Would you rather Black Diamond (mid) vs Base with Sasquatch

[JeffL]

Both being 2-doors v6 autos....would you rather.....

Black Diamond with mid package or Base with only Sasquatch package? my idea of off roading is driving down snow covered roads.

(i have a deposit on the base it's ready to go, the black diamond is still in limbo 15 months after order. MSRP is about the same ~$43k)

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[ChrisB351]

I compared both. I chose BD mid due to the extra features and mgv interior. Heated seats and remote start were important to me. The extra stuff included in sas wasnt worth it to me as most of it will be upgraded with aftermarket anyway.

 

[LazygonInfinity]

It came down to these two builds for me as well (but the 4-door versions because I have kids). I ended up going with the Base Sasquatch over Black Diamond non-Sasquatch, and I am happy with my decision. For a similar price point, I get a far more capable off-roader and I assumed that it will hold value better than a non-Sasquatch Bronco.

However, the Mid Package was not a factor for me. I considered the non-Sasquatch Black Diamond because I wanted marine grade vinyl seats, a washout floor, and knew it would behave better on-road than the Base Sasquatch. In the end, having a manufacturer's warrantied upgraded suspension, tires, wheels, and lockers was too much value to pass on for the few additional things the Black Diamond offered.

 

[Thingfish]

Do they both have the advanced 4x4 which gives you the 4A mode option? Helps if snowy roads are in its mission. Also you mentioned snow…remote start and heated seats are amazing to have in our Badlands. Hard to give those up in our house. If you have an attached garage probably less of a needed feature. In NE nothing nicer in the dark morning than letting the snow and ice melt before jumping in your toasty seats.

Heated seats also really extend the use of topless/doorless driving for more of the year if you plan to do that…also nice for a cold snap or just an unexpectedly chilly summer evening caught out after dinner with the roof off etc…

The MGV seats have been really nice this winter, but it remains to be seen how we like them through the summer. Certainly the durability is nice to have…

I love having the lockers the Sas would give you, but if you really don’t expect to take it offroad (and the standard 4X4 is very good anyway) than the Sas is more of an appearance pkg for you and it does look cool, but the BD pkg being 32” is pretty good looking too and you can always go bigger later. Our BL is non-Sas and the 33” tires look really good in person to me. I was worried because in pictures the Sas looks night and day better, but in person the BL and BD definitely look good too. Sitting next to a Sas in a parking lot the BL on 33’s is barely noticeably lower.

Sas is a cool pkg, but not everyone loves the tires for durability. Some feel Ford went light to save MPG vs other 35’s, but they damage and wear easily. One person suggested you might only get 20,000 miles out of them vs 50,000 out of the BD or BL tires…and 35’s are not cheap to replace/mount/balance. I’m not an expert, just sharing what I’d be weighing.

For me BD with mid pkg probably wins for usefulness and seasonal versatility.

Sas is a little bit “cooler”, but the BD can get there later if you want it.

Lockers? Not a factor for you maybe.

Resale? After all of this I’d want to drive the Bronco I want to drive the most rather than the one the NEXT guy might want more.

Last thought is honestly these Broncos are so fun to drive you are probably going to love either one so at the end of the day whichever one tickles you most is the one you should get. For a lot of folks the Sas just puts a big smile on their face and that matters.

 

[BlueBronco]

Were you able to cancel the BD order and use the $2500 rebate towards the Base-Squatch? Or able to apply any price protection rebates associated with the BD order?

 

[Kickit]

I’ve got the BD mid and at times wish I had a little more ground clearance that the SAS would have provided. But that’s an easy aftermarket modification that I plan on doing. The steel bash plates have saved me quite a few times. And honestly the times I’ve needed more ground clearance have more to do with driver error

But can I survive the cold without seat warmers? Now that I’ve had them I’ll never go without. And the MGV seats? Clutch.

I don’t want those cloth seats holding onto a fart for the next five years. So go black diamond, if for no other reason than keeping your a$$ warm and not smelling like a constant reminder of everything you’ve ever eaten in there.

 

[lemonslush]

Do they both have the advanced 4x4 which gives you the 4A mode option? Helps if snowy roads are in its mission. Also you mentioned snow…remote start and heated seats are amazing to have in our Badlands. Hard to give those up in our house. If you have an attached garage probably less of a needed feature. In NE nothing nicer in the dark morning than letting the snow and ice melt before jumping in your toasty seats.

Heated seats also really extend the use of topless/doorless driving for more of the year if you plan to do that…also nice for a cold snap or just an unexpectedly chilly summer evening caught out after dinner with the roof off etc…

The MGV seats have been really nice this winter, but it remains to be seen how we like them through the summer. Certainly the durability is nice to have…

I love having the lockers the Sas would give you, but if you really don’t expect to take it offroad (and the standard 4X4 is very good anyway) than the Sas is more of an appearance pkg for you and it does look cool, but the BD pkg being 32” is pretty good looking too and you can always go bigger later. Our BL is non-Sas and the 33” tires look really good in person to me. I was worried because in pictures the Sas looks night and day better, but in person the BL and BD definitely look good too. Sitting next to a Sas in a parking lot the BL on 33’s is barely noticeably lower.

