Ok I have found a great 78' Bronco but I cant get my Dad to even come look at it. It has 62,000 miles and even if its rolled over it looks great. The engine is clean and has a new paint job. He is worried about reliability and gas mileage he also thinks I am going to pay to much but its only $3500. If any one can give me information on weather the price is right and any reliability issues I would appreciate. Thanks.

 

Tell your dad that if you show him that the vechical MIGHT be worth more now than it was new, that would he at least go look at it WITH YOU. Back up this fact by going to NADA.com and show him retail prices TODAY, and original MSRP.
1978 Ford BRONCO
2 Door Utility 4x4
MSRP
Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price when new $6,543
Base Price:
Low Retail - $4,500
Average Retail - $8,450
High Retail - $11,100
Options and Equipment
351 V8 Engine add: $350 $450 $575
4 Wheel Drive add: $225 $400 $550
Factory Air Conditioning add: 5% 5% 5%
Total Price LR$5,300 AR$9,723 HR$12,780

Tell him when he goes with you to look at the bronco that you want his honest opinion of the vechical. Remember, keep an open mind if your dad sees something under the "new" paint job that could be hiding major problems not far down the road. Also tell dad that you will pay for a mechanic to check out the bronco. Make sure you understand that if the mechanic is finds something wrong, this could work to your advantage in neg. price.

Now, you remember that he is correct, you will only get 10 mpg, so you will need to show him how you can be responsible and that the reduction in mpg CAN provide you with a more heavy vechical that can provide years of safer service (providing you are responsible in the way you drive it)

All and all, you must not judge a book by it's cover. If the bronco is mechanically sound, and has been took care of, it is worth the 3500, then again, with fresh paint on bondo - well you know what i'm talking about.

Make sure the owner knows you know what you are talking about if mechanic finds anything wrong with it and neg. price.

Bottom line is you must listen to the mechanic, and what your dad points out about the truck and always ask the bottom line for the truck and be willing to walk away if you off less than that price.

GOOD LUCK - and i'm particial to bronco's. . . .

 

not to sound like an old man but 3500 dollars is a lot of money, not nessacerally for a 25 year old vehicle but it is a lot of money. dont you think you may be able to find a late 80's or early 90's for this price? parts would be easier to find and they are more safe then an older vehicle.

good luck and sorry to sound like your father but you should really look for a later model if it will be your first car, again sorry to sound like your father

 

I'd also look for an '87-92 Bronco in that price range. If you go REALLY lucky, you might find a '93.

 

I spent $2500 on my first car and my father thought I was nuts. 1965 Cadillac. Pissed him off when I actually bought it then wouldn't let him drive it.....turns out my father has yet to own a Cadi.

Make sure you are dealing with a mechanically sound vehicle for that money. I know where Dad is coming from...he doesn't want to see you put out that much money for a 25 y/o vehicle only to have to turn around and sink a bunch more into it right away. My first car did that to me...nickel and dimed me for a few years, then I got smart...went out and bought one that was a whole four years newer!

Truthfully though, in the interest of learning about them and how to make them right, an older vehicle is the place to start...they are relatively easy to fix compared to all the electronics and computer BS on the newer ones.

If its something you really want...go for it...Dad will come around. remind him too that we are talking about a full-size Ford truck. they haven't been the best selling make on the road for this long for no good reason.

 

Hey guys...the going price for a 90-94 Bronco in good shape around here is $6500-11000. A real nice '94 EB with a great light blue paint job is $13000.

 

$3500 - '78 bronco
$1.39 - gallon of gas
Smile on dad's face after another 100k miles - Priceless

Come on - where's the support for the '78? This is the first year of the real bronco - I know i'm spoiled to the '96 but hey

The '87-'92 has not increased in value like the '78.........yet. And i do want one with that body style so no slam from me.

If it checks out ok, offer the man $ that you think it's worth and be willing to walk away or not..........

I can remember my first bronco - man what a ride although most thought it wasn't

 

More old man advice:

It's better to regret something you have done than something you haven't.

I bought an '83 CJ7 as my first car and was asked to drive every time my friends wanted to go somewhere.

Had it up on two wheels more times than I care to think about in the first year. Tons of mechanical problems. Replaced the transmission at least twice. Radio and stuff stolen multiple times. Stuck in the mud more times than I can count.

