To Gladiator or not to Gladiator

[controller]

Pacifica is available in AWD. With 3 kids, you're going to end up playing bus driver. You'll have one parent loading and the other watching the other two. Nothing faster than electric remote controlled sliding doors, plus low load height getting a car seat in and out of the side door. When the kids get older, they can climb in themselves if you open the door for them.

There are far more conveniences with having a minivan when you have a bunch of kids. That's why my other car is a Honda Odyssey.

-- Dad of 4 kids.

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[Orange01z28]

We have a VW Atlas as our other car and it's great. It's way bigger inside than even our Explorer was, but feels like a car when driving

I don't know your financials but you can get something like that for under $35k with under 40k miles, with the AWD and V6

My vote would be keep the JT and get rid of the IS, but I know that's probably a value proposition

Another option would be to get rid of both, get the minivan/SUV, and get a JK or early JL for Jeep stuff

 

[alpineovernappa]

Ive put ~40k on my ecodiesel sport s JT in just about every state and condition in CONUS over the last 2 years. Its a fantastic highway vehicle and I use EDT with every tank. Totally stock, I was able to average low 30s at 55-60mph and flat. At 65-70 I was closer to 28 and at 80 I was around 22. I now have rubicon takeoff wheels/tires/suspension and I average closer to 26mpg at 55-60. I drop to 24mpg at 70, and down around 20mpg at 80mph. At 85+, I see mid to low teens. Also factor in the stress of the situation you are in. Driving something you enjoy may help that 500 miles go by faster. Conversely, driving something simple and comfortable may be what you want after an exhausting day at the hospital.

Higher expenses on a diesel:
EDT treatment with each tank ~$1/tank
DEF $13 per ~2500 miles (or roughly $1.50 per fuel tank)
DIY oil change ~$75 with mopar filter and approved oil (7500-10k interval)
DIY fuel filter change ~$40 with OEM filter (10k-20k interval depending on whether you use bio diesels)

 

[Minty JL]

Yeah like many others have said, get something that will be safe, reliable and carry everyone comfortably. Nothing worse then a 500 mile trip with toddlers and young kids sqwalking about so and so is on my side ans silly shit.

We waited to get out JLUR new in 2019......why, didn't want to deal with car seats and shit. Once we built our new house I ordered my JTM.

Prioritizing suck, but in the long run it's worth it for everyones sake. Kids grow like weeds anyways, so in a few years......it will be time for something fun. Just don't be like my buddy and have 6 kids........no JL or JT can fit a firing squad in one movement.......sorry went full MILSEC there lol

 

[graywolf.overland]

If there exists a gladiator 4xe that can cover most of your hospital and kids related runs in all electric or mostly electric mode, that could be your ideal win win.

The other option is to trade the Lexus and get a 3 row SUV which is either electric or phev
- KIA ev9
- KIA Sorento phev

 

[Rzrhawg]

As a person with a JT and a Pacifica, I can honestly say it’s the best combo of vehicles ever. You might look into grabbing a used Pacifica. We bought our 2018 in early 2019 and they basically gave it to us because they weren’t selling at all. Prob not the case now, but trust me a van is worth it when you have kids, you just aren’t cool anymore…

 

[Minty JL]

Biggest pain in the dick now is the interest rates.

The auctions are getting loaded with repo's and dealers unloading cars/trucks they can't sell. There should be a nice market adjustment in Q4 FY23 or Q1 FY24..... hopefully some fire sales by or just after the new year/tax season.....assuming you can wait that long

 

[cranbiz]

Biggest pain in the dick now is the interest rates.

The auctions are getting loaded with repo's and dealers unloading cars/trucks they can't sell. There should be a nice market adjustment in Q4 FY23 or Q1 FY24..... hopefully some fire sales by or just after the new year/tax season.....assuming you can wait that long

Which is exactly what I'm waiting for. The WK2 is paid off in 3 months and it's going nowhere. So as soon as there is some positive movement for the consumer in both inventory/pricing and interest rates, I'm pulling the trigger.

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