Ford Bronco

[WallyBalls]

The dealership in Gallatin offers a lifetime Powertrain warranty. I’m gonna call em tomorrow and get the fine print details but if true that may be enough for me to do it. They just took over from miracle ford and are much better supposedly.

No idea where you ended up, but if you went Bronco, you can purchase your warranty after the fact. Granger Ford and Flood Ford are the ones I see people referred two most often. Both have really simple websites to sort out which level of coverage, mileage and years and price. MUCH better than going with it at the point of sale. Its what I'm going to do after a pick up some OT weekends this summer (you have up to a year to buy one).

I'm 3 months into my Bronco and love it. I'm genuinely surprised how much I enjoy driving it (and I'm a life long Toyota sheep).

 

[NEO]

No idea where you ended up, but if you went Bronco, you can purchase your warranty after the fact. Granger Ford and Flood Ford are the ones I see people referred two most often. Both have really simple websites to sort out which level of coverage, mileage and years and price. MUCH better than going with it at the point of sale. Its what I'm going to do after a pick up some OT weekends this summer (you have up to a year to buy one).

I'm 3 months into my Bronco and love it. I'm genuinely surprised how much I enjoy driving it (and I'm a life long Toyota sheep).

I was about to buy one and was driving back from Madison and saw one broke down being transported. Freaked me out. Starting looking at ranger raptor and found cam phaser issues. Looked at Toyota and the put 4 cylinders in their TDR pros now and that’s laughable. Looking at a Ram RHO but it’s a brand new 6 engine and I’m not gonna buy a first gen engine.

I am honestly spinning at this point.

Did you get the 2.7 or the four cylinder?

I hear the 2.7L has been fixed.

 

[NEO]

No idea where you ended up, but if you went Bronco, you can purchase your warranty after the fact. Granger Ford and Flood Ford are the ones I see people referred two most often. Both have really simple websites to sort out which level of coverage, mileage and years and price. MUCH better than going with it at the point of sale. Its what I'm going to do after a pick up some OT weekends this summer (you have up to a year to buy one).

I'm 3 months into my Bronco and love it. I'm genuinely surprised how much I enjoy driving it (and I'm a life long Toyota sheep).

Also what trim you get? I can’t decide between outer banks with sas or badlands.

It does appear the valve issues were fixed.

 

[WallyBalls]

Also what trim you get? I can’t decide between outer banks with sas or badlands.

It does appear the valve issues were fixed.

I was probably shopping a little opposite of you. I ended up with a Big Bend with a 2.3. I wanted extremely plain (marine vinyl seats, washout floor, etc). Anything I'd ever be doing with it- the 2.3 will be perfectly adequate.

Coming from an 05 4Runner with the 4.7, I've not had any issues with the 2.3 as far as power and driving. Pulls my stuff just fine when I need to and manages about 20-22 mpg in normal driving. Anything I'll do off road it will handle with a simple change in tires (I'll change once I wear the stocks out enough) . But that's just me, I get the want for a 2.7 if someone wants it.

In all my rabbit holes I went down, I couldn't find a good enough reason to avoid the engines. Both the 2.3 and 2.7 have been around long enough the biggest things have been shook out. Yeah, they have issues, but everyone has them. Some, a lot worse than others. Is it a 22RE or a 2TR and 2UZ from Toyota? Nope, but nothing is now. Talked with 2 mechanics I've known for 20+ years. One still in the dealaership world, one an independent that's been our family's guy for years. Both said they don't like turbos but as far as small turbo motors they don't mind them. I ultimately decided I could buy the extended coverage I mentioned above for what I felt was an easily fair price to keep my mind at ease. I have a second vehicle if I ever needed it.

 

[GVF]

I can all but guarantee you that it is very limited to what is actually covered. It's just to get you in the door.

