Gladiator vs. Tacoma - Pic Comparison

Just like the Yankees vs Mets trash talk - it's gonna happen no matter which team/vehicle you're a fan of!

 

The Gladiator looks like something you could buy in the Soviet Union back in the 70s.

 

Why it a Fiat spaghetti truck?

 

I actually like styling of Gladiator. Just don’t care for mechanicals.
Toyota would have a hit if they built a “land cruiser truck” reminiscent of the 40 series. I am imagine styling close to the Gladiator.

 

I actually really like the look of the Gladiator, especially with the ability to remove the roof, doors and drop the windshield, the cool factor is hard to beat. However, similarity equipped, the Tacoma is a much more affordable option, and the reliability of FCA products is always worrisome. I test drove a Sport S, it seemed a lot more refined, and peppy, and the 8 speed tranny is what the current Taco should have. However, if you want the Rock Trac and locking diffs, you have to move to the upper models, with a huge price increase. I usually try to keep my trucks for a number of years and I just did not feel comfortable with the reliability record of the Jeep as repairs on vehicles today can be very crippling financially if off warranty. Growing up in Canada, my dad drove J series Jeep pickups. They were never the most refined pickup, but the 4WD system was always superior to the big three's offerings at the time. His last Comanche, I think it was an 87 model year was, however, a lemon, and he moved to GM's after that. If money was no object, I would be in a Gladiator Rubicon in a heartbeat, but on my more modest budget, the Taco was the best choice for me.

 

But solid axles but 2 inch lift bigger tires 37s! All of this is needed so I can see the ocean next to a minivan

Edit: also the minivan has the same engine I do in my taco

 

screw the trucks those are some nice houses.lol

 

All you people talking about how expensive the Gladiator is need to go talk to a dealership before making that judgement. I got over $8k off sticker on mine and it's a mid-level trim. Jeep knows they're overpriced and there are dealerships that have literal standing offers to sell at 8% off invoice price.

 

Yeah, with big tires and some off-road swag, they look really good! (Stock, really bad.) But, if they drive anything like my Wrangler, then I would not give up my Tacoma!

 

My 3.6L is shared with the Pacifica and Voyager so... yeah. It's not just a Toyota thing.

Tires were the #1 reason I like the Gladiator though... all can fit 35's without a lift and the Rubicon fenders allow for 37's as long as you aren't flexing with the disconnect on. I loved my Tacoma but it was going to cost way too much to get it where I wanted it. I can do it for half the price on the JT.

I just really, really need those 35's because mine still looks like a fucking roller skate.

 

They do. A bit more stable from the length but it took a lot of adjustment and a Fox stabilizer to make mine bearable on longer drives.

 

Oh I know shared platforms are the new hotness. People are gonna piss all over themselves when the tacoma and tundra share a platform.

Also I like the gladiator personally. If I didn't live in urban areas I'd be eye fucking them more than I have been. Wife likes jeeps maybe in a few years I can sway her decision

 

I can only hope those two will share a platform. The Tacoma needs a better payload and that would seal the deal for it being my next daily driver when the JT becomes a dedicated rig.

Though I live just outside DC and the Gladiator has been a treat. Slightly wider turning circle than the Tacoma in practice but it's still totally manageable around the city and actually easier to parallel park because the front wheels are so far toward the front.

 

Congrats! What did you get, and how much did you end up paying? When I was shopping in late March, early April, they were discounting pretty well, but even with the large discounts, there were a lot of dealer add ons, that jacked up the price, and I was looking at high 30's, even for a Sport S. If you want the Rock Trac and locking diffs, the only thing I could find in the San Antonio-Austin Corridor was the Rubicon, and that bumped up the price to the 50's, just too rich for my blood.

 

If I'm buying to stay stock I'd spend the extra money for factory equipment. If I'm tearing into something like a gladiator I'm gonna get the base model because tires, suspension, gears, and lockers are gonna go in real quick

 

I was all set to buy a gladiator(or wrangler) with the manual trans...then a salesperson finally explained why they were so tough to find. The clutches are starting on fire. So I got me Tacoma-no clutch fires to speak of yet!

 

I had a Jeep once once, 1997 TJ Sport 5sp. Fun, chicks loved it, but what a POS. Constantly having issues, constantly at the dealer stuff kind of tuned me off from Jeep products for life as a daily driver. Now, if I had money to piss away, I would have one as a trail rig where I did not need reliability daily.

 

Not a big fan of the stock Gladiator, but put some 37" tires under them and they have an awesome look

 

I think we are done here

 

Well this is just upsetting my inner child.

Because I want it so so much