Antimatter Blue 2.3L Badlands 4-Door Manual Delivered!

[Lord Bronco]

Great perspective. While it would be nice to have the lower monthly payment on the Bronco, if you have other debt at much higher interest rates, you are better off eliminating that debt first. You are better off taking out new debt at a lower rate and eliminating old debt at higher rates. It's essentially a balance transfer. I've seen car loan rates this week from as low as 1.89% (USAA) to 2.19% (Navy Federal) to even BOA at 2.39%. All very low rates and I'm assuming much lower than the interest servicing your current debt.

Just for good measure, I went by the dealer today to get them to look at my current ride and give me a trade-in quote. My build date is 7/12, which is 1.5 weeks away, and as we've seen here, it is very possible the Bronco could arrive before the end of that week. But the sales guy went to ask the manager/owner to come take a look at my truck but the manager sent him back out to tell me the book values likely will change before I take delivery, so come check back closer to time so they can look at it. No thanks. I have to time this just right, and a sale works better, so I'm done considering a trade-in.

They could EASILY make a few grand off selling my ride if they even matched what Carvana has offered me.

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[t3n2and4]

I love you. Thank you. This is what’s pushing me to go BL no Sas (due to budget). That little nicer interior I think would be worth it over the BD.

There was a “squish” to the door card part. Happy to be able to help, took 300 pics that day, might as well use em. I put more up here: https://www.instagram.com/wabronco/ let me know if you want me to cross post any uncropped here at higher resolution.

 

[ibanezadam117]

i get more hyped with every AMB pic i see. its such a lowkey, yet beautiful color.

 

[Sndmn]

Got a call this morning from my dealer. Was afraid to answer because I knew my Bronco was produced and being delivered soon. Good news the Bronco was delivered, bad news I had some details to work out before I could pick it up.

Was able to go and test drive today with my daughters. Everyone loved it! Super excited and a little nervous because it's my first SUV in awhile.

For those wondering it is Badlands 4 door in AMB. Power train is the 2.3L with the manual, optioned with the mid pack. Picture below and if anyone has any questions let me know, willing to help. First test will be taking it camping this weekend. Will post feedback on how it is.

Update 7/1

Was able to get everything lined up and take delivery! I have to say many thanks to serra Ford of Rochester Hills they were great to deal with the whole time and made everything nice and easy all the way to the end.

So went for a 20 mile or so drive to get acquainted after the pick-up. A couple minor issues with the electronics, I can't complete the Ford pass activation in the vehicle and wireless Android auto is only working on my work phone.

Initial impressions are very good. Power train is smooth and I am getting more used to the clutch and shifter. Coming from sporty cars it's not at that level but good for a truck. I did notice I was shifting down more often than in my car, was going up a slight incline at 50 in 5th and felt I had to downshift. I think once I get a couple hundred miles on it I will be more willing to just hammer down on the throttle instead of shifting.

Ride and steering are nice. Steering weight is on the lighter side. Ride is soft, the body rolls and plants and it is predictable.

I drove on streets and highways with the top back. It was good not much wind blowing in the front, I think the rear has a little more wind.

Interior is noce, I do have a small defect on the dash. It looks almost like it is 3D printed on some of the dash materials. Plenty of leg room and storage in the back. I like the MGV seats, design has a camo look and texture is nice.

The biggest thing is lots of attention. Probably talked to 15 people about it at the time I was there.

can I ask how long it took to get after being shipped. Mine is on a train in Ohio enroute to Denver and there still quoting me three weeks out.

 

[HPNQ420]

This is interesting as the word was Getrag was manufacturing the transmission in China. I'll be damn happy if my 7m comes from the U.S. (or Canada or Germany for that matter)

 

[Berwolf]

can I ask how long it took to get after being shipped. Mine is on a train in Ohio enroute to Denver and there still quoting me three weeks out.

I think 2-3 days. I never got an official shipped notice, just got the call from the dealer it arrived.

 

[Mike777]

Got a call this morning from my dealer. Was afraid to answer because I knew my Bronco was produced and being delivered soon. Good news the Bronco was delivered, bad news I had some details to work out before I could pick it up.

Was able to go and test drive today with my daughters. Everyone loved it! Super excited and a little nervous because it's my first SUV in awhile.

For those wondering it is Badlands 4 door in AMB. Power train is the 2.3L with the manual, optioned with the mid pack. Picture below and if anyone has any questions let me know, willing to help. First test will be taking it camping this weekend. Will post feedback on how it is.

Update 7/1

Was able to get everything lined up and take delivery! I have to say many thanks to serra Ford of Rochester Hills they were great to deal with the whole time and made everything nice and easy all the way to the end.

So went for a 20 mile or so drive to get acquainted after the pick-up. A couple minor issues with the electronics, I can't complete the Ford pass activation in the vehicle and wireless Android auto is only working on my work phone.

