Looked at a Raptor yesterday

Sulley

We have a Raptor locally, at a good dealer that sells for sticker to locals. Took it for a quick test drive, obviously didn’t get to take it off road. I had been planning to sell the Badlands to get rid of some of the features that irk me (like the really terrible gauge cluster), it’s really tempting but the Raptor is just so wide … I can’t imagine taking it on some of the narrow little trails we have here. Most of them were broken in by Jeeps a decade or more ago, and my Badlands even sometimes feels awkward on them.

Do you think Ford will ever let Bronco owners buy the quality of the Raptor (digital cluster, nicer seats, more solid overall ride, maybe even the engine) in a trim level with the track width of a Sasquatch Bronco? For this kind of money, had really expected more. Now maybe nine months in, and really struggling to stay in love with this Bronco anymore.

That is a fair quick review based on your situation. The Raptor does seem a bit wide but its mostly fenders. Can they be removed for trail rides like on other models?

Having now been on both sides of the spectrum (a) being a badlands owner and addict essentially to (b) selling it for X reasons after 17 months owning it. Im still on here talking about it so bronco couldn't have been all that bad right.

The 6th gen bronco debut was a special vehicle released during a special time (good or bad). However, what has really intrigued me the last 17 months since we bought/sold ours is watching the absolutely incredible rise of the bronco as it ascended off the charts in 2021 with handfuls selling for 100-200K at auction to now seeing owners selling em in droves for a loss stacking up on dealer lots. Cold winter doesn't help bc cant trail ride as much if at all.

Lets be clear, there are a number of other reasons why the bronco started to decend over the last year unrelated to the vehicle itself (gas prices, pandemic ending, inflation, interest rates rising, cost of living, recession, deflation etc). All played a role.

But I have to believe many folks like you are just burnt out and/or realized it wasn't what they were looking for in a daily driver. Honeymoon ended. Now in my 40s rowing a 7MT on 37s daily was like a second job lol but one I enjoyed a lot when in the mood. Fun as hell! But not every day. I think a lack of practicality and sticking out like a soar thumb are likely the biggest downfalls of the bronco BUT also its best characteristics. Its there when you are ready for that chapter in your life and I like that. Merica.

Also some bronco quality issues likely affecting current status. Especially during roll out like the 2.7 engine blowing up daily in 2021, order delivery delay times continuing, parts restraints and more. Understandable 2-3yrs ago. Now not so much. To be fair sounds like 2.7 engine issues are fixed. So that is good.

Regardless of opinion, the bronco is a pretty cool and capable offroad gem. I miss mine for the sentimental/fun value but also don't miss the things I didnt like. Its really strange. I'm usually happy or sad to sell a vehicle...not both.

FWIW if sitting side by side I would've chosen my old badlands over the raptor any day.

You get me, my friend. The Badlands is a great vehicle. It’s wonderful for family adventures, mechanically very capable, and a great balance between drivability and off-roading. It also has some not so great things about it. I don’t know how much longer I can look at the god awful gauge cluster, for example. I’m going deaf driving it around- even with a hard top. The Raptor felt better all around, engine was amazing, and if it wasn’t so much wider I’d have bought it on the spot. Jeep is the same way. I looked at a Rubicon, feels good and bad. Definitely not a family road trip vehicle. One day maybe we will all get what we want.

I do feel like this fits under the "nothing is perfect" category right; and it is a great discussion to have. Some days I'm annoyed with the self imposed limitations I've created by taking the roof off, but then other days the weather is perfect and there's no place I'd rather be than even just going to pick up the kids in the squatch, let alone going on a trail drive. Every car I've ever had has had drawbacks to go along with the benefits right? Too little power for its class. Too much noise to go along with power. Understeer. Lack of wireless apple auto. Uncomfortable suspension built for the track. Whatever it may be there's always a give and take right.
At this stage in my life this thing is exactly what I have been looking for, with a great balance between modern conveniences and ruggedness. There are definitely things I'd change about it, some which exist and some don't. It's a good thing to keep evaluating though!

Sulley

We have a Raptor locally, at a good dealer that sells for sticker to locals. Took it for a quick test drive, obviously didn’t get to take it off road. I had been planning to sell the Badlands to get rid of some of the features that irk me (like the really terrible gauge cluster), it’s really tempting but the Raptor is just so wide … I can’t imagine taking it on some of the narrow little trails we have here. Most of them were broken in by Jeeps a decade or more ago, and my Badlands even sometimes feels awkward on them.

Do you think Ford will ever let Bronco owners buy the quality of the Raptor (digital cluster, nicer seats, more solid overall ride, maybe even the engine) in a trim level with the track width of a Sasquatch Bronco? For this kind of money, had really expected more. Now maybe nine months in, and really struggling to stay in love with this Bronco anymore.

