Second Thoughts on My 2025 2-Door Badlands Order – Anyone Else Feeling This?

JDFordfanatic

I placed my order for a 2025 2-door Bronco Badlands last month, but two features I really cared about aren’t available anymore—and it’s starting to weigh on me.

I had my heart set on Race Red and the 2.7L V6, but both were dropped for the 2-door Badlands this year. The more I think about it while waiting for delivery, the more I’m questioning whether I should cancel and wait to see if Ford brings these options back next year.

I’ve been waiting since 2021 to finally buy my Bronco. I held off intentionally to let the "new model bugs" get worked out and waited patiently while watching the platform evolve. Now, with the final build in the pipeline, it’s tough knowing it’s not exactly what I originally envisioned.

Every time I see a Race Red 2-door on the road, it reminds me of the look I fell in love with. And that V6 was something I wanted from the beginning—especially for the added torque and drivability. $68,000 is a big commitment, and I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m settling for less than what I truly want.

I’ve been a loyal Ford buyer since my first used 1979 F150 single cab short box in high school. Since then, I’ve ordered several new Fords—Expeditions, Mustangs, and a custom-ordered 2015 F250. This Bronco was supposed to be the one, but these missing features have me second-guessing.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of disappointment? Did you go through with the order anyway? I’d love to hear what the Bronco brotherhood thinks.

Yeah, if those things were really important to me, I would be rethinking my choices too.
Any chance there are left over '24s in the combo you are looking for? I noticed there are some available on Autotrader.

https://www.midwayfordtruck.com/new...-city-mo-37d92429ac181e99d7ffdaf37b16386e.htm

I would look around for a 24 or honestly wait until MY26. At this point in the year you may not even be able to get what you were settling for. Or let it ride and IF it gets made and delivered you can always decline to purchase it. Depending on production, they may release the new information prior to arrival. And remember, the new refresh will probably happen in 2026.

I agree. Get what you want.

Great points so far above.

I'll add that I've bought both my first Bronco and then my trade-in lightly used (600 miles on the first; 11,000 on the second). I would find what you truly want if possible. I understand wanting to see if bugs are worked out, but I've had no issues with my 2021s, and the 2-doors haven't gained many features that you would not have. It would take some work, but you may find a low mileage '21-23 Race Red with 2.7 and at a better price.

On the other hand, there are things I thought would complete my Bronco, but I haven't missed them at all. However, color and engine are big drivers, for sure.

Agree to get what you want.. Wait for next year and see if changes are made or find a 2024 still on a lot. Getting what you want will enable you to have 'No Ragrets'

If the dealer is a good one, and you have no scheduled build date or VIN, they should be able to cancel it and refund your deposit. Mine did for me anyway... But ONLY b/c there was no VIN or build date yet.

Thank you all for your input! No Ragrets! lol love it! I have been looking really seriously at the 2024's, there are a few that are almost exactly what I want, however, they don't have the new raptor instrument cluster. 😔. I think possibly hanging on to my order knowing I am still in the cancel phase and seeing what they offer for the 2026 is a great idea. Hopefully Ford will give a sneak preview to the 2026's.

I haven't received the VIN yet so the dealer is not requiring a down payment until that point. I think the down payment is probably my decision point on whether to cancel or hold out for 2026.

Yep, colors aren’t deal breakers for me but the 2.7, 2dr, and Sasquatch are must have. Don’t know if I would have bought one without any of those.

My buddy’s wife has a MY22 Wildtrack 4-door. He would tell me how much he hated that thing. So I was surprised when later he traded his Supra for a Iconic Silver MY 24 2-door nosquatch badlands for himself, he has the 2.3l added a lift and 37” and aftermarket bumpers. He did add the ford performance tune and he loves that thing.
Maybe see if your dealership has a 2-door 4 banger and see if you can live without the 2.7l.
I don’t miss the 2.7l in my Everglades which is the heaviest trim bronco, besides the Braptor. Also you can try the one you ordered and if you just can’t live with the tiny motor you can trade it on a V6. At least this way you can get out and enjoy the Bronco life.

JDFordfanatic

Thank you all for your input! No Ragrets! lol love it! I have been looking really seriously at the 2024's, there are a few that are almost exactly what I want, however, they don't have the new raptor instrument cluster. 😔. I think possibly hanging on to my order knowing I am still in the cancel phase and seeing what they offer for the 2026 is a great idea. Hopefully Ford will give a sneak preview to the 2026's.

The Raptor style instrument cluster is a fairly simple swap if that is a must have. The 2.3 to a 2.7 is not as easy. I wouldn't let the gauge cluster hold you back if you found something that met all your other criteria. Personally I would find a '24 model sitting on a dealer lot and work a deal. If it has a no-sale due to recalls you may have to wait until the fix is available but by then you should be able to cut a great deal since the '25s will be out.

