Help this new buyer choose a Bronco!

oldskool

So if I understand

Nice to have but not deal breakers:
- 360
- Retro headlights
- cruise control
- lane assist (coming from bare bones FJ, I'm used to manual stuff and it's fine)

Non-negotiable
- Lux package
- Sounds like I want the switches pre-installed
- '23 with a hitch or a '24 to be able to add one later

Thanks for the info. Yeah, as I look the it's another $15K just for the Heritage, so if I can keep under $60K, that'd be ideal. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area but frankly, I'll go anywhere to buy it and drive home.

The 100 mile search is annoying so I'll keep looking on cars.com unless y'all have a better/faster way.

I think that's a fair assessment. I have LUX but I'm not sure whether you need it l, some features may be available on the MID or High packages.
Also with a 2 door LUX won't get power seats nor seat Pre-sets as it is a manual slide seat to let rear passengers in and out, something I didn't think about. Sounds like you may not care about all those fancy features anyway.

Another thing I forgot is bumpers. Depending what you want to do and whether or not you're planning on changing bumpers out. The rear can be plastic or metal. The front bumpers have a standard plastic unit, a capable which basically looks like the standard but is metal with in bumper tow hooks, and a modular that is metal and comes with numerous accessory ready points for things like a winch, lights ect.

Also do you want factory bash plates some trims have metal bash plates some have plastic splash guards.

As far as your search, dealerships post everywhere nowadays. I would do basic Google searches, eBay searches (dealerships post there) amd cars.com ect. Since we are leaning towards a Heritage you can scroll through 1000s of results and they will stick out.

If you look at used I would find all recall items on that VIN and make sure they're addressed pre sale.

The manual will limit the engine options, but the 2.3 has had far fewer issues in reality anyway. If you abandon the manual and get the 2.7 I would make sure that it has the updated protection plate for the alternator since the 2.7 has a low alternator which was occasionally problematic when offroading.

I have driven by numerous dealerships in California, Oregon, and Washington with multiple Heritage Broncos available. I recently saw a dealership with the Heritage in 4 different colors and 5 Heritage Limited Broncos but they were all automatics.

I've seen some Heritage units at various Kendall Ford dealerships in Oregon. They also have their own Bronco Club. I've never bought a vehicle from them, but I have joined their club.

Jakob1972

That would be a nice one. Looks like it doesn’t have the up fitter switches but just about everything else.

That's actually in my old neighborhood. At the least, I have something to see.

The interesting thing is that I'm OK with waiting. If I do, I can order what I want and get it in the similar cost range. Has any info been released on what 2025 changes might be? I want to avoid potential buyer's remorse especially if I'm already waiting.

No info released regarding any upgrades or changes

Went to the dealer to drive a few Broncos. While I've seen them on the street, I never even sat in one. A poster on another forum who also owns an FJ warned me to not compare directly. I was able to set my expectations that it wasn't an FJ.

I wanted to drive both the manual 4 cyl and auto 6 cyl. They had 2 dr Badlands in both configs that I was able to drive. I knew the back was small but it was smaller than I thought. At 5'6"/180#, it was a challenge to get in the back seat. Man, I appreciate the FJ suicide doors. Not a lot space back there, I'd have to fold the seats to transport my 2 labs.

6 cyl: Definitely a little more pull than the FJ. Ride is a little harsher than my FJ but what I'd expect in this type of SUV. To me, maybe a little smoother than the 4 dr Jeep I rented a few months back.

4 cyl: Smooth shifting. I could feel the engine pushing a little harder but I actually prefer this 4 cyl manual to the auto 6. I like having the control and loss of HP wasn't a detriment.

I have to admit after seeing the back in person, I have to think this out. Now, they had quite a few 4 doors on the lot so I figured I'd compare with one of those, though they aren't what I like aesthecially. Until I saw the '23 dealer special in Code Orange. Yup, a Raptor. Taking a look inside, it's more what I'd like in size. Obviously, easier to get in the back and the 'trunk' space is more FJ sized. But I've always avoided this because it's SO DANG WIDE. I said WTH, I'm here, let's take it out.