I do think (some of those features)will be available in the (non Raptor) Broncos eventually.
My guess would be in the Heritage edition probably. But likely for marketing reasons and in the form of
Cluster gear package or some sort of sport seats package. But a couple or few years from now.
I do agree with the above stated as
(Not what SOME people were expecting for a daily driver) ,
The early reservations as in (first 24 hours) was two maybe three groups from what I’ve seen.

Group 1- always wanted a first gen but NEW & waited / watching / researching when and if it will ever get built / released.

Group 2 - always looking for the best off-roader available researching to see if the Bronco fits the bill.

Group 3 -keeps track of the Automotive industry in general & always looking into buying the latest hyped vehicle (usually connections with someone in order to get it early)
And flip while the market is new and hot .

None are wrong or right in my opinion.

Some people buy a new car every other year,

Some buy them one and done,

& Some turns out this Bronco thing isn’t what they expected or needed.

If Ford keeps their routine…
The 6 Gen Bronco will change into a 7gen within the next 4 or 5 years.

If they change their routine,
They’ll generally follow Jeep and somewhat keep the same width / wheelbase / profile for the foreseeable future.

Just an opinion here,
As the OP question is for opinion answers .
Note…
I did say first 24hr reservations.

A view from a slightly differing perspective (65 and recently retired)… and still in the honeymoon

First, to the OP’s question… Yes, I would guess features from the Raptor will make it to the more standard flavored Broncos… its a common theme with automakers to try things in one trim and eventually, if popular, to make said things available to us mere mortals.

Now to the Bronco. My first car was a 1970 Bronco bought for $1500 with 145,000 miles on it in 1976. It was a daily driver for many years, and served well. However, it was loud (cherry bombs will do that), rattly, cold in the winter, and just what I needed at that point in my life…. Alas, kids started coming and money forced me to sell my beast after about six years, for the same price i bought her for.

I romanticize to this day about that rig, but I know today my 65 year old body and tastes have changed enough that such a rig wouldn’t make me happy. The rebirth of the Bronco, even with all the compromises they had to make in order to pull it off, has in my opinion, been nothing short of amazing.

To have a modern vehicle with the technological wizardry (most of which we don’t see) AND off-road capability, AND one that is rivaled perhaps only by jeep in modification“ability” is a true marvel in modern auto-making.

Are there things that I would do differently? Of course! But overall, this vehicle checks more boxes for me than any vehicle I’ve had in a long, long, LONG time!

On my list for 7g…. Hybrid with Pro-power, true(r) lane keeping (like the escape), and a little higher tow rating.

Otherwise, I’m golden!

Sulley

Do you think Ford will ever let Bronco owners buy the quality of the Raptor (digital cluster, nicer seats, more solid overall ride, maybe even the engine) in a trim level with the track width of a Sasquatch Bronco? For this kind of money, had really expected more. Now maybe nine months in, and really struggling to stay in love with this Bronco anymore.

I don't think it's that Ford "won't" let you buy anything.......but rather what will you have the option to buy in the future! Just a couple years ago the debate was......will anyone actually take the Bronco off road like a Jeep.....It's tooooooo wide, blah, blah, blah!!!! Then it was, Ohhhh look, look at the Bronco Raptor.....while Jeep ram horns a Hemi motor to create a Rubicon 392. Naturally in the world just a few years ago, it was normal to think, one halo vehicles features would trickle down into its more common models......and its likely the Raptor dash and perhaps a few other unique items will buuuuuut.......will the Bronco as we know it, be the same???? In the current reality, with most things going Hybrid, PZE, Plug-in Hybrid or all electric......I'd get my ass whatever you think you like now before you can't! I have no doubt vehicles (Bronco included) will get better in some form or another......but I don't really know if I'll like that form! I guess the question is, you know what you got today but would you want that fancy dash encapsulated in something that has some other "items" you don't like......or compromised some other way......maybe all electric? #no-right-answers! 💁 😑

I dunno......

Class......discuss.

I think an all electric bronco would be ideal, honestly.
😐

magicrobots

I think an all electric bronco would be ideal, honestly.
😐

baby steps! The hybrid, or PHEV, should give the best of both worlds.

magicrobots

I think an all electric bronco would be ideal, honestly.
😐

Don't know about that. Test drove a 4xe for my wife, the 25 miles you're supposed to get only got her maybe 4 or 5 before it died, that was on full charge. The battery technology doesn't seem to be as good as advertised. We ended up getting her a 23 Grand Cherokee, which has amazing tech, but the thing has already been in the shop twice for issues.

