Trading the Gladiator in for Gen-5 4Runner

[Alc]

doesn’t the 4Runner still have a 5-speed AT. That was cool….in my 2001 4Runner but geez, I don’t think I could ever go that retro. Bullet proof yes but it takes antiquated to a whole new level.

glad you’re keeping the JT, they’re addictively fun and annoyingly imperfect.

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[ecidiego]

Actually since you all pissed me off so much I am going to keep the POS. Just to spite all you guys; although I do see a lot pain behind those trolling lines, maybe we can reach some, nah F-IT.

Good luck with your rigs.

 

[ToJo 2]

I’ve had my 2021 Mojave for 6 months now and so far I like it a lot. It is a very capable vehicle.

But the dealership is another issue. I agree with the other posts that the dealer does not know how to work on these. Perhaps too much tech is a bad thing?

Thanks to all who post on this forum, it is a wealth of info and has helped me a great deal.

 

[ecidiego]

I’ve had my 2021 Mojave for 6 months now and so far I like it a lot. It is a very capable vehicle.

But the dealership is another issue. I agree with the other posts that the dealer does not know how to work on these. Perhaps too much tech is a bad thing?

Thanks to all who post on this forum, it is a wealth of info and has helped me a great deal.

A few people have some unicorn dealers in their town. Most are absolute trash. It isn't the tech in the vehicle, which isn't much. It's subhuman 70 IQ "dealer techs" that have 0 troubleshooting skills.

 

[Redfour5]

It is time to call it quits on the Jeep Gladiator experience. It has cost me time and money and worry. But 4th breakdown in one year, for the same (sorta) issue is too much. It was bad enough breaking down in the middle of route 1, St. Augustine, FL in traffic, but when it did the exact same thing (another new starter) in the minus temps in Vermont, it was the last straw for my wife. Luckily everyone, and the dog, are fine.

I love that truck but it has been lots of trouble. Breaking down 4 times in the past year for very similar, seemingly related issue. The dealerships in the St. Augustine and Palm Coast area of Florida have not been much help, either not wanting to respond to TSBs (aluminum steering boxes on two jeeps) or with turning the jeep away with no diagnosis... and charging 300 USD to tell me that they could not find anything; it broke down again about 2 months later on route 1.

I think the final straw is that nobody really knows how to fix these things, very complicated and they do not fit the "parts cannon" mentality that dealers used/are forced into (imo), so when you get an electrical failure, that doesn't show a code, I believe the mechanics drop it and move on. Who could blame them when they are paid for numbers.

I wish you guys the best of luck and I will miss that truck. I do have my 1997 TJ and that will stay and remind of a jeep should be. Thanks for all the good reading.

But...the best deals on Gladiators NEW Rubicons and Mojave's in the US are down where you live. In looking at Cargurus, I see regular Rubicons with 62K MSRP's going for 40K or less in Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach. Rubicons for 40K... Unbelievable. I see one with an almost 64K MSRP for 39,917 bucks https://www.jeep.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=1C6JJTBG9RL113722

This is one where a year ago anyone would have been happy to get it for 49 to 50K.

You obviously got a lemon. But, I'm seeing X Mojave's and a few X Rubicons in Orlando for 47K to 49K and and change with MSRPs of 68 to 70K... Loaded, The only reason I'd go for an X is Rock or Selec Trac full time 4WD, but you don't need that down there. I live in MT.

IF I saw this a year ago when I bought mine, I'd be all over it.

 

[Redfour5]

Actually since you all pissed me off so much I am going to keep the POS. Just to spite all you guys; although I do see a lot pain behind those trolling lines, maybe we can reach some, nah F-IT.

Good luck with your rigs.

Four Runners all at MSRP in Florida. Looking at ONLY 103 available in the country... While...in Florida Rubicons going for 39K... Glad you are not leaving or engaging in Blashphemy.

 

[SaiintNick]

A few people have some unicorn dealers in their town. Most are absolute trash. It isn't the tech in the vehicle, which isn't much. It's subhuman 70 IQ "dealer techs" that have 0 troubleshooting skills.

Or maybe it's us Jeep buyers that have the low IQ for buying a flawed product.

 

[ecidiego]

Or maybe it's us Jeep buyers that have the low IQ for buying a flawed product.

Everything is a POS these days. I am always told how wonderful Tacomas are. I am on my 2nd one ( work truck provided ). Both have been in the shop for all sorts of issues. On my 2009 the steering column bracket snapped and the wheel dropped into my lap while driving. It started coming OUT of the column. AC failed 5x in 2 years. Brand new 2023 - axle "welding slag" caused the axle to start coming out. Nationwide recall.

Grass ISN'T greener.

 

[SaiintNick]

Everything is a POS these days. I am always told how wonderful Tacomas are. I am on my 2nd one ( work truck provided ). Both have been in the shop for all sorts of issues. On my 2009 the steering column bracket snapped and the wheel dropped into my lap while driving. It started coming OUT of the column. AC failed 5x in 2 years. Brand new 2023 - axle "welding slag" caused the axle to start coming out. Nationwide recall.

Grass ISN'T greener.

This is pretty much true, but I think the OP has the right idea. 4R's are usually reliable even if they are boring. Apparently pieces of crap are exciting.

 

[JTGuy]

Toyota has the "perception" of reliability. My JTR has been spot on reliable. I have modded my JTR myself in my garage except for gears. I love having something that doesn't look like a soccer mom car. Have fun with your 4Runner. You will have a Rav4 next.

 

[johnchabin]

Well, I still have the 2010 4Runner, and it's one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned. My Tundra was also trouble-free.

Jeep's been great, but I only have 12K miles.

Subaru, not so much... unless you like replacing head gaskets.

 

[ShrimpHappens]

Everything is a POS these days. I am always told how wonderful Tacomas are. I am on my 2nd one ( work truck provided ). Both have been in the shop for all sorts of issues. On my 2009 the steering column bracket snapped and the wheel dropped into my lap while driving. It started coming OUT of the column. AC failed 5x in 2 years. Brand new 2023 - axle "welding slag" caused the axle to start coming out. Nationwide recall.

Grass ISN'T greener.

Yep, there are horror stories (and odes of praise) about everything, and Toyota is no exception. My dad traded his warped-block '06 Tacoma for a '12 Tundra that eventually went out for transmissions issues, all to end up in a Silverado that apparently won't last, either.

 

[SaiintNick]

I only trust the Japan made Toyotas like the 4 Runner.

 

[Zachanadandy]

These threads, and the responses, crack me up. If OP ever wanted to return, theres an infinite amount of these unspecial vehicles on the market at bottom-barrel prices because they depreciated like used lolllipops.

What's he going to miss out on? 16 mpg? 260 wheezing horses? Towing while the engine screams at 4k rpm? The Stellantis customer experience? A few of us have our beer goggles on... Toyotas are perfectly fine and I bet OP is going to be perfectly happy.

If a tree fell on my gladiator in the driveway my main emotional reaction would be the annoyance of having to file a claim.

To answer the expected question, yes-- I would've already sold mine if the value wasn't in the toilet thanks to Stellantis' horrendous management.

Tell us you don't wheel it without telling us you don't wheel it. The gladiator isn't the best mid-size street truck out there for sure, but the others aren't even close off road.

 

[DirkG]

We had a 2023 4Runner (5G) for a short period of time and it was a dinosaur. I get that it's a rugged vehicle, but the everyday drivability was subpar. And the technology was clearly way behind. I know the 6G is out and it's not a day too soon.

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