- First Name
- Jeff
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2020
- Threads
- 16
- Messages
- 142
- Reaction score
- 735
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
- Website
- jeff.henshaw.org
- Vehicle(s)
- BMW R1250RT
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
As my Bronco reservation/order/wait/delivery journey comes to an end, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you in the Bronco6G community. I abandoned the toxic Facebook Bronco forums for this community, and that decision has proven wise. The advice, support, and guidance offered here are amazing. It's fun to share your excitement - and frustrations - around this vehicle that we love. Whether you drive a base Bronco Sport or a First Edition full-size Bronco, this is a family that is great to be a part of. Thanks especially for the Build Process Guide, the Build and Tracking Links, and the build-week spreadsheets. These were vital tools.
On Tuesday 12/21, I took delivery of my 4-door Bronco. My date sequence was:
A year, a month, and ten days. What a ride it has been. While I can't count the number of ways that Ford could have managed this process better, in the end I am thrilled with my Bronco, a 4-door Badlands in Area 51 with MGV, 2.7, Lux, Sasquatch, tow package, and a soft top. The background on why I bought a Bronco is here.
MY DEALERSHIP DELIVERED.
When I first placed my reservation, and converted it to an order, I shared about post about a positive experience that I had at my dealership: Autonation Ford of Bellevue, Washington. I went with them because they offered the best price: a "synthesized X-plan" where they calculated a percentage off of MSRP since Ford wasn't offering X-plan. The GM at the dealership, Josh Marshalek, was also excellent with communications. He replied to emails very quickly, and seemed to be as in-the-know about Broncos and the reservation program as anyone.
Many people were suspicious that I'd actually get a discount on the Bronco. That apprehension is based upon the continual stream of ADM nightmares that we read about here. I'm pleased to report that Ford of Bellevue delivered on their promise: I paid nearly $3,000 below MSRP for my Bronco. And every reservation holder that they service will pay no more than MSRP. Yes, they are adding markups to inventory Broncos. But if you reserve and go through the process with them, my experience is that they deliver exactly what they promise. If you're still looking and want to place an order, I give my strongest possible recommendation to Chris Rollman (sales) at Bellevue Ford.
Communication has also been excellent. When Ford signaled that my Bronco had shipped, I messaged Chris to get a freight car number. Many people complain that their sales reps can't, or won't, share that information. Many of them aren't experience enough to retrieve it. Chris responded to me within 10 minutes with not only the rail car number, but a photo of Ford's shipping manifest. I was able to track my Bronco as it crossed the country by rail, which was cool.
I share these positive experience because it pains me to read some of the frustrating behaviors that dealerships are showing to reservation customers, and I want to steer folks toward better dealers. When I met GM Josh on delivery day, and we talked about the horrible dynamics that some Ford dealers are demonstrating, he made a really good point: If you screw a customer out of a few thousand dollars on a car deal, you'll sell them one car at most. If you look at the Bronco as an eventual volume business, and want to establish a lifetime of vehicle purchases, you offer a fair deal and live up to your word so that they come back and buy more cars over time. I couldn't agree more.
It also pays to pick a dealer that'll not only offer MSPR, but is staffed with Bronco enthusiasts. I was able to talk to my salesperson, the sales manager, and the general manager anytime about the Bronco because they all love Broncos and have their own orders in. Who better to buy from than someone that loves what they are selling?
THE BRONCO IS A BEAUTIFUL BEAST.
250 miles in, it is exceeding my expectations in most regards. There are big things, like every time I walk into the garage and see those Sasquatch tires and the profile of the Bronco, I smile and remind myself that it's mine. The 2.7 / 10-speed powertrain is quite powerful; the horsepower and torque combine for a fun drive. My worries about freeway speeds being a struggle were unfounded... I fly along at 70+ perfectly comfortable. The interior feels genuinely spacious compared to my former Wrangler. The 12" display with wireless CarPlay is a joy. Area 51 is a dynamic color and I'm glad I picked it. It ranges from a sky blue under direct sunlight, to a smokey gray-blue under our typical Seattle stormy skies.
