2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon review from North America
"This is a great rugged vehicle with a family of other owners to feel inviting"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
So far, the only issue I have had with this Wrangler is a rattle from the clutch pedal. The pedal arm has some lateral movement that makes a rather loud knock sound while driving on a rough surface, i.e. gravel road, off-road, etc.
General comments?
Before purchasing the 2003 Rubicon, I test drove 3 different new 2004 models; a SE 4-cylinder, a Sport with the automatic & manual transmission, both with 6-cylinder engines. This led me to choose a 6-cylinder.
When comparing the options of the Sport model and what aftermarket improvements I intended or dreamed of adding, the Rubicon seemed to be the best choice to purchase.
Handles incredibly well in corners for a SUV.
The Rubicon does run out of gears before it runs out of power. I noticed that at freeway speeds the RPM's are high and negatively affect mileage at speeds greater than 65 mph.
The instrument cluster, console, and dashboard offer great ergonomics, although all took some getting used to after having the immense interior space of a full-size bronco.
Looking forward to trying to get stuck off-road, as long as I don't do any damage.
Recommended reviews
| 2003 - Wrangler Sport 4.0L AMC inline six A real SUV that others try to be like |
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| 2002 - Wrangler Sport 4.0 Litre Truly worth every penny spent |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.0L Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 27700 miles |
| Most recent distance | 35000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Bronco |
| Date of Entry | 25th October, 2004 |