We finally did it....

[spanishmack]

Never seen someone so butthurt over a 4Runner. FFS man, go have a drink or something.

OK. Full disclaimer, I am only using this as a meme posting opportunity. Whenever someone says "butthurt," I HAVE to break out this meme...

Sponsored

 

[Caraholic]

I smell trolls lol

 

[Gren71]

The whole franchise new vehicle dealership model is now too corporate from a ownership perspective and no longer is just a small family owned affair. 30+ years ago, it paid to be loyal to a particular dealership, salesman and service department as it many times mean one dealt with the same people over and over again across a lifetime.

Nowadays, it is short term gain of getting the sale and screw you for the long term. Might be better for some who still have somewhat rural dealerships that are still out there, but everywhere else is a den of snakes.

Locally, for us, IG Burton has been phenomenal. The shop here in Smyrna has had the same service folks for years. Some turnover, but over all the same people. Theyve done great work and have always taken care of me. I %1,000 agree that MOST dealers are a den of snakes. But if your looking give them as shot brotha.

 

[Deleted member 31576]

Technically they aren't in the same category but practicality and use-case wise, ours covered the same role as our current Glady does. Ironically with the 2 rows folded down, I could fit more real-world items in it than I can in my Glady bed. The only reason we got rid of it is because as our eldest grew up and the in-laws became less mobile, we no longer needed the 3rd row. Then the Gladiator was announced and I was in love. We had our 4Runner for about 50k miles the experience was entirely trouble-free, not a single thing and we beat the snot out of it. Great memories in her, only downside (like the 3.6) once weight was added she guzzled copious amounts of gas. I think I averaged something bonkers like 13mpg on these modest 34s but she did have a full set of skids, bumper, winch etc.

My wife has enjoyed driving all of our rigs but the 4Runner is the only one she felt didn't make her feel like she was making many comfort sacrifices for off-road capability.

I don't think I'd get another one unless they re-invented the platform itself with some compelling features. While a great vehicle, it lacks character and personality. The Glady oozes charm. I very much appreciated what our 4Runner offered and was grateful to own one. The Glady... I mean, I'm like a 7 year old kid gaga over it. I know because I have an actual 7 year old, we're equally giddy over the darn thing daily ; )

Only recco' I'd make to anyone considering them would be like the Tacoma, skip the off-road package. Unlike the Rubicon's feature-set, TRD is like Toyota slapping a slew of sub-par Rough Country gear on yet charging an ARB-like premium. You can stomp a TRD skid plate in half. There is quite a bit more to TRD than a skid plate but you get the point, kind of silly to pay that premium for honestly cheap-ish gear. The aftermarket industry is thriving on the platform plus they are a joy to work on. Save the premium and run quality gear.

I wanted to like the gladiator. I added an exhaust, tires, lifted it, tinted it, bed cover - spent a bunch of money - because I really liked the vehicle. Til the CEL and Jeeps lack of trying to figure it out. To the tune of not having a vehicle for 30+ days. And we weren’t the only ones.

steering problems
Leaking back window
Leaking driver door
Engine replaced
Lock/unlock module not working
Passenger visor falling down

all under 20,000 miles.

Sure it had great resolution on the backup camera, and cool that I could take the tops and doors off. Other than that it was a cool factor. Or a jeep factor. My wife really wanted it until all the problems started.

These weren’t the incredible features that made us feel this vechicle was dependable. Sure, if we had a vehicle specific problem that would be one thing, but this wasn’t just happening to us -just check this forum and then go look on the wrangler forum. Jeep wasn’t giving confidence in their product(s). Death wobble, engine issues, etc.

And yet still we were willing to keep it. Heck I put a ton of money into buying that vehicle.

And Then enter the service department. And the management. And the regional service manager. It was all garbage. The last time we walked into jeep for the door module and visor, we were treated like crap. They kept the vehicle over a week, said they could get a rental, and gave us an attitude on top. Every single time we took the vehicle for service not once did someone call us back. We always had to call them

We left and drove across the street to Toyota.

We weren’t going to go to another jeep dealership for service. That’s ridiculous. It’s like me having a problem employee and transferring him to another one of my stores. That’s just dumb.

Everyone has an opinion. This is just my story based on events that happened as a jeep owner. I’m not going to try and sell anyone on why I purchased another vehicle, well, because it’s not their money.

I’ll never buy another one. For those of you that enjoy the jeep. That’s awesome. I don’t dislike jeep or their owners. I disliked my product, the lack of motivation to fix them and the lack of service we received as a customer.