Initial impressions are very good. Power train is smooth and I am getting more used to the clutch and shifter. Coming from sporty cars it's not at that level but good for a truck. I did notice I was shifting down more often than in my car, was going up a slight incline at 50 in 5th and felt I had to downshift. I think once I get a couple hundred miles on it I will be more willing to just hammer down on the throttle instead of shifting.

Ride and steering are nice. Steering weight is on the lighter side. Ride is soft, the body rolls and plants and it is predictable.

I drove on streets and highways with the top back. It was good not much wind blowing in the front, I think the rear has a little more wind.

Interior is noce, I do have a small defect on the dash. It looks almost like it is 3D printed on some of the dash materials. Plenty of leg room and storage in the back. I like the MGV seats, design has a camo look and texture is nice.

The biggest thing is lots of attention. Probably talked to 15 people about it at the time I was there.

UPDATE July 6

Got back from a weekend of camping and being outside. Odometer is now showing just over 500 miles. I will hit on some of my longer term impressions.

Ride - still happy with it, did notice it can be a little harsh over expansion cracks. Happy with the damping and handling.

Power - More used to the gearing and power band now. I would say much happier, Bronco is geared long so just have to keep it down a gear to stay in the power. Buddy drove it and said he agreed it felt good. But we both thought the tach was useless, wish the analog speedo was a tach.

Storage and Utility - much better than my GTI. No, but overall good we were able to easily pack all our gear and it was only up to the fender line not super packed. Car got sandy and seats got wet but everything held up good. Only gripes are the door sills are large, painted and unprotected. Will be putting some clear film on them to protect from scratching. Doors are already scratched from putting water bottles in and out of the nets, very disappointing. I have an idea to add some protection.

Infotainment and sound system - honestly been one of the biggest let downs so far. Sometimes the infotainment works great and others time it is slow and unresponsive. I struggled to get my Ford pass app activated and to get android auto to work. The sound system is also mediocre. It lacks range and is very front heavy. This will probably be one of my first upgrades.

Soft Top - Love it! Need to invest in a sunscreen company because I am going to need a lot. Rear windows come out super easy. Though they also scratch really easy. Will be making a bag for storage because they are kind of pain once out. Going up and down is very easy and there is very little buffeting. Probably my favorite feature.

That's it for now will post more as I put more miles on it.

Glad to see some deliveries Of AMB finally. Thoughts on the color choice? Would you change it now that you have experienced it? Reason I’m asking is cause mine is AMB but you already mentioned scratches on the first day….

 

[Berwolf]

Glad to see some deliveries Of AMB finally. Thoughts on the color choice? Would you change it now that you have experienced it? Reason I’m asking is cause mine is AMB but you already mentioned scratches on the first day….

Would not change it. But I have wanted a blue car for my last two so this is scratching that itch. It gets lots of compliments and the confusion is that black?

 

[Glue Guy]

Any more thoughts on the 2.3 & manual a little further in? I’m considering a change from BD w 2.7 to a BL 2.3. Wondering if you wish you had gone with the 2.7.

 

[Berwolf]

Any more thoughts on the 2.3 & manual a little further in? I’m considering a change from BD w 2.7 to a BL 2.3. Wondering if you wish you had gone with the 2.7.

No regrets. Have just under 1,000 miles on it now. More willing to just roll on the throttle and being more mindful about the gear. I have also been running premium. Not sure if it's just mental but it does feel seat of the pants a little quicker. Don't think you can go wrong with either engine.

 

[Glue Guy]

No regrets. Have just under 1,000 miles on it now. More willing to just roll on the throttle and being more mindful about the gear. I have also been running premium. Not sure if it's just mental but it does feel seat of the pants a little quicker. Don't think you can go wrong with either engine.

Glad to hear! Thank u!

what sort of MPGs are you getting?

 

[Berwolf]

Glad to hear! Thank u!

what sort of MPGs are you getting?

I am averaging 17mpg. That's a good mix of 80ish highway and around town.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

I did notice I was shifting down more often than in my car, was going up a slight incline at 50 in 5th and felt I had to downshift. I think once I get a couple hundred miles on it I will be more willing to just hammer down on the throttle instead of shifting.

Fifth and sixth gear are both overdive gears. Depending on your definition of slight incline, I would expect to have to downshift to 4th.

 

[JoePostman]

What is the parking brake like? Will it set automatically if you shut the car off? I am getting a manual as well and have a huge fear of the electronic parking brake failing or one f my kids accidentally tripping it while in the garage.

 

[Berwolf]

What is the parking brake like? Will it set automatically if you shut the car off? I am getting a manual as well and have a huge fear of the electronic parking brake failing or one f my kids accidentally tripping it while in the garage.

I have not had it auto set, always had to manually set it. It will auto release if you start to drive away with it engaged. I have noticed if the car isn't running and you try and release it, it doesn't. It may release if you do a hold but doesn't with just a quick push.

I haven't had any issues except once pushing it in to set instead of pulling it. Noticed the car started to roll a bit and found my error. I also always leave it in gear as safety in case something happened.

This is my second manual with an electric parking brake so not to concerned with it myself. They have been around for quite awhile now.

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