performance the Wrangler Rubicon is it.
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $27,760
Edmunds Review of Rubicon
Ups: Unsurpassed off-road capabilities, strong six-cylinder engine, compact exterior dimensions.
Downs: Bouncy ride on the highway, heavy steering, limited interior space.
The Bottom Line: Forget the H2, if you want the best in factory off-road performance the Wrangler Rubicon is it.
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $27,760
Thai
Elite Member
Thai
Elite Member
Link:
CanadianDriver.com Review of Rubicon
Summary:
Test Drive:
2003 Jeep TJ Rubicon
All-terrain Superhero!
Is Ruby For Everyone?
In a word: No. In fact, Jeep retailers should make you fill out a survey to determine which TJ model fits your lifestyle. The Rubicon is a very specialized beast much more at home on a rocky outcrop than a congested city street, so if you don't plan on playing Indiana Jones on weekends, then maybe one of the other TJ or Liberty models would better fill that empty spot in your garage. However, if you are the adventurous type, then the Rubicon represents money well-spent. An all terrain superhero with factory installed accessories fully covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and the knowledge that all this equipment is included in your monthly payment or initial purchase price.
CanadianDriver.com Review of Rubicon
Summary:
Test Drive:
2003 Jeep TJ Rubicon
All-terrain Superhero!
Is Ruby For Everyone?
In a word: No. In fact, Jeep retailers should make you fill out a survey to determine which TJ model fits your lifestyle. The Rubicon is a very specialized beast much more at home on a rocky outcrop than a congested city street, so if you don't plan on playing Indiana Jones on weekends, then maybe one of the other TJ or Liberty models would better fill that empty spot in your garage. However, if you are the adventurous type, then the Rubicon represents money well-spent. An all terrain superhero with factory installed accessories fully covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and the knowledge that all this equipment is included in your monthly payment or initial purchase price.
Thai
Elite Member
Perspective from a non-off-roader (quite obvious!)
1 terrain stumps Jeep Rubicon: Pavement
The Jeep Rubicon is the newest member of the Wrangler family, brought out for '03 to give the serious off-roader a machine to do battle with whatever you have to battle when carving a path through Ma Nature's territory.
Jeep calls it the "ultimate off-road rig."
Perhaps "ultimate" is a bit much, especially after having experienced how well a 2003 Hummer H2 maneuvers up inclines, through streams, down hills and over/under/around/out of ruts.
But "off-road" is true.
Jeep boasts that its Rubicon Wrangler "allows serious off-road enthusiasts the opportunity to drive over some of the most extreme trails in the country and then drive it home."
The "drive it home" part is what sets Rubicon apart from your everyday Jeep Wrangler. Rubicon will handle extremes, but, unfortunately, when the pavement appears Rubicon remains in extreme mode.
Not everyone will appreciate this vehicle. Rubicon is meant to help you move in and out of tough spots when off-road, not to cushion your tush when on pavement.
Ride is stiff, which it is meant to be. Handling refers to climbing, clawing and digging into sand, dirt, mud or whatever other gunk or goop you need to grab hold of to keep moving when the pavement disappears, which is when you grab the transfer case lever and engage four-wheel-drive.
Youth, or at least those with strong bladders, will find little reason to fault Rubicon. Older folks, who simply walk in the showroom and buy the Jeep brand without checking out the variety, will be surprised, if not irked.
Its oversized 31-inch radial tires give Rubicon a rugged stance and macho presence. And the tread pattern is designed to wrap around the sidewall to help grab ledges along the trail. But the aggressive tread pattern isn't designed to ride in harmony with asphalt or concrete. You'll have to turn the radio up more than a notch to hear over the road noise filtering into the cabin.
So, a lousy vehicle?
Nope.
Jeep says Rubicon is for "enthusiasts who embrace off-roading with incredible zest and for whom premium off-road trails serve as a playground."
No harm, no foul and no reason folks can't enjoy the great outdoors. Because we still tolerate those who drive and use cellphones at the same time and since smokers haven't been tarred and feathered, no reason to discriminate against outdoors enthusiasts.
