Is the Gladiator losing interest with buyers?

[Gizmo]

Seems to be a lot of interest around here . I have people asking if they can take pictures of it all the time and wanting to know if I can answere a few questions about the Gladiator. The longer I have it the more attention it seems to get and its nothing special .

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[jcarbs]

As I read through the comments, the major question that needs to be answered concerns the price of a full size versus a midsize. When I can get a Chevy Trail Boss or a 4x4 RAM 1500 for about the same price as the Gladiator's at my local dealer, what's the better choice for my needs? Had I not wanted a Jeep when I went on the lot and saw the benefit of getting a Gladiator over a JLU for my needs, I would have probably gone with a full size pickup.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

As I read through the comments, the major question that needs to be answered concerns the price of a full size versus a midsize. When I can get a Chevy Trail Boss or a 4x4 RAM 1500 for about the same price as the Gladiator's at my local dealer, what's the better choice for my needs? Had I not wanted a Jeep when I went on the lot and saw the benefit of getting a Gladiator over a JLU for my needs, I would have probably gone with a full size pickup.

Full size trucks don't fit on a lot of the forest service roads and jeep trails around here. There are a lot of camping and hunting spots that will wreck a full size trying to get back into.

 

[jcarbs]

Full size trucks don't fit on a lot of the forest service roads and jeep trails around here. There are a lot of camping and hunting spots that will wreck a full size trying to get back into.

True, but the OP asked if people are loosing interest in midsize trucks, especially the gladiator. Not everyone who buys a gladiator one goes out on trails or plans to, so there are other options and I wonder if they are now looking at those options before getting a Gladiator.

 

[AmosMoses]

As I read through the comments, the major question that needs to be answered concerns the price of a full size versus a midsize. When I can get a Chevy Trail Boss or a 4x4 RAM 1500 for about the same price as the Gladiator's at my local dealer, what's the better choice for my needs? Had I not wanted a Jeep when I went on the lot and saw the benefit of getting a Gladiator over a JLU for my needs, I would have probably gone with a full size pickup.

You could have but you didn't. Personally, I didn't want a big gawdy truck even though you could say you could get more truck for the money buying full size. I think that is pretty evident. I have no regrets.

I think alot of people buy into an image before really thinking about a purchase with today's jeeps and what they are getting for their money.

 

[jcarbs]

You could have but you didn't. Personally, I didn't want a big gawdy truck even though you could say you could get more truck for the money buying full size. I think that is pretty evident. I have no regrets.

I think alot of people buy into an image before really thinking about a purchase with today's jeeps and what they are getting for their money.

I agree, I didn't want a full size and personally wanted all the benefits of a wrangler with a bed to put stuff in. The gladiator was a perfect choice for me and my family. But not everyone is like us.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't think the JT is as niche as folks think. It sure is expensive though, compared to other offerings - I feel like that's what causes a lot of the 'niche'ness.

I actually cross shopped the (then current, now previous model) Tacoma with the Gladiator. Aside from the fact that you simply couldn't get a Tacoma at the time, I would have gotten an antiquated engine and transmission (3.5L Atkinson and a 5 speed auto) - that during a test drive, felt even more anemic than a Gladiator. My Max Tow has superior performance from the drivetrain and a roomier back seat.

I've had a few other trucks, but it was time to 'downsize', the big Chevy wasn't really "needed" any more.
It fit my needs, and I've always liked Jeeps, we've had great luck with every Jeep we've ever owned, from Comanche to Cherokee to Grand Cherokee to Liberty, few problems. The only vehicle that was more trouble-free was the car my wife is still unhappy with me for trading it off for my F250 years ago - her 90 Camaro. We had absolutely ZERO troubles of any sort - 0, nothing nada. It had no leaks, no squeaks, no weird sounds, it started, ran nice, good mpg (mid 20s on the interstate), transmission was fine, the t-tops didn't even ever leak and were simple to remove and put back in. It was probably the most perfect vehicle we've ever had.

The JT does what I want and what I need. I can also do more with it if I decide to in the future. It tows my stuff, it hauls most of my stuff (trailer for looooooong things or super-heavy stuff), it fits the garage, easy to work on, and my son says the back seat is better for him than my Silverado's back seat was for head room and leg room (he's 6' )
He, his wife and son ride with us in the back seat of my JT with ease.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

PS - shouldn't the question be:
"are buyers losing interest in the Gladiator"
rather than
is the Gladiator losing interest ......................
- it never had any to lose............

 

[staying_tuned]

It’s such a timeless design coupled with immense capability but you pay for it. I think the new norm will be more folks will simply choose not to pay for it who may have a handful of years ago. The Glady price point isn’t even that bad, it’s worth it, but right now you can get a loaded Colorado TB OTD for 45k. Apples and oranges I know, but I think folks are backing off the idea of Jeep life more often than ever.

We recently sold ours but I’m already planning the next one.

