More Initial Impressions with slightly different perspective

[NCOBX]

Yeah, I'm starting to second guess my purchase. Lots of reports of cheap quality interior materials... My Bronco build is more expensive than a mid level Defender 90. While it could be argued the Defender is not as capable, I'm starting to wonder if I'm getting what I'm paying for....

I know, I know, it's all about the capability and they are not directed towards the same consumers, but I really don't want to be paying 70k for Ford Escape quality materials... maybe I expected too much...

That’s a bit unreasonable, your more concerned about material quality over off-road capability. You are searching the wrong segment of vehicles.

You may get Ford Escape quality materials on the Bronco but you get Ford Escape off-road ability with the Defender. I see no way possible to compare a BoF SUV to a unibody crossover on off-road capability.

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[Fordmanbob]

For those of you rethinking their purchase...
Buy what you want....freedom is wonderful...whining is not

 

[Old Guy]

Take out the "small outside footprint" and I think it's totally doable. A car doesn't have to feel cheap or compact to be rugged. Just look at the Land Cruiser or the Defender. I'm sure Ford was deliberate in their design of the interior space so I'm good with whatever it is. I'm not expecting it to be like a full-size truck. But, I also don't think there is anything wrong with providing a premium interior with premium materials if people are willing to pay for it.

In this case, I think Steve Jobs said it best when referring to the whole Foxconn debacle. He said that people couldn't afford an iPhone if it were made in America. And, he's right. Our manufacturers aren't set up to provide a high level of quality at a realistic price point.

I suppose another factor could be that Ford's primary market isn't the BFL consumer. Although I don't have any data to back it up. A quick glance on the forums suggests that quite a few members rotate cars quite frequently and have several cars at a time So maybe the big three tend to focus less towards long term ownership.

looks like your two examples are cars that are $20K more? Doesn't seem a fair comparison, but maybe I am just confused once again.

 

[Old Guy]

I for one never asked for a "plush inside" interior, I think what people don't understand, some of just don't want:

1. A cheap plastic dash that cracks in a few years.
2. A cheap leather covered steering wheel, if it even has one, don't care, that does not fall apart in a few years.
3. Seats that don't sag when new, as we have seen in many of the photos.

We don't know if the dash will crack, that is supposition, without any actual information.
We don't know that it will have issues in a couple years either.
The seats are sagging, they appear to be not perfectly fitted to the contours.

So it seems, we are complaining about things that haven't occurred yet? I mean, what is the expectation from Ford on this? If they spruced up the interior to match the more upscale brands, all we would hear is about the outrageous price. Its a great value for its intended purpose, and what it is competing against. I mean, the Wrangler both the JK which I have and the JL my friend has is nothing special, its all plastic.

Lots of folks want it for the "rugged" nostalgia factor, without the rugged. smile

 

[Chcg12]

Lucky you on getting to see them in person!! I'm scheduled to see them April 24th at an event in the Chicagoland area, so I'm excited!! I ordered a Big Bend Velocity Blue 4DR from Granger!!

Where is the event in the Chicago area? Thanks

 

[RedHotFuzz]

If you're going Base, it's one hell of a deal. There is an argument to be made that the Base Bronco, no-cost-options rig at $28K is possibly the most compelling and capable new vehicle available under $30K in any class by any OEM.

Agreed. When I look at it critically, I'm not really getting all that much more in my $48k BD. At least not $20k more. Of course, if many of us weren't buying the $48k+ models, Ford wouldn't be able to afford to sell a $28k model anyway.

 

[ehssey]

Yeah, I'm starting to second guess my purchase. Lots of reports of cheap quality interior materials... My Bronco build is more expensive than a mid level Defender 90. While it could be argued the Defender is not as capable, I'm starting to wonder if I'm getting what I'm paying for....

I know, I know, it's all about the capability and they are not directed towards the same consumers, but I really don't want to be paying 70k for Ford Escape quality materials... maybe I expected too much...

