I agree. I think of my 392 as my 'fun' vehicle. The bronco is fun, but just not as much to me. However, my bronco is solidly my daily driver just due to how it's more comfortable to drive.
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Thoughts on not buying right now?
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Yes, the 392 is incredible in its own way and I completely understand the appeal of them. They are maybe a little bit over-priced as it didn't feel that "special" on the inside compared to a regular Rubicon X, but any time you press on the throttle it is insanity. But my Braptor is serving as my long distance road trip car, at least until December 2026 when my Kia comes off lease.
Spending hours on the road in a 392 would get pretty old I think. And rather expensive (maybe even worse than the Bronco!).
It's not awful on fuel comparatively. On the highway it goes to a 4 firing mode which saves on fuel. It's not that much worse than my Bronco tbh.Yes, the 392 is incredible in its own way and I completely understand the appeal of them. They are maybe a little bit over-priced as it didn't feel that "special" on the inside compared to a regular Rubicon X, but any time you press on the throttle it is insanity. But my Braptor is serving as my long distance road trip car, at least until December 2026 when my Kia comes off lease.
Spending hours on the road in a 392 would get pretty old I think. And rather expensive (maybe even worse than the Bronco!).
It's honestly not bad on the highway in terms of ride. I don't notice a huge difference between it and my bronco other than the extra power it has to merge/pass and such.
The main difference is just how the interior feels. The wrangler makes me feel boxed/caged in while the Bronco interior feels like there is actual room to 'stretch out' and feel comfortable. So any time I'm making a trip to beach, outerbanks, other roadtrips; I take the Bronco every time.
The Raptor interior is a bit more of an interior upgrade over the regular bronco than the 392 is over a regular Rubi, but to be honest, I'm disappointed in both Ford and Stella on those parts. I feel like there was an opportunity to make the interiors a bit more special, but then again, that makes us circle right back around to price.
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I agree with you. And that is why I think it gives auto manufacturers a good excuse (not a reason) to hold their MSRP.
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You’re welcome to do the UK method where you worry about your interest rate resetting every five years.It's called the American way. Our whole 30 year mortgage system which is institutionally how home ownership has been driven is inherently based around you being in debt the rest of your life
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Most of America wouldn't have a damn thing if they weren't well in debt.
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All true. But having zero debt is a pretty awesome place to be.
If I was inclined, I could write a check for whatever '25 Bronco I choose at the moment. But I won't. I tend to be downright clinical the older I get when it comes to buying vehicles, and lately the prices on these are borderline obscene.
I still believe there will be some amazing deals to be had come summer. There are some now, but I think a buyer's market is coming.
I don't know how $20K+ off a vehicle is not already a buyer's market.
The buyer's market may improve. But it's already here.
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Well when the prices were outrageously high during covid - $20k off is just getting back to a neutral baseline in a lot of cases. If $20k off is a good deal or not very much depends on the starting point / perspective.
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Considering roughly 23 percent nominal inflation between 2020 and 2025, a $50k vehicle from 2020 should now cost around $62k however.
Yes, automotive MSRPs drastically outpaced inflation. But the diminishment of the value of money is quite real.
I really doubt manufacturers are going to drop MSRPs at any point soon, but most 2025 prices by model have gone up a very small amount (if at all). I think what we will continue to see is more incentive spending between rebates and also subsidized interest rates (especially if rates do get a bit lower in the next 6 to 12 months which is a big "if").
We’re objectively looking at tariffs and rebounding inflation right now. If you can get a good price on a 2024 I’d grab it and run.
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You're got covid numbers in there, those have been an outlier if you look at things longer term.
But your point about MSRPs is well taken. They almost never go down - it would make anyone who bought at the older MSRP upset.
You just see more discounts and incentives to make the numbers work.
Yes, of course, my whole point was that 2020 to 2025 was a period of inflation unlike anything seen since the 1970s.
I've found myself inherently rejecting some purchases based on what things cost now (thinking about what they cost 5 to 10 years ago) and I think most consumers are in the same boat. All of a sudden you realize that quart of ice cream isn't worth the 1000 calories of fat and $7 it costs; it tasted a lot better when you could get it on sale for $1.99
.I think the one case where MSRPs have gone down recently significantly was with EVs (started by Tesla and then followed by companies like Ford with the Mach E). Forget about paying MSRP w/ADM for a Bronco, think about the poor schmuck who spent $80K+ with ADM on one of the first Mustang Mach E GTs. Now that would be a painful situation to be in!
But you could get hit by a bus tomorrow and never have that enjoyment. When I retired, I bought a new Bronco, wrote a check and never looked back. I cant take my money with me, and I'm damn sure gonna enjoy it. Since retired two years ago, I've visited 11 countries along with the continent of Antarctica. I don't wait for price drops on anything, I just go.
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