Anyone DD a Gladiator?

Macdaddy4738

Macdaddy4738

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Anyone driving one daily?

Several years ago I purchased a near mint 2017 Volvo V60 T5. Intended to be my DD, but I find myself rarely driving it. It's only got 31.5k on it as of right now. Sounds stupid, but it's too damn nice to drive. I'm constantly paranoid of rock chips, door dings, etc. I don't allow any food or drinks in it because I don't want to ruin the leather. I love the car, but I don't love how I'm constantly on edge driving it. I'm also thinking that whatever value it has left is close to tanking as the age goes up, so it might be time to move on from it. It got caught up in a bad hail storm in April and I was basically devastated because it took ton of damage. All good now, and repaired to new, but it was sort of an eye opener that I just care about this car more than I should for something I was ideally going to drive every day. Girlfriend and I took a trip to Blue Ridge, GA a few months back and I literally rented a car rather than drove the Volvo because I didn't want to put the miles on it. That's just stupid and defeats the whole purpose of that vehicle.

So because of all that, I pretty much daily drive my 99 XJ. It's only got 148k on it as it stands anyway. I'll never get rid of this vehicle. I work 24 hour shifts and as it stands now, my commute really isn't far regardless of what base I'm working at. Absolute farthest base is 21 miles one way. The XJ is also getting 14mpg, so I don't really give two craps about gas mileage as it stands. I don't take it on long trips, typically to work and back. Sometimes out towards Greensboro but that's about it.

Occasionally I have need for a truck but never a NEED for a truck if that makes sense. I've basically been tossing everything into the XJ or using a trailer, but I don't care for either of those two options. Girlfriend and I have discussed the potential for a boat and/or camper in our future and while my XJ does have the tow package on it, I don't really want to use it for towing anything. I don't see a need to step up to a full sized truck, mid sized works for me. I also don't care for many of the mid sized truck options out there. Probably in the minority but I like how the Gladiator looks, like the option for the Freedom top and full top removal if I want. Like the fact that it has 2 solid axles and most of the one's I've come across so far all have Dana 44's front and rear. I fully understand it's definitely not the best mid sized truck in the market, and know where it stands.
 
My Gladiator is the family vehicle. Bought it used last July with 3600 miles on it. It just turned 25K. I absolutely love it an more importantly, so does my wife. She takes it on trips to Chattanooga and to Cape Cod. I have taken it to Uwharrie and to Hurricane Creek. Does everything I want and IMHO is comfortable. It's a close to fully loaded Rubicon.

If I had the $$$ I would own one just for me so I had it when momma takes it on her trips.
Jk and JT.jpg
 
Some good info in these threads.
nc4x4.com

Gladiator Mojave vs Rubicon

If you are following my new daily thread.....the wife and I are shopping for a new daily.......Tacoma was at the front of the pack BUT all the Toyota dealer "know what they got" and getting what we want isn't going to happen unfortunately.....availability is LOW, but the mark-ups are absolutely...
nc4x4.com nc4x4.com
And
nc4x4.com

Manual Trans or Diesel Gladiator? (and Rubicon or Mojave?)

After seeing Gladiators that had a $65K MSRP now on sale for $48K, the thought has crossed my mind to sell my 1500 diesel truck and my TJ (and maybe even my car), and just consolidate down into one daily driver/truck/wheeling rig. I’d like to get a diesel with a manual, but that combo is not...
nc4x4.com nc4x4.com
 
I've looked at the diesel but they're somewhat hard to find and I'm not sure that for my use, it's worth the extra maintenance. Plus they don't offer the diesel anymore.
 
I loaded one with steel parts for a road broom, a rental. Damn near squatted it. drove it to the bottom side of Atlanta, then Savanna and a couple stops in between. Getting lighter each stop.

Was the worst riding vehicle I have ever had the displeasure of renting. Was bad loaded and worse empty.
 
While the diesel is a great ride, you need to drive it or it's going to be a problem. Your use case is a poor fit for a diesel Gladiator.