Sulley

Don't know about that. Test drove a 4xe for my wife, the 25 miles you're supposed to get only got her maybe 4 or 5 before it died, that was on full charge. The battery technology doesn't seem to be as good as advertised. We ended up getting her a 23 Grand Cherokee, which has amazing tech, but the thing has already been in the shop twice for issues.

Dang that sounds terrible.
Personally, I just really love the idea of mechanical simplicity that electric driveline affords.
I also love the flexibility of power supply - plug into the wall, plug into a generator, plug into a solar panel, etc. I definitely get that the tech has a long way to go considering the current market, but we're talking dreams here right? :-D

Sulley

We have a Raptor locally, at a good dealer that sells for sticker to locals. Took it for a quick test drive, obviously didn’t get to take it off road. I had been planning to sell the Badlands to get rid of some of the features that irk me (like the really terrible gauge cluster), it’s really tempting but the Raptor is just so wide … I can’t imagine taking it on some of the narrow little trails we have here. Most of them were broken in by Jeeps a decade or more ago, and my Badlands even sometimes feels awkward on them.

Do you think Ford will ever let Bronco owners buy the quality of the Raptor (digital cluster, nicer seats, more solid overall ride, maybe even the engine) in a trim level with the track width of a Sasquatch Bronco? For this kind of money, had really expected more. Now maybe nine months in, and really struggling to stay in love with this Bronco anymore.

I guess I'm lucky in that I really like the cluster. I feel it's a nice fusion of old and new. I like having the analog needle but still having digital that can be adjusted. I especially like the option to have gauges up to know what's going on woth vital moving parts. It will certainly not age as badly as pretty much everything from the mid seventies to mid nineties cars.

OrangecrushBronco

I guess I'm lucky in that I really like the cluster. I feel it's a nice fusion of old and new. I like having the analog needle but still having digital that can be adjusted. I especially like the option to have gauges up to know what's going on woth vital moving parts. It will certainly not age as badly as pretty much everything from the mid seventies to mid nineties cars.

I'll see your analog needle, and raise you another analog needle :D I'm partial to the classic tacometer+speedometer setup with a screen in between... although the digital dash in the Grand Cherokee has got to be one of the nicest integrations I've ever seen... wish Ford could do this (FWIW, Jeep doesn't even include this on their Wrangler which is sad):

If you have a dealer willing to sell you one for sticker price, I'd jump all over it no matter what you do. I have yet to see one in my area sell for less then 20K over sticker. I have an incoming one and I have locate companies already offering me 20K over.

Duckdown

If you have a dealer willing to sell you one for sticker price, I'd jump all over it no matter what you do. I have yet to see one in my area sell for less then 20K over sticker. I have an incoming one and I have locate companies already offering me 20K over.

What's the point of buying something you don't want? That's not far off from the age-old lesson that you don't really save money when something is on sale, if you weren't going to buy it in the first place. Flipping it isn't an option either, my conscious wouldn't allow me to resell it marked up in this already sketch world of awful dealers. I'd rather leave it there for some Bronco fan who really wants something to drive over curbs with.

OrangecrushBronco

I guess I'm lucky in that I really like the cluster. I feel it's a nice fusion of old and new. I like having the analog needle but still having digital that can be adjusted. I especially like the option to have gauges up to know what's going on woth vital moving parts. It will certainly not age as badly as pretty much everything from the mid seventies to mid nineties cars.

I agree, i find the current cluster very intuitive and user friendly. All digital would be fine, but the analog speedo is fine

Bluestreak57

I agree, i find the current cluster very intuitive and user friendly. All digital would be fine, but the analog speedo is fine

It has some nice features, but parts are unintuitive. For example, the speed and tac gauges. They take up so much space, but don’t really tell you anything. There aren’t even tick marks on the speedometer, and the tac’s aren’t labeled. Most of the information you see could have been consolidated into 1/4 the size, leaving a lot more screen real estate for additional detail.

Sulley

It has some nice features, but parts are unintuitive. For example, the speed and tac gauges. They take up so much space, but don’t really tell you anything. There aren’t even tick marks on the speedometer, and the tac’s aren’t labeled. Most of the information you see could have been consolidated into 1/4 the size, leaving a lot more screen real estate for additional detail.

Yeah the tach really bothers me. If I was driving MT it would drive me up the wall.

Give us a mix between these and I'd be a happy camper.




Heck even make it a square version to match the Bronco vibe!

A better tach readout would be nice, i agree! Even a dial tach and digital speedometer would be a good option.

I drove the Raptor and it's impressive but it also felt like I was driving a tank. It's freakin' HUGE. And I don't care what my Bronco's gauge cluster looks like. I couldn't care less. I'm too busy enjoying the scenery.