Looking at buying a New Gladiator

[Husabeast]

Hey everybody! I have currently been looking at buying a new 2021 Gladiator with the Eco Diesel. I have test drove the jeep twice now just having a hard time pulling the trigger. I was really impressed with how it drove. I have never owned a jeep nor really though i would ever buy one ....but now im having second thoughts. I currently drive a 2017 Ram rebel and i absolutely love the truck. Its 4 years old and hard on fuel, so i was thinking about trading it to get into something newer. My biggest fears about the jeep is the size of it and some horror stories ive heard about the steering. I wasn't able to go 70 in my test drive but did have the jeep up to 60 and didn't notice anything weird about steering. I don't know if the deal is that great, They are basically taking $1500 off the sticker price of the truck and i have a $500 voucher from tru car. I really like the diesel version and they are hard to find, so don't want to wait too long if im going to pull the trigger. Is there anything i should consider before doing so?

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[FloridaJT6MT]

Seriously

 

[River2016]

Here in Charlotte they aren’t giving much off of them price wise. I got what was offered from jeep corporate and hammered them on the trade in.
I drive 70+ all the time. I drive a ton for work. It does fine with the cruise set at 77 - 80.

 

[CivilJeep]

Welcome!

There are some Gladiators that have steering issues, as evidenced by those on the forum. The best predictor for steering issues seems to be the test drive. If you've driven the Gladiator you're considering purchasing, and the steering was fine, you more than likely will not have any issues. I'll also note that Jeep changed the steering for the 2021 model year, and it has mostly resolved the issue. I don't believe I've seen a complaint from anyone that had the upgraded steering gear from the factory.

If you're buying the Jeep for improved gas mileage, you'll likely be disappointed, even with a diesel. It seems like the EcoDiesel guys get low 20's for mpg, which may be an improvement over your Rebel. Either way, I think you'll likely find the fun to drive factor outweighs the mileage cost.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Husabeast]

Welcome!

There are some Gladiators that have steering issues, as evidenced by those on the forum. The best predictor for steering issues seems to be the test drive. If you've driven the Gladiator you're considering purchasing, and the steering was fine, you more than likely will not have any issues. I'll also note that Jeep changed the steering for the 2021 model year, and it has mostly resolved the issue. I don't believe I've seen a complaint from anyone that had the upgraded steering gear from the factory.

If you're buying the Jeep for improved gas mileage, you'll likely be disappointed, even with a diesel. It seems like the EcoDiesel guys get low 20's for mpg, which may be an improvement over your Rebel. Either way, I think you'll likely find the fun to drive factor outweighs the mileage cost.

Let us know what you decide!

On my first test drive i drove 7 miles in red lights and some back roads, i drove it really hard actually did a couple of burnouts :P I still got 22.7 mpg. The 2nd test drive i took my wife and was a little lighter footed and i averaged 27.8 mpg on the same loop. My rebel gets around 14 its lucky to hit 16 even on the interstate.

 

[Blue Ridge]

I don’t think you can expect high 20s but it will definitely do better than 16 interstate! I love Wranglers and this is a Wrangler with a bed, so be it far from me to steer you away from one. And to be fair a Gladiator forum isn’t the right place find the most objective opinions. But we love them for reasons! If you encounter bad weather or drive off road much you won’t find a more capable vehicle. A big plus for me is they’re a convertible pickup, which is pretty sweet. And they are easy to modify and make “yours.” If I had to get another vehicle tomorrow, I’d get another Gladiator.

This is a terrible time to find deals on cars. Ordering would likely net you the best price. Not sure how much of a hurry you’re in, but I saved around 6k off of sticker by ordering and was looking at the same discount you were offered if buying off the lot. I bet I test drove over a dozen and none had steering issues. I’ve seen here it can be a thing, but shouldn’t be commonplace enough to worry about. Welcome to the forums and let us know what you decide!

 

[Free2roam]

Personally I would check out Gupton motors in Springfield Tennessee Daniel and Renee I hear are awesome. 8% off invoice

 

[River2016]

I don’t think you can expect high 20s but it will definitely do better than 16 interstate! I love Wranglers and this is a Wrangler with a bed, so be it far from me to steer you away from one. And to be fair a Gladiator forum isn’t the right place find the most objective opinions. But we love them for reasons! If you encounter bad weather or drive off road much you won’t find a more capable vehicle. A big plus for me is they’re a convertible pickup, which is pretty sweet. And they are easy to modify and make “yours.” If I had to get another vehicle tomorrow, I’d get another Gladiator.