People bitch about the 3.6L but I find it does a good job. I have 3 Pentastar's, a Gen 1 and 2 gen 2's. All have been reliable and have enough balls for me.

Yes, the suspension is softer than most mid size trucks but that's an easy problem to fix. In my old age, I really like the Rubicon suspension. The Mojave suspension is even more tuned for rough road high speed driving. IMHO, I didn't find it any advantage around here but other have. I wanted all the Rubicon goodies and the Mojave doesn't have all of them. Because I do occasionally take mine off road, the extras and a requirement for me.
 
Jeff B said:
Was the worst riding vehicle I have ever had the displeasure of renting. Was bad loaded and worse empty.
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Did you check tire pressures? I've picked up rentals that had 80psi in one tire and 30 in another...
 
Bebop said:
@Macdaddy4738
So you're going to replace a 10k$ car that you're paranoid about scratching for a 50k$ Jeep so you can "beat on it"?
What is going to happen when you use it as a truck?
I am not following your logic.
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Volvo was originally a 50k car, still worth around 17k.

It's a luxury vehicle. Any resale value is contingent upon it remaining in great condition. That's how luxury vehicles work.

The Gladiator is a truck. They're two completely different markets.
 
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I am on my 3rd JT Rubicon and have DD’d all of them. Happy to share any feedback you want. Sold first two due to factors not associated to the Gladiator.

All 3 have been fully loaded JTRs. All 3 on 37s. Here’s a couple pics of the current one.
 
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Macdaddy4738 said:
Volvo was originally a 50k car, still worth around 17k.

It's a luxury vehicle. Any resale value is contingent upon it remaining in great condition. That's how luxury vehicles work.

The Gladiator is a truck. They're two completely different markets.
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The Gladiator isn't a truck. Its a Wrangler with an apple crate hanging off the back. Any midsize truck has a larger bed option and is probably cheaper.
 
Macdaddy4738 said:
Volvo was originally a 50k car, still worth around 17k.

It's a luxury vehicle. Any resale value is contingent upon it remaining in great condition. That's how luxury vehicles work.

The Gladiator is a truck. They're two completely different markets.
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It’s a 17k car now. Using it isn’t going drop the value that much at this point. You already took all the main depreciation.
 
StretchASU said:
The Gladiator isn't a truck. Its a Wrangler with an apple crate hanging off the back. Any midsize truck has a larger bed option and is probably cheaper.
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I use mine for truck stuff. I had a GMC Canyon (first gen) that had the same size bed.

I looked at multiple mid sized trucks when I was shopping. They all had faults. The Taco's interior sucked, it was tight and poorly appointed not to mention you had to take what they had, no custom ordering to get features you really want. The Canyon/Colorado line was just as expensive as a Gladiator. Yes, they had more power but again, it was take what they had on the lot. Finding one with the features I wanted was impossible. Ford wasn't any better.
 
Macdaddy4738 said:
Volvo was originally a 50k car, still worth around 17k.

It's a luxury vehicle. Any resale value is contingent upon it remaining in great condition. That's how luxury vehicles work.

The Gladiator is a truck. They're two completely different markets.
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Why do you care so much about the resale? I know you're trying to be smart about this, but all vehicles are depreciating assets, and unless you're going to buy a gladiator that's already beat up, you're going to lose 17K on it too.... Use the Volvo, enjoy the Volvo... The only way you lose is if it gets destroyed in an accident and you're underinsured...

On Topic; I have a 2020 Sport S, Mopar Lift on 37's, It's the Wife's daily, She loves it and takes road trips to Erie and Pittsburg PA 5 or 6 times a year, about 600 Miles round trip... But she's was doing the same in a JKU wrangler before that, so not sure her opinion matters... I've driven it on a few trips since we bought it, and it's tolerable, but not great in my opinion.
 
