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Like so many others, I've been watching, waiting for the new (full-size) Ford Bronco to come out and be available for order / sale. Checking different Ford dealer websites and Cars.com, found a Ford Bronco First Edition, that the dealer said was available for sale. This is where a series of disappointments comes in:
- Drive to the dealership with wife and plans to possibly purchase this Bronco First Edition (Lightning Blue, Wife's favorite color to boot), only to find there is no Bronco First Edition...
- Dealer said that it's in transit and that they won't be able to sell it or the other two they had (Badlands & Black Diamond) as they were "Manikins" and couldn't be sold for 6 Months, yet they stated that they were all available for sale originally.
- This being the first time I'd seen one in person, we took a good look at it and while it's "OK" I wasn't impressed at all like I'd thought I was going to be.
- Build quality was not the greatest, soft top didn't look like it fit correctly and the interior smelled bad, bad like material out gassing as it was sitting in the Sun, although had the windows open.
- Online, the Bronco First Edition had an MSRP of $63,375 although the dealer was asking $120,000 for it, and didn't even have it.
- Went to a different dealer who claimed to have 5 Bronco's and none at the dealership at all.
- Talking to the one salesman, he said that they'd ordered different vehicles to get them in so that they could have Demo vehicles but that they wouldn't release any for at least 6 months.
I've been a VERY long time Ford owner, having at least a dozen Super Duty's, Raptor, Mustang, Explorer, Excursion etc... and I'm just not sure what Ford was / is thinking here with their strategy on the Bronco....?
This was one that they had available for test drives but would not release for at least 6 months:
The problem isn't with Ford per se, but the autonomy of the Dealerships. With parts being in limited supply across every manufacturer, I'm not surprised they are asking six figures for a limited edition vehicle. Unfortunately dealerships get to do whatever they feel like for pricing, especially when stuff is in limited supply. Besides, we've learned from several new models, NEVER BUY THE FIRST YEAR! As noted with the hardtop or even the soft top, give it awhile. They'll come out with an RRT or TSB for the fit and finish of both.
Disappointment of new vehicles is the future, because we as consumers allow it to happen.
Your problem doesn't seem to be so much with the Bronco but the continuing slow motion trainwreck surrounding its introduction in Covid world...and the BS that dealers are adding to the process.
There is no vehicle made whose interior does not off-gas. I agree the soft top does not fit well and I would not buy a soft top vehicle myself.
The best approach would be to wait 2 or 3 years and if you want a Bronco at that time, you should be able to get one easily. When the PT Cruiser was introduced, demand was so high that dealers were adding premiums to the price. You can get those cheap these days
I don't think the Bronco is special enough to wait for or over pay for. Then again, neither is the Jeep of any ilk IMHO.
On that note, they still do not sell Wranglers with powered seats. You're spending $50k+ on a vehicle and all you get is heated seats, steering wheel, but manual seat controls. The TRX, pretty much sells quickly. The Gladiator sold fast when it dropped, then it slowed way down. I guess people thought it would handle better than a basic Wrangler...nope.
No vehicle is worth paying above sticker and sticker price is generally too high for what you are getting. It's one thing when it's a classic.
I'm pretty pissed reading these posts if it's true that people are following trucks into the dealer and buying the Broncos (if they didn't have one ordered). In addition to my initial $100 to get "on the list" what seems like two years ago, I was required to put down $2000 to "secure my spot" last spring. I was told delivery in October at the latest. This $2k is non-refundable also. We've already agreed on price, put down deposits, and dealers are selling for 10s of thousands over? If true, we need an explanation. Or someone will eventually file a class action lawsuit.
At this point, if I could get my $2k back, I'd be driving something new already. No explanations from Ford, except the hammock they sent via mail with a "Hang in There" card inside. News today said the chip shortage is getting worse, and is leading to other supply chain issues. I want a date for my order, or I want my $2k back.
I am no longer interested in owning one.
I am 6ft tall and felt a little cramped.
No way i could drive it very far.
Might be good a a second vehicle...but no road trips.
Well that goes for me to I'm tired of all the big prices ,I have owned 6 Broncos in my life all I want is another 76 ,77 but you would think your buying a 63 split window vette looking at prices ,do people really pay that
I am no longer interested in owning one.
I am 6ft tall and felt a little cramped.
No way i could drive it very far.
Might be good a a second vehicle...but no road trips.
My wife was given one as a service loaner because her F150 is in he shop for some warranty work. I am also 6ft tall and by no means a small guy and I just drove it about 200 miles yesterday with my wife and 2 kids. I did not get a cramped feeling at all, I bet there is 4-5” of room above my head so plenty of head room. The one we were given is the 4 door version. There isn’t as much leg room as our 19’ F150 but it isn’t as big so that’s to be expected. I was really impressed with how tight it felt while driving and it actually drove really nice, especially compared to the last Jeep I drove. That Jeep drove like crap! The Jeep felt like I was driving a pogo stick with wheels and an engine. Our only complaint was the soft top was noisy, but that is also expected because every convertible I have ever been in was noisy. To each their own, but we liked it! I would like to own one as a second vehicle someday.
