Vs. 2024 ZR2... (Edit- Test Driven, opinions inside)

[Bonanza]

Why would I, or anyone else, give a shit what you drive? Gotta love these “look at me” posts

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[Bonanza]

I agree with some of the other posts about the appearance of these new twins (Chevy/GMC). They are aggressive with a nice design.

However, for me that is where it ends. My wife wants a midsize truck of her own and went a drove a Canyon Denali. As stated, the look was great but nothing else about it appealed to us. The turbo 4 cylinder, fit & finish, seats, ride quality and overall cheapness of it.

GM quality control has really slipped and it shows. Coming from 30 years as a GM technician, I still stop in at the Chevy dealer to chat with the guys. They say the same thing. Cool design but very disappointing otherwise along with many first-year problems.

You can read all about them over on the Colorado Fans forum.

This was helpful-- thank you! Was the Canyon one of the new ones? 2023+?

 

[Geometricwoodbutcher]

If I didn't enjoy going out on the rocks as much as I do I would probably hop into a ZR2 for the same reasons. As a DD I imagine the ZR2 is going to be more comfortable. Once I get on the rocks I totally forget about my daily commute. Plus, the Jeep community/events are hard to beat. Starting to plan my 3rd EJS trip in Moab, can't wait, and can't get that type of event with the ZR2.

When I was younger (98-02), everyone I worked with had fox bodies or f bodies. One person was trying to build his car to compete on drag strip and road course. It wasn’t great at either. The manager of the shop said something that stuck with me. “You can’t have both, there are too many compromises being made. Pro 5.0 guys are in the 6’s on 10.5” tires, and the gearing is completely different.” People went from 33’s to 35’s and now 37+ for daily drivers, but I had a k5 on 42’s and no desire to go bigger than 35’s on my daily driver. Two purpose built vehicles is better than too many compromises. You aren’t getting 37’s on a GM truck without doubling (almost) the lift on a Jeep. Or you’re cutting fenders for apples to apples comparison.

 

[Bonanza]

When I was younger (98-02), everyone I worked with had fox bodies or f bodies. One person was trying to build his car to compete on drag strip and road course. It wasn’t great at either. The manager of the shop said something that stuck with me. “You can’t have both, there are too many compromises being made. Pro 5.0 guys are in the 6’s on 10.5” tires, and the gearing is completely different.” People went from 33’s to 35’s and now 37+ for daily drivers, but I had a k5 on 42’s and no desire to go bigger than 35’s on my daily driver. Two purpose built vehicles is better than too many compromises. You aren’t getting 37’s on a GM truck without doubling (almost) the lift on a Jeep. Or you’re cutting fenders for apples to apples comparison.

I agree completely. I'm debating going down to 35s when these wear out, if to get a bit more speed and just to tone it down a bit. But I'm not entirely sure I'll do that, because wheeling on 37s is amazing. It's the perfect tire size for the gladiator.

 

[Koolcarguy]

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a45434346/2024-chevy-colorado-zr2-test-drive/

What I like:

I can get this straight from the factory with rock rails, nice suspension, driving a vehicle it feels like I haven't been driving since 2013 (I've had 2 JKs and this gladiator); the engine is more powerful, looks cool, tows enough, IFS for daily driver and everything but rock crawling; not worrying about death wobble;

What I don't like:

2024 interest rates, making payments again, losing SAS for the rocks, less tow capacity; MPG isn't great; reliability of engine is unknown at this point; spending 3 years to fix death wobble only to trade for IFS; not a big Chevy fan; losing all the money I've spent in mods.


I like the reliability of my gladiator, but I don't like how it drives. I'm tired of it (sometimes). It tows well. It crawls well. It's done every single thing I've ever asked it to do. It is truly a jack of all trades. But 99% of the time, it's my daily driver, and it's a punishing one at that. I wouldn't call it fun to daily, at all. I'm on 37s, I'm regeared to 4.88s, and it's modded as far as it'll go. But I'm losing the spark.

Let's discuss.

Area of use: socal
Rockcrawling: yes, extreme trails
Towing: yes, 4k lb camper
Kids: yes x2

I'm a diehard Jeep guy also a used car dealer and I say this to guys asking if they should trade there Jeep for something I say your either a Jeep guy/gal or your not if you have to rationalize keeping it your probably not...I would figure out how to make it ride better I daily my Jtrd its on 37's and I love it but I'm a diehard Jeep guy I'd probaly love it if rode like a lumber wagon just think of all the honeless ducks that will be out there if you sell it not to mention all the waves your gonna miss ????

 

[Bonanza]

I'm a diehard Jeep guy also a used car dealer and I say this to guys asking if they should trade there Jeep for something I say your either a Jeep guy/gal or your not if you have to rationalize keeping it your probably not...I would figure out how to make it ride better I daily my Jtrd its on 37's and I love it but I'm a diehard Jeep guy I'd probaly love it if rode like a lumber wagon just think of all the honeless ducks that will be out there if you sell it not to mention all the waves your gonna miss ????

