Opinions on purchasing a gladiator

[ckgjt]

be warned ...if you have addiction issues this is Not the vehicle for you

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[dcmdon]

I am wringing my hands and close to pulling the trigger on a Gladiator.

The biggest negative is that its a Chrysler product. If the Jeep was made by a Japanese company I'd already own one.

I've owned Volvos and Japanese cars. All have been fantastic. (knock wood). I just checked my logbook and my 02 Volvo V70 has been in for unscheduled repairs exactly TWICE. With 164k miles.

Once with a torn CVJ boot (my fault). And once with a blown Voltage regulator that required me to limp on the shoulder for 3 miles to get off the highway before having it flat bedded home so I could change the alternator.

I've had a couple of more minor problems like a flakey drivers window switch which I didn't bother to bring the car in for. I had it repaired at the nexts oil change.

The last Japanese cars, a Subaru STI and Mazda Miata required no repairs in the time I owned them other than a visit to the dealer to try to find the source of a rattle in the first month of ownership.

But the Jeep (and Bronco will when you can actually get one) offer a unique experience. And hopefully lots of fun.

If I do get a Gladiator it will be with greatly reduced expectations as far as dealership quality and reliability. And that is what I'm struggling with now.

 

[Jas504]

I am wringing my hands and close to pulling the trigger on a Gladiator.

The biggest negative is that its a Chrysler product. If the Jeep was made by a Japanese company I'd already own one.

I've owned Volvos and Japanese cars. All have been fantastic. (knock wood). I just checked my logbook and my 02 Volvo V70 has been in for unscheduled repairs exactly TWICE. With 164k miles.

Once with a torn CVJ boot (my fault). And once with a blown Voltage regulator that required me to limp on the shoulder for 3 miles to get off the highway before having it flat bedded home so I could change the alternator.

I've had a couple of more minor problems like a flakey drivers window switch which I didn't bother to bring the car in for. I had it repaired at the nexts oil change.

The last Japanese cars, a Subaru STI and Mazda Miata required no repairs in the time I owned them other than a visit to the dealer to try to find the source of a rattle in the first month of ownership.

But the Jeep (and Bronco will when you can actually get one) offer a unique experience. And hopefully lots of fun.

If I do get a Gladiator it will be with greatly reduced expectations as far as dealership quality and reliability. And that is what I'm struggling with now.

I used to think the same thing.
2 weeks ago my neighbor traded in his 2018 Honda accord. It was constantly in the shop with electrical issues.
As far as the Gladiator (Chrysler) goes, my buddy has a fleet of dodge pickups for his company. They have no more or less problems then Ford or Chevrolet.
Get the Gladiator...you'll love it.

 

[slowstang305]

I am wringing my hands and close to pulling the trigger on a Gladiator.

The biggest negative is that its a Chrysler product. If the Jeep was made by a Japanese company I'd already own one.

I've owned Volvos and Japanese cars. All have been fantastic. (knock wood). I just checked my logbook and my 02 Volvo V70 has been in for unscheduled repairs exactly TWICE. With 164k miles.

Once with a torn CVJ boot (my fault). And once with a blown Voltage regulator that required me to limp on the shoulder for 3 miles to get off the highway before having it flat bedded home so I could change the alternator.

I've had a couple of more minor problems like a flakey drivers window switch which I didn't bother to bring the car in for. I had it repaired at the nexts oil change.

The last Japanese cars, a Subaru STI and Mazda Miata required no repairs in the time I owned them other than a visit to the dealer to try to find the source of a rattle in the first month of ownership.

But the Jeep (and Bronco will when you can actually get one) offer a unique experience. And hopefully lots of fun.

If I do get a Gladiator it will be with greatly reduced expectations as far as dealership quality and reliability. And that is what I'm struggling with now.

Personally, I do believe some Japanese cars are better than US machines but I will say not all. I have had very good luck with Jeep's in the past. They easily reach 150-200k miles if taken care of. My brothers JK is close to 180k miles +. As far as other american brands? My 04 Navigator has 192k miles, my fathers 03 Expedition has 186k miles. My last Escalade I sold with 150k miles. All were VERY reliable! But for motorcycles, the Japanese make a great product!

 

[dcmdon]

I don't necessarily think the Japanese cars last longer. I believe that their quality is more consistent. You are less likely to get a "bad one".

You never hear normal (not enthusiast tuners) Honda owners say "This one is a good one, but my last one was trouble, I needed a new engine at 15k and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree and it threw 50 DTCs".

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