congrats on deciding . every one has a different need or finance situation
I had bought a 2011 sport , i was thrilled to get it , i didnt know about gearing a the the time and i got 3.21 gearing:rolleyes2::sFun_hot: and no a/c lol the first summer i nearly died from heat , i wanted off the 225 pizza cutters, i added 33s then i found the thing lacked power up hills, lowerd fuel, and i was going to need new gears , beef up front axles , lockers, quick disconect sway bar links , c gussets. better shocks , and also loose the use of the vehicle while doing all this ! . Oh tire carriers etc...and finding a trustworthy jeep shop to do it all or some like re gearing it. , i was thinking lifting , and all sorst of money needed and loosing any type warranty on after market adds, I Traded it in with only 10,000 miles . the difference in the rubicon was $10,000 more but my 2011 was paid in full at this point. I thought im not good with doing all this stuff on my own i knew little and not a lot of jeep friends to get advise or help me . Itraded it and ordered the rubicon . I got $21,000 for my sport so i lost a couple of grand . \The rubicon was $31,000 i made high payments for two years to get the 10 grand paid off. but im payed off now on my 2012 rubicon and i can now add stuff as i see the need . But during the two years ive been driving with out wishing for lockers , better tires, though i had the nittos i had bought and the stockers . I have the elec swaybar, the 410 gearing air condition lol :rock: and low transfer case . all the things i realy wanted. Plus warranty not at risk to be voided on those parts . Now i have things ill do i ordered c gussets. new bumper hd track bar , grade 8 bolts , and just minor things. So it worked out nicely and im not looking to go big 37" tires or even lift it at this time im very happy with it as is. Im glad i traded my sport for these reasons . I was always wishing in the back of my mind i should have bought the rubicon . a sport is just as nice . but more work to do and a lot of down time , and to me the rubicon made good sence seeing i wont replace all the stuff i may up grade as things break, but its been gradual building. Yet less stressful
Best of luck with your choice though and we all have to be happy we have one to work on building . some have plenty of cash flow others have to slowly get it done and always some one who has a better one. either way enjoy the jeep of ( your ) choice do things the way you feel will best suit your long term needs , you loose money usually when you buy the sport and then want the rubicon and trade up for it . Money that could have been spent on parts on either jeep . So dont jump on the decision and get the wrong one ! :twocents:
