That's Ford's bullshit option bundling for you. They do that on the F-150 also: You can't get auto 4WD unless you buy up to the Lariat. I have an XLT, and in 4WD, even in the slick snow, the front end goes BUMP BUMP BUMP when I make the 90-degree turn at the top of my driveway. It feels like...
Don't get me started on "service bulletins". I had an Escape whose board fried itself. They had a "service bulletin" out there saying hey this thing can fry itself. But not a recall. They knew about it and did NOTHING about it. Cost me $2,400 total. I wonder why I ever bought another Ford after...
I used to only consider vehicles built here in the 'States, until one year I got a Fusion Sport V6 AWD built at Hermisillo. That car was an unbreakable tank for 168,000 miles until some texting ass-clown plowed into it and totaled it. I knew it was going to get to 200,000 miles, no problem. But...
Stop! I'm on a work call and just laughed out loud! The lady thought I was being disrespectful.
But seriously... the driver of that rig had to have been squished like a bug!
I've not bought a Bronco, but I've purchased an Explorer and a Bullitt from Bob Popson at Schults in Wexford, and I give both the man and the dealership my highest recommendation. I've bought from the old Liberto in Irwin; from Kenny Ross; and from Smail, and Schults is head and shoulders better.
Build quality
Bullet-proof reliability
A fixed hardtop option
A naturally-aspirated engine option.
Adequate manufacturing capacity
Leadership that gives a 💩
With all respect to everyone else, yours may be my favorite Bronco of all.
And hey if you ever get a chance over there, go hear So Hyang sing. She might be the best singer in the world.