 

[Deleted member 31576]

I'm sorry you had to experience this with your Jeep. It sounded like you and the family liked it, while it was running.

I am also in Central Florida and curious if the Gainesville dealership is owned by the one that owns Advantage CDJR in Mt. Dora. I heard they owned another in that area. Maybe it was Chiefland? I had good luck at my local dealer for service. Sales is terrible, service has been good. I had to drive to Lakeland to get a good deal on my wife's JLU.

KevinC

No it’s owned by the same folks that own a string of dealerships in ocala.

 

[Deleted member 31576]

And I’d like to add - with so many CEL reported issues, I’ve yet to see a TSB or even info put out about engine concerns.

 

[Deleted member 31576]

Factory angry grille?

????

 

[PlayfulBird]

Get it. Love the vehicle. Jeep FCA Stellantis not so much

We have an import and well they kinda say, tough luck, you shoulda gone for whats on offer in Europe. So any issues we have they are communicated like they are on us. Your own problem. Heck the Mopar Vin finder doesnt load (even if I ask friends or vpn in the states, and half the mopar services are just broken), Support keeps pushing us stateside then back to EU. We have some wire routing issue for the front cam too no one likes to talk to me about
Jeep parts cost triple then aftermarket and thats after we import them from the states (imo ripoff by mopar/jeep). A plastic clip 15 Euro. Imagine doing work in the wheel well. Your out over 200 Euro in clips. So why by CHINA stuff, also not great.
Life in a Jeep. The one good thing I can't void warranty etc, cause I have none. So lets hope we get lucky. We can't buy a Tacoma/Forerunner here(and if I would like the old engine, Hilux is not us anymore) so Gladiator all the way.

 

[Deleted member 31576]

OP wants to sound objective then calls the JT overpriced. Fail. It isn't overpriced at all based on comparable vehicles.

You’re correct. I called it an overpriced utility vehicle. It’s actually an overpriced light truck. I’m not sure what comparable vehicle would be close to $60k? And I’m talking about comparing options to options not a base model
to a loaded model. The gladiator overland is one option package below it’s top package the rubicon.

if you wanna add in all the other factors like service and repair - for my experience - no comparison.

so I’ll add this to make you feel better - based on what I see in the link below it is overpriced compared to other light trucks in its category, comparably priced to a Toyota Tacoma - unfortunately there just aren’t any convincing arguments that the gladiator is reliable.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/compact-pickup-trucks

 

[Deleted member 31576]

I would not buy that dinosaur even if it's the last suv in this world

Based on my experience - it’d be the only running dinosaur.

 

[Deleted member 31576]

Never seen someone so butthurt over a 4Runner. FFS man, go have a drink or something.

Yeah - it’s not that serious. Last time I checked it was my money and my decision.

much more serious things to be upset about in life.

 

[ecidiego]

That will be it for this forum.

Gunny

/thread

 

[Gvsukids]

and the lack of service we received as a customer.

That would cause me to find a vehicle that had good service. So far I've been blessed to have had great service on the issues I've taken the Gladiator in for. Broken visor, leaking rear seal, leaking rear glass, oil pan gasket, steering box and steering stabilizer. 37k miles.

 

[ajkaz]

The absolute worst thing about a Jeep is the dealers. I am in the mecca of Jeep dealers and the 7 of them within 50 miles of me are absolute and utter garbage. Jeep/dodge/ram would sell more cars if they could wrangle their dealers into shape. The second most comment comment to me is ”what will you do if theirs issues”? Ignorance is bliss I say.

Im in Diamond Bar and havent needed service yet (1300 miles) which dealers offer decent service? I bought from Tuttle Click Irvine and if the service is anywhere as good as sales, I'd go right back for service. I wouldn't go back to Puente Hills Jeep if the service was free based on how their sales people treated me...

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

You’re correct. I called it an overpriced utility vehicle. It’s actually an overpriced light truck. I’m not sure what comparable vehicle would be close to $60k? And I’m talking about comparing options to options not a base model
to a loaded model. The gladiator overland is one option package below it’s top package the rubicon.

if you wanna add in all the other factors like service and repair - for my experience - no comparison.

so I’ll add this to make you feel better - based on what I see in the link below it is overpriced compared to other light trucks in its category, comparably priced to a Toyota Tacoma - unfortunately there just aren’t any convincing arguments that the gladiator is reliable.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/compact-pickup-trucks

What ~$60k Gladiator are you trying to compare to another vehicle?

Sponsored