I Rented a Gladiator...My thoughts vs Bronco

[dan79]

Many people forget just how horrifically the Galadiator sold pre-covid, and that it's history is only colorful in its failures. After it's initial launch year (and dealer mark-ups) sales dropped off a cliff and by late 2019 there was $5,000+ on the hoods just to try and move the lot zombies.

Gladiator might sell now because other vehicles are harder to get and because "existing = sales" for the past few years but the market today is not a normal market.

If Ford slow plays this and decides against bringing a truck version out it will do them well.

In reported Q2 2019, only 7,252 gladiators had sold. That is attorcious! Dead vehicle walking territory considering FCA recognized some % of those sales were canabalized from Wrangler.

The CJ trucklet died an inglorious death in 1987 due to lack of sales, Gladiator will suffer the same fate.

Great article on Gladiator before its launch and single-year-metoric-sales-before-the-obvious-crash: https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/08/no-fixed-abode-dont-want-jeep-pickup-pansy/


(data source for Q3 2019 sales figures) https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/09/jeep-gladiator-sales-on-hold-pending-driveshaft-fix/

Bad sales maybe but I see probably 50 as I drive to work 20 minutes away more than any other car. maybe it is just here in New England but I see more of them than normal Jeep’s now

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[ScottyC]

You're spot on with the driving at highway speed diagnosis. My wife has 21 Wrangler Sahara and I absolutely hate driving it on the highway. It makes me sad because I'd love to replace my work truck in a couple years with a Gladiator, but I don't think I could stand it on a daily basis.

If you were considering a Gladiator, you need to look at Ranger.

 

[Tex]

Not really sure what to do with this or what your point is? I am assuming you think the Broncos that are racing in KOH are somehow equated to a production 2 door Bronco?

4600 is the production vehicle class
It's okay, 392 Wranglers can't win there either

 

[ScottyC]

If Ford slow plays this and decides against bringing a truck version out it will do them well.

They already did, it is called Ranger and it debuted 1st.

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

They already did, it is called Ranger and it debuted 1st.

If they gave the Ranger the 7 speed and Badlands off-road goodies. Stick a fork in it, we're done, there's no need for a Bronco truck.

 

[Teghogh]

I have had the gladiator sport and wrangler Jl 4 door sport and now bronco badlands. Offroad “high” speed bronco is certainly a more enjoyable ride. On the street the differences are 10-15% improvement in handling. Nothing earth shattering

 

[Teghogh]

Now f150 raptor is a significant improvement on ride comfort on all of them

 

[Hurley1982]

We have both, a Badlands and Rubicon both manual transmissions. Gladiator is a soft top, Bronco is a hard top. As many have said on road the Bronco is a better ride. Off-road the the Gladiator is better and off-road durability wise sadly I have more faith in the Gladiator. Ours is lifted on 35‘s and Badlands is still stock on 33s.

Our Bronco broke down with 500 miles on it requiring a 5 week wait to repair, a failed turbo boost pressure sensor as well as a wheel speed sensor, the culprit. two weeks at the dealer working on it. The Gladiator is 3.5 years old with zero dealership visits outside of a TSB.

There’s a lot to like with the Bronco but I’m not completely blown away with it. It’s spent half of it first 3 months broken, now that we have it back hopefully we can start to enjoy it.

 

[Rick Astley]

They already did, it is called Ranger and it debuted 1st.

Yea, we have a '19 Ranger (super-cab, because a truck isn't a truck with less than a 6' bed). It's fantastic.


But I digress, "progress" at any price!

 

[hemiblas]

I almost bought a Gladiator when they first came out. The markups were just nuts. I feel sorry for anyone that paid the 70 to 80k for lifted gladiators the dealers were asking for the first ones. I ended up with a Ranger instead. The problem with the Ranger is that it isnt a "fun" vehicle. The Bronco and Wrangler have a much much bigger fun factor.

A Jeep thread that turned into a 2 door vs 4 door Bronco debate. I am shocked I tell you. Shocked.

Wow. You arent kidding. The only thing the 2 door has over the 4 door is the cool factor. I'm agreed with the other posts everything else the 4 door does better.

 

[ScottyC]

If they gave the Ranger the 7 speed and Badlands off-road goodies. Stick a fork in it, we're done, there's no need for a Bronco truck.

Ford WAS planning a Bronco truck but shelved the plan since it would cut into Ranger sales more than Gladiator sales...Now, if Ford would put the 7 speed in for the handshaker faithful , it would do well to steal some more sales from Gladiator. They already have FX4, but hopefully the 2024 redesign adds more off road flair.

 

[hemiblas]

Ford WAS planning a Bronco truck but shelved the plan since it would cut into Ranger sales more than Gladiator sales...Now, if Ford would put the 7 speed in for the handshaker faithful , it would do well to steal some more sales from Gladiator. They already have FX4, but hopefully the 2024 redesign adds more off road flair.

I really liked the Bronco truck concept. It would have been a totally different feel than the Ranger but agreed I'm sure it would cut into those sales, but it would also cut into Gladiator sales as well.

 

[Thiskers]

Bad sales maybe but I see probably 50 as I drive to work 20 minutes away more than any other car. maybe it is just here in New England but I see more of them than normal Jeep’s now

Down in Georgia I don't see them an insane amount. More normal jeeps or standard trucks. Very noticeable when they are around due to the "special" look of the gladiator.

 

[Moto26]

Yea, we have a '19 Ranger (super-cab, because a truck isn't a truck with less than a 6' bed). It's fantastic.


But I digress, "progress" at any price!

C’mon, Rick, that’s disingenuous. You can still get an F150 with an 8’ bed, even in a Supercab, which seats 5 adults comfortably. Just because most people buy short bed crew cabs doesn’t mean you can’t buy a “real” truck any more…

 

[Rick Astley]

C’mon, Rick, that’s disingenuous. You can still get an F150 with an 8’ bed, even in a Supercab, which seats 5 adults comfortably. Just because most people buy short bed crew cabs doesn’t mean you can’t buy a “real” truck any more…

Will let you know the next time I see a dealership order an 8' bed for their Floorplan.

Having commercially available builds is one thing, what John Retardo Q Public buys is another thing entirely!

And what the public buys is...... Minivans with a doorless trunk.

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