I watched a video of the new Ford Bronco, not the sport, but the apparently better equipped and more powerful top of the line version. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not buying one, nor could I if I wanted to, but I'd like to ask you guys what you think about it:

Is it too complex ? Based on what I saw in the video, it has dual superchargers for a total of 3 something liters of displacement, and the computer control of the vehicle and all the gadgets and flat screen functions inside the cab were insane. There were so many things you could do in the cab, besides getting from point A to point B, it was mind boggling. At least for me anyway.

So I put it to you. If you could afford one, would you consider it ? For myself I would say no, I think the complexity, pervasive and extensive computer control, and the incredible complexity and dual turbocharging of the power plant under the hood seemed to be ridiculous to me and just asking for trouble if you wanted to keep the vehicle for any longer period of time. Maybe an exaggeration on my part, but is that vehicle, as fun as it may be for someone with the means to use as a toy, isn't it more or less a timebomb in terms of long term reliability and durability, for lack of a better term ?

Personally I would think that type of money could be better spent on a less sophisticated but more powerful and better quality performance vehicle.

What say you ?

The older I get, the less complicated I want my life - and all the things in it - to be.

My current vehicle is a stick, manual windows and locks, vinyl floor, and cloth seats. I can admire the technology in new vehicles but it isn't for me.

Edit to add:

I think the 90's Broncos were the best looking of the whole series. Had a '94 and a '96 at various times in my life. They are in the top three of vehicles I regret letting go. Number 1 regret is the '78 Ford F100 w/351W, but that got wrecked so it's not like I let it go.

I think it's a super cool vehicle. You can't get them right now without massive markups.

I would also wait until the engine problem is solved with them if you are wanting the 2.7 liter turbo. They don't have a supercharger and turbo's that I know of. I think only Volvo is doing that.

When NHTSA gets involved something serious is happening.

https://www.motortrend.com/new...gine-valve-troubles/

Nope

For the sticker price I prefer the 3 bedroom 2 bath version on a half-acre of good real estate.

I’d like one. I don’t need the fancy version, close to the base model is fine with me. I’d like 4 doors and a manual transmission. Other than that I’m not picky.

The local Ford dealer is supposed to call me if they get a manual transmission version in, but I also qualify for dealer pricing and they know that so I’m probably not getting a call anytime soon. I’d expect them to push any inventory they do get towards people willing to pay sticker plus.

I think they look great. Takes me back to when I was a kid and saw the originals driving around.

To be fair, I should say that I have that opinion and I’m a current jeep guy (2017 JKUR-Recon with a 6 speed manual).

But I wouldn’t buy one for a few years. The hard top has issues and, as stated, some owners are having profound engine problems.

I think Ford felt they had to reach out there in their battle with Jeep/Ram and they certainly did. The body and lines look REALLY great but until they get it pinned to some proven tech and power and get the bugs worked out I’d pass on it for 3-4 model years.

IMHO.

In the meantime, pick up a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 while you can. It will never, ever, ever lose its value. Ever.

You’ll pay for it of course. But, fortunately, only once.

https://www.jeep.com/wrangler/rubicon-392.html

I just saw this the other day about engine problems with the Bronco.

My wife and I looked at the new Broncos for a bit.

The choices were either plain jane or loaded, no in between on the lots.

As a primary vehicle, it wouldn't work for us. Very low towing capacity, vehicle comfort was ok-ish. Not as "truck like" as I was hoping for. Rear seats felt cramped to me.

Add in the turbos, start/stop, and other electronic stuff, and my wife was a bit gun shy having just had Ford replace an Eco-Boost motor in her Escape.

In short, as much as we wanted to love it, we didn't even like it enough to try and make it work for us.

Twin turbos on the V-6 engines. The exhaust on each side runs one turbo charger. Turbo chargers are nothing new. My wife and I own three turbo charged vehicles: Explorer ST, Focus ST, F350. My mom’s New Beetle is turbo charged. The Mazda she had before that was turbo charged so was the first New Beetle she had before that. The three twin engined inboard boats were all turbo charged. Not one problem with any of those turbo chargers. We only have one supercharged motor, no problems with it in 17 years, but it uses a ton of gas.

