New owner - First impressions

[jayfitz]

Just picked up a '23 High Altitude a week ago with 20k miles, after researching for a long time, a few years actually. Coming from a 2018 LR Discovery Sport. That vehicle was OK, had many issues with transmission, etc....the extended warranty was up in 3k miles, so I got out. My wife says I was looking for a new vehicle a few months after bringing that one home... it was a step up from my Ford Flex (which I loved). I had looked at many brands, and either the boring style, or high price, made me not buy. I had not thought of a Gladiator at first as I had a bad go-round with a Commander many years ago. I had always owned SUV's for the enclosed transport - I'm a gigging drummer- but a nice hard tonneau cover will solve that, I'm also gigging less as I get older, hanging in pubs until 2am gets old when you're old!

I had been scouring Carfax, Edmunds, cargurus, cars.com, etc. for ages....looking at many different options, I knew I wasn't buying new, I just don't see the value. This Gladiator popped into my feed and I really liked the bright white with blacked out wheels and trim. I'm never going off road, but do live in a coastal town so having the open air vibe with roof and doors will be a huge benefit!

The positives, and what drew me to the Gladiator:

• The looks, I like something a bit different than a Honda, Toyota, or Chevy etc... need some personality and style!
• I am very happy with a NA V6, too many turbo 4's out there now (Landcruiser, really?).
• The actual knobs on the dash are great (not just a screen, or two!),
• the leather interior seems to be quality,
• the sound system is good, but I'll probably upgrade some speakers,.
• The capability - when needed, (in snow or beach sand for me most likely).
• Hit 75mph cruising on the (windy) highway with no issues - steering felt tight, no major wandering.

The cons:

• I already found some very minor bubbling on a few body panels, there's few years of corrosion warranty left so I'll deal with that later.
• It has a more bouncy ride, but no biggie really. It is a truck after all.
• Storage space in the doors, (minor thing).

As others have said, I find myself enjoying the ride more than just trying to get from point A to B as quickly as possible. I'll be calmer, and less of a Mass-hole while driving this vehicle!

The wife likes it, ( "I like it better than that Porsche" Cayenne we test drove). Grown boys were suspect at first, but the roomy back seat and sound system has won them over. So, all good so far!!

Great forum y'all have here!

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[Gvsukids]

It has a more bouncy ride, but no biggie really. It is a truck after all.

What's your tire pressure?

 

[NSS375]

What's your tire pressure?

Definitely look at this. The recommended tire pressure is 37. When I purchased in October, all the tires had 44 psi which made the ride pretty harsh. Lowering to 37 psi has made the ride so much better

 

[SaiintNick]

Definitely look at this. The recommended tire pressure is 37. When I purchased in October, all the tires had 44 psi which made the ride pretty harsh. Lowering to 37 psi has made the ride so much better

Drop to 30 and it's even better.

 

[jayfitz]

What's your tire pressure?

Pressure is 37psi per tire. The bounce is not a terrible thing, just different coming from the Discovery Sport

 

[GeekJT]

The thing is, if you can get it in your head, Alll jeeps are shitboxes, even brand news ones, you'll be ok.

No it's not going to have the tightest steering, no it's not going to track perfectly down the freeway, it has a solid front axle, these things are nearly impossible to do with a solid front axle. Lots of things you can do. Upgraded Steering dampeners, alignment settings, etc. Pizza cutter tires will always track better than wide tires. etc.

The thing is, with a jeep you generally start with a blank slate and YOU make it yours. The aftermarket is massive for jeeps. But if you start off with the mind set of "Jeeps are shitboxes" and that will lower your expectation of it "being perfect" because no jeep is "perfect".

What makes them cool is they are Jeeps, there is nothing else like them. Just enjoy yours, nevermind when it has some problem, and keep on wheelin'.

But what Jeeps will do is make memories. First time getting caught in the rain with the top off? Oh man it's a ton of laughs. First time getting muddy, sandy, etc after playing off road?!? Washing them down keeps ya active.


Just nothing else even comes close to what a Jeep offers. It has it's own culture wrapped around it, jeep waves, go learn the history behind all that, it's not "just because" it's from victory day, anyways

Just don't expect the jeep to be perfect, because they never are is my point.

./rant

 

[jayfitz]

The thing is, if you can get it in your head, Alll jeeps are shitboxes, even brand news ones, you'll be ok.

No it's not going to have the tightest steering, no it's not going to track perfectly down the freeway, it has a solid front axle, these things are nearly impossible to do with a solid front axle. Lots of things you can do. Upgraded Steering dampeners, alignment settings, etc. Pizza cutter tires will always track better than wide tires. etc.

The thing is, with a jeep you generally start with a blank slate and YOU make it yours. The aftermarket is massive for jeeps. But if you start off with the mind set of "Jeeps are shitboxes" and that will lower your expectation of it "being perfect" because no jeep is "perfect".

What makes them cool is they are Jeeps, there is nothing else like them. Just enjoy yours, nevermind when it has some problem, and keep on wheelin'.

But what Jeeps will do is make memories. First time getting caught in the rain with the top off? Oh man it's a ton of laughs. First time getting muddy, sandy, etc after playing off road?!? Washing them down keeps ya active.


Just nothing else even comes close to what a Jeep offers. It has it's own culture wrapped around it, jeep waves, go learn the history behind all that, it's not "just because" it's from victory day, anyways

Just don't expect the jeep to be perfect, because they never are is my point.

./rant

LOL! That is part of the reason I dig this vehicle, it is what it is, no pretense. I actually really like the way it rides, the physical controls on the dash, the lack of some power features (seats), the wind noise... I feel like I'm driving instead of on auto pilot like some of these vehicles that have zero personality. It took me long time to decide on what I wanted next, I'm very pleased with this choice.

 

[GeekJT]

LOL! That is part of the reason I dig this vehicle, it is what it is, no pretense. I actually really like the way it rides, the physical controls on the dash, the lack of some power features (seats), the wind noise... I feel like I'm driving instead of on auto pilot like some of these vehicles that have zero personality. It took me long time to decide on what I wanted next, I'm very pleased with this choice.

Heck yeah, it'll have some wind noise because it's a convertible. The fun wind noise is when the top is off!!! Man enjoy it, once ya get the bug, you'll always own a jeep it's really hard to let go of other cars will always seem boring.

I told the wife, you know babe, if i needed too, right now, i could ford a river LOL we had a good laugh. Here in Houston, we have floods. A jeep is a must have for hurricane season. I like knowing (and have test many a hurricanes) i can still get around if needed.

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