To Gladiator or not to Gladiator

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Get the minivan or a crossover. Your family needs the comfort and convenience right now.

There is no economic benefit to the diesel JT.

All the best to your son and family as his body plays catch up.

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[Hootbro]

Keep current Gladiator, pay it off and pony up for the $130/trip cost in fuel. Plus whatever wear it will cause on 37’s and everything else.

This my vote. Keep what you got and work within it. 500 miles a month is an extra 6K miles a year.

I have played the game of trading down under the guise of "saving money" and the cost to that of factoring in the wholesale depreciation and resetting the clock on another depreciating vehicle would have bought a lot of gas and was a false dichotomy I told myself.

 

[The Sigma]

You, me, all of us - life ebbs and flows. I had two back-to-back Jeeps and loved them... fifteen years ago. Back then life opened a different chapter and I went to SUVs for a decade and a half; this year, a new chapter opened and I went back to Jeep and got a Gladiator. From your description (wife, 3 kids, stuff for 3 kids, regular 10 or so hours trips) seems a 3 row SUV or van fits the bill.

 

[Jclow801]

This my vote. Keep what you got and work within it. 500 miles a month is an extra 6K miles a year.

I have played the game of trading down under the guise of "saving money" and the cost to that of factoring in the wholesale depreciation and resetting the clock on another depreciating vehicle would have bought a lot of gas and was a false dichotomy I told myself.

this is very wise… I am sure you’re right!

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

If I was going to be doing long trips all the time with 3 kids the Gladiator would be a distant memory. I would opt out for a full size SUV with a third row and a ton of comfort.

This. Or a minivan.

I find it hard to believe that anyone saves money with a 3.0 TD vs. a 3.6 if you’re considering total ownership cost. I.e. Fuel (diesel is significantly more costly than regular unleaded in my area), DEF, more frequent fuel filter changes, etc.

Most people that claim a diesel vehicle saves them money (I had a ‘13 VW TDI) are simple glossing over most of the costs associated with operating the vehicle. It’s generally just “I get mad MPG’s!”

 

[AmosMoses]

I feel for you and your newborn. I'd opt for a Honda crv, rav 4 or other reliable crossover that wont cause you any headache during this time in your life and get you decent gas mileage.

 

[Sandevino]

When the kids were young we had a minivan and loved it. Power sliding doors were amazing when your hands were full.

Now that the kids are grown and have their own vehicles, I’ve got a Gladiator and my wife has her Land Rover.

 

[bleda2002]

When the kids were young we had a minivan and loved it. Power sliding doors were amazing when your hands were full.

Now that the kids are grown and have their own vehicles, I’ve got a Gladiator and my wife has her Land Rover.

We did the full size SUV and half ton truck when the kids were in rear and forward facing car seats and loved the space.

 

[AstroZombie]

Keep the JT and get the Grand Cherokee 4xe

 

[Klicht87]

If I were in your situation I’d have a brand new Telluride.

I second this recommendation.

 

[Koolcarguy]

Hey fellas,

I have seen similar topics on the forum here and can’t remember what category they fell in. But I am throwing this one here.

My wife & I are moving our family and are contemplating what to do with our car situation. We currently have a JTS with the pentastar on 37’s and a 3.5” lift. And a ‘06 Lexus IS250 as our run around. My 2 yr old son was born extremely premature and still has a pretty regular treatment plan at a hospital we are moving 250 miles away from (so 500 mile round trip) We are hoping we can make a trip once a month to facilitate his needs.

We have been kicking around various ideas to keep these trips to the hospital affordable. So here’s a couple scenarios in case any of you have any input…

Keep current Gladiator, pay it off and pony up for the $130/trip cost in fuel. Plus whatever wear it will cause on 37’s and everything else.

