I daily drive my gladiator and love it, and it’s set up for desert driving, but yeah a daily and an off roader is great! Although if I was spending 300+ now I might go for a 700 HP TRX 😎 but that’s just me!
I would be mindful if you plan to modify the jeep, it’s expensive and addictive lol so might eat in to that budget
in my opinion a rubicon is not worth it for desert driving, sway bar disconnect you will never use and lockers hardly ever, I don’t have lockers and have never needed them!
if your going top of the line jeep get a sand runner! It’s built for sand and is high spec