Test drove a 2021 Gladiator and ...

Thanks for the heads up! I will test it out during the test drive.

 

Also, even on the wrangler you are still dealing with Chrysler electronics, and they are the worst for electrical gremlins, so if there are any electrical things that are not working, it might not be just a simple fix, unless you are very familiar with automotive electronics. The 4.0 engine is solid and the transmissions are average. The TJ is a little more expensive to lift than the leaf sprung jeeps and use a quality lift or you will cause death wobble.

If it feel at all like its lacking power, it may not be that it is just a slow vehicle in general, the Cats on them can become plugged, and there is more than one and they are not cheap to replace, it has a pre cat and a regular cat, and they both can become plugged but it will still run ok, for a while then it will start to feel like your its dragging on the e brake.

 

I also just noticed you are looking at a 97. The 97's sometimes are hard to locate parts for because they used the left over parts on the last YJ's in 95 when they started production late 96, so if you can't find it, look in the YJ parts bin. They can cause you fits trying to track down things on a 97, When I look for a TJ I look for 98 and up just for that reason, even though the 97's are always the cheapest on the used market, there is a reason for that...lol

 

I've had my 2019 JL 4 door 2L turbo with etorque for over 2 years. Only issue has been the radio would reset itself here and there.
Otherwise it's been a lot of fun. Has been off road lots, and it's had the doors and roof off quite a few times. So enjoying it as it's meant to be enjoyed.
The transmission and engine are a lot better than Tacoma. I was worried about reliability, but said F it, you only live once and always wanted to try one.

When I was looking at new Tacomas going on this site almost made me not want one. This was when 2016s came out. The number of threads about all the issues were huge. If you look on forums you will get scared about any car.

BTW it's Willys (like the last name) not Willy's.

 

This is really good information, I appreciate it. I'll be test driving the 97 tomorrow and a 2000 on Saturday. We will see how they drive

 

In your opinion, is $11k a good price for the 97 TJ I'll be driving tomorrow? It's currently got 195k on the odometer and everything has been refreshed from the engine to the transmission.

 

Depending on your area that doesn't sound too far out of the ball park for TJ's. Pricing is all over the map for wranglers, its worse than Tacomas...lol

Just be aware, they aren't known for being super high mileage vehicles without extensive repair like Tacomas but you are talking about a 24 year old vehicle so most of them have some mileage on them. I am getting old, next year a TJ will be a classic!!!

 

Unless Jeeps are way more expensive in TX that is way too high. Even given that it's summer I wouldn't pay more $6500 for a 97. Early 2000's models with that kind of mileage only go for $9k or less here. Not that there aren't a lot of fools who ask what that guy is asking.

 

It's gonna be tough to press the seller to come anywhere near 6500 I'd assume. Considering how clean it is from the pictures, I'm hoping that he'd come down atleast 9k.

 

Buying a jeep is a lot like buying classic cars. Those two groups of owners are always delusional about what their vehicle is worth. It makes for a frustrating buying experience.

"No, your 20 footer with 30 years of grime caked on the engine and a leaky/slipping transmission is not worth as much as that car you saw at auction that was stripped down to the frame and had every bolt polished by hand."

 

Dude, the bluebook on those are like $7k in almost showroom quality. Unless it's got some 1-tons under there I wouldnt just walk I'd run away.

 

I'm gonna play the kbb card but I will have to turn it down if he is stuck at asking price. Lol I may just have to find a different vehicle to daily.

 

The problem with playing the KBB card is that there just aren't that many 97s around in good shape. There's a reason why you're looking at this particular one and that's because IT LOOKS GOOD. Most 97s are beat to shit. I think KBB pricing is good up to a point but once you get to 20+ years old, you can pretty much throw it out the window. The guy selling has his price in mind and it's going to be hard to get him down much more than about $500 because he knows that other Jeeps aren't near close to his condition wise and someone eventually will pay what he's asking. Good luck I hope that he works with you.

 

I agree. KBB is great with newer or common vehicles but when you get into the realm of rare or very high demand there is no such thing as “average” price.

That goes for everything not just vehicles. Just look at real estate prices. In some areas, houses that wouldn’t go much more than a $200k could be worth over 1 mil in others. Supply and demand trumps all. Basically it comes down to how bad somebody wants it and how bad the seller wants to let it go…

 

I've been looking at 80s Tacoma with the 22R, bullet proof and are pretty cool.

I dont know, you can find a ton of Autotrader for less than his. There is nothing unique about a 97 so really all years of the TJ are open and they are all in similar condition, anyone can put lipstick on a pig. You may need to drive 100 miles to get it but if it saves you a few grand then why not.

 

Here is my 98 back in 98 and my 04 couple mouths back when I got it.

 

My daughter has an '18 JK Unlimited and she loves it, and I'm familiar with the Jeep ride/drivability, power, seating, etc.; I like Wranglers but would have never considered a Gladiator while looking for pickup truck. I was poking around Consumer Reports a few months ago and as far as mid-size pickups were rated, the Gladiator was rated higher than the Tacoma. Including reliability which now has me doubting the value of Consumer Reports. I was torn between the Colorado and Tacoma and went with the Taco since I want something that's going to last the rest of my driving life (let's say ~20 years?). I will admit, the Taco load capacity is weak, and I assumed it would be higher than the ~900lbs. Bad on me for assuming.

Maybe I should've looked at the Gladiator...

 

If the load capacity is your biggest gripe, a pair of Hellwig EZ-990 helper springs is under $200.

 

haha whats funny is if you goto the gladitor forums, its the exact same thing over there but turned around, my friends taco breaks down while my glad has 1mil flawless miles, those toyotas use to have great engines now its all crap.

 

I was in the same exact situation with my 2019 Taco and went with the Gladiator. The Tacoma will remain in my heart forever, but do not miss it at all. I looked all over for a TRD Pro, but there were none for less than $5K over MSRP or a six-month wait.

For the Gladiator, there is a dealer in the South that discounts it up to $10K and more, but cannot confirm that for sure. At my local dealer, I got $5K off MSRP with a rebate + the "Wave Program" discount (look it up).

The 8-speed auto in the Gladiator is in a different league than the 6-speed in the Tacoma. The drivetrain in the Gladiator feels stronger and smoother than the Taco's ever felt. The looks of Gladiator do remind me of an early 1900's Ford truck from some angles, which is fine with me