I do know that Honda 8/120 extended warranty pays for everything but the fog lights. Bumper to bumper no cost. I used it twice past the mfr standard warranty on the Pilot. Two potentially bad issues that we caught in time and were minor and were relegated to the 2017 model Pilot. Torque converter and Injectors. We bought that warranty since we got it used and there are 18ish computers in a Pilot. My preference is Honda. 285HP air breathing V6. No pecan sized I4's with fake HP. Will never be a new vehicle for me now from any maker. Not getting a turbo 6 or 4 shoved down my thorat on a full size truck or an anemic LC. Atleast with the Lexus GX you can get the V6 twin Overland with 8000 lb towing. But the real deal other than the defunct american LC is the Pre-wuss GX470/460 Prado variants. Was the best hidden gem in the US 4x4 world until people started figuring out what they really were and the used prices started rising.

Not for serious off-roading, but the Mazda AWD SUV models are highly thought of and great styling. Inline 6's too.

 

[YankeeVol]

I do know that Honda 8/120 extended warranty pays for everything but the fog lights. Bumper to bumper no cost. I used it twice past the mfr standard warranty on the Pilot. Two potentially bad issues that we caught in time and were minor and were relegated to the 2017 model Pilot. Torque converter and Injectors. We bought that warranty since we got it used and there are 18ish computers in a Pilot. My preference is Honda. 285HP air breathing V6. No pecan sized I4's with fake HP. Will never be a new vehicle for me now from any maker. Not getting a turbo 6 or 4 shoved down my thorat on a full size truck or an anemic LC. Atleast with the Lexus GX you can get the V6 twin Overland with 8000 lb towing. But the real deal other than the defunct american LC is the Pre-wuss GX470/460 Prado variants. Was the best hidden gem in the US 4x4 world until people started figuring out what they really were and the used prices started rising.

And you paid for that, it wasn't "free" from the dealer. Ones you can purchase are mostly fine, especially if manufacturer backed (so to speak).

The chit the dealers offer are to get you in the door. Period.

 

[GVF]

And you paid for that, it wasn't "free" from the dealer. Ones you can purchase are mostly fine, especially if manufacturer backed (so to speak).

The chit the dealers offer are to get you in the door. Period.

Yep. Paid for that one. And it has been a very good warranty and the two times we did use it there was no hedging. Fixed and no money out of pocket. Told the guy I only wanted the payment, and none of their marketing add-ons that drive the payment up out of budget. He said no problem but you really need to consider the 8/120 and that he buys it for all his cars. It was a worthwhile add-on. Any model year since 2017, probably wouldn't have used it. But, it was to be wife's car and for her peace and safety, I didn't mind getting sold a worthwhile warranty.

I'd imagine that free lifetime thing is crap. Prob only covers internal drive train failures. I'd buy the add-on extended no cost bumper to bumper anyway

 

[YankeeVol]

Yep. Paid for that one. And it has been a very good warranty and the two times we did use it there was no hedging. Fixed and no money out of pocket. Told the guy I only wanted the payment, and none of their marketing add-ons that drive the payment up out of budget. He said no problem but you really need to consider the 8/120 and that he buys it for all his cars. It was a worthwhile add-on.

I'd imagine that free lifetime thing is crap. Prob only covers internal drive train failures. I'd buy the add-on extended no cost bumper to bumper anyway

Service contracts are 100% worth it. I just never recommend buying it from Day 1*. Buy it right before the 3yr/36K (or whatever depending on the make) expires. No use in paying for another one when you already have one provided.

*Of course I sold them as much as I could in finance though

 

[WallyBalls]

Also what trim you get? I can’t decide between outer banks with sas or badlands.

It does appear the valve issues were fixed.

Also, a couple things I skipped over. Drove a couple manuals and loved them. But I've driven a 5 speed for the last 6 years and spend most of my drive home in miserable traffic. I loved the option was there though. If I was buying this as the second vehicle rather than the primary I would have went 7 speed.

I went 2 door. Literally only drawback so far is its hard to find a softtop and cargo area cover how I'd like it. 4 doors have a million options. 2 doors...not so much.

