It’s
one thing when a mom (marketing executive) wants her daughter
(high school English teacher) to find a nice guy and settle
down. It’s another thing when the daughter thinks her mom
is “old school.” Put that combination of reasoning together
with test driving cars for manufacturers and you really see
the generation gap in this ongoing saga of cars, men and family.
Boomer:
I know what a Jeep Wrangler is, but what does the name Rubicon
have to do with Jeep, where did they come up with that name?
X:
Mother, The Rubicon Trail in California is on of the toughest
and most exciting trails for off road enthusiasts in the world.
Boomer:
Excuse me, I didn’t know that. Well then, I would say “Rubicon”
is the perfect name for that Jeep Wrangler model. I felt
like I was bouncing off road the whole time. By the way, how
did you know about the Rubicon Trail you teach English, not
Geography.
X:
Do you remember Steve, who I dated in College?
Boomer:
Steve Rubicon? Not really.
X:
No, Steve Connors who used to go to the Rubicon Trail with
his old fixed up Jeep every spring. He invested so much money
in his old Wrangler to make it perfect for the rugged trails
we ate dinner at McDonalds a lot. Now Wrangler has engineered
and outfitted the Rubicon so you can take it directly from
the showroom floor to the Rubicon Trail or any other challenging
terrain. No fuss, no muss, no aftermarket products.
Boomer:
I should hope so¼
the price of the Rubicon is $10,000 more than the Jeep Wrangler
SE.
X:
There is an easy explanation for that. The Rubicon engine
has 4.0 liter, 190 horsepower i6 vs. the Wrangler SE, only
has a 2.4 liter, 147 horsepower i4. The Rubicon has a larger
engine, 31 inch off–road tires, special wheels, air locker
differential and Dana 44s. Everything you need to go safely
off road and have fun.
Boomer:
Off Road yes¼not city
or highway driving, I was a bit uncomfortable on the local
streets, it was a pretty stiff ride, I’m glad I wore a sports
bra.
X:
Thanks for sharing. With the jeep suspension it wasn’t designed
for everyday street driving. It has live axle quadra ‑
coil, front and rear suspension with leading/trailing arms,
track bar, coil springs and high pressure/gas‑charged
shock absorbers. It is actually similar to taking a Hummer
off road.
Boomer:
I think the only thing the jeep absorbed was fuel also similar
to the Hummer. The estimated fuel ratings on the Rubicon were
15 city and 19 highway. Thank goodness it was fun to drive;
actually it was like driving a convertible SUV.
X:
I thought I received a lot of attention when the top was down
while driving through Cave Creek. I went off road a few times
there, but didn’t want to make a mess in the desert.
Boomer:
How considerate of you. The low cut tank top didn’t hurt
either. Maybe the bouncing up and down in the jeep was instrumental
in additional attention as well.
X:
Mother! Believe it or not, the Jeep Rubicon has great safety
features in case you think a Jeep is a lightweight piece of
metal on four wheels. It has a fully padded safety roll bar,
driver and passenger airbags, side guard door beams and an
open with “key only” gas cap.
Boomer:
Well, now I feel so much safer.
X:
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is an all wheel vehicle that Jeep
Wrangler has added all the bells and whistles needed to make
the perfect off road vehicle. You would have to invest at
least $10,000 in additional equipment to a regular Wrangler
to make it what the Rubicon already
is.
Boomer:
OK, I get it. I agree the Rubicon is good for off road and
I agree you would pay dearly to up fit a regular Wrangler,
but it’s not for me. I would rather take a Porsche Cayenne
turbo 4X4 off road.
X:
Sure, now let’s do apples to apples mom, the Porsche Cayenne
is about $95,000 and the Jeep Rubicon is about $26,000.
Boomer:
Whatever!
X:
I liked the Rubicon, but I would like it as my second vehicle
or third. It was fun and I think it is a perfect match for
the lifestyle it has been designed for. Not mine.
Boomer:
Or mine. However, I did feel 20 years younger when I was
driving it.
X:
Why? Because no one could see you?
Boomer:
No because I felt sporty and outdoorsy and ...
