Need opinion
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Need opinion
Hi, I currently have a 1994 black Thunderbird, with the 4.6 SOHC V8 134k. I got it from my grandfathers car lot. He has a 1992 Bronco on the lot with 140ish thousand miles. 351W. Some rust over the rear wheel wells, but thats typical. I asked if he would consider a trade, he says he may. I was wondering if im doing the right thing. I love my car, its very reliable and gets me to work everyday. My biggest concern is the gas mileage on the bronco, would it be horrible, or just a little worse than what I have now. I used to have an 89 lincoln mark vii LSC with the 5.0 HO and it got about 10-13, thats what I would expect from the bronco people say...
Here is what I drive now... I just dont know if I should give it up for the bronco. What do you guys think?
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...40_29_full.jpg
Here is what I drive now... I just dont know if I should give it up for the bronco. What do you guys think?
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...40_29_full.jpg
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I dont know what your current TB gets mileage wise but I tell you what to expect from a properly tuned Bronco. You didnt state what motor it has but the difference in mileage between the 302 and 351 is minimal. I have a 96 351 and it gets consistantly 10-12 mpg in the city and 15-17 hwy. Bronco's are fun and versatile rides but economical there not.
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I did state that the bronco has the 351W. I never actually calculated my mileage from my thunderbird, but fueleconomey.gov says 18 city, hwy 25. My car is tuned well, all new plugs, wires, coil packs, etc... Its not bad at all on gas, not bad for what it is. I realise the bronco would get less. Another thought that crossed my mind is insurance, I would think it may be more. I'll have to get a quote from my insurance company on that. Anyways, something else that worrys me is when we were driving the bronco to the carlot it would keep loosing oil pressure, we shut it off. No damage was done. We changed the oil, it was really nasty and the filter almost seem clogged. We also added a bottle of that resoline. Ever since, it has been fine. The 4wd does go into low and high, it has the electronic transfer case. I know this winter I would probably get around better with the bronco than my thunderbird. It's just a very hard choice....
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sorry I didnt catch the motor. I'm biased towards the Bronco, but if were you I would weigh all the options. Snow, towing, 4x4, gas milage. Only you know whats best for you. The Bronco's are very sturdy but can be quirky. The TTB suspension can be expensive to fix but all in all you'll find many members on this board close to 200,000k and still running strong. Anyway welcome to FTE and hope to see you around. Good luck on the decision.
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From: Gateway to the West
Well asking the Big Bronco Forum whether you should go for the Bronco is like asking the butcher if you should have steak for dinner. However, I understand your concerns. The Bronco will not get the fuel mileage that your T-bird gets end of story. Its 2+ tons of rolling Detroit steel with a high profile and a fuel-hungry V8. Its function is brute strength, power, and reliability. I'm on my second Bronco (only because the first one suffered an untimely fate at the hands of vandals). If I wanted better fuel mileage, I'd buy another Mustang (the wife's '05 gets 20+ mpg). I have NEVER gotten stuck. I have pulled an F-350 superduty out of the mud (rear axle sunk). I drive it EVERY day. With some regular maintainence and some genuine TLC these trucks are a joy to own and drive. Mine isn't even the best looking truck on the block but still gets its fair share of "nice truck" compliments. My opinion is obviously biased towards the Bronco. Hold out for a 1956 model if you want to stick with a T-bird. My $0.02 for what its worth.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Louisiana
I agree with greystreak92, this isn't the best place to get a answer, but I like my Bronco, and I would never get rid of it, and I don't think anyone in here would even with their gas milage.
If a couple mpg doesn't matter you, I think a Bronco is the way to go.
Good luck,
Matt
If a couple mpg doesn't matter you, I think a Bronco is the way to go.
Good luck,
Matt
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Rochester
Ditto,
I told my wife the other day, the only thing I would trade my 86 bronco for would be the new mustang...then I would still have problems. If you are looking for a life long project, the bronco is the way to go, lifts, tires, rims, other suspension upgrades, top comes off, motor upgrades, the top comes off. Very easy truck to work on as well.
Did I mention the top comes off??
I told my wife the other day, the only thing I would trade my 86 bronco for would be the new mustang...then I would still have problems. If you are looking for a life long project, the bronco is the way to go, lifts, tires, rims, other suspension upgrades, top comes off, motor upgrades, the top comes off. Very easy truck to work on as well.
Did I mention the top comes off??
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: JBER, AK
First of all....I would like to say that your car is too new and probably doesn't rattle enough. I mean really....where is the RUST? How can you drive something without rust? Seriously though. If you treat your Bronco well it can be very reliable and it is a wonderful offroad machine. If you are looking for good gas mileage though...you might want to stick with your scooter...err....RC...er...car. 
Gurahl and his Broncn'stein
P.S Just kidding about the scooter thing.
Gurahl and his Broncn'stein
P.S Just kidding about the scooter thing.
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From: Gateway to the West
Originally Posted by cje07
Ditto,
I told my wife the other day, the only thing I would trade my 86 bronco for would be the new mustang...
I told my wife the other day, the only thing I would trade my 86 bronco for would be the new mustang...
Last edited by greystreak92; Jun 14, 2005 at 02:15 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Rochester
Originally Posted by greystreak92
I solved that problem... I bought the wife the new Mustang. We now own two horses from the same stable.
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After thinking about it, I really think im going to pursue the bronco. The thing is, it had no title when my grandpa got it on his lot. He sent off for a title yesterday, so when it comes in, I guess I'll make the swap as long as everything goes ok. I can sacrafice a few mpgs I guess, Id like to be able to get around this winter...
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From: Hoboken, NJ...
Since its on good old Granddads lot.....why dont you ask him if you can slap a "dealer" plate on her and drive it for a week or two.....this way you will have the time to see if thats what you want....and by then the title should be back from your DMV......?
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Thats exactly what im going to do, but I have to wait until he gets the title first. He techinally has no rights to the vehicle. He has to get the title in the dealers name first before he can let me take it out on a dealer tag. But yes, once he gets it in the lots name, I will try it out for a week or so.