Gladiator worth the trade in ?

pastorwug · May 11, 2019

Jeeps (Wranglers) are much more a blank canvas than Raptors are. They may be the most modded vehicle on the planet - and rightly so since they have so many specific uses. My 2011 Rubicon was modded with over $35K of suspension, lighting, tires and wheels, etc., in order to tackle the Rubicon trail and other trails around Tahoe.
Great fun, and very capable in every way - once modded that is. Useless in every way prior to that.

Now that I have a Raptor I find that very similar mods are WAY more expensive than on the Wrangler.
I don't believe it is an issue of getting what you pay for, many Raptor companies have figured out that their clients are more wealthy than the verge Jeep guy. They price accordingly.

I would only consider another Wrangler if it had a Cummins Diesel in it, with a turbo.
Jeeps have always been gutless and the Gladiator is no different.

Wfo · May 12, 2019

pastorwug said:
Jeeps (Wranglers) are much more a blank canvas than Raptors are. They may be the most modded vehicle on the planet - and rightly so since they have so many specific uses. My 2011 Rubicon was modded with over $35K of suspension, lighting, tires and wheels, etc., in order to tackle the Rubicon trail and other trails around Tahoe.
Great fun, and very capable in every way - once modded that is. Useless in every way prior to that.

Now that I have a Raptor I find that very similar mods are WAY more expensive than on the Wrangler.
I don't believe it is an issue of getting what you pay for, many Raptor companies have figured out that their clients are more wealthy than the verge Jeep guy. They price accordingly.

I would only consider another Wrangler if it had a Cummins Diesel in it, with a turbo.
Jeeps have always been gutless and the Gladiator is no different.

You make a lot of great points! The raptor tax is real, not only for parts but usually labor too. That’s why I choose to do all of my own work. Like your point on jeeps being a blank canvas, they have an enormous amount of aftermarket parts available and can be pretty badass. No comparison to a high hp high speed raptor, not that this thread was a comparison.

jzweedyk · May 12, 2019

"Blank canvas" is a perfect description. Even Jeep knows it. They put crappy bumpers on them knowing people will replace them, in fact Jeep sells aftermarket bumpers themselves. The obvious other reason is that many (most?) Jeeps are mall crawlers, and never will see off road use. So to really "off road" a Jeep you have to do mods. Trail rated means you can do an easy trail. Raptors, on the other hand, are capable to do what they are meant to do without mods. Most (all?) mods are done to satisfy the needs of their owners, and many mods do not enhance what the Raptor was made for. (Before anyone thinks I am against mods, I have put about 20K into my Raptor because that is what I wanted, and my Wrangle has about 80K of mods)

NHbeast · May 12, 2019

Don't trade the Raptor for a Jeep. Within a year you will be buying the next flavor of the month...Ranger Raptor.

ShadowViper · May 13, 2019

NHbeast said:
Don't trade the Raptor for a Jeep. Within a year you will be buying the next flavor of the month...Ranger Raptor.

And the following year... Bronco Raptor!!

truxkt · May 14, 2019

nope.

ddpt · Sep 12, 2019

Recall and STOP sale - ouch.....

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/jeep-gladiator-recalled-driveshaft-failure

DreadPirateRaptor · Sep 13, 2019

pastorwug said:
Jeeps (Wranglers) are much more a blank canvas than Raptors are. They may be the most modded vehicle on the planet - and rightly so since they have so many specific uses. My 2011 Rubicon was modded with over $35K of suspension, lighting, tires and wheels, etc., in order to tackle the Rubicon trail and other trails around Tahoe.
Great fun, and very capable in every way - once modded that is. Useless in every way prior to that.

Now that I have a Raptor I find that very similar mods are WAY more expensive than on the Wrangler.
I don't believe it is an issue of getting what you pay for, many Raptor companies have figured out that their clients are more wealthy than the verge Jeep guy. They price accordingly.

I would only consider another Wrangler if it had a Cummins Diesel in it, with a turbo.
Jeeps have always been gutless and the Gladiator is no different.

This.

Car guys have known this for years. I’ve paid “ Viper “ tax, “ Supra “ tax, “ Vette “ tax.... you can buy headers for a Mustang for $600 but the same headers for my Audi are $3k? Come on.

Two different animals for two different purposes.

Having owned several Rubicon’s and LC’s, the Raptor is a different class.

JPW Colorado · Sep 14, 2019

Jason Wil said:
thinking of cheating on my 18 raptor with the new gladiator ..... thoughts ? Longevity comparisons ?

This would be like cheating on your supermodel girlfriend with a cashier at Walmart.

MFNG · Sep 15, 2019

JPW Colorado said:
This would be like cheating on your supermodel girlfriend with a cashier at Walmart.

Pulled up next to one the other day. Thought it was interesting, but definitely had the “put together” look. I wasn’t impressed. Obviously smaller; seemed like it was basically a terrible Taco rip off without the style.

The driver was looking hard at my 2014, but didn’t even roll down the window to talk when I gestured. I guess he was rethinking the decision.

Jeeps are for for soccer moms now. Raptors are for MILFs.

Gladiator worth the trade in ?

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