Jeep estimated that only 8,000 souls who like to carve their own trails would opt for a Rubicon. Yet demand has forced it to double output to 16,000 units--and, of course, several months are left in the model year.
It's just that, as noted, Rubicon is for those who march to a different drummer, folks who are willing to accept a little harshness to be able to go where most other people, especially those in car-based SUVs, fear to tread because basically they haven't got the ability to tread.
It won't travel the same course as a Hummer H2, but then with a base price of $24,385, you might be able to put two Rubicons in your garage rather than just one H2.
For '03 the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder offered in the Jeep Liberty replaces the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder as standard in the Wrangler. The 2.4, rated at 150 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque, delivers 25 percent more h.p. and 18 percent more torque than the 2.5.
But Rubicon offers as standard a 4-liter inline 6-cylinder rated at 190 h.p. and 235 foot-pounds of torque to provide the muscle you need to challenge the trails.
A new 4-speed automatic replaces the former 3-speed automatic in all Wranglers.
Four-wheel disc brakes are standard in the Rubicon, but you can't get anti-lock brakes, which are offered as an option in all but the SE Wrangler.
The wheelbase is only 93.4 inches, and the shorter the wheelbase, the closer you are to the point of contact underneath. While driver and front-seat passenger are somewhat removed from the contact points, those who sit in the back seat are directly over the rear axle.
And when decorative and off-road functional 31-inch tires are combined with a short wheelbase, you have to accept that taking a turn at 65 m.p.h. isn't the wisest thing to do.
You have to accept the basics in a Jeep. No power door locks and no power windows, because the doors are removable so the power systems can't be incorporated in the panels. That means no side air bags, either.
Ironic, don't you think, that while a group of folks are concerned about sport-ute rollovers and being tossed out the open windows, you can travel in a sport-ute without doors, much less windows.
Ironic, too, that if you remove the doors, you must equip your Wrangler with an adapter to attach outside mirrors.
New items worth noting for '03 are a fold-and-tumble and more easily removable rear seat, an added 20 millimeters of front-seat travel so taller drivers can move farther from the steering wheel and taller seatbacks for those taller drivers and their passengers as well as those short ones.
While the base price was $24,385, Rubicon came with so many high-priced options--$825 for automatic, $895 for air, $920 for solid black hardtop rather than the standard soft top--that the final sticker wasn't that far from $30,000.
If your buying decision is based primarily on whether a vehicle is off-road worthy, the $30,000 shouldn't be that troublesome.
Though not quite as rugged as that Hummer, Rubicon should go anywhere you choose to take it.
If you don't use off-road trails as a playground, the $30,000 should give you cause to ponder all the other choices for that sum.
Wranglers, primarily used ones, are high on the list of vehicle choices among youth. Parents might want to make a mental note that when the kid starts lobbying for a used Wrangler as an everyday commuter, your first question might be whether it is a Rubicon.
Jeep says Wrangler is popular as the first vehicle purchase among college grads or the first option rather than getting a motorcycle among older buyers.
Demographics show that the median buyer age is 36, household income is $61,000, 53 percent are married and 68 percent are male.
About 70,000 Wranglers are sold annually.
1 terrain stumps Jeep Rubicon: Pavement
The Jeep Rubicon is the newest member of the Wrangler family, brought out for '03 to give the serious off-roader a machine to do battle with whatever you have to battle when carving a path through Ma Nature's territory.
Jeep calls it the "ultimate off-road rig."
Perhaps "ultimate" is a bit much, especially after having experienced how well a 2003 Hummer H2 maneuvers up inclines, through streams, down hills and over/under/around/out of ruts.
But "off-road" is true.
Jeep boasts that its Rubicon Wrangler "allows serious off-road enthusiasts the opportunity to drive over some of the most extreme trails in the country and then drive it home."
The "drive it home" part is what sets Rubicon apart from your everyday Jeep Wrangler. Rubicon will handle extremes, but, unfortunately, when the pavement appears Rubicon remains in extreme mode.