This is a terrible time to find deals on cars. Ordering would likely net you the best price. Not sure how much of a hurry you’re in, but I saved around 6k off of sticker by ordering and was looking at the same discount you were offered if buying off the lot. I bet I test drove over a dozen and none had steering issues. I’ve seen here it can be a thing, but shouldn’t be commonplace enough to worry about. Welcome to the forums and let us know what you decide!

Ditto but the used car market is insane so you should be able to do decent on your trade in. I actually got a better deal buying my gladiator new vs used and was able to get a good number on the taco I was trading.

 

[TheScott]

I too have officially gotten the Gladiator itch. I recently saw a lesser equipped Jeep JK than mine (2015) sell for right at $30,000 and it made me want to sell mine right away. I am very close to listing it and booking a flight to the closest dealership with 8% under invoice.

 

[Slojo]

If Florida is a predictor, the pricing has run its course. I have been scouting Gladiators (finally decided what I want and of course not one matches perfectly). There are at least 1200 new ones on the lots within 150 miles of me (Jeep website). There are a ton of low mileage used Rubicons within a 100 miles too. They have been priced mid 50s and sitting on the lots the whole time I have been looking (some several months). There are even new 2020 Rubicons still sitting on lots. The dealers are selling the ones in the 40s but there are not that many buyers who can go into the 50s... especially when every other car dealer in the state thinks they can price their vehicles in the 50s also.

 

[Green_Gladiator]

If Florida is a predictor, the pricing has run its course. I have been scouting Gladiators (finally decided what I want and of course not one matches perfectly). There are at least 1200 new ones on the lots within 150 miles of me (Jeep website). There are a ton of low mileage used Rubicons within a 100 miles too. They have been priced mid 50s and sitting on the lots the whole time I have been looking (some several months). There are even new 2020 Rubicons still sitting on lots. The dealers are selling the ones in the 40s but there are not that many buyers who can go into the 50s... especially when every other car dealer in the state thinks they can price their vehicles in the 50s also.

Have you thought about ordering one? ... i know the wait is frustrating .. however 6% below invoice with tread lightly is a good deal if your up for a drive to New Smyrna area .. received mine in March .. went smooth as could be and financing with dealer is not required for the 6% below inv ...

 

[Slojo]

Have you thought about ordering one? ... i know the wait is frustrating .. however 6% below invoice with tread lightly is a good deal if your up for a drive to New Smyrna area .. received mine in March .. went smooth as could be and financing with dealer is not required for the 6% below inv ...

Leaning that way. There is one Rubi that is close in set up that I will go work on this weekend. If they won't budge I'll order. I am up for good recommendations and road trips!

 

[Mrbizkitt]

Personally I would check out Gupton motors in Springfield Tennessee Daniel and Renee I hear are awesome. 8% off invoice

Gupton was outstanding! Picked mine up last Thursday and drove it home. GREAT people from Daniel, to Renee, to HT Williams who was the guy that picked us up from the hotel to the finance guy who’s name is slipping my mind. Great all around experience and vehicle was ordered and delivered in 19 days. Came in faster than I could get down there.

 

[TheScott]

Gupton was outstanding! Picked mine up last Thursday and drove it home. GREAT people from Daniel, to Renee, to HT Williams who was the guy that picked us up from the hotel to the finance guy who’s name is slipping my mind. Great all around experience and vehicle was ordered and delivered in 19 days. Came in faster than I could get down there.

Wow, that is incredible! Sounds like when the time comes I will be going through them. Seems like the closest place to St. Louis that does under invoice pricing.

 

[arneb04]

I just did it. Last year when covid hit, the market was weird, and I had just run into a bunch of driveline problems with my grand Cherokee. I bought a 2017 Nissan Titan loaded with around 38k on it. I hated it with all the passion I can describe in writing. I started KBBing it about every 2 weeks in December and began looking for the replacement. I didn’t land on the gladiator until I saw a dealership in the twin cities metro had a willys. I pretty much couldn’t get the Willys out of my head so I kept an eye on things. Fast forward to two weeks ago, I found one at a dealership north of Minneapolis that was over 10% off MSRP with discounts. List price was $49k and the sale price was about 44. Has factory tonneau, led light kit, alpine stereo, tow package (not max tow) and the cold weather package. After driving that Nissan for a year and putting 10k miles on it, they gave me about $8000 more than I paid for it. It was a no brainer for me, and much more my style of truck. I would say just do it, there’s no better time to buy new. I wouldn’t buy anything used right now but it’s a great time to sell.

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