Soon to be...New to Me. objective input requested. Ramblings

[Tang Soo Grizzly]

Hello all; apologize if wrong area and that it is my first post. I get long winded. sorry.

i've been shopping over a year after selling my dually diesel. after a failed surgery i made a bad call and sold my truck. stupid me. .

anyway, i cant find anything I'm happy with. after driving a CJ5 for 20 years and seeing a gladiator I was smitten. I also love the newer RAM trucks and even the Subaru wilderness series. (I'm an old car / bike/truck junkie so i guess its hard to find something i don't like).

market is insane, i finally put deposit on a 21 gladiator - its snazzberry. its missing something things i'd like though. The aux switches, the front camera, the steel bumper. it has 60k miles on it though.

i'm a bit ticked . it was built with two tops and advertised with 2. the dealer waits and i learn only giving one, I used to do all my own work but i don't know that i can mover around and turn wrenches anymore. regrettably . i get so excited thinking of building another jeep. though after buying it i cant add as i'd like. i'd want to add the aux switches, don't know that the camera can be added though there are other ones. yes, i may not be off road as i was with my CJ but my mind wants to think i can. it is a Rubi. it has the rock rails which i'm ok with BUT, i need to make it easier to get in and out . i don't see anything i can add to them for a step so all i've seen is the mopar high performance rub rail or an alternative

so the input part....well....i am thinking i am foolish to do this. in part cause this unit isn't built exactly as i want. i wouldnt have built one with snazzberry but love the color and hear it is discontinued. i am thinking getting a raM crew cab is a smarter decision for me and allot more room. i just am a sucker for a jeep but have been away so long. i didn't think i could fit in one anymore. my left arm feels jammed. maybe i never noticed it all those decades ago as my CJ5 was a standard. the RAM would be used if i were to do. thats the other part of this. spending all that money on a vehicle that is used with high miles and no warrenty. (though they tell me its certified - whatever that gains me). but if i went with a wilderness i could save near 10K and have a new car warrantee. . I'm torn between passion and logic.

and I forgot to mention. i got underneed and see obvious signs of an oil leak. not dropping but the stains and stuck on layer is on the engine and tranny as well as the cross member. it looks to me like a rear main but isn't it premature? i can't see up but didn't think it was coming from above. like a valve cover for example. so now i'm a bit concerned getting one with an oil leak. they say they'll check, but that is of little value to me. not allot of positive dealer experiences. Is 60K miles allot . it seems allot for the year either way. and i am not a fan of sealed trannys though everything i look at seems to be. at 60K isn't it over due by allot for an oil and filter change?

PS i had a deposit on a perfect sahara 2018 wrangler a month or so earlier but it was at a ford dealer and i found it had the original aluminum steering gear on it and after 2 weeks back and fourth the dealer would not facilitate getting the TSB done to repair the steering. thankfully we had to wait for the title and i read up on it. i just assumed the steering was natural since i could never keep my CJ5 on the road..

sorry all but thank you for listening. hope it is intelligible. thanks for letting me join.

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[22EcoDs]

Aux switches, roof options, steps etc you can all do aftermarket. At 60k I would be checking fluid maintenance. Diffs, tcase, at least 6-7 oil changes. Put the posting up for the truck, people here will be quick to give you an opinion

 

[Florida Mojave]

You're not really comparing apples to apples. There are ways to get a new JT on discount if you search on here - so you got the right price, a warranty and you order it EXACTLY as YOU want it. I did it with mine and I couldn't be happier... You have three different vehicles for three different purposes, need to narrow that down first, I can completely understand the love for Jeep....
Good luck, there is a plethora of information on this site plus guys with more knowledge than you can imagine.

 

[Tang Soo Grizzly]

thank you everyone for the feedback. I know my post is poorly crafted but I never meant to compare "apples to apples". Possibly Apple to Orange to Banana. I love them all but which makes the most sense when factor in other things. including as simple as which excites, or comforts, or even is more reliable as a daily driver or more prudent relative to maintenance cost and needs. what someone's logic or passion bone makes them think or react when they are brought up. I realize it is biased here insofar as the common love of the jeep. That's great. I didn't need to defend or explain that component. its a reason why I wouldn't make the same post, hopefully crafted better, to a group dedicated to say crew cab Rebels or Dog owners for subaru sites.

I am not yelling in case it comes out that way. merely acknowledging that they are different vehicles . that could be partly why I struggle with it some. i can't imagine not having a pickup any more even though i may never have a 5th wheel or truck camper again, though I'd love to. I think I've always had the luxury of multiple vehicles and its hard for me to lock down into one. when i had the CJ5 I also had a vette during the same 20 year period. or always luxury, comfy, , sporty big vehicle to compliment the work horse.

