Heading out of town:
To that end, we 4 headed got on the big road north. The late getaway saw the sun slipping below the distant mountains as memories city traffic became a dim, dark, whisp in the rearview mirror.
Ethan was driving, and the driver gets to connect to CarPlay. Thankfully he is no longer into self-help podcasts, but 80's rock is wearing on shattered nerves. Max pulled the plug in a single deft movement.
Ethan is a driver who longs for a 3rd pedal and notchy set of gears, but not on this drive. The 8-speed automatic, a big lazy V6, and animated chatter, make cruising the open road a pleasure. We were once again heading into the valley for a weekend of rest, wine, car-critique.
We've made ourselves at home over the last few years, gradually building supplies of essentials at The Cottages. We've developed suitable wardrobes in our favourite lodgings, so that all the car needs is to have food and delicious drinks on board.
Casper made road snacks, and beers, ginger beers of course. The only time we stop is the 45minute driver change, usually involving potty breaks.
While the highway is fairly smooth, the choppy road into town is a different matter. Wrangler Rubicon soon displays her staunch off-road credentials by jiggling our bits that shouldn't be jiggled. You thank yourself later where those same credentials get the Jeep out of sticky situations. There is a careful balance between road and goat track that all 4x4 designs must tread. Wrangler Rubiconis happiest off-piste , so tends more to dirt tracks than cobbled street, comfort-wise.
See Specifications and Buyer's guide HERE:jeep-wrangler-my23-buyers-guide-may-2023
Once through the village, it is only a short distance to the gaggles of quaint Cottages set in a quiet corner of the vineyard. The compound now has its own entrance, a gravelled drive that winds for well over 800m through rocky terrain, and is best taken at an easy pace.
Later, we sat around the fire pit, drinking wine while digging in to one of Casper's famous pastas.
I gave each of the boys a Wrangler Rubiconsubject on which to elucidate:
Casper:
Looks:
Wrangler Rubicon makes me happy. When I think of a 4x4, I think Wrangler. Our 4-door has a brilliant roof with central retracting canvas section, a huge sunroof if you will. We contemplated taking the roof and doors off just to see what it looks like, but decided looking at photos from an earlier story took less time.
The Rubicon costs 90 grand, and we were reluctant to take it "up the back passage," a track known for land slides and rock falls. The 4x4 track would not stress the Wrangler, but it certainly wouldn't do much for our nerves, and is best left alone when in someone else's car, right?
Wrangler Rubicon is rugged and looks the part. It makes every gay boy feel like a king, or queen.
Wrangler Rubicon looks like every rugged off-roader should look like. There is plenty of ground clearance, and the recovery points could haul a bus out of a bog.
Travis:
I used to drive a RAM, so Wrangler Rubiconfeels like a baby compared to that big, butch, monster truck. Wrangler Rubicon handles better, is easier to park in town, is lighter when off-road, and will take 4 adults in comfort, or 5 at a pinch. There is plenty of space for gear too, and the household outlet in the second row comes in handy.
Switches and controls do exactly what they say they do, and the U-Connect system has wired CarPlay. The 2024 Wrangler Rubicongets U-Connect 5 which has a bigger screen and wireless CarPlay.
Even though there are cool rubber floor mats with a map of the Rubicon Trail embossed on them, I just couldn't see the interior covered in schmutz.
Jeep has cleverly modernised Wrangler Rubiconwhile still keeping spirit of the original on show inside and out. This is one of the few cars that looks good with analogue driver dials, but I'd still like Grand Cherokee's LCD set-up instead. Maybe jeep could give it a vintage twist.
See Specifications and Buyer's guide HERE:jeep-wrangler-my23-buyers-guide-may-2023
With the roof and doors off, the windscreen hinged forward, and Wrangler Rubiconopen to nature, passengers feel part of the environment. Removing the parts requires an eager helper, but once off, that's that. The world's weather is now on "Shuffle", and New South Wales is taking 4-seaons-in-a-day literally. This week saw near 40c, then 20 degrees cooler next day. We had sunny and rainy, wind then calm, and the occasional Arctic blow. With the roof on, you could her the patter of rain overhead, and I like that. Once off, the roof and doors stay at home.
Max:
I write this while nibbling the last of Casper's smoked salmon blini, washed down with a glass of cabernet.
Normally I meet the boys here at the Cottages, a compound of recued local worker's residences. This week however, I caught a lift up from the city.
You've often heard us mention The Cottages. We repurposed them a few years ago with the intention of renting them at weekends, but they've become an off-grid second home for a dozen wayward Sydney mates. We sit around the fire pit at night, fixing the world's woes over many glasses of local wine.
On the subject of the Jeep, we've enjoyed decent ride and a well-appointed cabin. Wrangler Rubicon is the poster boy for the iconic sunny summer holiday. It means beach, sand, mud, tents, trails, but most of all, company.
The road manners are passable, but off-road, few can better Wrangler's grip and trick "disconnecting sway bar". You can balance it delicately on 2 wheels, gently bringing it down on the 3rd as you crawl down a rocky outcrop. Nothing seems to cause the Jeep to break into a nervous sweat.
SUVs have their place, but a proper 4x4 needs low range, enough ground clearance for tough stuff, and a fuel tank that doesn't need big hugs every 200km. Wrangler Rubiconis a proper 4x4.
Alan:
Wrangler Rubiconmakes me happy. Wrangler Rubicon is Jeep, and is what it means to be properly outdoorsy. It is capable without being precious, and can go anywhere its owner desires.
It doesn't pretend to be luxurious, or a city car, or thrifty, or a tourer, or a sports car. What you see is exactly what you get.
You don't think Wrangler Rubicon will be easy to park, but it is. You can cope with peak our traffic, while highway mode includes radar cruise and blind spot monitor. There is no silly frippery to distract the passengers. Everything is there for a reason.
See Specifications and Buyer's guide HERE:jeep-wrangler-my23-buyers-guide-may-2023
Converting to a fully open 5-seat off-roader takes 2 people, but once the parts are lifted off, they stay where ever you put them. In preference to the 3-part removeable roof, the fabric roof is retractable, running on side rails from front to back, yet the whole thing can still be taken off.
Wrangler Rubicon is as good as 2 tonnes, so don't expect the V6 Pentastar to be thrifty. I'll say no more on the subject.
Comfort brings nature inside without feeling as if it has intruded. Importantly, no matter where you decide to go, Wrangler Rubicon will accompany you, like an old mate.
Conclusion:
If I'm honest, I'd wait for the 2024 Wrangler, I quite fancy U-Connect 5.
As if is, the big Jeep is butch without being Mr. Boastypants. It makes no apologies, but it is not for everyone. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has stayed on the favourite Gay Car Boys top 10 list for good reason
Price: $90,450
- Engine: 3.6L V6 Petrol (Pentastar)
- Power: 209kw/347Nm
- Trans: 8-Speed
- Econ: 10.3L/100k
- 4X4: Rock-Trac Active On-Demand 4×4
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