Sas is a cool pkg, but not everyone loves the tires for durability. Some feel Ford went light to save MPG vs other 35’s, but they damage and wear easily. One person suggested you might only get 20,000 miles out of them vs 50,000 out of the BD or BL tires…and 35’s are not cheap to replace/mount/balance. I’m not an expert, just sharing what I’d be weighing.

For me BD with mid pkg probably wins for usefulness and seasonal versatility.

Sas is a little bit “cooler”, but the BD can get there later if you want it.

Lockers? Not a factor for you maybe.

Resale? After all of this I’d want to drive the Bronco I want to drive the most rather than the one the NEXT guy might want more.

Last thought is honestly these Broncos are so fun to drive you are probably going to love either one so at the end of the day whichever one tickles you most is the one you should get. For a lot of folks the Sas just puts a big smile on their face and that matters.

great points you made. For a daily that wont go off road much cool looks aside. I would rather go BD with 4auto, mid pkg, ht and either engine option. Smaller tires would be better on road logically and it does come with the metal bumpers and bash plates. If ya wanted to off road do some 33's on the stock tires and you should have enough clearance for some easy off road but already of the steel bash protection that the BASE SAS wont have oddly. Granted heated seats can be added aftermarket, you miss out on some of the ford safety tech also. If I was putting little kids in the car safety would be the most important thing for me so I would need the mid pkg. If its a spare car or no kids then sas base all day cause it looks cool and most likely would have a better resale value.

 

[tractorcrusher]

I chose BD for the rock sliders, water proof seats, and steelies... with plans to order SAS later (at the time you couldn't order SAS with 7mt). Then I decided not to modify my order because I didn't want to possibly delay production.

Now I'm planning on 35s with no lift because I don't really want to go any higher up than what the additional tire size is going to give me.

I'm not going to tell you what to do but I am very happy I went with BD over base.

 

[Moto26]

When we ordered our ‘21 BD, Cyber Orange wasn’t available on Base or even BB, so the BD was a no brainer. When they announced CO on Base models in ‘22 we were a little bummed, because a Base Sasquatch would have been priced nearly identical to our BD mid…

However, looking back, we are totally fine with our choice. We put 34” tires on (285/75-17), and now our ride height is virtually the same as a stock BL. We could always add some coilovers for extra ground clearance if we need to. We have the full skid plates and the rear locker. The heated MGV seats are nice, as is the remote-start key fob.

The only thing we don’t have is the front locker, and frankly I don’t think we’re going to go anywhere where we’d need one. The rear locker gets you 95% of the way there. We didn’t opt for 4A because we never drive in snow, but it’s a stand-alone option, so you could add that if you need it.

So yeah, some nice creature comforts and plenty of capability vs. ultimate rock-crawling ability…? We’re happy with the BD Mid.

 

[NVCowboy]

Having a Bronco is half the battle. Buy now, leave #2 in order status. Touch #2 when it gets here and figure out which one you like. I ended up with Big Bend Squatch NOW versus my standard BD wheneverthehell it gets here. I'm happy every day. I'm gonna have to buy skids and eventually better tires, but Having a Bronco is half the battle.

 

[JT58Bronc]

I had a BD as my initial reservation. I changed it to Basesquatch for the final order. I love the Basesquatch and made the right decision. I wanted the larger tires, proper gearing for the 35" tires, slight life and Bilstein suspension. Cloth seats too. I just don't like the advanced 4WD where everything spins all the time. Did not know it was going to come that way.

 

[JeffL]

thanks all, great points.

The BD i have on order does not have the advanced transfer case. I don't qualify for the $2500 back as I have none of the constraints they want removed.

I'm going to finalize the deal and get the base SAS today, the only thing I feel I'd miss are the heated seats really, base will still allow me to remote start just with the app just not the key fob which is super strange to me but whatever. the advanced transfer case and SAS wheels/tires make up the difference to me I think. The thing that really bothers me is the plastic steering wheel but if I can find the part number for the leather one that should be an easy fix. The fact i can have the base SAS now is also playing into this decision as I have no word when the BD i have ordered is going to be built.

I also love this badge:

 

[Bonz50]

I was debating this myself, I think I'll be going BD Mid as well. tho I'll go with 4dr and probably I-4 engine

 

[Thingfish]

thanks all, great points.

The BD i have on order does not have the advanced transfer case. I don't qualify for the $2500 back as I have none of the constraints they want removed.

I'm going to finalize the deal and get the base SAS today, the only thing I feel I'd miss are the heated seats really, base will still allow me to remote start just with the app just not the key fob which is super strange to me but whatever. the advanced transfer case and SAS wheels/tires make up the difference to me I think. The thing that really bothers me is the plastic steering wheel but if I can find the part number for the leather one that should be an easy fix. The fact i can have the base SAS now is also playing into this decision as I have no word when the BD i have ordered is going to be built.

I also love this badge:

Sounds good, and as one person pointed out - the Bronco you have now is the best Bronco. You will be loving it. Anything you wind up missing can be addressed later. Once you are driving it you’ll have to think pretty hard to remember what you were “missing”. Congrats and prepare for all the fun!

 

[Rspayde]

I screwed the pooch and did not check the 4A box when ordering as I was converting from a Big Bend to a BD. The 4A was not an option on the BB. But I have yet to need it and live in the south so likely never will be in a situation that will require long fast 4wd use.

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