Seconds thoughts (remorse) about my Badlands

[Spooled]

oh I see..yea, I wasnt crazy familiar with the packages. I’ll double check the paperwork when I get home but it’s the standard package cuz it doesn’t have blind spot monitoring or dual zone AC

Ooof Badlands with standard package is a pretty undesirable configuration to most people. I would get rid of it now while the market is still inflated and get a lower trim with at least mid package, High package if you can.

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[MadMan4BamaNATL]

This tread started off kinda scary just thinking about what some of the responses would be; they’ve mostly been as predicted.

Here’s the thing; off-roading is very accessible as a hobby. Once you have the rig, all you then need to do is find a dirt road and drive. Keep it simple and you’ll stay out of most danger. Plus, getting outdoors is healthy and would be good for you and the family. Adventure wakens the soul!

I give the OP credit for being honest. He was going for a “look”, but knew he wasn’t the personification of it, but I’ll ask; why aren’t you? If you want to look like you do, then go do; it’s all it ever takes.

None of us can tell you to sell your ride, and an enthusiast forum isn’t the proper place to sound like a flipper, so you roll with that decision however you see fit.

Using the full capability shouldn’t be the bar for anyone. There are very few pro or Ultra4 guys around here, but there are a ton who think they are in their heads, so don’t let anything intimidate. Trial running ain’t track driving, so you or anyone else will be just fine.

 

[Scooter2]

Its an offroad tool. If I didnt offroad I would buy Platinum Explorer all day long over a Bronco. The quality/ long road comfort is night and day.

 

[Robs]

Hey all, let me start off by saying that this forum has been extremely helpful and wealth of information.. i’m new to this world, so I certainly had a lot to learn.
as per the title, I’m having second thoughts about my badlands, and I would love some feedback, or if you all could poke holes at my reasoning, or help me out with things that i may not be thinking about..
Here’s some background info: I don’t off-road, but I loved the looks of the bronco, and what I did want out of my next car was a stick shift transmission. I’ve been following Ford for a few months waiting for them to allow new orders with a manual transmission. Since that wasn’t happening, I took to the used market, specifically 2022, either black diamond or Badlands.

now, I mentioned that I don’t off-road, and the possibility that I do in the next few years is very low, I don’t have the time between work and kids, etc. I live in Florida, so the most would be maybe send, beach driving, if even that. So road driving for me more than 99.8% of the time.
Obviously, the base model would be more than enough to handle my needs, but I decided to step up to at least black diamond. However going for something that had few miles was important to me so I pulled the trigger on a 2022 badlands advanced that only has 2600 miles, and the ‘right’ color (area 51).
I picked up the car yesterday, about 150 miles away from me, and drove it home, thinking how gorgeous it is, but in the back of my mind I also kept thinking about how I will not make use of 99.9% of what it offers. At most maybe the 4A when we get Florida rain (although 4H would accomplish the same thing unless I’m mistaken).
Price was about 57K plus taxes, etc. but I am now wondering if I should sell it and instead buy a black diamond with similar, low miles, also a 2022 model. The orange vs blue makes no difference to me. The appearance differences in the grill and wheels also don’t matter to me, if anything, maybe the less aggressive wheels in the black diamond would help a bit with road comfort and a tad on mpg, so that would be welcomed for my use case.

I traded in my previous vehicle and paid the difference in cash so I own the car out right. If I went the black diamond route, I would probably save about 6–7 K which I could put towards a hard top maybe or just towards my savings account. and then sleep a bit better at night knowing that I will have a car that is much closer aligned to my needs and use, while still providing 99% functionality that I Won’t use day to day but is there in case I ever ever need it.

By the way. What I would have loved as silly as it sounds is remote keyless entry….without having to click the fob.
Lastly, if I was to build and order directly from Ford, I would have never gone with a badlands just because of my needs, but this just happened to be as a resale, and I thought about resale value and why not the extra bells and whistles. The very things that I am now asking myself if it’s even worth having and paying for if you’ll never use it.

Has anyone been in similar situation? does my reasoning make sense, or am I just experiencing buyers remorse here?