I still cried the day I sold it.

I was flashed by female drivers more than once. Found anynonomous love notes on my windshield several times.

None of this will convince your dad, but it might motivate you to try a little harder.

Seriously, it's a lot of work to restore and maintain a truck this old. You never know what has been done to it or how it has been used and it's been in a roll-over, which is never good.

The best idea is to impress your dad by gathering as much info as possible: mechanical soundness, expected mpg, your ability to pay for repairs, expected return on investment for improvements (after all, this is a really popular year), and relative safety when you have an accident (notice I said when, not if).

If you are buying the car with your own money, you have a way to pay for repairs, and you really love the car, push for it. If you just kinda want it or dad is paying, you'd probably be better off getting something a little newer.

Just my opinion.

 

I bought my first truck in '78, a candy apple red step side with a 8' box, gas mileage was 9-10 in the city, 18 on the road.... and wish I hadn't traded it off when I did..... there is something to say about the old body style.

My next truck was bought in 2001, a BII with 112k on the clock, some problems with the engine that 1k took care of - so it cost me 3k for a 16 yr old truck -- but I liked it, and it was cheaper than buying a new one..... but now it needs a carb, so it sits. BUT overall I drove it for three summers before having any real problems - and the carb isn't a real problem. I think the money spent is equal to the "lease" on a new car, but only getting 12k per year, and 24-26 months before it goes back to the dealer -- plus I didn't have to pay for any dings and dents from the parking lot at work..... SO if it just sits until the carb is replaced, it's still free and clear.

The last one (there were only three) was a full size '92, rustproofed, 351w, nice... which I drive today back and forth to work, and in the country with the dogs (and wife ridding shotgun)... it coust me 6k, and the onlything I've had to do in the last 16k miles is replace a blow out, and the alternator went out last month (the car parts guy got my wife to buy a battery, and then after checking the system it turned out the alternator was bad). I wouldn't sell it for anything... the safety of a big truck, the ability to get to work and back in bad weather, and the interior space to take the wife and dogs places the van can't go is a big plus in my book.... I had trouble justifying the purchase, but now I'm glad I did it.

Just insure it's as good as you think it is, and remember that there are more out there on the streets than this one you are eyeing now.

IF nothing else, when it does go down for the last count, you can always post it here for parts.....

 

I bought my '96 about a year ago. I was originally looking to spend $4000 or so. I found that I simply couldn't get what I wanted for that money. They all had mass rust, too many miles on the clock, or other significant problems. I ended up $6,800 for the newer '96. I got what I paid for though, couldn't be happier. No rust, strong engine, looks good, drives good, can take a beating, and I can trust it to get me across distances. I'm just making the point that sometimes it pays to wait and spend a little more money to get what you REALLY want, instead of wishing you did later. I agree with some of the others though, if the thing is in good shape, I'd go for it. Just educate yourself. Know the pros and cons of buying the older model. They WILL come into play sooner or later.

 

I only paid 1500 for my 82 bronco
And it has a 4 inch suspension lift, and a fresh motor/tranny and wheels.
Those are nice broncos but I wouldnt see giving 3500 for it.

 

Hey,
I am 23, my first truck was a 79 bronco I bought when I was 17 for 3500 cash that I had saved up from a summer job. My dad owned a 9 when I was a kid and traded it in on a newer truck. I have always been a bronco fan, and I made him look at a few ealry broncos (66-77) with me. He said no. So I found a dedent 79 that I liked and wanted, and well I bought it. He took it for a drive a few days after I bought. He fell in love with it and wished he had kept his old one for me. I ran that truck through high school and the engine started going bad. Just my luck, a beautiful 78 came my way, so I traded my 79 in for it and got the 78 which I still have. I will always own a 78 or 79 Bronco. I am trying to find my dads old 79 so I can put it back the way it was when he had it, maybe give it to him when I am done....... wait, no, I will keep it.
The only person who didnt like it was my grandpa cause he saw all the money I put into it. He offered to buy me an economical Honda for my first vehicle. I turned him down and kept my truck. I dont regret nothin about it. It was a nice truck, even though it had its problems, I was able to fix all of them on my own due to the simplicity of the vehicle.
Buy the truck you want, thats all I got to say about that.

 

FutureBroncer,
How 'bout "dad, I'll take the trash out for a week because I just bought a bronco"