There are little things that I wasn't expecting that I also appreciate a lot. While I knew I wanted MGV for several reasons, I'm impressed with how comfortable it is, and how durable is appears to be. The overhead aux switches are little works of art: their lighting changes color when activated, the throw is easy even with gloved hands, and the click is satisfying. I don't even have any accessories wired in yet, but I already love the switches. The soft top has seen driving downpours already, and has been completely dry inside. For all of Ford's hard top woes, I'm very impressed with the soft top. There is definitely more road noise on the freeway, but I'll gladly enjoy a winter with the soft top and order a hard top once the kinks are worked out (got my 220,000 point to put toward it). The trail sights are becoming a signature part of my driving experience already. Never mind that I'm not yet using them as tie-downs are branch diverters, they give the view out of the windshield a prominence that you just don't get with many new vehicles anymore.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," is as true with the new Bronco as with anything. In my case, this is the perfect blend of classic lines from the original Bronco, updated with a modern vehicle platform, electronics, and driving experience. It's exactly what I'd hoped for.
THAT'S ME HONKING!
My dealer warned me that people will stop to ask questions about the Bronco. Stoplights will turn into conversation points. I'll get honked at and thumbs-up from people who are seeing a new Bronco for the first time, might own one themselves, or hope to one day own one. He was right. In the first two days of driving it, I've been chased down in traffic by people curios about it, held up in parking lots as people admire it. So many people have stories of Broncos from long ago.
I hope that continues. I hope the community here grows into a healthy Bronco community in real life. I promise to do my part. Today, I caught up to an Area 51 Bronco Sport on the highway, and honked at the driver. An older gent, he was caught off guard and was about to get angry at being honked at, but when he looked over and saw my Bronco, his face lit up and he laughed and honked back.
There are endless reasons to be divided these days. Politicians thrive on dividing us at every turn. It's nice to have a vehicle and a brand than can unite us. If you're still waiting for yours, please keep the faith. It's worth it in the end. When you climb in and drive off the dealer's lot, the memories of months of waiting and confused messages will melt away with each mile.
Drive safe, and thank you again to the strong community here.
Jeff
On Tuesday 12/21, I took delivery of my 4-door Bronco. My date sequence was:
| RESERVED | ORDERED | BUILD SCHEDULED | BLEND | BUILT | SHIPPED | DELIVERED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/11/2020 | 1/23/2021 | 11/22 | 11/24 | 12/1 | 12/4 | 12/21 |
A year, a month, and ten days. What a ride it has been. While I can't count the number of ways that Ford could have managed this process better, in the end I am thrilled with my Bronco, a 4-door Badlands in Area 51 with MGV, 2.7, Lux, Sasquatch, tow package, and a soft top. The background on why I bought a Bronco is here.
MY DEALERSHIP DELIVERED.
When I first placed my reservation, and converted it to an order, I shared about post about a positive experience that I had at my dealership: Autonation Ford of Bellevue, Washington. I went with them because they offered the best price: a "synthesized X-plan" where they calculated a percentage off of MSRP since Ford wasn't offering X-plan. The GM at the dealership, Josh Marshalek, was also excellent with communications. He replied to emails very quickly, and seemed to be as in-the-know about Broncos and the reservation program as anyone.
Many people were suspicious that I'd actually get a discount on the Bronco. That apprehension is based upon the continual stream of ADM nightmares that we read about here. I'm pleased to report that Ford of Bellevue delivered on their promise: I paid nearly $3,000 below MSRP for my Bronco. And every reservation holder that they service will pay no more than MSRP. Yes, they are adding markups to inventory Broncos. But if you reserve and go through the process with them, my experience is that they deliver exactly what they promise. If you're still looking and want to place an order, I give my strongest possible recommendation to Chris Rollman (sales) at Bellevue Ford.