Shucks, I'd love to order a new vehicle. Though i don't recall finding the discount sources in my lurking (thank you - I will try and search it out), it will be difficult to get a well equipped rubi trim down in range. Though i do concur that i could probably get a non rubi trim level closer to earth bound range. but if you're correct it would be nice. I don't know all the trim levels well and when looking it does sometimes get difficult to stay objective.

 

[Pedal Metal]

I think can appreciate the complexity of your buying decision as I have a bit of a unique background to some aspects of it. I’d submit that it’s ALL relative, AND there’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer. I realize that’s an awful answer of help, but it’s really true if you consider that if you collected 10 unique buyers and asked them to define the perfect Jeep buy situation you’d likely get 10 different answers! So, consider that as you back away to reconsider your purchase and “settle your inner chi” (kidding , but a little true). As I consider giving my opinion on your perfect buy, I’ll first try to focus on what I think about in terms of baseline logic in a deal. I’d recommend taking it back to the basics. Try to figure out a ”few” of the most important things you want out of the deal and don’t settle until you run out of the time, money or patience you’ve allotted for this exercise. If you run out of enough of any of those three things then maybe it’s time to settle and you can be at ease that you tried to make the best decision you could under the circumstances, but until then, focus on satisfying what you think you really want out of the deal.
As for me, my focus in my last deal was the financials, the fun of doing it and the fun I’d have later. You may think that is either stupid or profound, but just consider that my last deal was actually my third gladiator purchase since August, ‘21, and my second order in that period. Make no mistake, there were aspects of that deal which where complicated and a few moving pieces to it. So, I’d just summarize it as something like trading stocks or playing poker and I really had fun bellying up to the table.
As for your statement about the insane market, well, my opinion is a bit mixed in terms of it was a lot more so and is a lot less so now. So, don’t let them bully your logic with that, and just consider maybe there is a better way you can play the game.
After saying all that, I’d recommend working on a better deal and probably ordering the exact thing you think you want if you can be content with the time it’ll take and recognize anything you buy may well eventually have problems as everything dies. However, have as much responsible fun as you can while you’re alive but just try not to be the fool of the party!
Good for you for trying to be critically minded and good luck! If you want some help from something of a ‘buying coach’ you can PM me.
Cheers!

 

[coalcracker]

I know you’re a Jeep guy and I would love to see you in a Gladiator!

But just trying to be objective here; if you have back problems, you might want to strongly consider the RAM. I have a 2016 RAM 1500 Laramie and it is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. The ride is smooth and in my opinion, better than the Gladiator (even though I think the Gladilator is more comfortable than my Jeep, which is a 2-door JK). So you might want to strongly consider that if you need the extra comfort due to your back.

Now, what I can say for “fun factor,” I love my RAM but it’s definitely NOT as fun to drive as my JK, or as a Gladiator. Although I don’t own a Gladiator yet, I had one as a rental and have test driven a few.

Re: the front-facing trail cam and aux switches, there are some videos on YouTube that show the process for installing on your own if you want the OEM equipment, so maybe you can take a look and see if that process is something you are comfortable with doing on your own.

Hope this info helps, but I can definitely understand wanting a Gladiator! And with the way the market is right now (kind of weird), I can also understand your dillemma about getting a used one now, or ordering a new one.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Two years old with 60k miles is a lot, look for something else.

From what you have described, a Jeep is not a good fit for you. Find something that is easy to get in and out of. Look through the sales and ordering threads. There are at least three dealers that sell at a discounted price, and they can probably order you a RAM truck.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Hello all; apologize if wrong area and that it is my first post. I get long winded. sorry.

i've been shopping over a year after selling my dually diesel. after a failed surgery i made a bad call and sold my truck. stupid me. .

anyway, i cant find anything I'm happy with. after driving a CJ5 for 20 years and seeing a gladiator I was smitten. I also love the newer RAM trucks and even the Subaru wilderness series. (I'm an old car / bike/truck junkie so i guess its hard to find something i don't like).

market is insane, i finally put deposit on a 21 gladiator - its snazzberry. its missing something things i'd like though. The aux switches, the front camera, the steel bumper. it has 60k miles on it though.