Yup, I like the Raptor. It has everything I wanted and it can pull. I asked to park it in a lot and it 'just' fit as I backed up. But no way could I cram that into a compact spot. The price differential is clearly high but it's below asking since it's got some miles. The WAF (wife acceptance factor) ain't gonna be straightforward on this one but I might be able to turn this into my one vehicle instead of a fun one (Bronco) and a fast one (Hellcat).

Decisions...

Curious for the initiated. What Raptor 'things' would I need to be aware/wary of?

oldskool

Went to the dealer to drive a few Broncos. While I've seen them on the street, I never even sat in one. A poster on another forum who also owns an FJ warned me to not compare directly. I was able to set my expectations that it wasn't an FJ.

I wanted to drive both the manual 4 cyl and auto 6 cyl. They had 2 dr Badlands in both configs that I was able to drive. I knew the back was small but it was smaller than I thought. At 5'6"/180#, it was a challenge to get in the back seat. Man, I appreciate the FJ suicide doors. Not a lot space back there, I'd have to fold the seats to transport my 2 labs.

6 cyl: Definitely a little more pull than the FJ. Ride is a little harsher than my FJ but what I'd expect in this type of SUV. To me, maybe a little smoother than the 4 dr Jeep I rented a few months back.

4 cyl: Smooth shifting. I could feel the engine pushing a little harder but I actually prefer this 4 cyl manual to the auto 6. I like having the control and loss of HP wasn't a detriment.

I have to admit after seeing the back in person, I have to think this out. Now, they had quite a few 4 doors on the lot so I figured I'd compare with one of those, though they aren't what I like aesthecially. Until I saw the '23 dealer special in Code Orange. Yup, a Raptor. Taking a look inside, it's more what I'd like in size. Obviously, easier to get in the back and the 'trunk' space is more FJ sized. But I've always avoided this because it's SO DANG WIDE. I said WTH, I'm here, let's take it out.

Yup, I like the Raptor. It has everything I wanted and it can pull. I asked to park it in a lot and it 'just' fit as I backed up. But no way could I cram that into a compact spot. The price differential is clearly high but it's below asking since it's got some miles. The WAF (wife acceptance factor) ain't gonna be straightforward on this one but I might be able to turn this into my one vehicle instead of a fun one (Bronco) and a fast one (Hellcat).

Decisions...

Curious for the initiated. What Raptor 'things' would I need to be aware/wary of?

WAF 😆. Well put! No updates announced on the '25 as of yet, but Ford generally runs 5 year life cycles in normal times add that with, pandemics,staffing issues,supply issus,strikes, ect ect and a brand new platform/hysteria I wouldn't be shocked if they make nothing more then minor tweeks for as long as here to '27. Given the current Ford brainwashing I also wouldn't be shocked if they brought back the Bronco to bring back the hype just to blindside us with a hybrid or EV only Bronco within the next gen. No personal experience with the Raptor. I like them alot but between length,width, and price I'm not THAT crazy. I agree that the 4 door doesn't look right and the 2 door creates compromises. I really wish there was something that cut the difference. I will say the hardest thing is getting ITEMs in and out of the back. I'm not big but bigger then you and there's so much room back there you just have to slide the seat forward to get there. I do have the running boards that certainly make it easier. There's more room then in the back of my old Crown Vic, my issue is costrophobia with no opening doors nor windows back there. If you are happy with the Raptor size and getting gallons to the mile vs miles to the gallon I can't imagine you'd regret the bad Leroy Brown of the Bronco family, you only live once.

Yeah, there's was some discussion and it's not a done deal. However, I did some digging and there are actually a few Raptors that are actually less than what I saw today. Not as shiny as Code Orange but Raptors nonetheless.