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Macdaddy4738 said:
The Gladiator is a truck. They're two completely different markets.
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I'm betting that won't mean a single thing if you spend $50k on a gladiator. My bet is, your mindset will STILL be......

Macdaddy4738 said:
it's too damn nice to drive
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Not because of the fact that you're trying to convince yourself that it's a "truck" used for "trucky stuffs", but moreso the amount of money you spent, and how nice it actually IS.

I sold a car last year because of the SAME reasons you don't want to drive the Volvo. I determined right then and there I wasn't cut out to own the vehicles I'd always wanted, but couldn't afford (till now) because I'm neurotic about scratches, dents, dust, rock chips, or even RAIN. I'm MUCH happier owning multiple shitboxes.

The car I sold brought me joy, but made me nervous as a shithouse rat the whole time I owned it. That car gave me SO MUCH MORE JOY, but selling it and using that money to roll into what I have now gives me JUST as much joy, and less anxiety because I can actually HAVE FUN with what the money that car brought, instead of be worried every time I took it out and fear that something would happen to it.

My NEWEST vehicle is a 2011 suburban 2500, and I don't flinch when it rains or if I have to drive it offroad thru some brush to look at land on a whim. I still am just a neurotic and my stuff stays clean. Hell I took the Ultra-4 to cars and coffee last month and it was cleaner and nicer looking than 30% of the cars that showed up :rockon:
 
CasterTroy said:
I'm betting that won't mean a single thing if you spend $50k on a gladiator. My bet is, your mindset will STILL be......



Not because of the fact that you're trying to convince yourself that it's a "truck" used for "trucky stuffs", but moreso the amount of money you spent, and how nice it actually IS.

I sold a car last year because of the SAME reasons you don't want to drive the Volvo. I determined right then and there I wasn't cut out to own the vehicles I'd always wanted, but couldn't afford (till now) because I'm neurotic about scratches, dents, dust, rock chips, or even RAIN. I'm MUCH happier owning multiple shitboxes.

The car I sold brought me joy, but made me nervous as a shithouse rat the whole time I owned it. That car gave me SO MUCH MORE JOY, but selling it and using that money to roll into what I have now gives me JUST as much joy, and less anxiety because I can actually HAVE FUN with what the money that car brought, instead of be worried every time I took it out and fear that something would happen to it.

My NEWEST vehicle is a 2011 suburban 2500, and I don't flinch when it rains or if I have to drive it offroad thru some brush to look at land on a whim. I still am just a neurotic and my stuff stays clean. Hell I took the Ultra-4 to cars and coffee last month and it was cleaner and nicer looking than 30% of the cars that showed up :rockon:
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I can so relate to this. These reasons are why I sold most of my collection over the past 2 years. 2 classic Vetts, GTO, other CJs….. I spent more time cleaning them and hiding them in the garage versus actually driving them.
 
LBarr2002 said:
Did you check tire pressures? I've picked up rentals that had 80psi in one tire and 30 in another...
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When I pick up a rental, as long as the tires have tread and it doesn't smell like weed or puke I don't give a shit if it has oil in it or if the the tires have high air or low. it's going down the road. For me, that's the whole purpose of the rental.

but this was a new jeep truck, had less then 1500 miles on it. Pure garbage. I heard every bit of road noise.
 
CasterTroy said:
I'm betting that won't mean a single thing if you spend $50k on a gladiator. My bet is, your mindset will STILL be......



Not because of the fact that you're trying to convince yourself that it's a "truck" used for "trucky stuffs", but moreso the amount of money you spent, and how nice it actually IS.

I sold a car last year because of the SAME reasons you don't want to drive the Volvo. I determined right then and there I wasn't cut out to own the vehicles I'd always wanted, but couldn't afford (till now) because I'm neurotic about scratches, dents, dust, rock chips, or even RAIN. I'm MUCH happier owning multiple shitboxes.