Sorry to say but i think you got shafted paying that much for a used Badlands, esp since that wasnt what you needed. I have a '23 black diamond in area 51 with the mid package (includes remote start and other bells/whistles) with the washout floor and marine grade vinyl seats etc.
I waited a year for it and paid $44K out the door -- i dont think you can go wrong if you go BD. I love mine and like you am relatively new to off roading. I've attended the Bronco Off Roadeo and learned alot about what the car is capable of , and moreso what I might be capable of. Initially thought i wouldnt do much rock crawling but man is it exciting even for the few times i have gone out locally here in NH. Mine is hard top but looking to go soft top once they figure out how to make one that lays flat in the back once retracted. The 32' steelies and rubber that comes with the BD are awesome - they do the job on rough terrain and are very well mannered on the highway, which is still where i spend most of the time. good luck with your decisions either way!

 

[Solfive]

I’m confused, Badlands comes standard with the Mid-package and therefore should have intelligent access. Am I missing something or misremembering?

 

[M7 23]

Keep what you got and drive it proudly! Unless you just like paying FL’s 6% sales tax a couple times over. And I assume you know there are trims more targeted to your use case…BD and BL are both targeting the off roaders, but are also the best looking (IMHO) So I get it.

 

[Spooled]

I’m confused, Badlands comes standard with the Mid-package and therefore should have intelligent access. Am I missing something or misremembering?

Mid is not standard on the Badlands.

 

[jbacon47]

If it makes you feel any better, 4A is leagues!! better than 4H in almost all situations. They are not remotely the same.

 

[new to bronco]

I think you will loose money if you trade in the badlands, unless you sell it privately.
I'd keep it and enjoy it, unless you don't want it

When I bought my jeep, first I wanted a willy s with some options, ended up going with a rubicon and have taken it out west on several off roading/camping trips. No regrets. The bronco was meant to be an in-town fun vehicle.

 

[new to bronco]

my son's big bend has the proximity/ touch-less entry, just saying

 

[Sardine]

At most maybe the 4A when we get Florida rain (although 4H would accomplish the same thing unless I’m mistaken).

That is incorrect. 4H is not the same as 4A. 4H should not be used just because it's raining. Your tires still have grip and will bind the drivetrain and cause damage over time. 4A doesn't suffer from this issue.

I wouldn't worry about not using the full capabilities of the Bronco. People like to poke fun at people who just use it for "mall crawling" but no one pokes fun at people who don't take their sports cars to the track.

 

[TNcoupe]

Ok, I’ll wade in. At the risk of being flogged for heresy, I wager 90% of the Broncos sold won’t be used to their fullest capabilities so I wouldn’t let that weigh too heavy in your decision.
Having said that, reading your post again it seems like you know your answer. I’m not going to tell you to keep or sell based on vehicle capability but rather your personal wants and needs.

It’s your vehicle so just get what you like. It’s a lot of money either way so be happy.
You can’t go wrong here. All options are good.

You could've closed the thread after the first reply.

 

[UtahBrandon]

Honestly, if it were me, I'd definitely go with a lower trim that better suits your needs, is easier on your wallet, and has fewer long-term failure points. You don't need the heavy bash plates, you don't need front lockers, the rock rails or the sway bar disconnect. All of those things are unnecessarily complex for you and add a lot of additional weight that is reflected in gas mileage. I think I have close to 30k miles on my Badlands and have averaged 15.7 over that period. I live in Utah, so I need/want those heavy features to climb over the rocks out here.

I'd go with a much lower trim with MGV that can take the Florida rain and sand, and that you're not going to worry much about.

 

[MillerAndCheeto]

The 4Runner is QUITE a capable vehicle. Yet 99% of them are driven by soccer moms that will never see even a gravel road, let alone a dirt trail or off-roading.

Don't beat yourself up.

 

[Non_Creative]

That is incorrect. 4H is not the same as 4A. 4H should not be used just because it's raining. Your tires still have grip and will bind the drivetrain and cause damage over time. 4A doesn't suffer from this issue.

I wouldn't worry about not using the full capabilities of the Bronco. People like to poke fun at people who just use it for "mall crawling" but no one pokes fun at people who don't take their sports cars to the track.

Thanks for clarifying!

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