Where does LC end and Rubicon begin?

[fogby]

Guys. Comparing a bone stock LC to a bone stock 2dr Rubi. with an inexperienced operator. Inexperienced meaning no experience in truly technical trails.

We're likely moving to Colorado. Have a LC that I'm going to keep. We will have a second vehicle as well. We're trying to determine whether to get a Rubi as the second. The only reasons we'd get the Rubi is the top down option and (possibly) it's superior suitability for the trails. While I don't plan on intentionally pushing my vehicle to the limit, I do plan on regularly exploring the trails. We'll be living in Breck so will be close to some pretty scenic trails that we plan on visiting.

We've never explored the SW, so would hopefully get to utilize the LC around Moab, AZ, etc.

 

[RET2]

Guys. Comparing a bone stock LC to a bone stock 2dr Rubi. with an inexperienced operator. Inexperienced meaning no experience in truly technical trails.

We're likely moving to Colorado. Have a LC that I'm going to keep. We will have a second vehicle as well. We're trying to determine whether to get a Rubi as the second. The only reasons we'd get the Rubi is the top down option and (possibly) it's superior suitability for the trails. While I don't plan on intentionally pushing my vehicle to the limit, I do plan on regularly exploring the trails. We'll be living in Breck so will be close to some pretty scenic trails that we plan on visiting.

We've never explored the SW, so would hopefully get to utilize the LC around Moab, AZ, etc.

Keep 45K in your bank account and just open the windows and sunroof on your LC.

 

[teambell]

(possibly)

Hard to compare in every other dimension of use / enjoyment - LC hands down. If its just a second vehicle and you want doors off/ top off and you are just going to be touring on fire roads then get one you want!

 

[1world1love]

Before dropping 50k on a jeep, I would rent one for a week. Don’t drive it off-road though because you already know it is capable off-road. Instead, drive it like you normally drive your 200.

If after a week driving a jeep, you would still consider buying one, then you’re good to go.

Id say it’s more likely that you’ll consider it $300 well spent since

a) you just saved $50k and
b) you now know that you can rent a jeep anytime the urge strikes you

 

[Angelo1]

Being from Colorado, you better keep the top handy at all times. Noon storms out of know where happen in minutes. Many times being hail. I have taken my previous 200’s all over the front range, west side of the Rockies and south into Silverton, Ouray area. The rubicon will do it all but I had never thought “boy, wish I had a Jeep” for any particular trail. A bone stock LC will do most all of it unless you’re thinking to rock crawl. What it will need most of all, A/T tires immediately. Don’t get me wrong, Jeeps are cool and I love having the top off in the summer. What I don’t like, is getting attacked by mosquitoes and yellow jackets. Not saying they won’t fly into the 200 occasionally but less likely.
I love Breck and you must have some serious coin to move there. If it were me, Evergreen is the better option. You can still see nice mtn tops. In Breck, just trees and top of ski slope. Either way, lucky you and you’ll love it.

 

[Angelo1]

Before dropping 50k on a jeep, I would rent one for a week. Don’t drive it off-road though because you already know it is capable off-road. Instead, drive it like you normally drive your 200.

If after a week driving a jeep, you would still consider buying one, then you’re good to go.

Id say it’s more likely that you’ll consider it $300 well spent since

a) you just saved $50k and
b) you now know that you can rent a jeep anytime the urge strikes you

Absolutely agree! Well said

 

[rscoleman]

So never owned a Jeep. My brother in law and some friends have. What I have noticed is that any real off roading with a Jeep seems to result in upgrades. Or maybe they just like upgrading them. I have 1997 T100 I have off roaded since day I bought it off lot. I have never had to upgrade it to go where I wanted to go. On a few occasions I wish I had locker for rear but I stacked some rocks and made it. I feel same about my LC. Stock it will take me just about anywhere I want to go. I think stock LC will take you every where you would take that Jeep (narrow trail being exception). I would not buy a Jeep new maybe used but I would research it quite a bit to see what issues and cost I going to have keeping it on road. Good Luck

 

[WesSiler]

I'd take a strong look at the Bronco. Even though it has IFS, it actually has more travel than the Jeep, plus all the modern traction aid electronics, in their most effective, least invasive, up-to-date form. Better power trains, etc etc etc. Just a much more complete vehicle that will be a lot more fun to drive on road and off.