 

[cranbiz]

It was the perfect truck for us. I had an older RAM 1500, which was a fine truck but it was big. My wife had a 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. Nice vehicle, rode well but was lacking on it's cargo capacity. Running to the lumber yard usually resulted in things tied to the roof rack. Got decent gas mileage and had room in the back seat.

We looked at the Canyon/Colorado (I had one back in 2005) and the Taco. Liked the 2023 Colorado but had limited back seat room. To get one with roughly the same features as the Gladiator would have put the Colorado over $50K. The Taco had no back seat room and no one had the Off Road package with the 6' bed within 1000 miles and the one I found was in a color that momma did not want and was over $50K. She said no Fords so the Ranger was out.

I was looking at 2023 Gladiators and was willing to compromise on what options I wanted for price. I found a Hydro Blue on the lot with most of what we wanted for $51K. Then I found this 2021 Snazzberry Rubicon with 3670 miles on it with most of the options that I couldn't easily add and then some and got it for $47K OTD. She just got back from a 10 day 1800 mile trip and absolutely said that she was very comfortable in it, it rode great and was able to carry everything she went up to get, which would have required a trailer with the Grand Cherokee. and averaged over 21 MPG.

I love this truck.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

but I think folks are backing off the idea of Jeep life more often than ever.

You've observed some trends or other indications that would show that to be the case?

 

[BearFootSam]

Full size trucks don't fit on a lot of the forest service roads and jeep trails around here. There are a lot of camping and hunting spots that will wreck a full size trying to get back into.

It is a valid point, the trail here was nearly too narrow for the gladiator. There was a turn in tight pine that would have been impassable with a bit more wheelbase and any more width. The payoff was a private camp spot on a ridge overlooking Mt. St Helens.

There's lots of this in the PNW.


In the Rockies more width gets dicey when you have to pass a knucklehead on a shelf road like parts of the alpine loop. The gladiator is a right size compromise between payload, cargo volume and capability. Equitable competitors are wider - like bronco at +2". The full sizes are far worse and really suffer visibility without cameras. Gladiator I can see my tire edges out the window, fenders are tire width providing excellent reference.

Full size trucks don't fit on a lot of the forest service roads and jeep trails around here. There are a lot of camping and hunting spots that will wreck a full size trying to get back into.

 

[BearFootSam]

I've had a few other trucks, but it was time to 'downsize', the big Chevy wasn't really "needed" any more.
It fit my needs, and I've always liked Jeeps, we've had great luck with every Jeep we've ever owned, from Comanche to Cherokee to Grand Cherokee to Liberty, few problems. The only vehicle that was more trouble-free was the car my wife is still unhappy with me for trading it off for my F250 years ago - her 90 Camaro. We had absolutely ZERO troubles of any sort - 0, nothing nada. It had no leaks, no squeaks, no weird sounds, it started, ran nice, good mpg (mid 20s on the interstate), transmission was fine, the t-tops didn't even ever leak and were simple to remove and put back in. It was probably the most perfect vehicle we've ever had.

The JT does what I want and what I need. I can also do more with it if I decide to in the future. It tows my stuff, it hauls most of my stuff (trailer for looooooong things or super-heavy stuff), it fits the garage, easy to work on, and my son says the back seat is better for him than my Silverado's back seat was for head room and leg room (he's 6' )
He, his wife and son ride with us in the back seat of my JT with ease.

A side effect of the enthusiastic fan base and longevity of the platform is that the team behind the wrangler/gladiator are enthusiasts and Chrysler has let the community guide the product. Decades of 'refinement' and that fan backing have resulted in a vehicle that is really thoughtfully designed.

That care shows up in the ease of modification and usability (trivial top drop). Jeeps are very much creatures suited to purpose and as such provide me at least with a lot of joy.

 

[BearFootSam]

It's pretty dated for how much it costs. Your average truck buyer wants all the tech and luxuries more than they want to take the roof and doors off.

As I wait to pull the trigger on one, I'm also wondering if I should just buy a performance luxury SUV and get an old Jeep for playing.

I'd say that robust and old-school construction are luxuries at this point. Screens and electronics are trim that cost pennies on the dollar to add but don't contribute to the longevity and utility of a vehicle. Hence folks pay obscene prices for used defenders and land cruisers.

 

[Hootbro]

That's a problem with forum Jeep people. They project their wishes and assume that "everyone would".
You know that FCA has already done the market research into a V8. The demand isn't huge contrary to what a few on forums insist.

If the Ford Bronco had never been brought back, I doubt the 392 Wrangler would have ever been a thing. For a good 18 months, it was a internet jerk fest about the Bronco until they showed up with shit build quality. The 392 Wrangler was just Jeep trying be steal back some thunder.

If Covid and Bronco deliver delays had not made Ford shelve a Bronco truck version they were planning on, Jeep may have put out a 392 Gladiator by now.

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