My Cactus Gray Big Bend just delivered. First pics & early impressions

[PREMiERdrum]

I think this thread might have finally settled my cactus grey vs area 51 battle. CG looks great in the BB trim, so I think this is what I'll go for. Congrats to the owner.

Sorry if it's been asked, but I assume that's the "dark space gray" interior?

Here she is.

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[guerro]

Just got these pics in from my salesman... she has arrived safely! I'll add more pics once I get her home later today. Let me know if you have any requests!

Big Bend 4 door
2.3L Auto
MIC roof
Mid Package
Signature Lights

7/13 9:45pm reservation
6/21 build week
6/24 blend date
6/25 gate release
6/28 left MAP via convoy
6/29 delivered to my dealer

UPDATE:

Crappy driveway pics but here she is!


Early impressions:

- Has that bank vault feel like a F-150. Solid and substantial.

- Rides REALLY nice. Shook it around a bit out in the woods just to see what she can do. Incredibly surefooted. Much more confident feeling than other off roaders I've been in.


- I know it's a learning transmission but it hunts for gears quite a bit. I'm assuming that will calm down soon as we get used to eachother.


- Hate the auto start/stop. I've just been turning it off at startup, the button is easy.


- The interior is solid and super comfortable.


- Don't be in a hurry to get out of a parking lot with it! Lots of questions and pictures.


Overall? This thing is a damn home run. The engineers, designers, and awesome crew at MAP absolutely nailed it.

UPDATE 2:
After the baby went to bed, we left the kids home, popped the front panels off, and hit some of the back roads. Roof operation is SO easy and well thought out, with tactile feedback when a latch is fully opened or closed.

55 miles an hour on a country road with all that open air was absolutely perfect, and damnnear spiritual.

What is your impression of the 2.3L engine with auto transmission? How's the power?

 

[PREMiERdrum]

What is your impression of the 2.3L engine with auto transmission? How's the power?

Power is great. Nice torque right off the line and can really scoot if you put your foot in it.

The 10sp is a "learning" transmission so the first day or so was rough. Lots of hunting gears and a general feeling of discontent with wherever it landed. After a good bit of driving yesterday and today, this has already smoothed out quite a bit.

The shifts are actually quite fast with very little hang time involved. Each shift gives a feeling of being pulled forward a bit instead of lagging. Similar in feeling to the contemporary Mustangs, a playful pull that's fun and engaging.

Other notes:
- I've resisted the urge to turn off the auto start/stop yesterday and today. I'm getting used to it, it was just a harsh adjustment from my old ride. You can modulate it with the brake pedal pretty naturally, so this has helped.

- It was a cool 65 and pouring rain this morning so I tested the seat heaters and defrosters for the first time: WOW. The seats get hot almost instantly and has a nice broad coverage area.

- I can't say enough about the ease of operation on this roof. I can get both front panels off or on in about 90 seconds. They have a great durable feel and seem very resistant to scratches. The center panel is a bit unwieldly because of its size, but the weight is super manageable and it can be taken off or put back on within a couple minutes. There are alignment studs and slots so you always get it in the right spot.

- Huge rains last night and today and there's absolutely no signs of intrusion at the roof seams or window seals, despite the roof panels being off and on about a hundred different times already.

- GLAD I added the tube steps - my wife is 5'1" and our kids are 12, 11, 9, and 2. I'm legitimately not sure how any of them could climb in without the steps.

- I've been stopped probably more than a dozen times already for questions, and the most common one is "What color is this? I love it!"

 

[NewToBronco]

Just got these pics in from my salesman... she has arrived safely! I'll add more pics once I get her home later today. Let me know if you have any requests!

Big Bend 4 door
2.3L Auto
MIC roof
Mid Package
Signature Lights

7/13 9:45pm reservation
6/21 build week
6/24 blend date
6/25 gate release
6/28 left MAP via convoy
6/29 delivered to my dealer

UPDATE:

Crappy driveway pics but here she is!


Early impressions:

- Has that bank vault feel like a F-150. Solid and substantial.

- Rides REALLY nice. Shook it around a bit out in the woods just to see what she can do. Incredibly surefooted. Much more confident feeling than other off roaders I've been in.


- I know it's a learning transmission but it hunts for gears quite a bit. I'm assuming that will calm down soon as we get used to eachother.


- Hate the auto start/stop. I've just been turning it off at startup, the button is easy.


- The interior is solid and super comfortable.


- Don't be in a hurry to get out of a parking lot with it! Lots of questions and pictures.


Overall? This thing is a damn home run. The engineers, designers, and awesome crew at MAP absolutely nailed it.

UPDATE 2:
After the baby went to bed, we left the kids home, popped the front panels off, and hit some of the back roads. Roof operation is SO easy and well thought out, with tactile feedback when a latch is fully opened or closed.