The car I sold brought me joy, but made me nervous as a shithouse rat the whole time I owned it. That car gave me SO MUCH MORE JOY, but selling it and using that money to roll into what I have now gives me JUST as much joy, and less anxiety because I can actually HAVE FUN with what the money that car brought, instead of be worried every time I took it out and fear that something would happen to it.

My NEWEST vehicle is a 2011 suburban 2500, and I don't flinch when it rains or if I have to drive it offroad thru some brush to look at land on a whim. I still am just a neurotic and my stuff stays clean. Hell I took the Ultra-4 to cars and coffee last month and it was cleaner and nicer looking than 30% of the cars that showed up :rockon:
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Entirely possible. I don't think my hang up on the Volvo is related to how much it cost me though. I got it used a few years ago. I think my biggest issue is that it's not an easily replaceable vehicle. The interior upgrades and colors are pretty rare and there's unlikely to be another one around anywhere close to replace it. There's tons of Gladiator's out there, and they're all pretty much the same. I don't plan on buying it new either, probably in the market for 35-37k max.
 
AdamH said:
I spent more time cleaning them and hiding them in the garage versus actually driving them.
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I've ALWAYS been one of those "Toy's are meant to be played with, why don't you DRIVE that like it was MADE to do :dumbass:" kinda guys...and I found myself doing the same thing. I was SO disappointed. I never knew what a self inflicted jail I placed myself in until I sold it and bought the Ultra-4 to beat the ever living hell out of :laughing: SO much more fun
 
Macdaddy4738 said:
Entirely possible. I don't think my hang up on the Volvo is related to how much it cost me though. I got it used a few years ago. I think my biggest issue is that it's not an easily replaceable vehicle. The interior upgrades and colors are pretty rare and there's unlikely to be another one around anywhere close to replace it. There's tons of Gladiator's out there, and they're all pretty much the same. I don't plan on buying it new either, probably in the market for 35-37k max.
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Turn the Volvo into the fancy dinning room table nobody eats at and buy the Jeep. Your not ready to sell, not ready to use. Waffling doesn't do any good.....well just as much good as never using a functional vehicle, 😂.
Nothing is classic or going to sell higher used that I own so I intend to squeeze every mile I can from them and chalk it up to nothing last forever. Dry rot and sitting doesn't equal preservation.
 
CasterTroy said:
I've ALWAYS been one of those "Toy's are meant to be played with, why don't you DRIVE that like it was MADE to do :dumbass:" kinda guys...and I found myself doing the same thing. I was SO disappointed. I never knew what a self inflicted jail I placed myself in until I sold it and bought the Ultra-4 to beat the ever living hell out of :laughing: SO much more fun
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Now the wife and I have our DDs and I have my 83 Scrambler. Aside from lake toys all I have to really take care of is the Scrambler. Best thing is that I drive it quite a bit now ‘cause I have the time to do so. You don’t realize how much time you spend taking care of toys until you get rid of them.

Here’s a shot from the weekend
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AdamH said:
Now the wife and I have our DDs and I have my 83 Scrambler. Aside from lake toys all I have to really take care of is the Scrambler. Best thing is that I drive it quite a bit now ‘cause I have the time to do so. You don’t realize how much time you spend taking care of toys until you get rid of them.

Here’s a shot from the weekend
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That's beautiful! And I'm not talking about you! ;)
 
Jeff B said:
When I pick up a rental, as long as the tires have tread and it doesn't smell like weed or puke I don't give a shit if it has oil in it or if the the tires have high air or low. it's going down the road. For me, that's the whole purpose of the rental.
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Sure, but if someone put 80 psi in the tires because that's what it said on the sidewall, it's going to ride like a wagon.
 
Any of y'all need help getting over the first dent I'll be glad to raisin it out on some trail in West Virginia this weekend. Then you won't have to worry about it. Daily drive the mess out of my once pristine CJ, then modded it beyond recognition and it's way more fun and all around more capable than it ever was in its perfect factory state.

First rock rash is the hardest - only gets better from there... That said, mighty fine scrambler you there @AdamH
 
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