Another option is for me to order a 4 door Heritage but I need to figure out if I can live w/ 4 cyl in the bigger body or just go w/ 6 cyl.

As y'all mentioned, quite a few 2023's available and I'm good w/ 6 cyl auto. I'm only interested in hard top but man, if I was open to soft, there's a lot to choose from.

Does anyone have a sense when the next set of discounts might kick in as the MY25 ordering starts?

I would bet October would be the next round of discounts, usually sooner but the Bronco has a crazy build cycle up till now they have been building the current MY until late in Q4 usually they are already onto the next MY builds by Q3.
I had to go with the 4-Door two 150lbs Great Danes won’t fit in a 2-door but I can tell you the little 2.3l auto in a more door is not half bad. It even pulls my teardrop with no problems. It is not a race car but I find I have plenty of power, and way more than my 1984 Bronco with a 351W had. And once you get used to the extra doors and the looks its not bad.

Order banks for 2025 Maverick just opened today…

Jakob1972

I would bet October would be the next round of discounts, usually sooner but the Bronco has a crazy build cycle up till now they have been building the current MY until late in Q4 usually they are already onto the next MY builds by Q3.
I had to go with the 4-Door two 150lbs Great Danes won’t fit in a 2-door but I can tell you the little 2.3l auto in a more door is not half bad. It even pulls my teardrop with no problems. It is not a race car but I find I have plenty of power, and way more than my 1984 Bronco with a 351W had. And once you get used to the extra doors and the looks its not bad.

That is interesting re: 2.3L. Hard to find one locally that I can try.

1) Does 'Manual Convertible Top' mean soft-top?
2) Would a dealer install a tow hitch on a 2023?
3) Way more options if I went soft top 2023. How hard is it to change that to hard top? Advised?

oldskool

That is interesting re: 2.3L. Hard to find one locally that I can try.

1) Does 'Manual Convertible Top' mean soft-top?
2) Would a dealer install a tow hitch on a 2023?
3) Way more options if I went soft top 2023. How hard is it to change that to hard top? Advised?

Dealerships are terrible at their descriptions. Convertible Top might mean soft top but since the hard top is removable it must be convertible. But if I had to put money on it, I would say it is a softy unless it’s a 2-door.
Dealer can install the hitch. If you don’t need a seven pin, installing a hitch is pretty simple I added one to mine and helped my buddy install one on his two weeks ago.
You can change to a hard top fairly easy but the cost and availability are the killers right now.
These guys build a pretty durable top.
https://thebronconation.com/accesso...madillo-designs-hard-top-t.18120/#post-322679

@Scottweisen i hear is getting one maybe he can shed some light.

Jakob1972

Dealerships are terrible at their descriptions. Convertible Top might mean soft top but since the hard top is removable it must be convertible. But if I had to put money on it, I would say it is a softy unless it’s a 2-door.
Dealer can install the hitch. If you don’t need a seven pin, installing a hitch is pretty simple I added one to mine and helped my buddy install one on his two weeks ago.
You can change to a hard top fairly easy but the cost and availability are the killers right now.
These guys build a pretty durable top.
https://thebronconation.com/accesso...madillo-designs-hard-top-t.18120/#post-322679

@Scottweisen i hear is getting one maybe he can shed some light.

As stated above, the hitch itself is easy it's the seven pin wiring that most dealerships apparently won't touch as it has become a known headache.

One thing I noticed when looking at the HE and HEL models, is that they come pre wired for the hitch, standard. I haven’t looked at any of the other models. if that is the case it will make it a much easier install no matter who does it.

TK1215

One thing I noticed when looking at the HE and HEL models, is that they come pre wired for the hitch, standard. I haven’t looked at any of the other models. if that is the case it will make it a much easier install no matter who does it.

Good to know.

According to a post on Bronco6G the wiring is installed at the factory on ‘24s, to facilitate dealer only hitch installation

Also to clarify both mine and my buddies we installed the 4- pin trailer connection as I don’t have brakes on my teardrop.