Camaro/Audi for Bronco

[Vrhaines]

I did have a 2021 Bronco Badlands (4 door) with Sasquatch package, but recently sold it a week or so ago for a 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. I needed the ability to haul and tow, but still wanted a good off road capable vehicle.

Good enough. I don’t tow. Great looking truck though. Congrats.

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[MNBigfoot]

Because I want the suspension and 35s but not the raptor.
I can’t find an OBX with sas with hard top locally.
And we are at 5k off now.

If you can live with the mid package, check on the MY24 Heritage edition, about the only thing you'd miss out on is the Fox shocks, and your $10K(?) in savings can buy a Hell of a good pair of shocks.

 

[Vrhaines]

If you can live with the mid package, check on the MY24 Heritage edition, about the only thing you'd miss out on is the Fox shocks, and your $10K in savings can buy a Hell of a good pair of shocks.

I hate how it looks. but you’re not wrong!
I’ll say I had a gen 3 raptor and that fox suspension is legit in and off road.

 

[Nc211]

This is directly on point. Thank you!!

I’ve done the same in the past with a wrangler. I had a f150 and a mustang.

I had no regrets but life changed and I was able to get another sports car. For a time i had a C8 corvette but it was absolutely useless with the kids. I’ve had a bunch of Camaros. I think I’ll get another toy someday but something cheaper/older that I can tinker with.

I have the numbers and they make sense. I just have to decide if want to pull the trigger and I’m pretty close to doing it.

You won't regret the decision if you pull that trigger. I really enjoy mine and don't miss that Mercedes one bit. Only miss the GTI for the DSG and absolute riot that little thing was. Folks don't realize or don't want to recognize that the Mk7 GTI is far more "Porsche" than any other in history, even set up by the 911 GT3 guru.

In my 34 years of owning cars, one rule I have come to recognize when it comes to enjoying a vehicle long-term, is to have a second one that is completely different. Boredom happens no matter what you own. Have a Bugatti? You'll eventually get bored of driving it every single day. Doesn't really matter what it is. I had both the GTI and Merc for 7 years (longest I've ever owned a car) and loved those days when the toughest decision I had to make is which one do I want to drive to work today. Since work went "hybrid", and Carvana was willing to give me a stupid amount of money for a 7 year old VW with 71k on the clock, I sold it to them. Also recognized I had an upcoming 16 year old, and no way I was going to ever put him in that GTI. Then I traded the Mercedes for a 2014 VW Tiquan SEL with 39k miles to give him for his first car. No way I was going to put him in my Mercedes for his first car either (for all of the obvious reasons). Then I waited for my Bronco to be built....

I would spend some time though between the Wildtrak and the Badlands. I went more the way of luxury than off-road ability. Power seats, upgraded carpet flooring, etc. Loved the non-sas OBX rims, and compensated for the off-road ability by ordering the rear locker differential and upgrading the tires. It's all personal opinion, no doubt, and mine is absolutely a mall-crawler 99% of the time. Making the shift from the merc to the way I have mine set up was an easy transition.

 

[Vrhaines]

You won't regret the decision if you pull that trigger. I really enjoy mine and don't miss that Mercedes one bit. Only miss the GTI for the DSG and absolute riot that little thing was. Folks don't realize or don't want to recognize that the Mk7 GTI is far more "Porsche" than any other in history, even set up by the 911 GT3 guru.

In my 34 years of owning cars, one rule I have come to recognize when it comes to enjoying a vehicle long-term, is to have a second one that is completely different. Boredom happens no matter what you own. Have a Bugatti? You'll eventually get bored of driving it every single day. Doesn't really matter what it is. I had both the GTI and Merc for 7 years (longest I've ever owned a car) and loved those days when the toughest decision I had to make is which one do I want to drive to work today. Since work went "hybrid", and Carvana was willing to give me a stupid amount of money for a 7 year old VW with 71k on the clock, I sold it to them. Also recognized I had an upcoming 16 year old, and no way I was going to ever put him in that GTI. Then I traded the Mercedes for a 2014 VW Tiquan SEL with 39k miles to give him for his first car. No way I was going to put him in my Mercedes for his first car either (for all of the obvious reasons). Then I waited for my Bronco to be built....

I would spend some time though between the Wildtrak and the Badlands. I went more the way of luxury than off-road ability. Power seats, upgraded carpet flooring, etc. Loved the non-sas OBX rims, and compensated for the off-road ability by ordering the rear locker differential and upgrading the tires. It's all personal opinion, no doubt, and mine is absolutely a mall-crawler 99% of the time. Making the shift from the merc to the way I have mine set up was an easy transition.

At the risk of being flamed - I thought the Wildtrak was more 'luxury' than the Badlands?

I definitely want all the luxury options I can get.

 

[Nc211]

At the risk of being flamed - I thought the Wildtrak was more 'luxury' than the Badlands?

I definitely want all the luxury options I can get.

Sorry, I think you're right. Given you want the luxury, you'll likely go for the Lux Package which basically includes all of the goodies in that category. Wildtrack has the better shocks and standard 35's. Badlands comes with marine grade vinyl as standard and WT comes with cloth, neither will matter to you though once you go for the Lux package.

 

[Durangatan]

"The camaro is fun but I don't drive it much (pittsburgh) and the Audi is really nice and quick but isn't very useful."

As an Audi owner... If I had to choose just one vehicle, it would be my Bronco. Not because it is some kind of love fest where I am brainwashed into thinking that it is the best vehicle ever, but because it serves the best utility for rural Colorado.

