Mines not an 06 rubi, but I have and 04 rubi and my dad has the 04 450 es. Both bikes are great. For just trail riding and small amounts of mud I would go with the rubicon. Its almost like a caddy compared to the 450. It's got an extra 50 (not sure on actual numbers, but the rubi is 499), it has a hudge seat, some of the nicest stock wheels, and you never have to worry about shifting if you dont want to on the trail. Only draw backs to the rubi is the all time 4wd (fixed with a 424 or the new models have trax-loc) and having a hudge oil capacity( it holds about the same amount of oil as my car).
The 450 however does have it's advantages. It fits into a truck bed easier (rubicon is longer so it really fills a bed up), less complicated deisgn which makes service easier (which with warranty it wont matter) as well as less potential for failure, more of used parts market place (more people own/ have owned them atleast around here).
The 450 however does have it's advantages. It fits into a truck bed easier (rubicon is longer so it really fills a bed up), less complicated deisgn which makes service easier (which with warranty it wont matter) as well as less potential for failure, more of used parts market place (more people own/ have owned them atleast around here).