 

[CharlieS]

I second (or third) the renting idea. I've done that with several vehicles, and quickly ruled them out as vehicles I would ever want to own. That includes a jeep. It looks cool, but is a complete miss in nearly every other way FOR ME.

I'd spend some time with a local 4WD club before I bought anything new. Your bone stock land cruiser can do a ton without any mods (better tires would be nice).

Oh, and I wouldn't spend a penny on a Ford ever again, regardless of what they pay magazines to write nice about them. I've owned a half dozen Fords before we started buying Toyotas, and will never look back. I'd rather own a 15 year old Toyota truck or SUV than any new Ford.

 

[fogby]

Being from Colorado, you better keep the top handy at all times. Noon storms out of know where happen in minutes. Many times being hail. I have taken my previous 200’s all over the front range, west side of the Rockies and south into Silverton, Ouray area. The rubicon will do it all but I had never thought “boy, wish I had a Jeep” for any particular trail. A bone stock LC will do most all of it unless you’re thinking to rock crawl. What it will need most of all, A/T tires immediately. Don’t get me wrong, Jeeps are cool and I love having the top off in the summer. What I don’t like, is getting attacked by mosquitoes and yellow jackets. Not saying they won’t fly into the 200 occasionally but less likely.
I love Breck and you must have some serious coin to move there. If it were me, Evergreen is the better option. You can still see nice mtn tops. In Breck, just trees and top of ski slope. Either way, lucky you and you’ll love it.

Thanks, all.

I think you've really helped with my decision. I don't want A/T tires on the LC. Want to be able to take quite 2k mile trips. I've had A/T's on other vehicles and do not like the noise. Some don't mind, but I do.

We have to have two vehicles. So it's not like I'm coming out of pocket. I'd trade our current vehicle for a different second. I've owned Jeeps so I know what I'm getting. I'd rather have a sport second car/suv, but I think I'm going to opt for the more off-road oriented second.

And mosquitoes - move to NC and you'll learn about them! In my time in Breck and CO, I've never thought they were close to NC.

 

[1world1love]

I'd take a strong look at the Bronco. Even though it has IFS, it actually has more travel than the Jeep, plus all the modern traction aid electronics, in their most effective, least invasive, up-to-date form. Better power trains, etc etc etc. Just a much more complete vehicle that will be a lot more fun to drive on road and off.

Not a bad idea, but not sure I wouldn’t wait for a couple of iterations before jumping into a Bronco. Still a lot of unknowns about reliability yet. Same with the Defender. At least with a Jeep you know what you are getting into.

 

[WesSiler]

Not a bad idea, but not sure I wouldn’t wait for a couple of iterations before jumping into a Bronco. Still a lot of unknowns about reliability yet. Same with the Defender. At least with a Jeep you know what you are getting into.

It's worth stating for the millionth time that relhiAbullOty is largely a construct of TacomaWorld trolls.

The Bronco is being built on the most proven, strongest mid size platform available anywhere in the world, using proven components from already very successful vehicles. The powertrains are common across ford products, the electronic wizardry comes straight off the Raptor, and Ford knows how to bolt a truck together.

Any new vehicle that you buy today that isn't made by Tesla, VAG, BMW, or JLR will be trouble free for 150k+ miles and 10+ years.

 

[CharlieS]

It's worth stating for the millionth time that relhiAbullOty is largely a construct of TacomaWorld trolls.

The Bronco is being built on the most proven, strongest mid size platform available anywhere in the world, using proven components from already very successful vehicles. The powertrains are common across ford products, the electronic wizardry comes straight off the Raptor, and Ford knows how to bolt a truck together.

Any new vehicle that you buy today that isn't made by Tesla, VAG, BMW, or JLR will be trouble free for 150k+ miles and 10+ years.

I couldn't possibly disagree more, but I respect your point of view.

 

[gaijin]

Thanks, all.

I think you've really helped with my decision. I don't want A/T tires on the LC. Want to be able to take quite 2k mile trips. I've had A/T's on other vehicles and do not like the noise. Some don't mind, but I do.

We have to have two vehicles. So it's not like I'm coming out of pocket. I'd trade our current vehicle for a different second. I've owned Jeeps so I know what I'm getting. I'd rather have a sport second car/suv, but I think I'm going to opt for the more off-road oriented second.

And mosquitoes - move to NC and you'll learn about them! In my time in Breck and CO, I've never thought they were close to NC.

Sounds like you have answered well your own question. So... enjoy your stock LC and your Rubicon - both great choices!

HTH

 

[1world1love]

It's worth stating for the millionth time that relhiAbullOty is largely a construct of TacomaWorld trolls.

The Bronco is being built on the most proven, strongest mid size platform available anywhere in the world, using proven components from already very successful vehicles. The powertrains are common across ford products, the electronic wizardry comes straight off the Raptor, and Ford knows how to bolt a truck together.

Any new vehicle that you buy today that isn't made by Tesla, VAG, BMW, or JLR will be trouble free for 150k+ miles and 10+ years.

Not sure what TacomaWorld is so I cannot speak to that, but I have owned a number of Fords and all I can say is that if you don't think there is a difference in build quality and reliability between a Ford and Toyota, then it probably means that you have had better experiences than me and pretty much everybody I know.

I certainly respect your opinion on the matter, but it just hasn't matched with my personal experience. There is no way in hell that I would load my family up in a new Bronco and drive it out in to the places that I drive my 200. For me, that is always the question that I ask about a vehicle. Am I willing to put my wife and kids in it and take it where it is our only way back to safety? There is not a Ford or GM on the planet where the answer would be yes.

All of that is just me though. That is why I said in my original post "I wouldn't" rather than "you shouldn't". To each his own.

 

[CharlieS]

I can't fathom why someone would own one of the finest off road vehicles in the world, suggests that they are inexperienced with technical off-road trails, but already know they need a Jeep Rubicon to hit the trails around Breck. It'll look the part parked in front of the local watering hole, I guess.

 

[WesSiler]

if you don't think there is a difference in build quality and reliability between a Ford and Toyota, then it probably means that you have had better experiences than me and pretty much everybody I know.

I'd change that sentence to say between Ford and the 200 series. Volume 'yotas aren't made like our vehicles.

This is relevant:

 

[Madtiger]

It's worth stating for the millionth time that relhiAbullOty is largely a construct of TacomaWorld trolls.

The Bronco is being built on the most proven, strongest mid size platform available anywhere in the world, using proven components from already very successful vehicles. The powertrains are common across ford products, the electronic wizardry comes straight off the Raptor, and Ford knows how to bolt a truck together.

Any new vehicle that you buy today that isn't made by Tesla, VAG, BMW, or JLR will be trouble free for 150k+ miles and 10+ years.

Hmmm, my brother’s 2019 Raptor has been a disaster. For the 1st six months of ownership, it spent more time at the dealer service bay than in his garage. Electronic wizardry went out a few times…and parts for those electronics were on back order because so many F150s had the same issue. His Raptor went into 4wd HI on its own TWICE and made horrible grinding noise…had to visit dealer twice for that issue alone...the last one being last month…they claim that they fix it this time.

He loves it. But he admits that he does not plan on keeping it past 100k miles.

 

[Arcturns]

We live in a Colorado mountain town and own a 200LC and a Wrangler 4 door. The Wrangler is my wife's car, the daily town and trail to trailhead ride. Don't have to worry about it getting dinged up in tourist oriented ski resort, grocery store, trailhead parking lots. It's also great fun to pull the top and doors off explore off-road day destinations during the dry months. The LC is our remote camp, overland, long distance exploration trip ride and what I use when commuting to Denver for work.

 

[WesSiler]

Hmmm, my brother’s 2019 Raptor has been a disaster. For the 1st six months of ownership, i spent more time at the dealer service bay than in his garage. Electronic wizardry went out a few times…and parts for those electronics were on back order because so many F150s had the same issue. His Raptor went into 4wd HI on its own TWICE and made horrible grinding noise…had to visit dealer twice for that issue alone...the last one being last month…they claim that they fix it this time.

He loves it. But he admits that he does not plan on keeping it past 100k miles.

Read IH8Mud, and you'd think Land Cruisers were blowing their radiators, bricking their head units, and busting their CDLs ever time they drive to a grocery store. Problems can happen with any vehicle, but we're incredibly spoiled these days with quality vehicles.

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The Bronco is essentially a Ranger underneath, with better suspension.