That being said, there are times where I road trip through CO. In summer it is in the Bronco that is used to get into remote trailheads (not a factor in your area), and I may have 5 hours drive time on pavement. In winter it is my SQ5 to go to various ski instructor / race functions where I have obligations. The Bronco is a bit of a pig in the snow compared to the Audi (again, not a factor for you). Road tripping in summer with the Bronco is not nearly as comfortable as the Audi - swaddled in leather, soundproofing and 17 speakers.

For me, the SQ5 and the Bronco are the idea combination of road trip / secure driving, and utility / more remote access.

When I was shopping my choice was between an Outer Banks and Base Sas. I went base and had full. skid plates and rock rails put on. If you are after a more refined cabin experience the Bronco's upper end trims are like second place in a Junior Achievement project compared to anything from the VW Group. If that is a requirement, I'd look elsewhere.

 

[Callelk]

daily. but massive depreciation.

Well wait, you are not factoring in extended cost of ownership.

 

[Vrhaines]

"The camaro is fun but I don't drive it much (pittsburgh) and the Audi is really nice and quick but isn't very useful."

As an Audi owner... If I had to choose just one vehicle, it would be my Bronco. Not because it is some kind of love fest where I am brainwashed into thinking that it is the best vehicle ever, but because it serves the best utility for rural Colorado.

That being said, there are times where I road trip through CO. In summer it is in the Bronco that is used to get into remote trailheads (not a factor in your area), and I may have 5 hours drive time on pavement. In winter it is my SQ5 to go to various ski instructor / race functions where I have obligations. The Bronco is a bit of a pig in the snow compared to the Audi (again, not a factor for you). Road tripping in summer with the Bronco is not nearly as comfortable as the Audi - swaddled in leather, soundproofing and 17 speakers.

For me, the SQ5 and the Bronco are the idea combination of road trip / secure driving, and utility / more remote access.

When I was shopping my choice was between an Outer Banks and Base Sas. I went base and had full. skid plates and rock rails put on. If you are after a more refined cabin experience the Bronco's upper end trims are like second place in a Junior Achievement project compared to anything from the VW Group. If that is a requirement, I'd look elsewhere.

Not looking for refined. Just leather. Heated seats and a decent stereo. I’m not looking to replace the cabin feel of my S5.
I’m looking for 4 season one vehicle fun with some creature comforts. Something I can drive in the snow when we get the minimal amount we get plus rip the top off in the summer. And then haul my bikes/hockey bag when I need it and not be worried about softball field dirt / gravel lots when I take my daughter to her games that I coach.

Plus going doorless is something I did ALL the time with my wrangler so I'm sure I'd do the same here.

 

[Vrhaines]

Well wait, you are not factoring in extended cost of ownership.

Shit. True. And an 18+year note. What a bad investment.

 

[Nc211]

Not looking for refined. Just leather. Heated seats and a decent stereo. I’m not looking to replace the cabin feel of my S5.
I’m looking for 4 season one vehicle fun with some creature comforts. Something I can drive in the snow when we get the minimal amount we get plus rip the top off in the summer. And then haul my bikes/hockey bag when I need it and not be worried about softball field dirt / gravel lots when I take my daughter to her games that I coach.

Plus going doorless is something I did ALL the time with my wrangler so I'm sure I'd do the same here.

Don't forget, not having to freak out over a pothole and bent rim . That is perhaps one of my favorite updates to having the Bronco over my Mercedes with the Swiss-cheese made AMG wheels. Can't even remember how many times I had to fix a bent rim on that car because of a basic pothole. Know when they scrape the top surface off the blacktop for replacement, and you come to the point where the scraped part meets the old part? Yeah, I'd practically stop traffic to get past that bump. Now? Bump? What bump? I didn't see no stinkin' bump?

 

[Vrhaines]

Don't forget, not having to freak out over a pothole and bent rim . That is perhaps one of my favorite updates to having the Bronco over my Mercedes with the Swiss-cheese made AMG wheels. Can't even remember how many times I had to fix a bent rim on that car because of a basic pothole. Know when they scrape the top surface off the blacktop for replacement, and you come to the point where the scraped part meets the old part? Yeah, I'd practically stop traffic to get past that bump. Now? Bump? What bump? I didn't see no stinkin' bump?

I hear ya. I bent two c43 wheels. I know that Life!

 

[Gregus73]

I had a 22 Camaro SS convertible and do not miss it much.
I prefer the Bronco so much more.

If it were a Z06 would have figured a way to keep it….but no second thoughts on selling the Camaro SS and getting a Bronco.

The Bronco is also such a better experience to me over the Wranglers. To me a much more livable daily driver.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Vrhaines]

I had a 22 Camaro SS convertible and do not miss it much.
I prefer the Bronco so much more.

If it were a Z06 would have figured a way to keep it….but no second thoughts on selling the Camaro SS and getting a Bronco.

The Bronco is also such a better experience to me over the Wranglers. To me a much more livable daily driver.

Good luck on your decision.

Agree on the Z06. I had two corvettes in my life so far. A c5 and a c8.
A c7 Z (M7) be the ticket and id not let it go but they are astronomically priced right now.

 

[Gregus73]

Agree on the Z06. I had two corvettes in my life so far. A c5 and a c8.
A c7 Z (M7) be the ticket and id not let it go but they are astronomically priced right now.

I love corvettes. I got to drive my friend‘s C8 last weekend for about an hour through twisty roads in nor cal and enjoyed the heck out of it. I would get one, but my wife does not like to climb out of vehicle that low to the ground. Awesome car though. A bit pricey for me too.

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