I love everything about the Bronco except
Completely agree with this, the 2 door Bronco seems to slot in as the perfect size.
The JL went to Carvana on Wednesday, $45,700 with 13,500 miles on it. Bought it new (8% below invoice) for $42,500 in November 2021. Luckily I live in SC and sales tax is capped at $500 so no big loss there, and I probably put $3k in it (Armorlite flooring, Bartact seat covers, Bumper/winch). I'm ok with that split.
My wife waited a year and a half for hers to be built and eventually she picked up a 2 door black diamond with sasquatch and the 2.7 from another dealer that had it on the lot for MSRP. It is leaps and bounds better than the Jeep I had. I had 2012 JKU 4 door that I raced and her Bronco handles better than the jeep ever did. Yes the speakers sucked on her mid package, so I changed them to Kicker KS all around and put a kicker 8" into the sub box with an amp and it sounds amazing. She knew I was eyeing her Bronco and when I went to pick up clips for her interior panels when putting the sub in, she told me to check out a Braptor at the dealer I was at. So unplanned I wound up getting it, but her after market stereo sounds way better than the B&O system in the Raptor.I have a similar thread to a few previous regarding the manual transmission, but here goes. Background - I've basically had Jeeps since I started driving, XJ, JKU. I test drove the Bronco in May of 2021 and really liked it and put in a reservation. My '07 JKU was on it's last leg (transmission, oil leak, cat issues), and so....since I ordered from a small town dealer I figured I wouldn't receive it before the JK croaked and bought a '21 JLUR (8% below invoice, manual, hard top). I kept my reservation just in case, and moved from '21 to '22 and in the interim, I got a inkling to have a 2 door. I test drove the 2 door JL and it was just too small for all of my sports (surf, mtb, etc.) and honestly I don't love the JK/JL in a 2 door. The Bronco however, I love the size and dimensions of a 2 door, so I figured what the hell I'll change my reservation to a 2 door Sasquatch and I doubt it will ever get built.
Fast forward to the last day before the $2500 credit to change, etc. came out (I actually got the e-mail to change my order), and I get scheduled. My dealer (Walterboro Ford) who by the way has been awesome to deal with - said I had price protection with a rebate of $2496 even after switching. I love my JLUR, I've off roaded it quite a bit around the Carolinas, and it's been flawless. So...I figured I'd test drive it and then let the dealer sell it.
I test drive it and I'm not one who thinks the Jeep (especially the JL) is difficult or wandering to drive, maybe I'm just used to it. With that said, the Bronco beats it in every way possible, but especially the 7MT. The clutch has a firm engagement, the gears are properly spaced, the crawl gear is perfect, it's so much fun to drive. Factor in it's a 2 door and I had a decision to make. So, I actually bought it and compared the two for 3 days....that's all it took.
The big takeaways/advantages on the Bronco is that the 2 door is a great size to get into a 2 door. I can still fit pretty much everything I want in and on top of it. Second - again, it's just flat out more fun to drive with the manual compared to the JL (luckily I haven't had grinding yet and live in a warm climate if that helps). Basically, when everyone says Ford benchmarked the Jeep and made it just a bit better, that is 100% accurate, the tailgate, marine grade vinyl, washout interior, everything is just better. I am still a bit heistant on the electronics in the Bronco especially the e-brake and transfer case, but the GOAT modes are pretty nice to have. I used mud/ruts this weekend quite a bit.
For anyone that is on the beach or sand a lot (200+ days a year) I fill the back of my vehicle with sandy gear non-stop and so far, the washout drains have worked really well. In closing, For an official pros/cons list between JL and Bronco here goes:
Bronco wins at: 2 door size/looks, manual transmission, steering/overall feel, seats, washout interior, I actually like the interior better than the red in the Rubicon, headlights (LED is nice), options (a 7MT with 35's in a 2 door doesn't happen from the factory with Jeep).
Jeep wins at: aftermarket availability, winch capability,and radio (it really does suck in the Bronco, although it is louder than the Jeep, just sounds not great).
Let me know if are in a similar boat and have questions.
Yep, I still have my 98 TJ. Great vehicle lots of fun. I don't know why so many people are complaining about not fitting into a Wrangler. Then again the obesity rate in the USA has hit around 40% yikes.
This is so true- unfortunately and maybe why vehicles have gotten so big. I wish I still had my 97 TJ. Perfect size vehicle for driving in general and especially 4 wheeling. I remember when after 2006 the last year of the TJ the JK came out in 2007. I was excited about the reveal....then I checked one out and it was HUGE! Never liked them right up until this day. But love those TJ's. And I fit in them fine being tall with very long legs. And there are a lot of vehicles I do not fit in due to my long legs- Toyota Tacoma being one.
