Gladiator sales down 22% in 4Q, 29% overall in 2023

[JamesWyatt]

Well, if they added third row seating, it would have to go through crash testing considerations and engineering plus a plethora of other things. Would not be as easy as they had when making the JT based off the JL as most of the primary engineering was already absorbed by the JL development.

I think in Jeep's mind, they are already chasing that third row seating market with their Grand Wagoneer.

People already niggle the Gladiator on the trail for being a long break over angle pig. A Wrangler JL of the same dimensions I do not see being a strong business case to make.

I could care less about 3rd row, but you asked – not something I'm familiar with, but the regulations hurdle sounds right.

Put it on 35s as the smallest offered tire with optional XR package with 37s. Offer the 392.

I guess agree to disagree.

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[Hootbro]

I guess agree to disagree.

Yeah, probably right on that one. We have two different visions on the matter.

 

[Slojo]

I think the beauty of a lot of simple Wranglers and Gladiators is the aftermarket. A lot of people want more from the factory and not sure why. I see optional factory components up for sale all the time. Why pay for all that from Jeep only to pull it off.

 

[High Alextude]

I don’t think that is the case. With high interest rates and inflation, it just means you have to make smarter financial decisions. Don’t buy something you can’t afford, pretty simple. If you buy right, you should still be able to save. (When it comes to vehicles)

 

[High Alextude]

First off, forget about the Covid market, that was a rarity and should never be used to compare to a real car market.

Let’s go with your theory on Gladiators being very niche and only being available for a very limited time. If that is the case, even if Gladiators were in the mid 30k range (which no mid-size pickup is), it wouldn’t matter what inflation or interest rates are because they aren’t popular. So, wranglers and Tacoma's will still outsell.

Also, I never said buying a Gladiator is a smart financial decision. I said, buy what you can afford so you can save up for something you really want later. If you have the financial means and can afford a Jeep, lift, tires, etc. that is great and may be a great decision for you.

Jeep wranglers and Gladiators in general are totally unnecessary for anyone. It is a pure fun vehicle. That’s why people tend to go the Toyota reliability route.

But, to say people are loaded and that’s why interest rates and inflation do not matter to them, is simply not true. If you made smart financial decisions, know your budget, saved for a couple years, that interest rate won’t break the bank. If you do it right, you can make double or triple payments to pay the principle off faster as well.

There are those who do not make smart decisions and put more than half of their monthly income towards a car payment on an 84+ month loan. People have this YOLO mentality and want immediate satisfaction so these dealers can take advantage of you. Learn when to walk away.

Again, this is in reference to vehicle purchases only. Mortgages, whole different monster.

 

[AleYeah]

I'm just one guy, but the inflation/inflated pricing factor and serious doubts about having a reliable MT/clutch option have kept me from joining the Glad owner's club over the past year+.

 

[High Alextude]

I'm just one guy, but the inflation/inflated pricing factor and serious doubts about having a reliable MT/clutch option have kept me from joining the Glad owner's club over the past year+.

What kind of JT are you looking for? Lots of good discounts out there still. I do understand the reliable MT concern.

 

[MPMB]

First off, forget about the Covid market, that was a rarity and should never be used to compare to a real car market.

But we kind of have to in this current market. The market now is a direct result of policies and government actions to "combat" C19. It's the biggest invisible hand interference of all time.

Tight inventory (for something that's a luxury) resulted in inflated prices because idiots still lined up with borrowed money.

The market is either high MSRP and low APR or low MSRP and high APR.

People have always b*tched about the prices of autos. And for some, it's justified. We wildly underestimate the stupidity of people, and the number of people who have money.

But now we have huge inflation as a result of idiotic decisions, high interest rates because hey, there's money in circulation, inflated prices because of supply chain issues, and the occasional ADM.

Consumers need to step up and say FU.

Just before Christmas, my wife and I test drove a GTI (manual) for a cheap run-about car. It sat on the lot for roughly 3 months. We offered $1600 less than their list price. They only offered $400 off. We walked. We don't need another car.

 

[High Alextude]

Consumers need to step up and say FU.

Just before Christmas, my wife and I test drove a GTI (manual) for a cheap run-about car. It sat on the lot for roughly 3 months. We offered $1600 less than their list price. They only offered $400 off. We walked. We don't need another car.

That is how it is done, good call.

The market is on a pendulum right now, yes, because of many issues including Covid. It will take time to get back to normal. I don’t think we will see trade in values like we saw then for at least a very long time. Many consumers are just now seeing the effects of Covid and dealers/manufacturers will catch up to that the more losses they have every quarter. Time will tell.

I wouldn’t expect anything during the Covid market to happen again (for a long time) which is why I wouldn’t compare it to today since that is not what the future holds. I also can’t tell you everyone’s financial situation, I can only say don’t splurge on something you can’t afford.

Keep up with the smart decisions.

 

[MoparDave]

“As Drago said in Rocky V “If Gladiator dies, it dies.”
I got mine.

 

[Throwback]

It's the crackhead pricing.

I've wanted a true jeep for years and years. I loved the Jeep pickups in the 70s, but alas they stopped making them. I always bought pickups because I wanted a bed. So when the Gladiator was introduced I was excited. Come the end of 2020 and I was ready to buy...none of the dealers in my area had a base Gladiator. That's all I wanted, just the base truck. I was willing to pay 35 -- which was more than the Ranger and Tacoma. Still, nothing available. Then I watched in horror as Stellantis (which sounds like a cholesterol drug or something) kept raising the price.

So, end of year 2023, ta da! 15% off plus dealers willing to deal. I got my Gladiator for less than the 2020 price. Traded in my Ranger.

I only use it as a truck. I can actually access the bed (low enough) and 4000 pounds towing is enough for my needs. I got cheap nerf bar steps so my dog can get in easily, a bed mat and a trailer hitch. I will probably do spray-in bedliner and upgrade the headlights to LED (since the stock ones suck). That's about it.

But no I was not going to pay 40k+ for this truck.

 

[AleYeah]

What kind of JT are you looking for? Lots of good discounts out there still. I do understand the reliable MT concern.

I tend to keep vehicles a long time- my current ride is a Wrangler I bought new in April 2014- and am holding out hope that I can row gears in a JT for another 10 years. I'm not an offroader, so even a Sport would be fine (just like my JK), but if I can't get a stick shift, I'll probably drift into full size truck mode at some point, keeping the Wrangler for fun/to pass down to my kids for high school driving duty in a few years.

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