Anyone in a Big Bend regret their choice? Any Base model owners wish they upgraded?

[Butzy]

Basesquatch 2.7 with mod bumper and switches ran just over $40,000. If they offered lockers on the base, I would not have squatched...

Same here. Very content with front and rear lockers and 35" tires for 41k and remote start! Eventually, things like leather wrapped steering wheels will become more reasonable if you can stand the wait. If not, you should still ne able to barter the classifieds here in the forum for good deals.

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[Step]

Love the big bend! Of course we all wish we had more money to spend on our bronco, and I would have if I could have. I went with the big bend with locking rear differential, 2.3 engine, auxiliary switches and tow package. Would be nice to have extra features but I got everything I needed from the factory, and can always upgrade as needed. I have already upgraded to 33‘s. I ended up switching to a soft top so I could get it sooner and I ended up loving that too. Except when I went camping and the raccoons got into my car through the soft top. At some point I will be ordering a hardtop.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Pretty much based on the avatar pic. Is that a 2006?

Avatar pic is a 2008 GT. Cloth interior with the Pony Package of all things. But, I also had a 2006 GT in the pretty frost blue ( Windveil ) with the Shelby stripes.

 

[Kfonte]

My story:

My original order in February was an eruption green, 2dr, BB, hardtop, mid package, aux switches, 2.7 auto.

After being on here for a few months, I decided I wanted to change my order based on a lot of the info I’d read. Mostly what others loved about their broncos, and not really based on constraints. I hadn’t received my vin, so I was really thinking long and hard about it.

My change order was going to be a 2 Dr, eruption green, basesquach, hardtop, mod bumper, 2.3 auto, and switches. Basically a completely different build altogether lol.

So two weeks ago I received a phone call from my dealer that I would most likely be moved to a ‘23 model and if I still wanted it. I told them that I actually wanted to change my entire order. When I told the sales manager everything I wanted, he told me he had that exact build that someone had walked away from that day, only in velocity blue, and that he’d give it to me at MSRP. What are the chances of my exact build, with the exception of the color, to have been on the lot at that very moment?!?! It was a no brainer. Signed the papers and had my bronco the very next day.

I have absolutely zero regret in my change order and “downgrade” in trim. This is coming from a guy that has had 3 different Audi’s in the last 10 years (I too love to change cars every few years). I absolutely LOVE my basesquach and am planning on keeping it for the next 10 years (until I give it to my son). I’ve read a lot of different opinions on here, but one thing was clear to me: basesquach owners absolutely LOVE their broncos. Also, many on here have stated that the basesquach is the best deal for the money. I drove the 2.7 and liked it a lot, but I’m planning on tuning my 2.3 and have already added an exhaust and roush intake. I plan on changing the intercooler along with the charge pipes, as well. With those aftermarket upgrades, I should be pretty close, if not more, to the 2.7’s stock power.

Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll love it. It really is a great vehicle.

 

[emkayw]

Avatar pic is a 2008 GT. Cloth interior with the Pony Package of all things. But, I also had a 2006 GT in the pretty frost blue ( Windveil ) with the Shelby stripes.

Nice! I had a black 2006 v6/5-spd that I put suspension upgrades on and had fun with. Kept the body stock to accentuate the clean design.

 

[Heart2]

No regrets. However, I did have some fleeting thoughts about a '23 BL in Azure Gray. My original order was for a '21 BL, but I changed to a BB when the order converted to a '22. Buying a BB and looking at a BL is like dating a girl that has a hot sister. But, at the end of the day, I made my choice based on vehicle use and budget. My car note is less than my cable bill and it fun to drive!

 

[Ashventure]

Yes and no. I absolutely LOVE my base with the 2.7L engine. Initially had planned to also add the Sasquatch package but I was trying to have the lowest monthly payment and with both add ons my payment would’ve just been too high for my comfort. Since I hope to tow a small trailer someday I figured the most practical add on would be the larger engine. Figured I could go aftermarket for everything else.

My ultimate build would’ve been the Badlands but I knew I’d be miserable with that monthly payment.

All said n done I’m happy with what I ordered! And was so well worth the wait! Now I can customize my base the way I want to

 

[1975U15]

He’s a rescue and seems to have some past traumas, so we’re working through some significant reactivity and prey drive issues. The bigger issue is that he loves to have blowout diarrhea in the house and on my couch…

LOL!! Had a male rotty years ago. Loved that dog but he was an asshole too. I’d take him for walks and he’d have blowout diarrhea multiple times on route. I’d drag him to hopefully get him to stop but he’d just go while scooting along. Right in middle of neighborhood street. Felt like I needed a portable water tank to clean it up.

Someone later told me it was a territory thing. Sorta makes sense given he was an alpha.

Any who….OP I’d own a 2dr Basesquatch if I didn’t have kids and a dog.