I'd love something with rear windows removable or that roll up so I still have the safari style top all the way back but its not really out there. There are some slant back options that run $1k plus, but for that much I want to like it. Cargo/tonneau covers are almost nonexistent for 2 doors.

I'll probably just do a bimini and figure out the rear area cover on my own.

 

[WallyBalls]

Service contracts are 100% worth it. I just never recommend buying it from Day 1*. Buy it right before the 3yr/36K (or whatever depending on the make) expires. No use in paying for another one when you already have one provided.

*Of course I sold them as much as I could in finance though

Most honest sales guy I've seen in years LOL

 

[NEO]

Also, a couple things I skipped over. Drove a couple manuals and loved them. But I've driven a 5 speed for the last 6 years and spend most of my drive home in miserable traffic. I loved the option was there though. If I was buying this as the second vehicle rather than the primary I would have went 7 speed.

I went 2 door. Literally only drawback so far is its hard to find a softtop and cargo area cover how I'd like it. 4 doors have a million options. 2 doors...not so much.

I'd love something with rear windows removable or that roll up so I still have the safari style top all the way back but its not really out there. There are some slant back options that run $1k plus, but for that much I want to like it. Cargo/tonneau covers are almost nonexistent for 2 doors.

I'll probably just do a bimini and figure out the rear area cover on my own.

I actually like the 2 door more. How does it handle on the interstate at high speeds? I had a two door Jeep years ago and the short wheel base definitely made turns an adventure.

 

[WallyBalls]

I actually like the 2 door more. How does it handle on the interstate at high speeds? I had a two door Jeep years ago and the short wheel base definitely made turns an adventure.

I LOVE the 2 door so far. It does have the aerodynamics of a brick, but I haven't had any issues on the interstate. In fairness, I haven't driven in any of those super high wind days, but in the weather we've had since April...no problems. I imagine it'll wander a little when its windy but no worse than anything similar.

Handles surprisingly well and hasn't seemed particularly "tippy". I'm no speed demon so if you're someone that loves to bomb curves...I can't speak to that. Drove it through the mountains, foothills parkway, upper East TN, several places up in MoCo, and have enjoyed each drive.

Definitley a long way from a CJ5 or an old el cheapo lifted Ranger I had.

I will say, the 2 people who I've had ride in it who had been in Jeeps recently both made comments about how it rode better (and had better headroom for the taller guy). That said, there's such a wide range of Jeeps and what people have done to them I'm not sure that's totally fair. A stock vehicle damn well should ride better than someone's puck lift and used shocks their cousin threw on for them.

 

[2EastTnVols]

Service contracts are 100% worth it. I just never recommend buying it from Day 1*. Buy it right before the 3yr/36K (or whatever depending on the make) expires. No use in paying for another one when you already have one provided.

*Of course I sold them as much as I could in finance though

This advice almost makes me forgive you for all the LSU baseball glazing. Almost

 

[JustFunnN'Orange]

I would look at the new Santa Fe's. Hyundai is the best when it comes to bang for buck with features. We love our Palisade Limited. I barely feel like I'm driving. The Santa Fe is a little sportier, you can get the XRT version, and all the new Santa Fe's have the coolest moon roofs. It's not top off, but it's a close 2nd IMO, and way easier.

The pictures don't really do it justice

View attachment 743065

My step daughter has twin to this one. They like but HATE the safety features......"i can't see your face, its time for you to take a break, move over.
That would also be a reason not to buy for me!

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I'm really wary about Hyundai right now. Oldest daughter has a 16 Santa Fe which was originally bought new for the wife. Just had the engine replaced for the second time, both times it died while she was in the highway. Fortunately both replacements were under warranty. I know they've changed engines since that generation but still don't think I'd consider a Hyundai for a while. The new ones look good though.

My wife had a Santa Fe . We really liked it, but had the exact same issue.