Trade this gladiator for an Ecodiesel gladiator and swap all mods and get a bit better fuel economy as long as diesel prices stay below gasoline. I know there’s some drama surrounding the diesel right now with the HPFP and maybe that’s not even an option. There are a few for sale locally but maybe all the new ones have a stop sale? Love this idea but it may not yield the results I am after if the diesel is about $1000 more per year in ownership costs. If the diesel gets 25 mpg highway when I am getting 16 mpg highway now it will still cost $300/yr more to own the diesel. Even considering the savings in fuel.

or trade the gladiator and trade the Lexus for a Pacifica Hybrid or similar hybrid van SUV.

We will have 3 kids soon and my wife is pretty paranoid (as the daughter of a fire chief) about other drivers and getting in accidents. Not to mention the trip can be pretty wintry during the winter months of course. The IS is a great car but has 15x,xxx miles and just wouldn’t be terribly reliable compared to a newer vehicle.

there’s a fair bit of financials that go into this that I can’t think to bore you all with.

If it was me making the decision I'd buy the ecodiesel leave it stock. The kids are little i take my 3 youngest grandson with me all the time in the backseat and simular age there fine. The ecodiesel if stock on the highway should get upper 20's or low 30's depending how you drive. My wife gets 30 to 33 in her 2022 Jl Rubi diesel thats city and highway combined but we live in Cheyenne, Wy not much traffic.and she drives like the Grandma she is lol the best i ever got in either of my Jt diesel was 28 but both mine had 35's from day 1 my Rubi has 47's now I still get 24 or 25. Good luck

 

[RubiNewbCB]

my suggestion is if you want something comfortable, with plenty of space, and stay with Jeep, look at the Grand Cherokee L’s.Not super big (but flexibility with third row for extra people or storage) but great on-road cruisers and better fuel economy than JT.

I can vouch for the GCL, I bought a Limited in Sep21, and it is great for family trips that don't involve Jeep trails or Gatherings. Comfortable, can seat 6 or 7 depending on 2nd row config. Reasonably economical, with 87oct and 26mpgs on cruise. The GCL is slightly smaller than the Wagoneer by mere inches, and it can tow 7k.

Trade the Lexus for the GCL or trade your JTS for the JTD. Or do both.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

If it was me making the decision I'd buy the ecodiesel leave it stock. The kids are little i take my 3 youngest grandson with me all the time in the backseat and simular age there fine. The ecodiesel if stock on the highway should get upper 20's or low 30's depending how you drive. My wife gets 30 to 33 in her 2022 Jl Rubi diesel thats city and highway combined but we live in Cheyenne, Wy not much traffic.and she drives like the Grandma she is lol the best i ever got in either of my Jt diesel was 28 but both mine had 35's from day 1 my Rubi has 47's now I still get 24 or 25. Good luck

My JTRD is stock and on long trips can squeeze 30mpgs out of it on flat hwys, just ran a round trip from VA to Orlando and averaged 28mpg @ 70mph.

 

[Fungi3]

I think you need to switch priorities for this period in your life. This is all temporary and will pass. Trade in the gladiator for a 35-45 mpg vehicle with 3 row seating. Get through this phase of life for 3-4 years, then determine if a gladiator might make sense once again. Otherwise, stay the course. You can always venture out a couple times a year and rent a gladiator or Wrangler. Many car rentals carry these now. Good luck.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I think you're going to want the more comfortable option for the long haul you'll be making. Doing 500 miles in a day in a JT beat the tar out of me and that was in a Mojave with all of its bump absorbing suspension forgiving the most egregious of road conditions.

I'd look at a Grand Cherokee L in Overland trim because that air suspension is superb compared to the coil sprung versions. Plus- 3 Rows and still can do a lot of Jeep Things. You may find some in the used market if the new prices are out of budget.

The Telluride is also an honorable mention but won't be able to handle trails like a Jeep (or at least sand) but will keep you going in the white stuff.

Another consideration might be the Explorer, too. Last gen 3rows are easily obtainable for not a lot of coin. The current generation is back to body on frame construction and that EcoBoost V6 is a beast. I had one as a rental late last year and it had oomph without being hateful on MPG.

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