Not everyone will appreciate this vehicle. Rubicon is meant to help you move in and out of tough spots when off-road, not to cushion your tush when on pavement.
Ride is stiff, which it is meant to be. Handling refers to climbing, clawing and digging into sand, dirt, mud or whatever other gunk or goop you need to grab hold of to keep moving when the pavement disappears, which is when you grab the transfer case lever and engage four-wheel-drive.
Youth, or at least those with strong bladders, will find little reason to fault Rubicon. Older folks, who simply walk in the showroom and buy the Jeep brand without checking out the variety, will be surprised, if not irked.
Its oversized 31-inch radial tires give Rubicon a rugged stance and macho presence. And the tread pattern is designed to wrap around the sidewall to help grab ledges along the trail. But the aggressive tread pattern isn't designed to ride in harmony with asphalt or concrete. You'll have to turn the radio up more than a notch to hear over the road noise filtering into the cabin.
So, a lousy vehicle?
Nope.
Jeep says Rubicon is for "enthusiasts who embrace off-roading with incredible zest and for whom premium off-road trails serve as a playground."
No harm, no foul and no reason folks can't enjoy the great outdoors. Because we still tolerate those who drive and use cellphones at the same time and since smokers haven't been tarred and feathered, no reason to discriminate against outdoors enthusiasts.
Jeep estimated that only 8,000 souls who like to carve their own trails would opt for a Rubicon. Yet demand has forced it to double output to 16,000 units--and, of course, several months are left in the model year.
It's just that, as noted, Rubicon is for those who march to a different drummer, folks who are willing to accept a little harshness to be able to go where most other people, especially those in car-based SUVs, fear to tread because basically they haven't got the ability to tread.
It won't travel the same course as a Hummer H2, but then with a base price of $24,385, you might be able to put two Rubicons in your garage rather than just one H2.
For '03 the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder offered in the Jeep Liberty replaces the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder as standard in the Wrangler. The 2.4, rated at 150 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque, delivers 25 percent more h.p. and 18 percent more torque than the 2.5.
But Rubicon offers as standard a 4-liter inline 6-cylinder rated at 190 h.p. and 235 foot-pounds of torque to provide the muscle you need to challenge the trails.
A new 4-speed automatic replaces the former 3-speed automatic in all Wranglers.
Four-wheel disc brakes are standard in the Rubicon, but you can't get anti-lock brakes, which are offered as an option in all but the SE Wrangler.
The wheelbase is only 93.4 inches, and the shorter the wheelbase, the closer you are to the point of contact underneath. While driver and front-seat passenger are somewhat removed from the contact points, those who sit in the back seat are directly over the rear axle.
And when decorative and off-road functional 31-inch tires are combined with a short wheelbase, you have to accept that taking a turn at 65 m.p.h. isn't the wisest thing to do.
You have to accept the basics in a Jeep. No power door locks and no power windows, because the doors are removable so the power systems can't be incorporated in the panels. That means no side air bags, either.
Ironic, don't you think, that while a group of folks are concerned about sport-ute rollovers and being tossed out the open windows, you can travel in a sport-ute without doors, much less windows.
Ironic, too, that if you remove the doors, you must equip your Wrangler with an adapter to attach outside mirrors.
New items worth noting for '03 are a fold-and-tumble and more easily removable rear seat, an added 20 millimeters of front-seat travel so taller drivers can move farther from the steering wheel and taller seatbacks for those taller drivers and their passengers as well as those short ones.
While the base price was $24,385, Rubicon came with so many high-priced options--$825 for automatic, $895 for air, $920 for solid black hardtop rather than the standard soft top--that the final sticker wasn't that far from $30,000.
If your buying decision is based primarily on whether a vehicle is off-road worthy, the $30,000 shouldn't be that troublesome.
Though not quite as rugged as that Hummer, Rubicon should go anywhere you choose to take it.
If you don't use off-road trails as a playground, the $30,000 should give you cause to ponder all the other choices for that sum.
