Coming from a Subaru Outback

[Cmikel]

I'm glad to be here! This is my first post. I have a Cherokee XJ that goes pretty much anywhere I feel comfortable going. In it we have been on the Alpine loop in Colorado and ventured into Moab on the easy trails. It has been my go to off road vehicle of choice for many years but I need a newer vehicle for road trips.
I wish I could say the Gladiator was my first choice to add to the garage but I made a huge mistake a few months ago and purchased a Subaru Outback.
(TFLcars.com is going to do an article soon on my experiences with that). The good news is with the messed up chip shortage, I was able to end up ahead and am now planning on purchasing a much more capable off road vehicle.
I know I'm pandering to everyone here, but I really think the Gladiator is the best choice for me. (I only want one car payment and want a jack of all trades). These are my made up reasons for convincing myself to get a Gladiator:
1: Convertible vehicles are awesome. I have had a couple Miatas and, don't hold it against me, a fiat abarth 500 convertible. (Stellantis, Fiat Club WooHoo). There is nothing like having the top down and feeling the surroundings.
2. How much more awesome is it to have a convertible and be able to take the freaking doors off...I don't know anything about this, but my nightly dreams are telling me it is freaking amazing. Is it close to the feeling of being on a motorcycle, without the constant concern everyone is going to kill you?
3. Versatility: So it's a jeep, and a truck? Both, at the same time. Mind blown to double rainbow levels. I can haul things, plus 4 people? Pretty sweet.
4. Back to the Jeep thing. So it is a jeep that can stock do "Jeep" trails. I don't have to be worried that my vehicle will not climb over an obstacle because I forgot to mash special X-mode and ESC Off buttons while flooring it and hoping for the best?
5. Kind of 4 but in the Gladiator, I get a real low range transfer case? I don't have to worry about a CVT transmission. OMG that would be awesome.
The Willys fits in my price range and I have reserved one coming in hopefully soon. If that doesn't work out I plan on ordering one. Again, glad to join the community.
To the Admins,.This really wasn't a comparative post to another car or a new member welcome post so I thought the general forum was best.
Glad to meet you all and can't wait to join the community.
Chris

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[slowstang305]

My recommendation is to order one spec'd for what you like. My recommendation for orders is always LED headlights (expensive for good quality aftermarket) and to get the Max Tow Package because it comes with 4.10 gearing.

Yes convertibles are amazing. Yes without doors its a nice feeling. No its not like a motorcycle, I ride one almost daily. It is special in its own way. Like sitting in a couch with wind blasting past you. I had a convertible Viper and still find the Gladiator a TON of fun to drive in comparison. Yes its a truck, but the bed is small, something to keep in mind. Also, its a money pit! There are so many modifications that no matter if you say you will keep it stock... IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. It all starts with mud resistant floor mats and just continues draining a hole in your pocket. Welcome to Jeeps, you won't EVER regret it.

 

[4xjeepr]

My recommendation is to order one spec'd for what you like. My recommendation for orders is always LED headlights (expensive for good quality aftermarket) and to get the Max Tow Package because it comes with 4.10 gearing.

Yes convertibles are amazing. Yes without doors its a nice feeling. No its not like a motorcycle, I ride one almost daily. It is special in its own way. Like sitting in a couch with wind blasting past you. I had a convertible Viper and still find the Gladiator a TON of fun to drive in comparison. Yes its a truck, but the bed is small, something to keep in mind. Also, its a money pit! There are so many modifications that no matter if you say you will keep it stock... IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. It all starts with mud resistant floor mats and just continues draining a hole in your pocket. Welcome to Jeeps, you won't EVER regret it.

Hhmm, I always thought the mods started with the antenna? ?

 

[Alanscott_1]

Pretty sure I read a post on YouTube about your Outback experience. I had a 2020 Onyx XT Outback for about 6 months, it was a great road trip vehicle and probably the most practical vehicle I’ve ever owned but it was just boring to drive as a daily.

Like you I ended up selling it for more than I paid for it. I was originally looking to lease a Miata to have as a fun commuter car but there is a bit of a shortage of them at the moment. Ultimately I decided the Gladiator ticked off multiple boxes for me; convertible, fun to drive, can mod it to my hearts content, and it can do truck things. It’s my third jeep and compared to my old 2drs far easier to live with every day. I think you’ll dig the Gladiator compared to the Outback.

