Potential new owner, looking for some advice

[Beach_Bum]

@Ape Factory Keep in mind that the MID package of a '22 Sasquatch BB is not the same MID package of a '25. You had said you built a number of orders via Build and Price in your initial post so you may be inclined to conflate the MID package on the currrent B&P as the same MID package on earlier model years. The biggest difference is that in earlier model years, the 12" screen was restricted to HIGH and LUX package with the 360 cameras. Early MID package Broncos received the 8" screen. Now, the 12" screen is standard across all trims. One still needs the HIGH package to get the 360 cameras, though.

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[Ape Factory]

I found the original window sticker and it's a late 2023 build. December in fact. It's the base seven speaker stereo. Going to do a bit of research on upgrading that. I'd still like the high package but this has everything else I want and it's low miles, one owner. Has both tops, insulated, molded in color hard top, roof rails, Sasquatch package w/bead lock wheels, mid package, etc...no adaptive cruise, built-in garage opener or remote start. But I can live without those and add the remote.

On the suspension, the dealer info says Position-Sensitive Bilstein Shock Absorbers. I need to read up on the HOSS system to see exactly what it is but I thought it had Fox internal bypass components or something like that and they weren't Fox dampers from top to bottom.

Oh and the infotainment screen is 8" but you guys probably already knew that.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Every auto Bronco can be started with a cell phone. Pretty sure auto start off the fob is on the mid package.

 

[Ape Factory]

Well I think I finally found what I was looking for. Going all out with a Raptor which I looked at yesterday.

There were a few aftermarket components on it, including motorized running boards , alloy grab handles to bash your head on (I'm tall) and the fasteners that cinch the top down out back (not sure what the technical name is), all in Code Orange which is a cool contrast to the body color which is cactus gray. It also had an aftermarket blowoff valve (VTA) which gave me pause. Rest of the engine was 100% stock and it didn't look like it'd been wrenched on. I know how to spot these things of course and I did look over it carefully.

It's going to be blue certified so I'm obviously having them run a diagnostic to make sure it hasn't been tuned. I plan on going with a Ford extended warranty plan shortly so that's key.

I was also able to see it prior to being cleaned as it was a fresh trade in, locally owned, bought at same dealer. I saw how the original owner treated the car and it looks like it's been a pavement queen, interior was reasonably clean and there were no blemishes on any of the panels except for the rear cargo area which had a few scratches. A bit over 13K miles, I got an decent deal, not fantastic, but fair to me and to the dealer. Has all the options except for the graphics which I hate anyway. Wanted Code Orange but settled for Cactus Gray and I think I'll be pretty happy with that color long term and it should hide dust a bit better than the orange.

Pics after I pick it up later today, assuming everything goes smoothly and there are no hidden issues. They're going to let me take it home and make sure it fits in the garage first, LOL. I have a three car garage but I want to make sure I can get both the Raptor and the wife's SUV in there comfortably. I can drive my slightly lifted truck in and it clears and the two vehicles are almost identical in height so I should be good. We'll see about the width!

 

[Brian_B]

It also had an aftermarket blowoff valve (VTA) which gave me pause.

That's easy to revert back to stock if you don't like it, and it doesn't really affect the engine performance one way or the other. It mostly just makes pfft-woosh noises.

 

[Ape Factory]

Yep, I actually have a high performance car business and I've been building track/race cars for more than 30 years including quite a few turbocharged cars. I was more worried that most individuals who install a BOV probably mod other things with a tune being the most obvious. Stock intake was intact and no tool marks on anything that I could see. Exhaust sounded stock but I didn't look. Was listening more intently to the engine itself to make sure the phasers were operating normally, LOL.

Kinda wondering if they'll swap the BOV back to stock in order to get the certification. We shall see. They needed a few hours to get it serviced today so I'm just waiting on the call to head over.

 

[indio22]

Greetings from Texas. Cliff notes version, I'm a hard core automotive enthusiast and own an automotive performance business that caters to high end sports cars. I also develop parts/tunes for them and that isn't even my day job. Sleep's optional, right? I'm also a former Jeep owner (2015 Rubicon) which I didn't care for and moved it on.

I had a bad driver take out my pride and joy late last week. It's likely totaled but I won't know until Monday or Tuesday. I'm taking a hard look or rather I've decided to replace my loss with a Bronco. Tired of the insanity I see day in and day out and want something that's a bit larger and more rugged.

I've been reading up on the forum the past few days, trying to take in anything and everything from potential issues to mods, the good and the bad and everything in between. I must have done 20 builds on Ford's site by now and gone over every option and package. I've now test-driven two Brocos and I "think" I know what I want. But sometimes you don't know what you don't know. Other than general applied knowledge, I know very little about off roading, off road suspension, etc...I can tell you how to set up your Ohlins-equipped track day car no problem but don't know much about the Ford offerings, HOSS and what not.

I was sort of looking for that sweet spot, the model that makes the most sense from a pre-installed package standpoint vs. what I could add later that might be better but right now I also need the easy button and don't have much time for mods. I'm a modaholic and completely capable of any/all maintenance to full engine rebuilds. What I lack is time. Time to add mods and time to spend months figuring out what I don't know.

