Is the Gladiator a bad investment

[Lowcountryearl]

That was kinda my point,,,the Wranglers (and other make/ models) holding their value better than the Gladiator but the responses focused on the word "investment" so it all got skewed. The RAM trucks I was looking at held value better than the Gladiator which did surprise me.

Sponsored

 

[DirkG]

I cringe when resale value is evaluated during this unprecedented time.

World-wide pandemic, chip shortage, war in Ukraine (neon production for chips greatly affected), record inflation, and the highest gas prices ever are just some of the factors skewing the current marketplace.

That being said, in 2021 the Wrangler, Gladiator, and RAM were all top-10 resale value vehicles according to KBB.

As others have mentioned, while not an investment, the Gladiator has held its own on resale and is doing quite well in the marketplace.

In the meantime, everyone can enjoy their kick ass convertible trucks...

 

[Lowcountryearl]

I cringe when resale value is evaluated during this unprecedented time.

World-wide pandemic, chip shortage, war in Ukraine (neon production for chips greatly affected), record inflation, and the highest gas prices ever are just some of the factors skewing the current marketplace.

That being said, in 2021 the Wrangler, Gladiator, and RAM were all top-10 resale value vehicles according to KBB.

As others have mentioned, while not an investment, the Gladiator has held its own on resale and is doing quite well in the marketplace.

In the meantime, everyone can enjoy their kick ass convertible trucks...

Agreed! I really like the wheels you chose for your Gladiator, mind me asking who makes them?

 

[DirkG]

Agreed! I really like the wheels you chose for your Gladiator, mind me asking who makes them?

Thank you. They're Fuel Beasts. Love 'em. They're matte black, but in sunlight, have a bronze tint that looks killer with the Gator paint.

 

[Divided_Wood]

Regardless of the terminology, the used car market of the last few years is not a normal used car market and has impacted people's views of what their vehicles are or should be worth.

Before the pandemic and related supply chain shortages, Wranglers and Tacomas were already at the top of KBB resale value charts. That said, they still depreciated each year... just less than other vehicles.

We'll likely see a return to normalcy in the next year or two which means no more appreciation or flat values. All things considered, I agree with everyone who says don't buy vehicles because of what you think they will be worth in X years. Buy them because you enjoy driving them and they make you happy. I don't care how much it's worth... there's nothing like a Jeep!

 

[Fastwake]

My 2020 jt was a great investment because all I do is have fun with it Tires Wheels and a 2” Mopar lift $51,500.00 out the door. Even if I sold it right now for $40K I would be happy with all the money and fun I put into it. It was not purchased for an investment.

 

[MajorUrsus]

Unless you have a YouTube channel based on offroad vehicles then I’d say yes, terrible investment lol.

I could use a YouTube channel based on off-road vehicles. ?

 

[Snake Eyes]

Everyday purchased vehicles are never an investment unless you get lucky down the road. For example our FJ Cruiser turned out to be a vehicle everyone wants now and it sells for more than we paid in 2011. Go figure.

But in general, drive it off the lot…boom value down.

 

[PlayfulBird]

Yes, but it makes us smile!
Why is it bad in our case, because we should sell it and make 10+k profit, but I can't get myself to do it as we would never get a Gladiator again.

 

[Sprinkler-Fitter]

Most vehicles are not an investment, they are a depreciating purchase.

 

[MajorUrsus]

I just can’t imaging trading. If I have to do all these upgrades again I’ll scream.

Truth!

 

[DFS]

Vehicles should be viewed as a liability considering maintenance, insurance, cost of ownership even if paid off. We've had a strange period the last few years of vehicles "appreciating" which is no doubt an anomaly. I expect used gladiator prices to plummet, every dealer within 300 miles of me has 55+ new gladiators on the lot, which is a recipe for a correction new and used. I guess we will see

 

[Challenger85]

Cars aren’t an investment.

 

[Klutch]

Been buying vehicles for many years but I have never had a vehicle loose so much value in a short amount of time. Was thinking...about going back to a RAM however, most dealers are only offering me 44k for my 2021 Rubicon which is loaded. MSRP of 63k May of 2021, I paid 56k. 12k in 16 months? It's very consistent through the dealers, KBB instant cash, CarMax, Auto Nation and Edmunds etc.
I bought the Gladiator thinking it would hold it's value but at this point, seems I was seriously mistaken. Is this the same in your area?

Did you actually take your Gladiator to "most dealers" in your area to negotiate a trade? Or are you getting the trade value from somewhere else?

As mentioned, prices vary widely between areas. Here in Colorado, any pickup is expected to be a 4x4 or almost nobody wants it. Any 4x4 truck that runs and drives is in extremely high demand and is therefore very expensive. Jeeps are also uber popular in Colorado. So I can't imagine a Gladiator going cheap.

I have received multiple letters from the dealer where I bought my Gladiator asking if I want to trade it in. Talking with others in my area, until very recently dealers were offering stupid high money for a 4x4 truck. Things have cooled off only slightly in past several weeks.

 

[4-Play]

My dad used to say that “You don’t own stuff. Stuff owns you.”

Sponsored