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That's right, I picked up this 2025 REB Heritage model with no add-ons December 18th, after Lithonia Ford in Roseburg Oregon had technically closed, and drove it to SoCal the next day. Here's the bullet points
--Paul Palomalu, Ron, Bobby and crew made it easy to order (August 11th-ish), and even picked me up from the airport. X-plan pricing was honored, and Lithonia even worked with Tint Pros to get the windshield and driver/passenger windows done before my arrival. LOVE the tint, would do it again every time. (picture pre-tint)
--I started the journey at 3:30am(!) in a light Oregon rain while on the fast, smooth sweeping roads around Grants Pass and beyond. Big Rigs everywhere.
--The SUV overall feels very solid, with no squeaks or odd manners. The engine is amazing. Torque everywhere, even though I was driving in rain and trying to break it in slowly. Smooth torque monster.
--sightlines--smallest windshield on a non-sports car that I've owned in a while. I'm still getting used to the driver's A pillar getting in the way of left turns, and at night the dash illumination does bounce a bit off the driver side window (tint). Annoying for 20 minutes, ignored 14 hours.
--The wind noise that I read about--everywhere--was hardly noticeable. I know Ford has worked on this, and they've done well for the new cars considering that this is a brick on wheels.
--The seat is fantastic. 850+ miles, no aches. If I have complaints, they are:
1) leather. I want Heritage AND leather. Hello Katskinz?
2) power seats--sorry, but every car post 2000 should have simple power seats. I don't buy the "I'm going to spray my car out" hogwash. Especially since I have carpet.
3) The bottom should have a bit more side bolster. When going around a sweeper and feeling some inertia, the seat gives first. Then the tendency is to hold on to the wheel. It unsettles the truck, which is disconcerting in the dark. In the rain. With stock headlights that could use some more "oomph."
--Transmission--easily as smooth as my Honda 9 speed, with world's more adjustability. I switched into 4 High while moving at highways speeds and it was imperceptible.
--gearing--this motor is so fantastic....it could drive the truck at highway speeds at 2,000 - 2,200 rpm all day long and get good gas mileage. but at the speeds I was driving (Highway 5 through California), the flow of traffic is 75 to 85mph. Except L.A. At those speeds the rpm's are higher, which means the gas gauge moves faster. Overall it was 16mpg for the first three tanks of gas.
--GAS--at my first stop, the store clerk said she LOVED my Bronco, especially the color. Flabbergasted. I haven't had someone compliment one of my cars in years! At the second stop, a F150 owner asked if I had to special order the color--he also loved it. Two stops, two compliments. Crazy.
--Last, sound system. I paired my Apple phone at the dealership with their help, and listened to Spotify music all the way down the coast. I was somewhat surprised with the sound because based on the forums the system should have sounded like it was coming out of a toilet paper tube. It's easily better than my current Honda Pilot, and on par with my wife's upgraded Mercedes system. Funny thing; the boxy design of the interior seems to allow the dash speakers to bounce the sound off the side windows so there's a decent soundstage effect, at least with certain songs. The subwoofer needs a bit of help, but otherwise it was a pleasant drive down with my favorite music easily accessible.
--Buttons and knobs--most of the main stuff felt intuitive, especially when considering that the doors can be removed so cabin-wide controls can't go on them. Was happy that the mirrors are automatic...phew.
Overall super-happy. As the noob I expect to get fully shot down for my comments, but I'm here to be educated so bring it.
Merry Christmas!
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