We have been to Moab 4 times in the past 2 yrs. Three of rhe times we rented Jeep Rubicons and went off roading. We got addicted. The issue for me with the Rubi is my hight. I have bounced my head off side roll bar way too many times to count. The Trans tunnel is to wide for me to be comfy and there is a bump out in front of the seat so I cant curl my leg comfortably.

So that left the Bronco. I test drove two Badlands (only one other than the Raptor) that has a sway bar disconnect. And I really liked it. Very surprised at how well it drove. Not a GLC 300 but still impressive for such a heavy vehicle.

We also need a Bronco because sometime over the next few years we plan on getting an RV and that is one of rhe few such vehicle.s that can be flat towed.

Anyone have any input on Broncos?

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Get the Bronco Raptor for the most fun in the dirt.

__________________
Jim

The Raptor is uber-wide, however - not an issue out in the open, but can be interesting when trying to thread between rocks and trees.

In regard to flat towing ability, are you looking at the 4 cylinder with the manual trans?

Cant justify the price for the Raptor. Drove a Raptor Ranger and it was nice but a Bronco will run in thr $80's and I just cant stomach that when. Badlands will do 85% of what a Raptor can for abojt $20k - $30k less.

The 2.7 with Auto. It's has a neutral tow mode that disconnects the drive.drive.train from the engine.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

I like them a lot. They were on the short list for us, but the towing capacity is extremely low (3500lbs). I can only assume its due to low chassis rigidity with the soft top, as they have plenty of power and brakes (tons shared w/ranger).

We ended up in a grand cherokee 5.7, which is the poorest-made new vehicle Ive ever had. Theyre also great tow-behind vehicles (quick T-case disconnect) but I can't in good faith recommend any stellantis vehicle. It is very comfortable and capable (and 7200lbs towing) but at 5 years already has had a laundry list of things fail, and we have strongly considered dumping it but its not worth the hassle. Dealer service dept is a bunch of clowns at my local CJDR too, trying to upsell on tires while ignoring the fcking lifter tick you can hear from 10ft away.

Fwiw my parents also got a new GC with the v6 and have had a similar experience, more with electronics and interior stuff failing within 1-2 years...warrantied but not worth the headache.

Broncos with the 2.7 are reliable and fun, great engines. Good buddy of mine has one, and also some extended family, prob 80k trouble free miles between the two of them. Both are car guys and have had nothing but great things to say. Can't speak to the 2.3. Early ones had issues in the mustang and early rangers but I think they were sorted by the time they released the bronco.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Good to hear.

One other strike against the Jeep Rubi that I failed to mentioning the "Death Wobble". Experienced that at 65mpg on the highway. Man that made.my butt pucker big time. That wobble will really get your attention so the Jeep will always be a hard no for me.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

been an issue for a very long time, theyve tried to address it over the yeara but its still fairly common... Now that Broncos are on the market, I have a hard time seeing why anyone would want to buy a new wrangler. At least the 4xe was interesting on paper, but its built so poorly with so many TSBs and recalls they had to put a stop sale on them.

Personally I really like the 2dr stripper broncos with white steelies, some of them with great retro paint jobs too. Doesn't fit our needs but I always enjoy seeing those on the roads, its a true throwback look.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

We had a 1970 Bronco with a 302 V8 in our family back when it was new. Compared to the CJ-5 at the time, it was practically a limousine. The Bronco replaced a 1968 Jeepster V-6 that was equipped with a snow plow. It did not like the plow at all, and the clutch bade a dramatic farewell one wintry day...

Well, we did it. I think I have list my mind.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Badlands with the Sasquatch package! Just the way I would want it if I ever bought one.

Sharp truck! Congrats!

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Looks good David. Now go get it dirty.

__________________
Jim

At least it is a short list Kool ride. Can I borrow it for a while?

I have had the Bronco for 10 days now and I have to say I really do like it. It actually drives pretty well for such a big bulky vehicle.

There are a few things that Ford did that just do not make any sense to me but they are not deal breakers.

Memory seats - who the hell sells a $70k+ car with electric seat and does not put in seat memory? Its not like they do not have the tech from other vehicles they make. How hard would that be.

Power out lets - not a single one of the power outlets, USB/lighter shut down when the car shuts off. They stay on for about an hour (have not measured) or so. Apparently some folks like to have what ever task they are doing, complete. Fine, at least put a toggle switch or override or something to allow a person to opt out of that.

Intuitive - I do find the controls on the MB to be fr more intuitive. The steering wheel controls on the MB all have a different tactile feel. You have the little square touch pad, the volume is a roller wheel with a nub, the call/hang up are up/down toggles. I never found myself having to look down to use them. The Ford feels all the same. I am sure I will get used to the placement over time just not a huge fan.

I have to wait till October to test the off road capabilities. Wea re going to go to Moab and pop its cherry. I cannot wait. There is a company called Bronco Off Rodeo. They have several site all over the country that a new Bronco owner can go to and they will be taught how to use their vehicle ... rock crawling, water obstacles, mud, sand.... fun stuff. The course in Moab is the only natural track, the rest are man made. We love going to Moab so for us its a no brainer.

Assuming it is a capable as we hope/think it is, all the small issues will be worth it.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Make sure you post some of the more tactical pics while at Moab. Everything I have read is that it is a very capable off roader.

__________________
Jim