I'm looking to buy my first gladiator. Help!

[Jteakus]

OP, which way are you leaning and why? Inquiring minds...

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[BourbonRunner]

Spot freakin’ on…

Agree.

The Mojave can do about 80-90% the trails the Rubicon could off the showroom floor and remain more polite on road.

Ultimately the payment is not a major difference if you're financing it.

A new Mojave X is mid-50s and new Willys or Sport S is mid-40's. With 10% down over 60 months at 4.99% we're talking about a delta of about $135 every month. And if the X package isn't of interest, Mojaves can be had in the mid-upper 40's.

 

[WilldWilly]

Everyone has opinions. You need to decide what are the must haves, and what you can compromise on. Best bang for the buck is the Willys. Sport S with Max Tow is the next on the bang for the buck. Top dog would be Mojave. But based on what you said you are looking to do, any model will fit the bill. You just need to decide what you want to narrow it down.

 

[JmattNYC]

My current F150 has over 142,000 miles and runs like the day I took delivery of it. It had a wheel bearing replaced at 85,000 miles. That's it. It's proven itself to me. I would absolutely buy another 2.7L w/ the 10R80. It's one of the most reliable power trains on the market, currently. The Tremor has been confirmed for Fall of 2026.

Good and i understand don't get me wrong. The older fords where boring as hell but great work trucks. Modern ones i would not touch with a 10 foot pole . I just cant trust Ford lately and would like even look in that direction with my money. Nope. The recall kings and i highly doubt they are getting any better.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Good and i understand don't get me wrong. The older fords where boring as hell but great work trucks. Modern ones i would not touch with a 10 foot pole . I just cant trust Ford lately and would like even look in that direction with my money. Nope. The recall kings and i highly doubt they are getting any better.

You ain't kidding. We had gasser Fords in the family that topped 200K with no major issues except for rust. Her Bronco Sport is the last new Ford I'll ever buy.The dealer's service writers complain about the endless recalls and stupidity of the engineers in Dearborn.

 

[Gvsukids]

Her Bronco Sport is the last new Ford I'll ever buy.

The 2.0L engine is the good one.

 

[BourbonRunner]

The 2.0L engine is the good one.

That's correct and the one we bought.

Two main reasons: I couldn't bring myself to ever own anything with 4 wheels and 3 cylinders and she loved the Heritage Yellow.

 

[Pitter]

Mojave.
That platform rides better than the rest and has the black wheels.

+1 I bought the Mojave for that very reason. I will never Rock crawl but I will drive down or Gravel Road at 80kph

 

[Mr Miami]

As I noted earlier in this thread, there really is no bad choice (in most cases) when you make the purchase. Unless you plan on doing a total rebuild (then buy the Sport), but buy the vehicle that has most of what you want and pick and choose options and upgrades later. There are thousands out there. "Wear out" the stock stuff first then decide if upgrades or just replacements are required.

I bought my Rubicon based on two things: 1) Towing and 2) Price. I would have taken a Max Tow in a minute for the right price. But check back on my earlier comments and see why I didn't buy it. Otherwise, in my mind, with the factory 20% off MSRP and dealer discounts, why not buy the Rubicon and potentially have more resale value if I choose to sell it?

Do I do rock climbing? No, The largest rocks here in the Florida Keys are at Home Depot in bags they sell for landscaping. But for the price, it was by far the best deal I could find with the options I wanted.

Just my thoughts.

 

[DJPodratz]

In the next few months I'm looking to get a new vehicle.

I love the Rubicon, but hate the tires...

I love the tires on the Willy's.. (Blacked out).

I'm looking for a hunting, fishing, campus vehicle..

Unlike both styles.. I'm not looking to rock crawl, just disappear in the mountain trails.

Rubicon??

Willy's??

I lived in PA (Warren Area) for 5 years and drove a 92 Wrangler whilst there. All I needed and more for logging roads, hunting, etc.

I currently have an almost stock '21 Sport with crank windows and manual transmission (I did get leather seats). It would do everything in needed whilst in PA. Skip all the fancy trim and stuff and it will a very capable vehicle at a much lower price.

If you like bells & whistles, by all means spend more for them. The Sport on stock tires is comfy on the highway and very capable for the PA woods.

 

[WambliSka]

I lived in PA (Warren Area) for 5 years and drove a 92 Wrangler whilst there. All I needed and more for logging roads, hunting, etc.

I currently have an almost stock '21 Sport with crank windows and manual transmission (I did get leather seats). It would do everything in needed whilst in PA. Skip all the fancy trim and stuff and it will a very capable vehicle at a much lower price.

If you like bells & whistles, by all means spend more for them. The Sport on stock tires is comfy on the highway and very capable for the PA woods.

I totally agree that you bought the right vehicle for yourself. But for many it's not a matter of "liking" bells and whistles. That phrase usually means useless add ons. I think for most of us It's a matter of buying features we want either for actual or perceived use or because we just plain want them like my upgrade radio/tech package. I can't think of anything in my Mojave X that constitutes any unwanted "bells and whistles".

We need to start thinking in terms of other folks not buying or configuring their jeeps according to OUR needs. They buy and outfit their rigs according to what THEY want/need.

 

[rbroncotx]

Came from a JKU to a '22 JTR — the bed was the whole point. If you're not wheeling hard, you're paying for Rubicon lockers that'll just sit.

 

[Donk21]

Thanks all. I'm going to test drive a couple models.

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