 

[EBroncoB]

I don’t regret my BB purchase at all. My biggest priorities were 7MT, 4 door to have room for my asshole dog + gear, hard top, cloth (or vented katzkins - basically no MGV/swamp ass for me in the south), and rear locker. I do some off-roading but not hardcore rock crawling, so a rear locker and the gearing with the manual should be plenty sufficient and practical.

I wasn’t sure about the sandstone, but took a chance and it looks SO much better than any pics that I’d seen beforehand, totally blew my expectations out of the water. Being able to option the sig lights and have fogs was an upside to me as well. Could I have added all these items after the fact and gone down to base? Sure. But it’s worth the money to me to save the time and hassle to do those upgrades (and have them potentially not work as well as from the factory).

My alternate build would’ve been BL with mid or high to be able to get some of the extras with the manual, but still needing to change out the seats/covers after the fact. Basically the BB checks all my boxes without having a lot of extra costs or weight that didn’t add much utility for my needs. I admittedly have a visceral hatred of the factory BB wheels and tires, so I immediately put a set of BL takeoffs on there, which were my favorites of the trim levels. Otherwise, I couldn’t be happier with my build.

I agree, build what is best for your needs and you can’t go wrong. Ford really hit it out of the park with the Bronco.

 

[EBroncoB]

I don’t regret my BB purchase at all. My biggest priorities were 7MT, 4 door to have room for my asshole dog + gear, hard top, cloth (or vented katzkins - basically no MGV/swamp ass for me in the south), and rear locker. I do some off-roading but not hardcore rock crawling, so a rear locker and the gearing with the manual should be plenty sufficient and practical.

I wasn’t sure about the sandstone, but took a chance and it looks SO much better than any pics that I’d seen beforehand, totally blew my expectations out of the water. Being able to option the sig lights and have fogs was an upside to me as well. Could I have added all these items after the fact and gone down to base? Sure. But it’s worth the money to me to save the time and hassle to do those upgrades (and have them potentially not work as well as from the factory).

My alternate build would’ve been BL with mid or high to be able to get some of the extras with the manual, but still needing to change out the seats/covers after the fact. Basically the BB checks all my boxes without having a lot of extra costs or weight that didn’t add much utility for my needs. I admittedly have a visceral hatred of the factory BB wheels and tires, so I immediately put a set of BL takeoffs on there, which were my favorites of the trim levels. Otherwise, I couldn’t be happier with my build.

I agree, build what is best for your needs and you can’t go wrong. Ford really hit it out of the park with the Bronco.

Love the BL too. Are they BL tires AND wheels? And did you have to lift? Thanks!

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I have a Base 2-door Sasquatch with no other options of significance, and I do not regret that choice. I wanted an off road beast and nothing else, and my Bronco delivers.

Gratuitous photo of it above 8000 feet, enjoying the mountains of Idaho:

 

[eander]

Love the BL too. Are they BL tires AND wheels? And did you have to lift? Thanks!

Yep, BL wheels and tires, which I purchased from another B6G member. No lift or level, and no scrubbing even at full lock with crash bars intact and Mabett front flaps installed. The BL KO2 is only a slightly larger diameter vs the BB duelers, 32.8 vs 32” I believe. The more obvious size difference is in the width. There’s a handy chart floating around here somewhere with all the specs, including wheel size and offset for each stock trim.

 

[MNBigfoot]

I’m going to start off by saying I’m horrible with commitment. Long menus are the bane of my existence as I’m stuck in limbo trying to decide what to get.

Think of it this way, 50 years from now when you Grandkids are visiting and you pull the canvas of the old girl in the back of the shed, you could get to explain for them why you chose the $800 lightbulbs and leather shift knob over things like lockers, gearing, Horsepower and lift.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

IMO, upgrading to Big Bend only makes sense if u want 4 doors and a manual. Otherwise, base is deff the best value.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

baseBase owner here.
Any time I start to feel regret, I price out a Big Bend and it goes away.
I'm into my Bronco for MSRP of 32k. Not too shabby.
Any Base, Squatch or not, is a bargain when put up against another comparable trim.

That Big Bend Tax is a bitch.
Plus , as others have stated, for a few bucks more you're in a Black Diamond with some cool gear on it ... plus a locked 4.46 gear set on a V6 option !!!!
That would rip!!!

IHMO, the only reason to get the BB is so you can pay even more to get the locker.

For me, item #1 is the heated seats ... prolly not a concern for you, lol.

But, I can do those for $300 if I feel so inclined.

The rear locker for sure would have been on my hit list also.

Heated seats works out like this:
BB Tax $5000
Mid .... $ 1500
forced auto ... $1800

Freaking $8300 to get to the heated seats!!

If Mid was included in that BB tax, then it would be a better deal.

The Jeep "Winter Climate Package" on their version of a Base is a great idea. Wish they would copy them in that regard.
(seats, mirrors and steering wheel)
It's a great idea for a topless vehicle, stretch out that topless season a bit for us northern folk.

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