I Bought a Convertible

[RagtopMan]

In my heart I just bought my 10th convertible. This hopefully will be my last car I own before retirement overseas in 6-8 years. Another reason I bought is that I had two cars since my previous convertible couldn't be driven year round = two registrations, city stickers, insurances, etc.

My purchase was a bit frazzled if you look at my previous threads. I was planning on ordering a Eruption Green Badlands in Spring 2026. I ordered a 2025 two days after the 2026 order banks opened. Thankfully I got what I wanted.

I have purchased the EZ4x4 flip top and rack kit to make it quicker to turn the Bronco into a convertible. I just need to wait for warmer weather to install.

After a few weeks of ownership driving around the City of Chicago and the surrounding burbs, this is my opinion.

Opinions

• Heated Seats are HOT! It's winter here and I cannot have it higher than 1. I had it on 3 the first time I drove it and I think some hair singed down below!
• HOSS 3.0 is Night & Day different. (And worth every penny, imho) When I found out EG was canceled I went to a dealer who had an EG Badlands with HOSS 3.0 but other options were different than what I wanted. He told me I couldn't order a '25 anymore but he was nice enough to let me test drive a 1.0 (OBX), 2.0 SAS, and the Badlands I went to see. Now that I have it in the city the HOSS 3.0 is even more fun, I am loving railroad tracks now! Plus it makes the Bronco "tossable", well as tossable as a 5000+lb body on frame with AT tires can be, but I consider it agile.
• The Bronco TAX is crazy! I totally understand "buy once, cry once" but for something as simple as a license plate bracket for the mod bumper. I am not paying $80 for a piece of bent metal with six holes drilled into it just because you etched your company name into it, literally the license plate covers that! I got one for $10 on sale on Amazon. And don't get me started about $130+ for 8 thumb screws for a hardtop....

So why a loaded Badlands rather than an OBX if the convertible lifestyle is my main concern?

1. HOSS 3.0
2. Resale value (I crunched some numbers and the total cost of ownership was a little better with the Badlands after 8 years)
3. Looks
4. I will hit the sand dunes in Michigan, hoping for other off roading in my future. I will join a few of the "nearby" clubs on the forum.
5. Did I mention the HOSS 3.0

Yes I know I could have done the HOSS 3.0 or something similar aftermarket, but I have a warranty.

2025 Badlands
Eruption Green (Could it have been the last green Bronco made, maybe? No, I'm not starting a "Is my Bronco rare" thread)
2.7 V6 +Auto
LUX
Hardtop, Black painted
SAS
HOSS 3.0
Modular Front Bumper
Tow Hitch
+I got the new style keyless entry pad that's installed in the B pillar (4 door only), great for the gym I belong to that has no lockers. Since the Ford key fobs are bricks!

Planning on Katzkin seats this Spring hence why I went with MGV and washout floors.

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[RagtopMan]

If you are curious, 1st to 10th.
1972 Delta 88 (big ol'boat)
1992 Chevy Cavalier (1st new car!)
1964 Oldsmobile Starfire (bought to restore, it got stolen a month later)
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST (color was close to Eruption Green)
2001 Mercedes SLK 200 (the only grayscale car I have ever owned, silver)
1970 Mustang (daily driver in Florida)
1990 Mustang 5.0 (daily driver in Florida, had both Mustangs at the same time for awhile)
2012 Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet (yeah I owned one and I LOVED it, if it was still being made I would still be buying them!)
2019 Mustang 5.0 (I will miss her but then again I won't)
2025 Bronco

 

[EarlWright]

Pics

 

[RobWTX]

Haha, great move on getting a convertible! I drove 'vert Mustangs since 1994, until I was told not be in the sun that much anymore. Traded it in on a FX4 and had a lot of fun off roading. The Bronco is the love child of the truck and Mustang, off roading and convertible!
Oh, and I'll take my chances with sun screen, no way I can go back to a non- vert.

 

[Oldhippie]

If you are curious, 1st to 10th.
1972 Delta 88 (big ol'boat)
1992 Chevy Cavalier (1st new car!)
1964 Oldsmobile Starfire (bought to restore, it got stolen a month later)
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST (color was close to Eruption Green)
2001 Mercedes SLK 200 (the only grayscale car I have ever owned, silver)
1970 Mustang (daily driver in Florida)
1990 Mustang 5.0 (daily driver in Florida, had both Mustangs at the same time for awhile)
2012 Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet (yeah I owned one and I LOVED it, if it was still being made I would still be buying them!)
2019 Mustang 5.0 (I will miss her but then again I won't)
2025 Bronco

I almost bought a used Murano convertible (bad back couldn’t sit down in the Mustang anymore) right before the Bronco came out…lived with the pain and waited on the Bronco…but the fact is I haven’t taken the top off since I’ve had it (too much hassle)…needs a powered soft top but they a crap design…still like the Bronco…Enjoy!!