Wranglers, primarily used ones, are high on the list of vehicle choices among youth. Parents might want to make a mental note that when the kid starts lobbying for a used Wrangler as an everyday commuter, your first question might be whether it is a Rubicon.
Jeep says Wrangler is popular as the first vehicle purchase among college grads or the first option rather than getting a motorcycle among older buyers.
Demographics show that the median buyer age is 36, household income is $61,000, 53 percent are married and 68 percent are male.
About 70,000 Wranglers are sold annually.
Those people are crazy! I Like It! 
I'd love to have one. I know the wife wouldn't appreciate it. She can only take about 30 minutes of light off-roading. 
Oh well. That's what my quad is for!!
Thai
Elite Member
Thai
Elite Member
Link:
Detroit News Review of Rubicon
By Anita And Paul Lienert
Detroit News
The last time we tested a Jeep Wrangler -- and gave it a not-so-flattering review -- the wrath of the Wrangler community came down on our heads. Many suggested they would like to take us off-roading to some distant spot -- and leave us there.
Here we are again, testing what has to be the most extreme Wrangler ever created, the 2003 Rubicon model. Rubicon is a reference to the treacherous California trail that is widely considered to be America's most famous off-road playground. Like the Wrangler name, Rubicon is an icon to longtime Jeep enthusiasts.
Jeep boasts that this Toledo-built, limited-production Wrangler is an industry first for an automaker, since the vehicle has an off-road capability usually reserved for highly modified vehicles.
The Rubicon's extra content is reflected in the price -- a whopping $27,760 when you add amenities like a hard top, metal doors with roll-up windows and air conditioning.
She: I don't think anyone would argue that the Wrangler Rubicon is ready for the trail, right out of the box. But I think our critique has to center on the claim made in the Rubicon's press material that says, "As the four-wheel drive leader, the Jeep Wrangler is not only fully capable off-road, but is as fun to drive on-road." I suppose the idea of fun starts right in your driveway, especially if you're determined to do an impression of John Cleese from Monty Python doing the "Silly Walk" skit. I know it sounds superficial, given all the Rubicon's impressive hardware, but it's probably easier to ford a river in the Wrangler than haul yourself up into the front seat.
He: Well, lemme run right over to the river and try that, honey. Oops, I'm guessing you didn't mean the Detroit River, which is difficult to Ford, er, ford. And you're right about the Wrangler being less than user-friendly for everyday driving. As we've observed before, that appears to be part of the appeal. Only it seems that with the new Rubicon model, you're paying even more for the privilege of driving one of the most primitive vehicles on the road today. Doesn't matter. If you're out in the woods or up in the mountains, and really want to reach that otherwise inaccessible cabin or stream, nobody does it much better than Jeep. Just don't make me drive that Wrangler on the highway.
She: As far as looks and appeal to its audience, the Rubicon is a winner. I can always tell by the reaction of the local cops. One of the younger guys came by on a snowy morning and parked in our driveway for half an hour, mooning over the Wrangler. He was really taken with those massive 31-inch tires. They have a distinctive tread pattern that wraps around the sidewall to help grab ledges along the trail, according to Jeep. They are the largest tires offered from the factory on Wrangler, and off-roaders will be happy to discover they add an extra half-inch of ground clearance over the 30-inch tires. The Rubicon body graphics are fairly understated, but that Inca Gold exterior color will stand out like a beacon in the forest.
He: If you're a serious off-roader, the Rubicon comes with lots of the right stuff -- locking front and rear differentials, Dana 44 heavy-duty axles and a 4:1 low-range transfer case for gearing down to negotiate those really serious boulders and tree trunks. Skid plates protect the fuel tank and the transfer case, and front and rear tow hooks will help get you -- or the other guys -- out of trouble. That big 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine is pretty gutsy, too, delivering 190 horsepower and 235 pounds-feet of torque through a five-speed manual gearbox.
She: I think there is more to the Wrangler's appeal than just the hardware. It makes me think of the TV show "Survivor" and all of its spin-offs about overcoming the wilderness. Like "Survivor," the Rubicon must touch some deep spiritual need in people that is unmet in contemporary society. How can you put a price tag on satisfying that sort of need?