 

[vicsvx]

I have a 08 sti and I absolutely love it! But I always wanted a jeep but kinda needed a truck (quad and yard work) boom gladiador fixed my needs. I love subaru! Idk What your experience was, but every manufacturer has A few duds that leave the sour taste

 

[Gvsukids]

I'm glad to be here! This is my first post. I have a Cherokee XJ that goes pretty much anywhere I feel comfortable going. In it we have been on the Alpine loop in Colorado and ventured into Moab on the easy trails. It has been my go to off road vehicle of choice for many years but I need a newer vehicle for road trips.
I wish I could say the Gladiator was my first choice to add to the garage but I made a huge mistake a few months ago and purchased a Subaru Outback.
(TFLcars.com is going to do an article soon on my experiences with that). The good news is with the messed up chip shortage, I was able to end up ahead and am now planning on purchasing a much more capable off road vehicle.
I know I'm pandering to everyone here, but I really think the Gladiator is the best choice for me. (I only want one car payment and want a jack of all trades). These are my made up reasons for convincing myself to get a Gladiator:
1: Convertible vehicles are awesome. I have had a couple Miatas and, don't hold it against me, a fiat abarth 500 convertible. (Stellantis, Fiat Club WooHoo). There is nothing like having the top down and feeling the surroundings.
2. How much more awesome is it to have a convertible and be able to take the freaking doors off...I don't know anything about this, but my nightly dreams are telling me it is freaking amazing. Is it close to the feeling of being on a motorcycle, without the constant concern everyone is going to kill you?
3. Versatility: So it's a jeep, and a truck? Both, at the same time. Mind blown to double rainbow levels. I can haul things, plus 4 people? Pretty sweet.
4. Back to the Jeep thing. So it is a jeep that can stock do "Jeep" trails. I don't have to be worried that my vehicle will not climb over an obstacle because I forgot to mash special X-mode and ESC Off buttons while flooring it and hoping for the best?
5. Kind of 4 but in the Gladiator, I get a real low range transfer case? I don't have to worry about a CVT transmission. OMG that would be awesome.
The Willys fits in my price range and I have reserved one coming in hopefully soon. If that doesn't work out I plan on ordering one. Again, glad to join the community.
To the Admins,.This really wasn't a comparative post to another car or a new member welcome post so I thought the general forum was best.
Glad to meet you all and can't wait to join the community.
Chris

Ultra low transfer case is only on the Rubicon's. You might want to do some research on all the different options and packages.

 

[brianinca]

Well he meant it has a transfer case at all, and even the Sport/Willys/Overland with 2.7:1 is lower than most other transfer case ratios. Heck, in the olden days 2:1 was a good low range!

Subaru did make a low range back in the 80's, as I recall, but things change.

Ultra low transfer case is only on the Rubicon's. You might want to do some research on all the different options and packages.

 

[MrZappo]

I have both a Gladiator and an Outback ...

Outbacks are not off road vehicles ... They are at best dual track or fire/gravel road vehicles ... They are not designed to "rock crawl" or to do anything like that and no vehicle with a CVT would ever be good at that ...

Subaru may market them as "off road" but they are marketing to people who don't have any intention of doing any JEEP STUFF with them ... When subaru says "off road" they mean "off the main road" and onto a "less developed road". They are the accountant dude/jogger girl off road vehicle ...

That being said, they are super capable in snow and light off road, very reliable, smooth, and useful. We have had a few of them and they are truly great vehicles... As long as you dont try to use them beyond their design intent ...

MOAB easy trails <> Outback ...



Enjoy the Gladiator ... You are in the right place now ...

 

[PyrPatriot]

2. How much more awesome is it to have a convertible and be able to take the freaking doors off...I don't know anything about this, but my nightly dreams are telling me it is freaking amazing. Is it close to the feeling of being on a motorcycle, without the constant concern everyone is going to kill you?

Get a high enough lift and it can feel like flying ?

 

[centra28]

How much more awesome is it to have a convertible and be able to take the freaking doors off...I don't know anything about this, but my nightly dreams are telling me it is freaking amazing.

It IS freaking amazing.!

The first week I had mine I was off work and doing a staycation. I had the doors & tops off the entire time even though it was like 98 deg. It was the best experience I have EVER had in a vehicle. I took my kids and other friends for random rides and everyone loved it. Both of my daughters, my nieces, and the neighbor kids all want jeeps now ?

 

[Cmikel]

I just made it home with my new Gladiator and could not be happier! Thanks fo the help.

 

[Agyoung35]

I went from a forester to a Gladiator and I couldn’t be happier. I wanted one the second they announced them but I waited to drive the subie into the ground first. I will say I wish I had the led headlights but they didn’t have them on the lot. I’m definitely planning on getting the kc headlights as soon as I can.

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