 

[indio22]

I wouldn't bother with HOSS 3 or whatever for pavement, but convertibles are fun. Too bad the weather is so crappy here in Chicagoland, seems like the minute I remove the top rain or other crummy weather enters the forecast.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I also changed from very, a very rare 2020 Mustang HPP vert black on black. Made $7K on its after three years and 50K miles.

I suggest you get B & C brace kit ...every convertible needs as much stiffening as possible and Bronco is transformed with this kit..

For resale its worth getting front end incl roof rail, a pillars, mirror caps PPF. Makes a huge difference when selling a chip free vehicle.

Explore some kind of wind blocker solution possibly custom fab because unlike the extreme comfort and wide temp range of vert with wind blocker, Broncos with out are extremely loud and wind buffeting inside.

 

[Haykayy]

Congratulations.

 

[RedBeardoh]

In my heart I just bought my 10th convertible. This hopefully will be my last car I own before retirement overseas in 6-8 years. Another reason I bought is that I had two cars since my previous convertible couldn't be driven year round = two registrations, city stickers, insurances, etc.

My purchase was a bit frazzled if you look at my previous threads. I was planning on ordering a Eruption Green Badlands in Spring 2026. I ordered a 2025 two days after the 2026 order banks opened. Thankfully I got what I wanted.

I have purchased the EZ4x4 flip top and rack kit to make it quicker to turn the Bronco into a convertible. I just need to wait for warmer weather to install.

After a few weeks of ownership driving around the City of Chicago and the surrounding burbs, this is my opinion.

Opinions

• Heated Seats are HOT! It's winter here and I cannot have it higher than 1. I had it on 3 the first time I drove it and I think some hair singed down below!
• HOSS 3.0 is Night & Day different. (And worth every penny, imho) When I found out EG was canceled I went to a dealer who had an EG Badlands with HOSS 3.0 but other options were different than what I wanted. He told me I couldn't order a '25 anymore but he was nice enough to let me test drive a 1.0 (OBX), 2.0 SAS, and the Badlands I went to see. Now that I have it in the city the HOSS 3.0 is even more fun, I am loving railroad tracks now! Plus it makes the Bronco "tossable", well as tossable as a 5000+lb body on frame with AT tires can be, but I consider it agile.
• The Bronco TAX is crazy! I totally understand "buy once, cry once" but for something as simple as a license plate bracket for the mod bumper. I am not paying $80 for a piece of bent metal with six holes drilled into it just because you etched your company name into it, literally the license plate covers that! I got one for $10 on sale on Amazon. And don't get me started about $130+ for 8 thumb screws for a hardtop....

So why a loaded Badlands rather than an OBX if the convertible lifestyle is my main concern?

1. HOSS 3.0
2. Resale value (I crunched some numbers and the total cost of ownership was a little better with the Badlands after 8 years)
3. Looks
4. I will hit the sand dunes in Michigan, hoping for other off roading in my future. I will join a few of the "nearby" clubs on the forum.
5. Did I mention the HOSS 3.0

Yes I know I could have done the HOSS 3.0 or something similar aftermarket, but I have a warranty.

2025 Badlands
Eruption Green (Could it have been the last green Bronco made, maybe? No, I'm not starting a "Is my Bronco rare" thread)
2.7 V6 +Auto
LUX
Hardtop, Black painted
SAS
HOSS 3.0
Modular Front Bumper
Tow Hitch
+I got the new style keyless entry pad that's installed in the B pillar (4 door only), great for the gym I belong to that has no lockers. Since the Ford key fobs are bricks!

Planning on Katzkin seats this Spring hence why I went with MGV and washout floors.

I ordered a very similar build but with the 2.3 so I could have the 7MT. Eruption green with matte PPF, hoss 3.0, SAS, etc.

Absolutely love this Bronco, it’s just as composed off road as it is going down I-90. Congrats and I hope you enjoy the heck out of it

 

[JBlanco]

In my heart I just bought my 10th convertible. This hopefully will be my last car I own before retirement overseas in 6-8 years. Another reason I bought is that I had two cars since my previous convertible couldn't be driven year round = two registrations, city stickers, insurances, etc.