As far as the Bronco goes, they look nice, but don’t do anything we need a vehicle to do that we aren’t better served by a different vehicle. We don’t need the off road capability at all, so the Explorer ST is a better vehicle for us. If we need to haul stuff, tow something, or run somewhere where the roads are unpaved, the F350 handles it.

Hysterical. First, its made by Ferd. A word to the wise, run away. Anything new by them will probably have all kinds of problems. A word to the wise, the first few years will be trouble. After they get the bugs worked out, maybe.

OK, I'm a jeeper. Been that way for a while now, like since 1977. All those years we've had at least one in the family. Often 2 or more. They haven't been trouble free, but its worked out OK. We did replace one engine under warranty. The new engine was great. But Bronco uses Ford engines, which generally are less than great, even the better ones. I don't trust them to make a good vehicle. Especially a new introduction. There are so many other places to spend your money, with good reputations.

They look pretty MEH to me and the view from the rear is strange, I can’t quite figure out why it bothers me. The rear is out of proportion or something, must have been for aerodynamic/fuel efficiency reasons.

The first time I saw one coming I thought it was a Land Rover.

Too small. For me, anyway.

We test drove a fully loaded dealer sample around a year ago looking to replace the wife’s aging Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco was drove really nice and smooth compared to the Jeep but that’s not a huge accomplishment. Power was good and it handled really well. Interior and gadgets seemed like they would be good. However it already had several things wrong like a window that wouldn’t roll all the way up. When we were done with the test drive the salesman said he would gladly let us put a deposit down and maybe we would receive it in a year to year and a half. We laughed and left.

Instead we ended up with a gx460 with a tried and true v8. Ironic we have to get a vehicle made in Japan to get a v8. Powerful…nope. Gas mileage…..don’t ask. Will it be reliable…..without a doubt. Especially coming from a high mileage jeep wrangler.

I have a nephew who has a Bronco on order. Because he wanted a stick it's coming with the 2.3 litre Turbo 4, an engine that can top out at over 300 HP and has proven reliable in the Mustang and Focus RS. I've told him he should really keep his Focus ST but his house has a 2 car garage that is filled with bicycles and stuff for his wonderful little girls.

Waiting for the electric version

quote:

Originally posted by marksman41:
The older I get, the less complicated I want my life - and all the things in it - to be.

I'm with marksman41, the less complicated the better!

In my college days I drove a 1971 Bronco that my father bought new to replace our Jeep Commander. The Bronco was better in almost every way and the size was "just right", larger than a CJ but still small enough to take on trails and fit in tight parking spots. It had vinyl seats and floor mats, 302 V8, 3-speed manual transmission, 2-speed transfer, unlocking hubs, just a nice basic but functional compact vehicle that ceased production in 1977. For 1978 Ford completely changed the Bronco to a big, wide, SUV based on the 1/2 ton pick-up truck.

In 1970 a new Bronco cost around $2,500 (20,000 of today's inflated dollars) I would like to see a new Bronco Classic based more on the size of the Maverick only heavier duty rear drive, with auto and manual transmissions, 2wd/4wd, vinyl seats and floor, a basic interior with as little fluff as possible, that could start around $25,000. For any who may not be familiar with the original Bronco here is Ford's promo of it from the time.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/c..._Bronco_Brochure.pdf

No.

I'm not trying to impress anybody and I didn't happen to notice the Serengeti on my way to work.

quote:

Originally posted by marksman41:
The older I get, the less complicated I want my life - and all the things in it - to be.

My current vehicle is a stick, manual windows and locks, vinyl floor, and cloth seats. I can admire the technology in new vehicles but it isn't for me.

Edit to add:

I think the 90's Broncos were the best looking of the whole series. Had a '94 and a '96 at various times in my life. They are in the top three of vehicles I regret letting go. Number 1 regret is the '78 Ford F100 w/351W, but that got wrecked so it's not like I let it go.

That 351 Windsor was the bomb for sure. I remember those motors during high school. If you had one you were imparted motorhead bona fides.