Test Drive Causing Me to Re-evaluate

[_finack]

Totally agree. Folks buying Badlands or SAS with no plans to use the expensive mechanical bits these models come with

Honestly, I'm one of those buyers. I have never been off-roading in my life, yet I have a 2-door Badlands Sasquatch on order.

Blame how Ford packaged the trims. I want the features of Lux and hate the look of the Outer Banks non-Sasquatch. Wildtrack was intriguing but I like the modular steel bumper and wanted the rubberized interior instead of carpet.

If Ford put together the packages differently or made it more a la carte, I think you'd see many fewer Badlands orders.

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[RubyRedGT]

Honestly, I'm one of those buyers. I have never been off-roading in my life, yet I have a 2-door Badlands Sasquatch on order.

Blame how Ford packaged the trims. I want the features of Lux and hate the look of the Outer Banks non-Sasquatch. Wildtrack was intriguing but I like the modular steel bumper and wanted the rubberized interior instead of carpet.

If Ford put together the packages differently or made it more a la carte, I think you'd see many fewer Badlands orders.

Understood and good point. Ford did some funky and restrictive packaging for sure!

 

[RogueAce70]

The wife & I test drove the OB yesterday, has the softtop & I can attest that it was very loud but I had to remind myself that this is an off road vehicle not meant to be a Lux SUV; we are convertible people so we are use to the road noise but it still seems loud. The OB was a 4cyl had a lot of getup & go but the ride itself was not smooth, again its an Off Road vehicle; there will be a group & I’m sure it will be a large group that will not keep their purchase once they get them & drive them for a bit. As for me I can’t wait until I get my WT, this will be the 3rd Bronco I’ve owned.

 

[Winkydee]

Honestly, I'm one of those buyers. I have never been off-roading in my life, yet I have a 2-door Badlands Sasquatch on order.

Blame how Ford packaged the trims. I want the features of Lux and hate the look of the Outer Banks non-Sasquatch. Wildtrack was intriguing but I like the modular steel bumper and wanted the rubberized interior instead of carpet.

If Ford put together the packages differently or made it more a la carte, I think you'd see many fewer Badlands orders.

I would have had a Black Diamond with the Lux package, but I think I will like my BL 2dr MT 2.3L.

 

[KDR_83]

I’m not sure that’s all of us. I have a new JLUR that I bought while I wait for the MOD top and I love it. I thought when I test drove the Bronco I would be blown away and I wasn’t. I think, and I know I will get flamed for this, but the JLUR has a better over all interior.

I also feel like Ford made the ride so nice that it takes away from some of the fun of driving an off-road vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, it drives incredibly well, but I just enjoy the JLUR more.

I have a caveat though. I have driven a 2019 JLUS and it was awful, interior, and road feel. That said, Jeep fixed some of the steering issues in 2021, and the rubicon trim is not standard across the board in the Jeep’s. So I can see why a lot of people are saying how much better it is than older, lower trim JLs, I just think it’s not quite as amazing when compared to a loaded out 2021 JLUR.

edit:

There are features in the Bronco that I still want over the Jeep. The badlands MGV and washout floors. I agree with the other posters who have said the very nature of the Bronco’s utilitarian interior make it more likely that I will use it without worry.

Agree but maybe I'm bias as I have a rubicon gladiator with leather, the Jeeps interior materials felt more premium but I currently do have a badlands on order for the same reasons as you mentioned. I liked the feel of the mgv but the dash, center console, area around the window switches, etc feels like the same plastic used on a cheap sub $15K economy car.

 

[mpeugeot]

Honestly, I'm one of those buyers. I have never been off-roading in my life, yet I have a 2-door Badlands Sasquatch on order.

Blame how Ford packaged the trims. I want the features of Lux and hate the look of the Outer Banks non-Sasquatch. Wildtrack was intriguing but I like the modular steel bumper and wanted the rubberized interior instead of carpet.

If Ford put together the packages differently or made it more a la carte, I think you'd see many fewer Badlands orders.

I agree, I really didn't even want the OBX, but in the end, it was the build that made the most sense.

All I initially was trying to get was a base 2 door 2.7 manual transmission sasquatch with adaptive cruise control. I really wanted minimum weight and maximum torque. Well, that wasn't a possibility, not even close. I also didn't want vinyl seats, but could/might have endured it, had I seen them in person first.

The lowest trim that had adaptive cruise control was the OBX. I certainly didn't want the B&O sound system. Since the 2.7 isn't available with a manual, the OBX mandatory mall-crawler automatic was no longer a deal breaker. I also wanted the advanced 4x4 transfer case, but really didn't want 35's. The front locker would have been nice to have but not a deal breaker. I don't think that I will need the sway bar disconnect (although it was cool). However, those wheels on the OBX are horrible!!!

Looking back on it, I might have still been better off with a 2 Door 2.3 MT Badlands non-sasquatch with the high or lux package, but I already have a VIN.

 

[BadlandsCable]

After seeing you mentioned Camelback Ford, I headed over there after church this morning. I have a 2 door badlands on order with Sasquatch and if I ended up with this Wildtrack I would not be disappointed at all. Drove awesome and I thought power was great. My wife sat in the back and thought noise level was fine on street or highway and AC worked great. We are in Phoenix Arizona so a pretty good test for the AC and how well it works with even the soft top. I’m a first night reservations and still waiting to get confirmation and vin for my build and after the test drive it confirmed my waiting will be worth it. I can not wait to get my 2 dr Badlands lux Sasquatch. Headed to Nevada off-roadeo here in a couple weeks.

 

[Bituman]

Which dealer are you using? I have a reservation at Sanderson and have been waiting for them to get one in for a drive.

Camelback Ford

 

[Bituman]

Why do you have to reorder?

 

[BadlandsCable]

Camelback Ford

Thanks for sharing. It was awesome to finally test drive one.

 

[Awlthumz]

I came to the realization that this was a “toy” a long time ago. Still hoping the 2023 doesn’t disappoint in that endeavor.

 

[Bituman]

Why do you have to reorder?

My reservation was late enough to get 99ed to a MY22. Therefore, the dealer needs me to re-establish m order. Not sure I’m answering your question. Just going by what the dealer has asked me to do. I will be indicating the exact same order.

 

[Bituman]

Probably the typical Ford 10-speed tranny which tends to upshift far too aggressively, keeping you out of the power band. Sport mode will hold the gears longer.

I of course, have a much better solution. I ordered one with three pedals.

Would really like a manual tranny. But I would have to teach my lovely bride how to drive a manual, which might cause me to end up in divorce court.

 

[Bituman]

Do you know if it had the 4.27s with the rear locker or the open 3.73? Im wondering how the 2.3/auto/3.73s feel with the 32s.

Wildtrak is by definition a SAS. Therefore, it has the 4.7 rear end with locker.

Edited to show 4.7 rather than fat fingered 4.27, oops.

 

[Bituman]

so you are saying you need a 200 series Land Cruiser/LX 570

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check that out, seriously.

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