My purchase was a bit frazzled if you look at my previous threads. I was planning on ordering a Eruption Green Badlands in Spring 2026. I ordered a 2025 two days after the 2026 order banks opened. Thankfully I got what I wanted.

I have purchased the EZ4x4 flip top and rack kit to make it quicker to turn the Bronco into a convertible. I just need to wait for warmer weather to install.

After a few weeks of ownership driving around the City of Chicago and the surrounding burbs, this is my opinion.

Opinions

• Heated Seats are HOT! It's winter here and I cannot have it higher than 1. I had it on 3 the first time I drove it and I think some hair singed down below!
• HOSS 3.0 is Night & Day different. (And worth every penny, imho) When I found out EG was canceled I went to a dealer who had an EG Badlands with HOSS 3.0 but other options were different than what I wanted. He told me I couldn't order a '25 anymore but he was nice enough to let me test drive a 1.0 (OBX), 2.0 SAS, and the Badlands I went to see. Now that I have it in the city the HOSS 3.0 is even more fun, I am loving railroad tracks now! Plus it makes the Bronco "tossable", well as tossable as a 5000+lb body on frame with AT tires can be, but I consider it agile.
• The Bronco TAX is crazy! I totally understand "buy once, cry once" but for something as simple as a license plate bracket for the mod bumper. I am not paying $80 for a piece of bent metal with six holes drilled into it just because you etched your company name into it, literally the license plate covers that! I got one for $10 on sale on Amazon. And don't get me started about $130+ for 8 thumb screws for a hardtop....

So why a loaded Badlands rather than an OBX if the convertible lifestyle is my main concern?

1. HOSS 3.0
2. Resale value (I crunched some numbers and the total cost of ownership was a little better with the Badlands after 8 years)
3. Looks
4. I will hit the sand dunes in Michigan, hoping for other off roading in my future. I will join a few of the "nearby" clubs on the forum.
5. Did I mention the HOSS 3.0

Yes I know I could have done the HOSS 3.0 or something similar aftermarket, but I have a warranty.

2025 Badlands
Eruption Green (Could it have been the last green Bronco made, maybe? No, I'm not starting a "Is my Bronco rare" thread)
2.7 V6 +Auto
LUX
Hardtop, Black painted
SAS
HOSS 3.0
Modular Front Bumper
Tow Hitch
+I got the new style keyless entry pad that's installed in the B pillar (4 door only), great for the gym I belong to that has no lockers. Since the Ford key fobs are bricks!

Planning on Katzkin seats this Spring hence why I went with MGV and washout floors.

Congratulations! This would be our fifth convertible.
2010 Wrangler
2012 Wrangler
2012 Fiat 500c
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Prima Edizione #21 of 124

2023 Bronco

Where are you planning to retire abroad? My goal is Spain for 2026 but want to do a soft retirement to Puerto Rico first. I'm debating taking the Bronco with us to Europe.

I bought the Bestop half rag top and it makes it so much easier to pop the top up, literally takes a few seconds. Most used mod, undisputed.

 

[RagtopMan]

2017 Fiat 124 Spider Prima Edizione #21 of 124

Wish I could have owned the Fiat or Miata but my shoe (size 16/17 depends on manufacturer) doesn't even fit in those cars much less my entire body.

 

[RagtopMan]

Pics

Pictures or its a Prius

Officially I now have more pictures of my Bronco than my previous Mustang. I'm not a picture person.

 

[RagtopMan]

Where are you planning to retire abroad? My goal is Spain for 2026 but want to do a soft retirement to Puerto Rico first. I'm debating taking the Bronco with us to Europe.

The Philippines is my end game.

 

[RagtopMan]

I wouldn't bother with HOSS 3 or whatever for pavement, but convertibles are fun. Too bad the weather is so crappy here in Chicagoland, seems like the minute I remove the top rain or other crummy weather enters the forecast.

Where I live in the city I wouldn't consider it pavement.

 

[RagtopMan]

I almost bought a used Murano convertible

Be glad you didn't. Due to low production numbers parts behind the A pillar were EXPENSIVE! While the front clip was any Murano, the A pillar back was all unique including the mirrors.

I got cut off and had to replace the passenger mirror, my body shop friend called me and it went like this.
Aftermarket = $60
OEM from Nissan = $120
But you have the Crosscabriolet; that will be $600 out of a junkyard in Georgia and I still have to paint it!

The cloth top was $16,000 and the frame was $15,000 if it had to be replaced. I sheered a bolt in the convertible top frame and thankfully a shop was able to repair it. I even had to call 4 shops before anyone would touch the top.

And this was back in 2019 for price comparisons.

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