Jeep Gladiator

I think a lot of Jeep owners actually try to justify their Jeeps as well. Having had two, I gave up justifying them. They are not easy to live with. For most people, they make little sense. They've ended up gradually becoming a status vehicle....and any vehicle used to project an image often needs justification (not only to other people but oneself). It's not exclusive to Wranglers.

Have they gotten better in terms of adapting to an "altered" purpose? Yes. By an altered purpose, I mean being used as a grocery getter and commute vehicle. They have become more and more refined over the years, but they can still be a bitch to deal with on a daily basis.

If someone is purchasing one as a DD, they have distinct drawbacks.....issues that someone in the heat of wanting one often overlooks. Again, they have one of the shortest ownership rates of all cars - people hold on to them well below the industry average. The novelty can wear off fairly quickly for some people.

I don't hardcore wheel enough to justify one. Conversely I have to spend quite a bit of time on the road getting to and from our recreational locations. Driving 900 miles in a Jeep (even the newer ones) is more work than almost any other vehicle out there.

Having said that, if I got into serious off-roading (or if my hunting trips required more serious off roading), there is probably no better choice. As it now stands, the Tacoma is easy to live with on a daily basis, and suits whatever mild to medium, offloading I encounter.

As an side, I find the Gladiator ugly with the stock wheel and tire packages. Looks like a fucking top hat on wheels. I'd like to see one with 35"ers in person.

 

I'm tucking the Jeep in with the Ranger. It's great to see another option in this market and I will wait and watch sales and reliability, but I'm quite happy to stick with my Taco. I'd be in a tough spot if I was driving some POS, needing to upgrade right now.

 

I agree they will initially sell like crazy, but I wouldn't wait 5-7 years if you want one.
They are, after all, a Fiat-Chrysler product and will probably be in a junk yard in 7 years.

 

That's what I am Thinking. you can get one Cheap lol

 

Stay out of the repair shop...….

 

Nope, look at JKU sales.

 

I agree they will initially sell like crazy, but I wouldn't wait 5-7 years if you want one.
They are, after all, a Fiat-Chrysler product and will probably be in a junk yard in 7 years.

 

you seen the third gens reputation so far?

 

My mom just picked up a loaded JLU Rubicon this year. I get more excited driving it when I'm home than my Dad's new Raptor and my Tacoma. Enough I tried to justify a reason to trade into one. But the price and FCA build quality (failing frame welds) I'm apprehensive. I do think its great from a competition stand point and curious the price point. Current JLU Rubi's spec'd with what we consider basic/standard (LED lightining, etc.) are $50k+.

 

https://jalopnik.com/the-2018-jeep-wrangler-bombed-parts-of-europes-car-safe-1830876712

 

“testing protocols that apply exclusively to urban scenarios may not align with such a vehicle.”

Yeah, except the 90% of people who exclusively use them in urban scenarios. Maybe the 20x12 wheels with mud tires will keep them out of the cab, and the plethora of light bars will keep the cab together better over a stock JL.

 

It bombed the parts about driver assists (which for the most part I say good riddance to) and pedestrian safety, and I think did about as well as can be expected, if not better than expected, in crash testing for a truck where the doors and roof come off by design. I think a crash test with a wrangler with all of the panels that can come off taken off would be scary...

 

"Head protection from the Wrangler’s hood to a struck pedestrian was “predominantly poor or adequate,” the agency concluded. Pelvis protection results were mixed—never a good thing—though the bumpers offer good leg protection."

What is the expectation when a pedestrian is hit by a few thousand pounds of metal and plastic?

 

That's some ugly ass shit.

 

Agreed, double-cabs are nasty.

 

Stunningly beautiful

 

I agree it’s pretty ugly but cool ugly. If I can quit my moto habit and need for a truck bed I’d be in a JLU tomorrow even with all its downfalls.

 

But can you get a sheet of plywood flat in the back? One of my pet peevs with me trusty tacomister

 

I've always wondered the same. Once manufacturers removed those rocket shaped or winged hood ornaments, what more could be done? They're still getting hit with 4500lbs of moving steel, glass, and plastic.

 

I don’t really have an interest in this but hopefully it will encourage Toyota to develop a true competitor to the Jeep market with solid axles and factory front / rear lockers. That is something I would be interested in......or just bring me an LC79 that can be legally licensed in all 50 states.....either or.