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

[Bonanza]

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.

If it was bone stock, it would still be hard to bite. Mods never, ever add value to a car, but knowing that money was wasted makes the depreciation worse for sure. The gladiator would have to be terrible to take that hit, and honestly, it isn't. It's not bad at all. I just wished it got a bit better mpg, a bit more power, and rode a bit more IFS-like.

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[Hootbro]

I just wished it got a bit better mpg, a bit more power, and rode a bit more IFS-like.

Not trying to start an argument, but what made you buy your Gladiator in the first place?

There is a lot a posts of late of people pining for something else they wish the Gladiator to be but never was when they bought it.

 

[Chunky White]

I bought the Gladiator to hold me over until the new GM twins came out. I needed a truck and got a good deal on the Gladiator. The new twins are different from what I have owned but I have owned a 2018 Colorado Z71 and a 2021 GMC Canyon AT4. Both are a better daily driver than the Gladiator comfort wise and get better fuel economy but you are limited to how big you can lift one and really limited on tire size.

I am enjoying the Gladiator right now and the silverados we have as company trucks at work with the 2.7 turbo engine have both stayed in the shop with engine issues so I am not in a hurry to buy a vehicles with engine issues that I have witnessed. Theres an AT4X near where I live that I pass often and it always catches my eye. The local dealers seem to only order the trucks with 20" wheels also so I have yet to drive one but the HP and Tq numbers are good

 

[Bonanza]

Not trying to start an argument, but what made you buy your Gladiator in the first place?

There is a lot a posts of late of people pining for something else they wish the Gladiator to be but never was when they bought it.

I bought it because I needed to tow and needed a smidge more space than my 2017 JKUR as my second kid was born and realized all the stuff I take with us. In 2020 it was fine. But there are lots of new competitors in the midsize segment. The Gladiator is a car that released in 2019 but has an engine from 2012. It's good, but not great. It's just a vehicle, I'm not married to it. I can exchange it as easily as I could a cell phone, assuming it's reasonably financially responsible. I've been driving a vehicle with the pentastar since 2013. While it's been reliable, it hasn't been exciting.

Here, it appears it isn't responsible and the ratio of money lost to new features gained isn't good enough!

 

[Hootbro]

I bought it because I needed to tow and needed a smidge more space than my 2017 JKUR as my second kid was born and realized all the stuff I take with us. In 2020 it was fine. But there are lots of new competitors in the midsize segment. The Gladiator is a car that released in 2019 but has an engine from 2012. It's good, but not great. It's just a vehicle, I'm not married to it. I can exchange it as easily as I could a cell phone, assuming it's reasonably financially responsible. I've been driving a vehicle with the pentastar since 2013. While it's been reliable, it hasn't been exciting.

Here, it appears it isn't responsible and the ratio of money lost to new features gained isn't good enough!

Gladiator suffers with the same similar complaints the Wrangler has. When it is the first couple years a new model hotness, it is all the rage. The problem is both are on basically on 10 year lifecycle plan before a total redesign and shows it's age pretty quick if one is wanting all the new bells and whistles. Neither one is about keeping up with the Joneses and so people like yourself that see it more as basic transportation than a lifestyle vehicle sour on it pretty easy over time.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

If it was bone stock, it would still be hard to bite. Mods never, ever add value to a car, but knowing that money was wasted makes the depreciation worse for sure. The gladiator would have to be terrible to take that hit, and honestly, it isn't. It's not bad at all. I just wished it got a bit better mpg, a bit more power, and rode a bit more IFS-like.

The right mods can add value, you just won’t get all your money back.

 

[Bonanza]

Neither one is about keeping up with the Joneses and so people like yourself that see it more as basic transportation than a lifestyle vehicle sour on it pretty easy over time.

With all due respect I think I've wheeled harder, and in more trails, in the gladiator than you have. I think the hardest trail in Delaware is as hard as the road to even get to the trails in southern California. I regeared it myself to 4.88s. My last Jeep I regeared myself to 4.56. Same as the one before. The bumper, winch, lift, control arms, all of it was done by my own hands.

But a dick measuring contest isn't the point. My gladiator serves as basic transportation 95% of the time it drives, so the downsides are always there and apparent. So for "people like myself" yeah, I can identify downsides pretty quickly.

 

[Hootbro]

With all due respect I think I've wheeled harder, and in more trails, in the gladiator than you have. I think the hardest trail in Delaware is as hard as the road to even get to the trails in southern California. I regeared it myself to 4.88s. My last Jeep I regeared myself to 4.56. Same as the one before. The bumper, winch, lift, control arms, all of it was done by my own hands.

But a dick measuring contest isn't the point. My gladiator serves as basic transportation 95% of the time it drives, so the downsides are always there and apparent. So for "people like myself" yeah, I can identify downsides pretty quickly.

That was not my intent when I wrote it, but I can see how it reads a bit prickish.

 

[Bonanza]

That was not my intent when I wrote it, but I can see how it reads a bit prickish.

Bro it's all good! The pic made me laugh. Your point is still solid and true.

 

[chesafreak]

Dig these new midsize GMs. Been waiting what seems like forever for the Traverse to allow ordering. Wish the front end looked even more like this. Most likely getting the z71 package. Have never owned a Chevy here but dont see why people giving shit for looking at these. I mean after 3 years of any vehicle I had I have wanted to freshen it up and try something different. Only reason I am in the Gladiator is the removable roof and the diesel option.

 

[High Alextude]

If it was bone stock, it would still be hard to bite. Mods never, ever add value to a car, but knowing that money was wasted makes the depreciation worse for sure. The gladiator would have to be terrible to take that hit, and honestly, it isn't. It's not bad at all. I just wished it got a bit better mpg, a bit more power, and rode a bit more IFS-like.

It sounds like you just need to take a nice vacation and bond with your JT again. With days darker earlier, it’s cold out, and the Jeep just sitting outside all sad, it is easy to forget how fun it can be to drive it and use it for it’s intended purpose.

Really close your eyes, imagine driving the ZR2 on a perfect 80 degree, sunny day. Nobody is waving at you, the top won’t come down and the sunroof just isn’t cutting it. And suddenly, you’re on a dirt road with many obstacles! You put the Colorado in 4wd with the axle locked, but man, that trail was rough! Probably something a Jeep could’ve done with ease.

Anyways, if that all sounds appealing, maybe the Colorado is for you. But, as I said before, I am not trying to convince anyone…….??????

 

[Weldit]

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

Steering is over assisted at 80mph and arm rests uncomfortable. I like how it rides and drives for anything less than an hour though.

 

[saintpauljeff]

GM electrical issues always pop up about 5 years in ...and get worse and worse. Every GM I've had. It's a 5-year and out vehicle, not one to keep for a decade.

Nah, not always true, I owned a 2007 Hummer H3 Alpha for 12 years and never had an electrical issue of any kind.

I test drove the previous gen ZR2 Colorado and it was a great truck, only problem was it felt too similar to the vehicle I was leaving.

 

[Bonanza]

The ZR2s have electric lockers, not the G80. And they moved the shock location outboard to the lead springs on ZR2 models only. I always hate the shock location, but for this trim and year, they did change it.

I also wheel hammers a lot, and the little promo video they all did on short bus didn't "wow" me per se, but a manufacturer testing in the hammers is still worth noting. The teetering and rolling over feeling though, still seemed very present. Very.

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