NGL, I am beginning to feel the same way. Compound the fact that the wait and delays have diluted my excitement.
I will be at a preview event this coming Saturday. I hope it assuages my fears, however, if I leave feeling disappointed, I may have to pull the plug on my order. iGuess we will see.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Seats that don't sag when new, as we have seen in many of the photos.

Welcome to automotive "leather" in this price class. Which is why I'm thrilled Ford is offering MGV. I don't want fart-collecting cloth and I don't want saggy leather. MGV FTW.

 

[KANE COUNTY ILLINOIS]

Where is the event in the Chicago area? Thanks

Its in a parking lot at 18W200 Butterfield Rd Villa Park 60181! It's titled "Chicago West." I googled the address and it shows a random building and it says its Oak Brook versus Villa Park. I think they were scheduled for several days around April 23rd. I have my reservation on April 24th. I know there's a thread on the forum, around March 19th, where everyone is talking about the events! I believe there's one indoors in Tinley Park.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

I know, I know, it's all about the capability and they are not directed towards the same consumers, but I really don't want to be paying 70k for Ford Escape quality materials... maybe I expected too much...

This is always the peril of going up-trim. Ultimately the top-of-the-line trim is of equivalent quality to the entry-level trim, despite the huge price gap. You're not getting upgraded plastics on that thing no matter how many expensive package upgrades you select.

Conversely you could always buy the entry-level trim on a more expensive vehicle to get all the quality materials, but then you don't get all the gadgets and doo-dads.

As I mentioned before, I just wish the Big 3 would figure out how to offer me a VW-quality interior at VW/Big 3 prices. Domestic auto interiors have always been a major turn-off to me (hence the reason my 2016 Durango is the only domestic I've owned since I was 16). At least with the Bronco they kept the design simple and the lines clean, questionable plastics notwithstanding.

 

[ehssey]

That’s a bit unreasonable, your more concerned about material quality over off-road capability. You are searching the wrong segment of vehicles.

You may get Ford Escape quality materials on the Bronco but you get Ford Escape off-road ability with the Defender. I see no way possible to compare a BoF SUV to a unibody crossover on off-road capability.

This is ridiculous. Why is it unreasonable for someone to expect a certain level of material quality when spending a large amount of money? The inside and the capability are part of the entire package, regardless of the intended use. If the inside quality isn’t up to par for any given person, that’s their prerogative. To be so flippant about it is pure assumption and ignorant posturing.

 

[BenB007]

looks like your two examples are cars that are $20K more? Doesn't seem a fair comparison, but maybe I am just confused once again.

If you are talking about the part where I pointed out that capability and luxury are not mutually exclusive, I think my point stands and the cars to which I referred accommodate both. Price has nothing to do with that statement.

If you are talking about economies of scale where I did not mention any comparisons, other than the iPhone, it's just my opinion that the big three are in a race to the bottom to become the Walmart brand of vehicles. Doesn't mean they suck, it just means they are focused on quantity over quality and aren't really set up to build cars of the same quality as their European and Asian competitors. Feel free to prove me wrong.

 

[BenB007]

That’s a bit unreasonable, your more concerned about material quality over off-road capability. You are searching the wrong segment of vehicles.

You may get Ford Escape quality materials on the Bronco but you get Ford Escape off-road ability with the Defender. I see no way possible to compare a BoF SUV to a unibody crossover on off-road capability.

This seems a little ridiculous to me. Firstly, if the vehicle doesn't have quality materials, it's going to fall apart pretty quickly (especially in some of the conditions Ford is touting). Secondly, there is no indication whatsoever that the Bronco is any more capable off-road than the Defender. Perhaps it can be. Perhaps it should be. It has features like removable roof and a wide variety of off-road aftermarket accessories that are lacking on the Defender. But comparing a Defender to an Escape is just plain silly.

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