I bought the Base with the v6 and hard top, I have had it for over a year and love it! I just changed the rims and tires on it made all the difference. I'm pretty much like you my daily driver and some light dirt roads and mud!! Just comes down to how much you want to spend on the extra goodies...
I agree I drove my brothers did not like the way it drove at all and the feeling of being so cramped in the driver seat was not a good feeling. My Bronco feels like you have so much more room when driving and it drives like a car like you said night and day.