Communication has also been excellent. When Ford signaled that my Bronco had shipped, I messaged Chris to get a freight car number. Many people complain that their sales reps can't, or won't, share that information. Many of them aren't experience enough to retrieve it. Chris responded to me within 10 minutes with not only the rail car number, but a photo of Ford's shipping manifest. I was able to track my Bronco as it crossed the country by rail, which was cool.
I share these positive experience because it pains me to read some of the frustrating behaviors that dealerships are showing to reservation customers, and I want to steer folks toward better dealers. When I met GM Josh on delivery day, and we talked about the horrible dynamics that some Ford dealers are demonstrating, he made a really good point: If you screw a customer out of a few thousand dollars on a car deal, you'll sell them one car at most. If you look at the Bronco as an eventual volume business, and want to establish a lifetime of vehicle purchases, you offer a fair deal and live up to your word so that they come back and buy more cars over time. I couldn't agree more.
It also pays to pick a dealer that'll not only offer MSPR, but is staffed with Bronco enthusiasts. I was able to talk to my salesperson, the sales manager, and the general manager anytime about the Bronco because they all love Broncos and have their own orders in. Who better to buy from than someone that loves what they are selling?
THE BRONCO IS A BEAUTIFUL BEAST.
250 miles in, it is exceeding my expectations in most regards. There are big things, like every time I walk into the garage and see those Sasquatch tires and the profile of the Bronco, I smile and remind myself that it's mine. The 2.7 / 10-speed powertrain is quite powerful; the horsepower and torque combine for a fun drive. My worries about freeway speeds being a struggle were unfounded... I fly along at 70+ perfectly comfortable. The interior feels genuinely spacious compared to my former Wrangler. The 12" display with wireless CarPlay is a joy. Area 51 is a dynamic color and I'm glad I picked it. It ranges from a sky blue under direct sunlight, to a smokey gray-blue under our typical Seattle stormy skies.
There are little things that I wasn't expecting that I also appreciate a lot. While I knew I wanted MGV for several reasons, I'm impressed with how comfortable it is, and how durable is appears to be. The overhead aux switches are little works of art: their lighting changes color when activated, the throw is easy even with gloved hands, and the click is satisfying. I don't even have any accessories wired in yet, but I already love the switches. The soft top has seen driving downpours already, and has been completely dry inside. For all of Ford's hard top woes, I'm very impressed with the soft top. There is definitely more road noise on the freeway, but I'll gladly enjoy a winter with the soft top and order a hard top once the kinks are worked out (got my 220,000 point to put toward it). The trail sights are becoming a signature part of my driving experience already. Never mind that I'm not yet using them as tie-downs are branch diverters, they give the view out of the windshield a prominence that you just don't get with many new vehicles anymore.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," is as true with the new Bronco as with anything. In my case, this is the perfect blend of classic lines from the original Bronco, updated with a modern vehicle platform, electronics, and driving experience. It's exactly what I'd hoped for.
THAT'S ME HONKING!
My dealer warned me that people will stop to ask questions about the Bronco. Stoplights will turn into conversation points. I'll get honked at and thumbs-up from people who are seeing a new Bronco for the first time, might own one themselves, or hope to one day own one. He was right. In the first two days of driving it, I've been chased down in traffic by people curios about it, held up in parking lots as people admire it. So many people have stories of Broncos from long ago.
I hope that continues. I hope the community here grows into a healthy Bronco community in real life. I promise to do my part. Today, I caught up to an Area 51 Bronco Sport on the highway, and honked at the driver. An older gent, he was caught off guard and was about to get angry at being honked at, but when he looked over and saw my Bronco, his face lit up and he laughed and honked back.
There are endless reasons to be divided these days. Politicians thrive on dividing us at every turn. It's nice to have a vehicle and a brand than can unite us. If you're still waiting for yours, please keep the faith. It's worth it in the end. When you climb in and drive off the dealer's lot, the memories of months of waiting and confused messages will melt away with each mile.
Drive safe, and thank you again to the strong community here.
Jeff
Sponsored
Last edited:
I saw yours at the dealership, picked mine up from Ford of Kirkland a week ago!