Rydfree

The Raptor style instrument cluster is a fairly simple swap if that is a must have. I wouldn't let the gauge cluster hold you back if you found something that met all your other criteria.

The Raptor instrument cluster is nice but I kinda dig the 'Calm' instrument cluster in my 23 Badlands.. I realize I am in the minority as a lot of peope complain / dislike the 'calm' cluster ---> but I dig it.. 👍

I guess another thing to think about is, are you going to regret more going out and making memories with a Bronco with a half digital guage cluster or regret waiting on the perfect Bronco that may never exist.
Don’t let perfection stand in the way of making perfect memories.

I'd walk and wait to be able to purchase exactly what you're looking for. As you indicated, you haven't even left a deposit, so in the dealer's eyes, you're not even committed to the sale. The transaction is pending, not complete.

Case in point: I ordered and took delivery of a 2023 2.7L V6 Bronco Badlands Sasquatch. It took 14 months to arrive from order to delivery. I absolutely love it, more so now than when I first took delivery.

However, at one point, I started thinking how cool it would be to drive a stick again, so I virtually built one online (a 2-door Race Red Heritage Edition model) and then asked my dealer to let me know what it would cost out the door. Rather than just provide a figure, they ordered one for me, to my exact specifications. No deposit, no security, no nothin'. Long story short, I monitored its progress through the production cycle, tracked its progress across the country via rail trackers, and saw it arrive at the dealership. Everything was fine up until the test drive. I was less than impressed. It felt underpowered. I knew it wouldn't have the torque the V6 had, but thought I might get accustomed to it. In retrospect, I knew I was lying to myself. I would never be satisfied with driving what I perceived to be a weaker alternative.

Then we talked numbers and that sealed the deal. Or should I say "no deal," as they couldn't give me enough for my Badlands to make it worth my while. So I walked. No problem. The dealer understood. They sold the vehicle they had inadvertently ordered on my behalf shortly thereafter. The only thing unique about the situation is that you can't even order a 2-door Heritage Edition Bronco any more. They're only available as a 4-door now. So there's that. Oh well...

The simple truth is that I would have felt I was getting less than I wanted and I would be reminded of that every month when the payment came due. My advice is to just walk away from the deal. Buy what you want, when you want.

Here's what I walked away from:


And I have no "ragerts" about it. 😜

JDFordfanatic

I placed my order for a 2025 2-door Bronco Badlands last month, but two features I really cared about aren’t available anymore—and it’s starting to weigh on me.

I had my heart set on Race Red and the 2.7L V6, but both were dropped for the 2-door Badlands this year. The more I think about it while waiting for delivery, the more I’m questioning whether I should cancel and wait to see if Ford brings these options back next year.

I’ve been waiting since 2021 to finally buy my Bronco. I held off intentionally to let the "new model bugs" get worked out and waited patiently while watching the platform evolve. Now, with the final build in the pipeline, it’s tough knowing it’s not exactly what I originally envisioned.

Every time I see a Race Red 2-door on the road, it reminds me of the look I fell in love with. And that V6 was something I wanted from the beginning—especially for the added torque and drivability. $68,000 is a big commitment, and I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m settling for less than what I truly want.

I’ve been a loyal Ford buyer since my first used 1979 F150 single cab short box in high school. Since then, I’ve ordered several new Fords—Expeditions, Mustangs, and a custom-ordered 2015 F250. This Bronco was supposed to be the one, but these missing features have me second-guessing.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of disappointment? Did you go through with the order anyway? I’d love to hear what the Bronco brotherhood thinks.

The only disappointment I've had was wait 24 years after having to sell my 1967 due to family move. I just bought my 2024 Race Red 2-Door when we were on our 39th anniversary down in FL a month ago. Looking at two brand new, both Reace Red...The V6 version was 2 hours north of where we were staying and the 2.3L was in Fort Meyer, 40 minutes away. We went and checked it out, totally impressed with everything about it! Race Red (rare color I guess) Black Diamond was optioned up already as well, for ~$46K. No let down at all. My 67 had Hi-PO 289 and modded with 3.5" lift 31"/10.50's and 3 different tops....My new ride 100%+ and worth the 24 wait. The 4 cyl turbo power and torque are great! But I'm old LOL I get my huge power fix from my Fairlane...LOL Good Luck

Jakob1972

I guess another thing to think about is, are you going to regret more going out and making memories with a Bronco with a half digital guage cluster or regret waiting on the perfect Bronco that may never exist.
Don’t let perfection stand in the way of making perfect memories.

Excellent comment...I did my wait time and really did want to see how the new Retro Bronco faired out for a few years...Exactly, Perfection will get in the way, just get in and enjoy the road/off-road. Bigger, Better, more Bad comes in every (next) model year and will leave you waiting for the next tease.