Advice Needed on Bronco Purchase: Badlands 7MT or Stroppe 2.7L?

[Felix808]

All valid points, but ProCal does keep the factory warranty

Only if you have a Certified Ford Tech install it .

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[Tanger]

Or any ASE Certified mechanic

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/PDFS/fpp-warranty.pdf

 

[P52Ranch]

I just got back from a trip to Moab with my 2 door 7MT Badlands. It has always been great on any off-road trail. It is fun to drive on road too. I've always kept a manual transmission vehicle in the stable. The Bronco replaced a Boss 302.

I plan on keeping it forever but if I was going to get a Bronco with an automatic, it would either be the Stroppe or a HLE in two door configuration.

 

[Gopher]

I just got back from a trip to Moab with my 2 door 7MT Badlands. It has always been great on any off-road trail. It is fun to drive on road too. I've always kept a manual transmission vehicle in the stable. The Bronco replaced a Boss 302.

I plan on keeping it forever but if I was going to get a Bronco with an automatic, it would either be the Stroppe or a HLE in two door configuration.

We have similar tastes. I also have a BOSS 302 (1970), and the 2-door HLE is the other Bronco model I would consider.

 

[68 galaxie]

I’ve had the opportunity to own the BIG BEND 2.3 and loved it but I traded it in on a Stroppe. It’s more of a classic Look with history of a great racer. I added the keyless door entry and tow package along with the tuning pro tuner And the power is impressive when I use it plus it gives me great mileage,I’m currently at 19.4 mpg .. I would go with the Stroppe. Good luck. You will enjoy either one

 

[DALOLA]

If you only plan to do highway driving, the AT is fine. For everything else, it sucks, because, Ford, in their infinite wisdom, decided to F'up Select-Shift for the Bronco. I have the 10AT, and now wish I had the MT for this reason.

So, if you plan to drive on something other than 4 lane expressway, go with the MT.

 

[Leafy]

There’s no way I’m taking a car payment on an automatic that isn’t full EV.

 

[2.7-Ken]

Stroppe has a much better ride with the Fox suspension. Regardless of power, the V6 is a smoother running engine.

 

[Marc L]

Since the Bronco is not an on-road performance vehicle, the stick shift is becoming less important to me.

I'm confused.
I love MT, but with modern cars the automatic is ALWAYS faster in any 0-60 or quarter mile test so one doesn't purchase the manual for performance. Electrics are faster than most supercars but that doesn't make a Ferrari less fun to drive than a Tesla Plaid. It is the reverse.
One purchases the manual because you like to drive and you like to be in control while driving. I think manual is much more important in cars to make them tossable and fun in corners.
Unless you drive constant stop-and-go traffic or want to you your other hand to hold your cellphone buy the 7MT. <-- running today with a driver holding and looking at her phone cutting across my path in the neighborhood near us.

 

[Gopher]

I'm confused.
I love MT, but with modern cars the automatic is ALWAYS faster in any 0-60 or quarter mile test so one doesn't purchase the manual for performance. Electrics are faster than most supercars but that doesn't make a Ferrari less fun to drive than a Tesla Plaid. It is the reverse.
One purchases the manual because you like to drive and you like to be in control while driving. I think manual is much more important in cars to make them tossable and fun in corners.
Unless you drive constant stop-and-go traffic or want to you your other hand to hold your cellphone buy the 7MT. <-- running today with a driver holding and looking at her phone cutting across my path in the neighborhood near us.

What I mean is that the Bronco is not a performer on the road, so adding a MT is not so critical. My wife, for instance has no interest in a MT in her daily-driver Honda SUV (which has nice paddle shifters and is surprisingly quick but it's still a big SUV), but does have a MT in her sporty convertible. I have multiple performance cars, all with MT, and would have it no other way, but see it as a tradeoff decision in the Bronco.

For basic transportation from point A to point B, what the Bronco is on road, the auto is not so bad. If I am looking to carve corners and wind out the engine, then a MT is critical to me.

My street-racing days are long behind me, so you're right, 0-60 times are irrelevant.

I'd be happy to take on any Tesla on track with any of my Mustangs. That battery will be fried long before the race is done..

 

[SAB]

Real rigs have clutch pedals.

 

[Marc L]

I'd be happy to take on any Tesla on track with any of my Mustangs. That battery will be fried long before the race is done..

I'm not a Tesla fan, but electrics have crazy 0-60. I don't track my cars, however I do accelerate away from stoplights or use entrance ramps or lane reductions frequently which is where I care about performance.
On another thread I said my favorite car to drive was a 1993 Honda Civic LX 5MT with 102hp as it was tossable and reliable. I could abuse the shifting via redline drive at governed speeds take corners painfully fast and it would come back for more with no damage done. Also it was safe from law enforcement as it was much harder to get into reckless driving territory.
I have a Z car which has triple the horse and 1/3rd the 0-60 times, but it isn't half as fun to drive hard.

 

[Oldhippie]

I'm not a Tesla fan, but electrics have crazy 0-60. I don't track my cars, however I do accelerate away from stoplights or use entrance ramps or lane reductions frequently which is where I care about performance.
On another thread I said my favorite car to drive was a 1993 Honda Civic LX 5MT with 102hp as it was tossable and reliable. I could abuse the shifting via redline drive at governed speeds take corners painfully fast and it would come back for more with no damage done. Also it was safe from law enforcement as it was much harder to get into reckless driving territory.
I have a Z car which has triple the horse and 1/3rd the 0-60 times, but it isn't half as fun to drive hard.

more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow…my “hot rod” 4 cyl ‘28 model A manual transmission is my daily driver, but the bronco (for off roading) has an auto…

 

[Marc L]

more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow…my “hot rod” 4 cyl ‘28 model A manual transmission is my daily driver, but the bronco (for off roading) has an auto…

Obviously like-like are preferred. A go kart is super fun, better than any car, but not a fair comparison. I think it is how it "feels". I hate feelings, but an open air go kart at 13yo going maybe 25mph sliding on a dirt road is more fun than a Integra GS-R going 137mph on a country road as an adult <-- my land speed record. The last super fun drive was a rental VW CrossFox driving to the rural hotel near Calakmul Mexico. Next is probably the TN Off-Rodeo. I'm a "controlled fun" person where it is approaching risk, but not risky.

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