Test drove a 2021 Gladiator and ...

I’d rather drive a Toyota than an overpriced Jeep that looks like an ugly sneaker.

 

Jesus a new head after 250 miles? That’s insanity.

My neighbors Ram caught on fire just sitting in his driveway. Nearly burnt down his house. Stank up the neighborhood pretty bad too. I’ve read some Jeep’s have the same problem.

How f’d up is FCA to let either of those things be an issue with their vehicles?

 

Buddy at work has an '18 4-door Sahara that just needed $2500 in transmission work outside of warranty. He probably got off cheap.

 

I have almost 8 years on mine and still drives like new.

 

I cross shopped and researched every off-road oriented truck and SUV up to $100k. I chose the Tacoma for a reason.

 

If 100k was my budget a Tacoma would not be in the running

 

Not a lot of posts like these on here. I would have LOVED a Gladiator. But FCA quality scares the shit out of me.

 

I drove one. Pretty cool looking rig. IMHO it wandered all over the road and drove like crap. I traded my Silverado trail boss for another Tacoma. Should have never left the fold

 

Yeah, but Tacoma shift funny.



Can't have a shifting 'problem' if it doesn't run...

 

I drove a Jeep truck and a Wrangler unlimited. I didn't like the Jeep truck at all but the Wrangler unlimited blew me away. I was all ready to buy one, had my color picked out and everything. Then I went home and looked at the Jeep forums and the amount of problems on there legitimately rendered me speechless. They had an entire section of the forums dedicated just to problems and there were thousands of posts. It was like a huge punch in the gut. I truly fell in love that day I test drove that Wrangler unlimited and I sometimes still think about it, but reliability is the single most important factor in a vehicle for me. There are times when I am up in the U.P. of Michigan by lake superior and with the wind chill is -40. I need to have complete confidence that my vehicle is not going to break down.

 

x2… I would be in a brand New LX570 with @CBI Offroad Fab armor..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_nmPXgBory4

 

The grass always looks greener on the other side, and I hope that turns out to be the case for you, I really do because It seems everyone makes a better more comfortable truck than what the king (TOYOTA) offers.

And as mine approaches 5 1/2 yrs without any real issues (other than here, ha!) I sometimes wonder if I made a mistake and maybe should have gotten something with more bells, whistles and looks.

And then reality hits me!

Yeah I’ve been there, done that, it looks green, but the constant drama (maintenance) on those pretty young things is real a deal breaker.

 

I would never buy a Fiat Chrysler, also known as a Jeep. I would never even step on a Chrysler lot.
The reliable Jeep name died many years ago. The 4.0, gone. Now it's a pos, just trying to carry a name along from the past. Allowing you to take the doors off to look cool and sell a tad more.
I've had 6 Jeeps in my time, all 4.0's, and I have seen how the quality dropped from the 90's to now. Sickening. Liberty was a complete joke. So is Gladiator.

 

I was also in the wrangler rubicon “almost”camp. I had the whole deal worked out and was ready to go for when it arrived. Then my buddy at Toyota said he had a 2020 Tacoma with everything I wanted and to take it for the weekend. Bought it the next day. Ive had every generation of Tacoma, even a 2017. This one will stick around and my boys will eventually drive it.

 

If the Gladiator is ever available with a V8, my Taco is in trouble.

 

It's called a Bronco... V8 and 35's... if they ever make it to market.

 

I like a truck bed. The new Bronco looks cool.

 

The Family always welcomes back our wayward brethren.

 

My only complain with the Tacoma is the seat. I have an 18 model so I still dont have the 10way adjustable seat. I've taken some 4-5 hour trips and each time I stop at least twice for gas and to take a break from the truck. Is not the best road trip vehicle. The bolstering is harder then say a ford, though that probably means it will last longer.

Is just not a super comfortable truck.

But other than that I couldn't ever drive a jeep. Too many horror stories about their unreliable vehicles.

One of the things I love the most about my Taco is how headache free it is. Just do regular maintenance and she gives me no complaints. None!

As far as looks go, I love the Tacoma. I'm a visual person, even a bit shallow. Looks matter to me and imo the Tacoma is the best looking of all the mid size trucks, jeep included.

Capability is plenty for me as well. I'm not going rock crawling anytime soon, and the trails I hit the Taco handles with no problem.

Also mine is a manual, so I dont have the tranny issues others seem to have with the 3rd gens.

All that being said, enjoy your jeep and I hope its reliable for you.

 

I find it interesting that consumer reports has the Jeep Gladiator with the highest rated relibility and owner satisfaction ratings. Both 5 out of 5 for the first year 2020 model. Thats higher than any other truck including the Tundra.