i'm a bit ticked . it was built with two tops and advertised with 2. the dealer waits and i learn only giving one, I used to do all my own work but i don't know that i can mover around and turn wrenches anymore. regrettably . i get so excited thinking of building another jeep. though after buying it i cant add as i'd like. i'd want to add the aux switches, don't know that the camera can be added though there are other ones. yes, i may not be off road as i was with my CJ but my mind wants to think i can. it is a Rubi. it has the rock rails which i'm ok with BUT, i need to make it easier to get in and out . i don't see anything i can add to them for a step so all i've seen is the mopar high performance rub rail or an alternative

so the input part....well....i am thinking i am foolish to do this. in part cause this unit isn't built exactly as i want. i wouldnt have built one with snazzberry but love the color and hear it is discontinued. i am thinking getting a raM crew cab is a smarter decision for me and allot more room. i just am a sucker for a jeep but have been away so long. i didn't think i could fit in one anymore. my left arm feels jammed. maybe i never noticed it all those decades ago as my CJ5 was a standard. the RAM would be used if i were to do. thats the other part of this. spending all that money on a vehicle that is used with high miles and no warrenty. (though they tell me its certified - whatever that gains me). but if i went with a wilderness i could save near 10K and have a new car warrantee. . I'm torn between passion and logic.

and I forgot to mention. i got underneed and see obvious signs of an oil leak. not dropping but the stains and stuck on layer is on the engine and tranny as well as the cross member. it looks to me like a rear main but isn't it premature? i can't see up but didn't think it was coming from above. like a valve cover for example. so now i'm a bit concerned getting one with an oil leak. they say they'll check, but that is of little value to me. not allot of positive dealer experiences. Is 60K miles allot . it seems allot for the year either way. and i am not a fan of sealed trannys though everything i look at seems to be. at 60K isn't it over due by allot for an oil and filter change?

PS i had a deposit on a perfect sahara 2018 wrangler a month or so earlier but it was at a ford dealer and i found it had the original aluminum steering gear on it and after 2 weeks back and fourth the dealer would not facilitate getting the TSB done to repair the steering. thankfully we had to wait for the title and i read up on it. i just assumed the steering was natural since i could never keep my CJ5 on the road..

sorry all but thank you for listening. hope it is intelligible. thanks for letting me join.

Setting aside all the issues with the JT that you are looking at….based on you self stated physical assessment and needs you basically state within your post that the Jeep is a bad idea. Nostalgia in this case is not a good reason to buy one unless it is your second vehicle.

”I used to do all my own work but i don't know that i can mover around and turn wrenches anymore”
”my left arm feels jammed“

etc etc

 

[Fortus]

The nice thing about this crazy car market is that if what you buy doesn't work for you, you can turn around and sell it with a very small net loss or even a profit. That being said: Get the Subaru, and if you hate it, trade it for something else later.

Personally, I would not touch anything with 60K miles and an oil leak + no warranty. A certified vehicle means that 1) It went through an inspection where they would have found that leak 2) It has some sort of extended warranty

 

[Gvsukids]

rear main but isn't it premature?

New Gladiator's have that issue too.

i don't see anything i can add to them for a step so all i've seen is the mopar high performance rub rail or an alternative

Aftermarket companies make rails with steps.

The aux switches, the front camera, the steel bumper.

Z automotive makes a front camera.

 

[Tang Soo Grizzly]

That being said: Get the Subaru, and if you hate it, trade it for something else later.

A certified vehicle means that 1) It went through an inspection where they would have found that leak 2) It has some sort of extended warranty

First a big thank you to everyone. I value the thoughts and opinions of others. It helps me greatly to form my own path.

I'll note that this unit is a factory certified unit . Its why I often question the value of such things.

It would have whatever gain in warranty there is for a certified unit. They aren't clear on it but mention a 3 month limited and I think it was 10 up (forget mileage) on power train. So there would be a cost to try and add more from fca.

Thank you. That thought you mention re the subaru has crossed my mind. They seemed a bang for the buck value. I'm scared as heck to not have a pickup anymore. And I have recently read subaru has made a big jump in pricing (3 k on some configs) blaming it on availability of parts. (As I remeber the story line). I had been interested in their ascent wilderness which turned out to be an enhanced onyx. So now there are 2 ascent onyx levels and if you want any of the goodies you are forced to tier 2 which is now pricey as the touring became.
I was dragging me feet some to see if they'd introduce a pickup but nothing. The last subaru we had was an early 70's lol.

 

[Kirk*Mojave]

I'd look for something else 60k is kinda high

 

[Lunentucker]

Sounds like the Subaru is going to be perfect for you!

 

[Gvsukids]

Sounds like the Subaru is going to be perfect for you!

And can make it down most of the forest roads Gladiators like to travel.

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