He: You say "spiritual need," I say "primordial urge," especially when you consider how many teenagers still look at the Wrangler as a hot property. I think that's what disturbs me most. This is still the last vehicle I want my kid driving -- unless, of course, he or she is somewhere out in the woods traveling at something less than 20 miles an hour. This is not a good combination for younger, inexperienced drivers on the freeway or even bopping around town -- not when our $27,760 test vehicle lacked side air bags, anti-lock brakes and other basic safety amenities to offset its short wheelbase, high center of gravity and relative lack of sheet metal to mitigate side impacts.
Off-highway, the Rubicon is a winner. On the road, it simply doesn't measure up.
2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Type: Front-engine, four-wheel drive, four-passenger sport-utility vehicle
Price (Includes $610 destination charge): Base, $24,385; as tested, $27,760
Engine: 4.0-liter I-6; 190-hp; 235 lb-ft torque
EPA fuel economy: 16 mpg city/19 mpg highway
Key competitors: Chevrolet Tracker, Kia Sportage, Nissan XTerra, Suzuki Vitara, Ford Explorer Sport
12-month insurance cost (Estimated by AAA Michigan. Rates may vary depending on coverage and driving record): $1,395
Where built: Toledo, Ohio
Paul's Vehicle rating: Subpar
Likes: Exceptional off-road capability for extreme conditions. $920 hard top cuts down on road noise. 5-speed heavy-duty transmission. Lots of character.
Dislikes: 4.0L I-6 sounds and feels coarse. Bouncy, uncomfortable ride. Not terribly civilized for everyday driving. Virtually no storage space. Little room for rear passengers. Some tire steer. Handles like a Jeep, requires delicate cornering. Visibility concerns with thick center pillar.
Anita's Vehicle rating: Acceptable
Likes:Classic, rugged styling. Beefy 31-inch off-road tires, Rubicon graphics and diamond-plate sillprotectors. Simple, easy-to-use controls. New standard four-wheel disc brakes for improved stopping distance. Better seats with taller seat backs. 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.
Dislikes: Jeep quality at BMW prices. No power adjustment for side mirrors. Ridiculously tall step-in height. Minimal safety features -- no side air bags, no anti-lock brakes. Short on features -- full metal doors with roll-up windows, air conditioning are optional.
Detroit News Review of Rubicon
By Anita And Paul Lienert
Detroit News
The last time we tested a Jeep Wrangler -- and gave it a not-so-flattering review -- the wrath of the Wrangler community came down on our heads. Many suggested they would like to take us off-roading to some distant spot -- and leave us there.
Here we are again, testing what has to be the most extreme Wrangler ever created, the 2003 Rubicon model. Rubicon is a reference to the treacherous California trail that is widely considered to be America's most famous off-road playground. Like the Wrangler name, Rubicon is an icon to longtime Jeep enthusiasts.
Jeep boasts that this Toledo-built, limited-production Wrangler is an industry first for an automaker, since the vehicle has an off-road capability usually reserved for highly modified vehicles.
The Rubicon's extra content is reflected in the price -- a whopping $27,760 when you add amenities like a hard top, metal doors with roll-up windows and air conditioning.
She: I don't think anyone would argue that the Wrangler Rubicon is ready for the trail, right out of the box. But I think our critique has to center on the claim made in the Rubicon's press material that says, "As the four-wheel drive leader, the Jeep Wrangler is not only fully capable off-road, but is as fun to drive on-road." I suppose the idea of fun starts right in your driveway, especially if you're determined to do an impression of John Cleese from Monty Python doing the "Silly Walk" skit. I know it sounds superficial, given all the Rubicon's impressive hardware, but it's probably easier to ford a river in the Wrangler than haul yourself up into the front seat.