So far what I think I know:
-I will buy used. 2022 or up unless people think the 2021's are no worse. Currently looking at a 2023.
-I want the 2.7L vs. the 2.3L for various reasons
-Four door is a must
-I've sort of settled on the Wildtrak (Raptor is out of my price range)
-I think I would prefer the high package. I have a used one locally that checks all the boxes but has the mid package. I appreciate a nice stereo system and I'm also a part-time musician so it matters to me.
-I like the Sasquatch package and I've driven two Wildtrak's, a new 2024 and used 2023. I liked their general ride quality/damping and I think I'd be happy with it as is with very few mods. I'd mainly be looking at aux lighting and a steel bumper/brush guard combo. Definitely want a hard top and four doors.

So my questions thus far are this:
-Is the WildTrak a good sweet spot for someone who won't be modding the vehicle heavily from that point or would I be better off with say a Badlands? I'm a dealer for a forged wheel company so I could opt for new wheels larger tires to emulate the Sasquatch package but not the dampers (I'm assuming). But again, time and money. I see the Sas package as the easy button and I know I'd be happy with it.

-Is it difficult to upgrade the basic stereo? I've read a few threads that said the B&O isn't all that. I did listen to one and my current car has a B&O system. It definitely sounded better than the base/mid tier stereo system but I didn't have a chance to really sit there and tweak either.

-Adaptive cruise. I have it on my current car and honestly find it frustrating. Leaves just enough space for people to cut me off all day long and they do just that. I like it well enough when crawling along in heavy traffic. I generally find lane change and all the electronic gizmos annoying but are likely a plus in a vehicle the size of the Bronco. I didn't really take notice of blind spots but should have.

-Tech. Would really like a built-in garage door opener which I think is only in the high package. Are there aftermarket add-ons? Sometimes it's the little things. Other than that and a decent stereo, I can live with normal a/c controls, normal cruise, no lane change stuff although around here, pre-sense braking or whatever Ford calls it would probably be a plus.

-Warranty extension plans. Even though I have a good deal of mechanical ability and experience, these days big parts can go bad. I'm also looking at another Bronco that's just under 50K so no real warranty. My thinking is I can fix the non-emergency small things but let a dealer take care of the larger components if needed.

I basically want to go in knowing that I didn't miss out on a package/option that is a must-have or if there's a better value proposition. I'm fairly open to exterior and interior colors which opens me up to a lot of vehicles. Being that I'm looking for a used one, that closes the pricing gap a bit between models with similar packages vs. buying new.

In terms of my use, it'll be a daily commuter, 75% highway, and a weekend fun vehicle. We will use it to tow but nothing too big. We're doing a lot more outdoor stuff and while I'll likely never be a heavy off-roader, the wife and I are very adventurous and like to go places most don't. I know it's not the best commuter but honestly it's more about the other drivers at this point. Too many incidents, including the last one, over the past few years to ignore and I think I'm done daily driving a sports car.

I really appreciate the feedback and help. I run an online automotive enthusiast forum and group so I know first hand about newbies and hitting the search button. Normally I'd just read for three months but I may be looking for a vehicle come Monday.

Thanks again,
-m

The off-road and removable top/doors functionalities are key features that separate Bronco from most other vehicles. I don't think you mentioned those as being your key reasons to buy, instead you are mainly interested in pavement commuting and safety? Simply from a rational functional use, I'd think about if it's the right vehicle for your usage.

Appearance wise the Sas package gets the bigger tires with more appropriate gearing, although the 10 speed auto trans seems capable of countering less than ideal diff gearing, especially if you find a non Sas with optional shorter diff gears.

For your off pavement use any Bronco should do, it's more about deciding on the desired tech/comfort/appearance items.

 

[Ape Factory]

The off-road and removable top/doors functionalities are key features that separate Bronco from most other vehicles. I don't think you mentioned those as being your key reasons to buy, instead you are mainly interested in pavement commuting and safety? Simply from a rational functional use, I'd think about if it's the right vehicle for your usage.

Appearance wise the Sas package gets the bigger tires with more appropriate gearing, although the 10 speed auto trans seems capable of countering less than ideal diff gearing, especially if you find a non Sas with optional shorter diff gears.

For your off pavement use any Bronco should do, it's more about deciding on the desired tech/comfort/appearance items.

Agree with your assessment 100% and ability to remove doors/roof were definitely a reason why. I'm a former Jeep owner and gave it to my niece. While it will see plenty of pavement, we already have our first trip planned up to Glacier National Park in the summer and likely out to Big Bend here in Texas this winter. Being the last of the savage generations, we spend quite a bit of time outdoors.

Ended up going with a Raptor, should have it later today. Finally decided to go big or go home and I liked the interior (front seats really) far more than any other Bronco model. Hadn't really been looking at them until I started seeing the market signs and the rather large price drops.

 

[Ape Factory]

Officially a member of team Bronco. Parked at work for the day job

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