Today’s Auto Brief: Gladiator Goes Sahara, Police Pony Cars Return, and a $4M Toyota Pops Up on Marketplace

I’ve been at this long enough to know the moment a quiet Tuesday turns delightfully odd. Today we’ve got a trifecta: the Jeep Gladiator Sahara finally steps in as the daily-friendly Jeep truck the suburbs (and my chiropractor) have been asking for, more states are bolting Mustang GTs into police duty, Autocar reminds us why light cars make heroes of mortals, and—because the internet is the internet—someone listed a $4 million Toyota on Facebook Marketplace. Buckle up.

Jeep Gladiator Sahara: The Comfier Jeep Truck We’ve Been Waiting For

According to Carscoops, the Jeep Gladiator Sahara is finally joining the lineup. If you’ve lived with Wranglers the way I have—mud in the wheel wells, receipts for soft-top latches—you know “Sahara” is Jeep code for the civilized middle lane. Not a mall-crawler, not a rock-crawl masochist. Somewhere sweet in between.

On the last long drive I did in a Gladiator Rubicon, the knobby tires drummed like a marching band at 75 mph, and the gearing felt happiest on a trail, not a turnpike. A Jeep Gladiator Sahara should calm the ride, hush the cabin a bit, and add the everyday conveniences that make school runs and ski-weekend packing a little less… Jeepy. Expect road-friendly rubber, nicer cabin materials, and the tech you actually use when the biggest obstacle is a speed bump shaped like Everest.

Where the Jeep Gladiator Sahara Likely Sits in the Family

Jeep Gladiator Sahara: What I Expect (and What I’ll Check)

• Full-time 4WD option: Fingers crossed for a Selec-Trac-style system for foul-weather commuting.
• Street-bias tires and revised gearing: Set up for freeway life without neutering trail chops.
• Quieter cabin: Less tire slap, better door seals—conversation-level quiet at 70.
• Comfort tech: Heated stuff, a bigger screen, the good adaptive cruise, and parking sensors that don’t false-alarm at every daisy.

• Why it matters: Owners have been whispering (okay, shouting) for a more livable Jeep truck. The Jeep Gladiator Sahara is the “weekday city, weekend dirt” compromise.
• What I’ll watch for: Tire spec, final-drive ratio, and whether the suspension tuning smooths out that choppy rear-end hop over expansion joints.

Under the Hood: The Known Quantities

Until we’re told otherwise, figure the familiar 3.6-liter V6 (285 hp, 260 lb-ft) with the eight-speed auto. It’s not a dragster—call it roughly eight-ish seconds to 60—but it’s smooth, and it’s proven. I’ve towed a small pair of dirt bikes with that drivetrain without drama. If Jeep sneaks in a torque-rich option later, you’ll hear me yelling about it from three states away.

More States Arm Up with Mustang GTs for High-Speed Police Chases

Carscoops notes a growing trend: Mustang GTs joining state fleets as the sharp tool for highway interdiction. With V8 sedans fading out and the Charger Pursuit in flux, the latest S650 Mustang GT—around 480 hp from a 5.0—fits the brief. Above 90 mph, aero stability and big brakes matter more than a third row of seats.

I did a ride-along years ago in a pursuit-rated sedan. After three hard stops from triple digits, the brakes smelled like a barbecue and pedal feel got “marshmallowy.” The Mustang’s stoppers and chassis poise make sense for short, decisive sprints. Day-to-day, most departments will still lean on SUVs for gear and bodies; the coupe is the scalpel, not the Swiss Army knife.

• Upside for agencies: Speed, presence, modern driver assists.
• Upside for everyone else: Better tools to intercept the tiny percentage of truly reckless drivers.
• Reality check: Two doors, small rear quarters, and limited gear storage—this won’t replace the standard cruiser.

Farewell Tour: The Cars Bowing Out for 2026

Car and Driver’s annual headstone list is out. Regulations, slow sales, and lineup overlap claim their usual victims. If your heart’s set on a niche coupe or an aging small SUV, your window may be closing.

Hard-learned advice from years of last-chance buys:

• Buy with your eyes open: Discontinued doesn’t equal doomed, but parts pipelines and residuals can get… interesting.
• Choose the common combo: The most widespread engine/trans pairing is easier to service and source parts for.
• Keep receipts: A perfect paper trail matters more when the badge disappears from the showroom.

