How long have you owned your Gladiator? Still Love it?

[Summitsearcher]

My VW build photos must be in an old family album or--get this--a cassette of Kodachrome slides. That's what my dad and I preferred. There's a pile somewhere to go through.

But picture it...teenager's first car. We had bought it when I was probably about 9, and turned it into a camper van. Pull out bed, fridge, stereo. We camped with it as a family. Then it became my high school car. That's right, a van with a bed and beer fridge. I painted it metallic blue with a gold Playboy bunny on the rear solid area behind the windows. Because, you know, 80s teenager.

Ahhhhhh…..the Beetle days. Paid $300 for it.

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[bgenlvtex]

I sold mine at the end of last year, 9k miles. We bought a Tesla Model 3 Long Range in April of 21, and then I never drove the Gladiator again except to tow or play off road. I didn't put gas in it for months. I never want to have to drive a gas vehicle again, or one without Autopilot. So I sold it. Couldn't justify a $56k toy in the driveway (what we got for selling it, nearly what it cost). I have a deposit on a Cyber Truck and I'd seriously look at an electric Gladiator with more self-driving ability. But I'm done with ICE and vehicles that don't drive themselves. Never expected that as a life long car guy, but it's just what simply happened subconsciously. I'd go to leave and always had an internal "excuse" for taking the Tesla.

Then there's the matter of cost. It's about 1/10th the cost to drive.

LOL, you should look into getting your deposit back since the cybertruck has been cancelled.

 

[SwampNut]

LOL, you should look into fixing your time machine, since you are recycling April 1 jokes.

 

[P.Lo]

Then there's the matter of cost. It's about 1/10th the cost to drive.

You're in for a rude awakening, down the road my friend. What you think you are saving right now in the short term, will not even come close to covering the long term cost. Good luck with that.

 

[MPMB]

I sold mine at the end of last year, 9k miles. We bought a Tesla Model 3 Long Range in April of 21, and then I never drove the Gladiator again except to tow or play off road. I didn't put gas in it for months. I never want to have to drive a gas vehicle again, or one without Autopilot. So I sold it. Couldn't justify a $56k toy in the driveway (what we got for selling it, nearly what it cost). I have a deposit on a Cyber Truck and I'd seriously look at an electric Gladiator with more self-driving ability. But I'm done with ICE and vehicles that don't drive themselves. Never expected that as a life long car guy, but it's just what simply happened subconsciously. I'd go to leave and always had an internal "excuse" for taking the Tesla.

Then there's the matter of cost. It's about 1/10th the cost to drive.

I know a guy who dropped his Audi S4 for a Tesla and will never go back. Loves it.

As far as my Jeep, no complaints other than the seats (remedied by cushions via AMZN). 16k miles and approaching 1 year.

Wife wants a Bronco (I'm not opposed if Ford fixes the quality - remember when it was Quality is Job 1?) but she's definitely open to another Jeep.

 

[SwampNut]

You're in for a rude awakening, down the road my friend. What you think you are saving right now in the short term, will not even come close to covering the long term cost. Good luck with that.

The long term costs are another advantage; crazy low repair and maintenance. No oil changes, no fluids really, no plugs or wires or ... well, you get it. Oh yeah, no brakes, because you never use them, the motors regenerate power and you drive with one single pedal. I hate that part of ICE too, having to use brakes. A little time in an EV changes everything about how you think driving works.

The people with 10 year old 120k+ Teslas report super low costs, and those were the early cars with more problems. I'll almost surely sell this before the warranty runs out (8 years), so basically zero.

 

[Summitsearcher]

The long term costs are another advantage; crazy low repair and maintenance. No oil changes, no fluids really, no plugs or wires or ... well, you get it. Oh yeah, no brakes, because you never use them, the motors regenerate power and you drive with one single pedal. I hate that part of ICE too, having to use brakes. A little time in an EV changes everything about how you think driving works.

The people with 10 year old 120k+ Teslas report super low costs, and those were the early cars with more problems. I'll almost surely sell this before the warranty runs out (8 years), so basically zero.

I can respect that perspective. I love my Gladiator and will not jump out of it for an electric anytime soon.

 

[Labswine]

Prolly answered this thread a long time ago but I ain't going back to read it all

I ordered mine, Overland, as soon as the order lines opened up and received it on 19 July, 2019.

Still have it, still love it. I leased it for about two and a half years then bought out the lease. She's ALL MINE

I've only got around 17K on her so I'm suspecting I'll have her for a LONG time. No real issues. Just keeping up with fluid changes.

The only real issue was water inside the hard top. Jeep replaced it under warranty so, here's hoping the new one won't leak too.

Planned mods? Well, when the factory tires wear out, I'll be replacing them with a wider tire (275 or 285 vs. the factory 255s) for some enhanced stability when towing my travel trailer. Other than that, sticking to stock.

 

[SwampNut]

I can respect that perspective. I love my Gladiator and will not jump out of it for an electric anytime soon.

Believe me, I never expected it. The Tesla was simply a replacement for the wife's car, and I was just happy to be out from under the cost threat of a ten year old high-performance BMW convertible. It was just going to be her car. I loved my truck. Would never give up my truck. And then it happened.

Since then, five people have bought them because of my experience. A neighbor went from $400/mo in gas to $30 in electric, because he drives a lot. That basically makes the car free.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I cracked easily after experiencing the other side. I started rebuilding engines and junk vehicles at under 10 years old in the 70s. First one was a $100 VW 12-window bus, dead engine, bad wiring. I'm rebuilding a 1972 R5 350 right now. I'll probably always do that, and will always own motorcycles.

Daily driver car? Yeah, I'm done with anything less than this.

Also, 0-60 in 3.6.

Similar here. My grandfather got me started tearing into things and figuring them out, then my father let me drag some stuff home from the city dump - I rebuilt and sold some lawnmowers, made money, and started doing cars.
I'm one of those types who will always have one foot in those days (if there's any doubt, look in my shop, the tools and equipment and parts) but I am fascinated by the new as well. So I flip back and forth. I swear, after seeing my first Tesla up close today in a parking lot (it parked just in front of me), I got really curious and almost wanted one. I love electric work, too - again, look at what I do in my shop.......... wires and associated tools everywhere, made my own voltage regulator for early AMC charging systems.
I'll always have gas, but if I had the $$ to put into a vehicle just because, if I didn't already have two cars besides our Jeeps, that's the direction I'd go.

 

[SwampNut]

The first time you rocket from 0-60 in ludicrous speed, with zero sound, or weirdness, or anything--just rocket, everything changes. It's actually disruptive to most people's brains and guts.

 

[DocMike]

Two years this May. Love mine. Top and doors off again...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Two years this May. Love mine. Top and doors off again...

Meh, low 30s and crazy winds again today. Top and doors stay on a while...............

 

[SwampNut]

81, I'm taking the doors and top off the Tesla.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

81, I'm taking the doors and top off the Tesla.

Pneumatic die grinder or cordless angle grinder?
Dang, I wish I was closer - I'd love to just ride in one of those things.
How about bringing it to Cordova this coming September - Friday evening is test and tune. Nothing really to tune there, just show off a bit......

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