55 miles an hour on a country road with all that open air was absolutely perfect, and damnnear spiritual.

Great to see the 8 days from production to delivery via Caravan. Hoping for just a day or two more to Atlanta. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

 

[long_road]

Here she is.

That's sharp. Thanks for keepin' the pics coming!

 

[Middleton Motorsports]

Cactus Gray FE VIDEO


Congrats, great color. I took my Cactus Gray FE out yesterday, and the Trees really make the color pop!

Enjoy the Video

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Cactus Gray FE VIDEO


Congrats, great color. I took my Cactus Gray FE out yesterday, and the Trees really make the color pop!

Enjoy the Video

Absolutely stunning work!

 

[CoachMP3]

Than

Just got these pics in from my salesman... she has arrived safely! I'll add more pics once I get her home later today. Let me know if you have any requests!

Big Bend 4 door
2.3L Auto
MIC roof
Mid Package
Signature Lights

7/13 9:45pm reservation
6/21 build week
6/24 blend date
6/25 gate release
6/28 left MAP via convoy
6/29 delivered to my dealer

UPDATE:

Crappy driveway pics but here she is!


Early impressions:

- Has that bank vault feel like a F-150. Solid and substantial.

- Rides REALLY nice. Shook it around a bit out in the woods just to see what she can do. Incredibly surefooted. Much more confident feeling than other off roaders I've been in.


- I know it's a learning transmission but it hunts for gears quite a bit. I'm assuming that will calm down soon as we get used to eachother.


- Hate the auto start/stop. I've just been turning it off at startup, the button is easy.


- The interior is solid and super comfortable.


- Don't be in a hurry to get out of a parking lot with it! Lots of questions and pictures.


Overall? This thing is a damn home run. The engineers, designers, and awesome crew at MAP absolutely nailed it.

UPDATE 2:
After the baby went to bed, we left the kids home, popped the front panels off, and hit some of the back roads. Roof operation is SO easy and well thought out, with tactile feedback when a latch is fully opened or closed.

55 miles an hour on a country road with all that open air was absolutely perfect, and damnnear spiritual.

Very Nice! Can't Wait!! THANKS!

 

[LSBronco13]

Just got these pics in from my salesman... she has arrived safely! I'll add more pics once I get her home later today. Let me know if you have any requests!

Big Bend 4 door
2.3L Auto
MIC roof
Mid Package
Signature Lights

7/13 9:45pm reservation
6/21 build week
6/24 blend date
6/25 gate release
6/28 left MAP via convoy
6/29 delivered to my dealer

UPDATE:

Crappy driveway pics but here she is!


Early impressions:

- Has that bank vault feel like a F-150. Solid and substantial.

- Rides REALLY nice. Shook it around a bit out in the woods just to see what she can do. Incredibly surefooted. Much more confident feeling than other off roaders I've been in.


- I know it's a learning transmission but it hunts for gears quite a bit. I'm assuming that will calm down soon as we get used to eachother.


- Hate the auto start/stop. I've just been turning it off at startup, the button is easy.


- The interior is solid and super comfortable.


- Don't be in a hurry to get out of a parking lot with it! Lots of questions and pictures.


Overall? This thing is a damn home run. The engineers, designers, and awesome crew at MAP absolutely nailed it.

UPDATE 2:
After the baby went to bed, we left the kids home, popped the front panels off, and hit some of the back roads. Roof operation is SO easy and well thought out, with tactile feedback when a latch is fully opened or closed.

55 miles an hour on a country road with all that open air was absolutely perfect, and damnnear spiritual.

My order is a WT/ SAS CG. What is your impression now seeing the Cactus Grey in different lighting ?

 

[PREMiERdrum]

My order is a WT/ SAS CG. What is your impression now seeing the Cactus Grey in different lighting ?

I love it even more now.

It almost always has the mint hue so many people thought was missing and it can REALLY take on different shades. TONS of comments in parking lots so far and almost everybody asks about the color.

It's a home run.

 

[LSBronco13]

I love it even more now.

It almost always has the mint hue so many people thought was missing and it can REALLY take on different shades. TONS of comments in parking lots so far and almost everybody asks about the color.

It's a home run.

That was the comment I was hoping for. I never wavered from the CG and seeing your pictures makes waiting even more a pain.

 

[Middleton Motorsports]

Absolutely stunning work!

Thanks! I got it Friday and already have 500 miles.

 

[Laddyaddy19]

Congrats on the awesome ride! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the 2.3 auto. Makes me feel more confident about my choice. Cactus gray has kind of a vintage look on the Bronco that really pops.

 

[Mando6337]

I'm glad to see you are enjoying the BB trim. I'm a BB 4door Area 51. Supposed to be a September build date.......

 

[PREMiERdrum]

A top-off cruise down US 40 to a classic ice cream shop. Like a Rockwell painting...

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