Enthusiast Corner: When Light Cars Steal the Show

Everyday Heroes Crash the Supercar Party

Autocar hits one of my favorite truths: on a wriggly B-road, give me feel over fireworks. I’ve watched a “normal” hatch hang with big-power exotics because it’s lighter, friendlier, and happy to use every inch of grip. On a damp Peak District ribbon, confidence beats horsepower. Every. Single. Time.

Clio Trophy & Toyota MR2: Twenty Years Later

I still remember my first go in a Renault Clio Trophy—alcantara rim, Recaros, those Cup dampers that made every crest a conversation, not a panic attack. And the mid-engined Toyota MR2? Storage for exactly two sandwiches, but when you nailed a downshift, it was karting with license plates. Lightness ages well. Weight needs tech crutches.

Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 2025: 10 Contenders, 6500 bhp, One Truth

Autocar’s mega test is back: 10 cars, roughly 6500 bhp combined, and a single winner. But the stopwatch only tells half the story. The best cars make speed accessible—brakes that talk at nine-tenths, steering that maps the tarmac for your fingertips. I’ve driven track weapons that go flat on real roads, and a couple of “ordinary” coupes that light up every commute. Lesson, as always: balance beats brawn.

Marketplace Mayhem: A $4M Toyota on Facebook and a Massive Stolen-Car Ring

Carscoops spotted an ultra-rare Toyota with a $4 million ask—on Facebook Marketplace, where museum-grade metal sits awkwardly next to used sofas and novelty lawn gnomes. Could be real. Could be fishing. Either way, keep your skepticism calibrated.

Less amusing: a separate report outlines how four stolen cars led investigators to hundreds more hidden in plain sight. The digital bazaar gives—and it definitely takes.

Buyer’s Checklist: Don’t Get Burned

• Verify the VIN on the chassis, not just the title. Check multiple stamped locations.
• Run a history report and—if possible—a quick stolen-status check with local authorities.
• Meet at a bank or police-designated safe spot. Hard pass on sketchy wire transfers.
• On high-dollar cars, use escrow and get a PPI from a marque specialist.
• If the story smells off, walk. Another car will show up. They always do.

What Caught My Eye Today

• Jeep Gladiator Sahara: The daily-friendly Jeep truck owners have been asking for.
• Mustang GT Patrol Cars: A focused highway tool, not a cruiser replacement.
• Models Discontinued for 2026: Shop with your head, not just your heart.
• Autocar’s Trio: Light cars, big smiles, and a 6500-bhp royale.
• Marketplace Red Flags: Verify before you Venmo, especially with six or seven zeros.

Conclusion

If there’s a theme today, it’s focus. The Jeep Gladiator Sahara focuses the Gladiator on how most people actually live Monday through Friday. Police fleets are focusing on the right tool for a fast, clean stop. Enthusiasts are focusing on feel over spec-sheet ego. And the rest of us? Focus on due diligence—whether you’re buying a used runabout or a unicorn on Marketplace. Eyes up, hands light, and enjoy the drive.

FAQ

Is the Jeep Gladiator really getting a Sahara trim?

Yes. Reports indicate a Jeep Gladiator Sahara is coming to deliver better on-road comfort and everyday usability while keeping proper Jeep 4x4 credibility.

What’s different about the Jeep Gladiator Sahara versus a Rubicon?

Sahara typically trades hardcore hardware (lockers, super-aggressive tires) for quieter ride tuning, nicer interior bits, and tech that makes commuting easier.

Why are police departments buying Mustang GTs?

They need a high-speed, stable interceptor as traditional V8 sedans retire. The S650 Mustang GT’s power, brakes, and aero make it effective for highway interdiction.

Are lightweight classics like the Clio Trophy and MR2 still worth it?

If you value steering feel and balance over bragging rights, absolutely. They’re slower on paper, richer in feedback—and often cheaper to run.

How do I avoid buying a stolen car online?

Match VINs on the car and title, pull history and stolen-status checks, meet in safe locations, use escrow for big deals, and walk away from sketchy stories.