He: Well, lemme run right over to the river and try that, honey. Oops, I'm guessing you didn't mean the Detroit River, which is difficult to Ford, er, ford. And you're right about the Wrangler being less than user-friendly for everyday driving. As we've observed before, that appears to be part of the appeal. Only it seems that with the new Rubicon model, you're paying even more for the privilege of driving one of the most primitive vehicles on the road today. Doesn't matter. If you're out in the woods or up in the mountains, and really want to reach that otherwise inaccessible cabin or stream, nobody does it much better than Jeep. Just don't make me drive that Wrangler on the highway.
She: As far as looks and appeal to its audience, the Rubicon is a winner. I can always tell by the reaction of the local cops. One of the younger guys came by on a snowy morning and parked in our driveway for half an hour, mooning over the Wrangler. He was really taken with those massive 31-inch tires. They have a distinctive tread pattern that wraps around the sidewall to help grab ledges along the trail, according to Jeep. They are the largest tires offered from the factory on Wrangler, and off-roaders will be happy to discover they add an extra half-inch of ground clearance over the 30-inch tires. The Rubicon body graphics are fairly understated, but that Inca Gold exterior color will stand out like a beacon in the forest.
He: If you're a serious off-roader, the Rubicon comes with lots of the right stuff -- locking front and rear differentials, Dana 44 heavy-duty axles and a 4:1 low-range transfer case for gearing down to negotiate those really serious boulders and tree trunks. Skid plates protect the fuel tank and the transfer case, and front and rear tow hooks will help get you -- or the other guys -- out of trouble. That big 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine is pretty gutsy, too, delivering 190 horsepower and 235 pounds-feet of torque through a five-speed manual gearbox.
She: I think there is more to the Wrangler's appeal than just the hardware. It makes me think of the TV show "Survivor" and all of its spin-offs about overcoming the wilderness. Like "Survivor," the Rubicon must touch some deep spiritual need in people that is unmet in contemporary society. How can you put a price tag on satisfying that sort of need?
He: You say "spiritual need," I say "primordial urge," especially when you consider how many teenagers still look at the Wrangler as a hot property. I think that's what disturbs me most. This is still the last vehicle I want my kid driving -- unless, of course, he or she is somewhere out in the woods traveling at something less than 20 miles an hour. This is not a good combination for younger, inexperienced drivers on the freeway or even bopping around town -- not when our $27,760 test vehicle lacked side air bags, anti-lock brakes and other basic safety amenities to offset its short wheelbase, high center of gravity and relative lack of sheet metal to mitigate side impacts.
Off-highway, the Rubicon is a winner. On the road, it simply doesn't measure up.
2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Type: Front-engine, four-wheel drive, four-passenger sport-utility vehicle
Price (Includes $610 destination charge): Base, $24,385; as tested, $27,760
Engine: 4.0-liter I-6; 190-hp; 235 lb-ft torque
EPA fuel economy: 16 mpg city/19 mpg highway
Key competitors: Chevrolet Tracker, Kia Sportage, Nissan XTerra, Suzuki Vitara, Ford Explorer Sport
12-month insurance cost (Estimated by AAA Michigan. Rates may vary depending on coverage and driving record): $1,395
Where built: Toledo, Ohio
Paul's Vehicle rating: Subpar
Likes: Exceptional off-road capability for extreme conditions. $920 hard top cuts down on road noise. 5-speed heavy-duty transmission. Lots of character.
Dislikes: 4.0L I-6 sounds and feels coarse. Bouncy, uncomfortable ride. Not terribly civilized for everyday driving. Virtually no storage space. Little room for rear passengers. Some tire steer. Handles like a Jeep, requires delicate cornering. Visibility concerns with thick center pillar.
Anita's Vehicle rating: Acceptable
Likes:Classic, rugged styling. Beefy 31-inch off-road tires, Rubicon graphics and diamond-plate sillprotectors. Simple, easy-to-use controls. New standard four-wheel disc brakes for improved stopping distance. Better seats with taller seat backs. 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.
Dislikes: Jeep quality at BMW prices. No power adjustment for side mirrors. Ridiculously tall step-in height. Minimal safety features -- no side air bags, no anti-lock brakes. Short on features -- full metal doors with roll-up windows, air conditioning are optional.