I don't wrap my identity up in my vehicle. That said, I've owned 3 pentastar Jeeps- 2013 2 door manual, 2017 JKUR manual, and now this gladiator. I regeared all three myself, and there's not a mod on this Jeep (minus the recalled steering box) I didn't do myself. My crew is all Jeeps-- LJs, XJs, a single WJ, Jks, and JLs.

I know for sure that in the rocks, IFS is just going to suck. That teetering feeling is the worst, and I don't find it enjoyable. But after a decade of doing the same rock trails, part of me is wondering what those trails would be like on another vehicle.

I'm going to go test drive one for fun. We'll see. I'm not leaning towards trading at the moment, but I have an open mind.

For instance, going back to not having a winch isn't something I'd be excited about.

 

[Bonanza]

Oof. I just watched a TFL video of the Johnson Valley Bison run. That teetering made my stomach drop. I'm surprised these didn't come with disconnect systems.

 

[Koolcarguy]

I don't wrap my identity up in my vehicle. That said, I've owned 3 pentastar Jeeps- 2013 2 door manual, 2017 JKUR manual, and now this gladiator. I regeared all three myself, and there's not a mod on this Jeep (minus the recalled steering box) I didn't do myself. My crew is all Jeeps-- LJs, XJs, a single WJ, Jks, and JLs.

I know for sure that in the rocks, IFS is just going to suck. That teetering feeling is the worst, and I don't find it enjoyable. But after a decade of doing the same rock trails, part of me is wondering what those trails would be like on another vehicle.

I'm going to go test drive one for fun. We'll see. I'm not leaning towards trading at the moment, but I have an open mind.

For instance, going back to not having a winch isn't something I'd be excited about.

I would as a Jeep guy if you do stray away from Jeep you'll be back lol good luck with whatever you decide

 

[ZoMojave]

This was helpful-- thank you! Was the Canyon one of the new ones? 2023+?

Yes. New generation.

 

[Geometricwoodbutcher]

Let us know how test drive went. My coworker ordered one in 2022 and was still waiting in fall of 2023 last time we spoke about it. Idk if it was because it was ZR2 Bison.

 

[staying_tuned]

It would be interesting to get your feedback post test-drive. I ended up parting with my EcoD Glady and spent a few weeks visiting a few Canyon and Colorado examples. This was a few months ago before any inventory was easily accessible. Their stunning looks drew me in, they both nailed it from that perspective.

Hoping out of my JT and into either felt like I was stepping out of a tank and into a bottom barrel rental car. Everything felt exceedingly cheap and I'm near certain an average sized person could rip nearly the entire interior out of one with their bare hands in under an hour.

If you do hop in one bang around with your fist on the door panels, dash, console etc. and you'll see what I mean. Bang on the body panels. Slide under the truck, everything that could be stamped is. I then learned that a mere pressure washer will dent the roof, a dryer will too. It's a new known issue they are trying to resolve, have a gander on google. These ridges are from a simple automated car wash:

I ended up passing of course and left that option shocked at how brittle a truck can be these days yet still be marketed as some ultra capable rig. If you're set on leaving the JT platform yet want a midsize and are in ZR2 bison budget territory, for sure take a hard look at the ranger raptor.

 

[Bonanza]

It would be interesting to get your feedback post test-drive. I ended up parting with my EcoD Glady and spent a few weeks visiting a few Canyon and Colorado examples. This was a few months ago before any inventory was easily accessible. Their stunning looks drew me in, they both nailed it from that perspective.

Hoping out of my JT and into either felt like I was stepping out of a tank and into a bottom barrel rental car. Everything felt exceedingly cheap and I'm near certain an average sized person could rip nearly the entire interior out of one with their bare hands in under an hour.

If you do hop in one bang around with your fist on the door panels, dash, console etc. and you'll see what I mean. Bang on the body panels. Slide under the truck, everything that could be stamped is. I then learned that a mere pressure washer will dent the roof, a dryer will too. It's a new known issue they are trying to resolve, have a gander on google. These ridges are from a simple automated car wash:

I ended up passing of course and left that option shocked at how brittle a truck can be these days yet still be marketed as some ultra capable rig. If you're set on leaving the JT platform yet want a midsize and are in ZR2 bison budget territory, for sure take a hard look at the ranger raptor.

Fantastic information, thank you for this. The gladiator is aging very well. Aside from the sun visors, nothing has "fallen apart" on the gladiator at all. 0 complaints.

 

[Minty JL]

If removing roof and/or doors are not your thing. Get something else. I agree a Jeep isn’t a relaxing interstate drive.

What does the rest of the family think?
Their opinion matters way more than anyone here.

The highway/interstate is a nice ride in a lifted Mojave on 37x13.5s

 

[Bonanza]

Dealer, just futzing around, said my trade was worth $20-$30k. On top of seeing a video where they take a really close look at the interior and the hard plastics, I'm out. Having something paid off is just too good, and having to take a bath on a trade in isn't appetizing at all.

I think it would be interesting to live with a ZR2 for a month and see which I'd like more. But that's just theoretical now.

 

[Hootbro]

Dealer, just futzing around, said my trade was worth $20-$30k.

Looking around my area on used 2020 Gladiators, plenty being sold in the $25K to $29K range. So your dealer is probably not far off on that statement of worth.

It is bloodbath trading a used Gladiator in nowadays.

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