Bronco as good first car?

[Rspayde]

I would probably avoid an SUV altogether and get something that is fuel efficient and will last. Your mom and dad (probably) won't pay your bills forever so there will be a day you are paying the bill for gas, insurance and the like.

I would go with the Bronco if only choosing between the two options though.

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[mikeeshim]

I personally didn't get a choice in my first car, so you must be a really good kid, so kudos to you.
That being said, I was still one of the lucky ones that got a car at 16, so nothing but gratitude, and hope you feel the same, regardless of whatever efforts you put into it.

Now, regarding the choices, the Bronco will def stand out more since it's still far more rare than a Wrangler, and if you're not rock crawling to school, the Bronco will be the better choice overall. There's also more room and is much better mannered on the roads, which is where you'll be most of the time.

It all comes down to personal preference, and when I was your age, there was no convincing me from what I wanted. One thing I learned after getting my first car was that I had so many friends who wanted rides, ditch class, go to the mall, some I didn't even know well until I started driving to school. Be wary of whom you trust; just be smart and cautious.

 

[MayhemMike]

Back in the day I got to drive a 1964 Comet, six cylinder or an ex state police Ranch wagon with a 429 police interceptor. ( about eight miles to the gallon). I never wrecked or had an accident with either. My first vehicle was a used 73 F 100. My advice, get whatever you want and don’t ask folks like us in these forums for our two cents. Hmmm, didn’t I just give this guy my two cents? Oh well.

 

[Merc4x4]

I wish my first car was a Bronco Everglades

 

[rtazz17]

My kids would never get a new car out of the gate. They will f%^& it up. I have proof,lol. Plus my kids will earn their new vehicle on their own like I did. Plenty of good used safe cars out there. Toyota camry.

 

[Lifeliberty]

It's a terrible first car for anyone. MAYBE a good 3rd or 4th, after you wreck your first car and hopefully don't kill anyone

Learn how to drive first. And that don't mean just pressing the gas and steering. There's a lot to driving besides what car you drive, learn that stuff first.

With a bronco you can't see shit and you have no experience to guage anything.

I don't care what you do, just thankful you won't be driving near me with a bronco as a first car

 

[M4Madness]

I bought my first car for $900 in 1986 (that would be $2200 in today's money) a couple of months before graduating high school. I had to buy it myself, because my parents certainly weren't going to. In fact, my three younger sisters had to buy their own as well. I ran the crap out of it, ripped the front bumper off it when I sideswiped a telephone pole, put a crease down the ENTIRE passenger side by trying to make a tight turn around the end of a concrete wall, ruined one transmission, and finally blew the engine up due to low oil. I had a fun two years in it, but I'm thankful that it wasn't a new one.

Congratulations on getting something new. Just don't take it for granted, don't run the crap out of it, and take care of it. And remember -- you're going to skin it up. Lol!

 

[BillysMom]

My first car was a 1986 Bronco 5.0, it cost me $500. Do i think a bronco is a bad first car? Not really but I do think a brand new car is a bad first car.

As others have mentioned fuel efficiency really matters when you're young, I don't know your situation but I quickly switched to a more efficient vehicle cause i couldn't afford to go anywhere other than school or work. Now here i am all those years later trying to get another bronco for various reasons including nostalgia, but I'm a working adult with a decent paying full time job.

Sounds like you have really generous parents!

 

[dgorsett]

My dad said I could have the best car I could afford, a "55 Willys Wagon. Back in my day.
.ah nevermind...

 

[Racerdad]

Lots of good advice in the previous comments. From my perspective (66 year old with 50 years and more than a million miles of driving experience and a couple of adult kids), a new car is a really bad idea.

I do not know anyone that has not been involved in some type of 'mishap' during the first few years of driving. They range from minor fender-benders to death. Both my kids are great drivers, but stuff happens. They spent their high school and college years in a well used Expedition. Lots of mass to protect them from the worst that could happen, dependable and room for all the friends. After college, they each received a more appropriate 'first new car'.

But the MOST IMPORTANT advice is this: At the very minimum, go to a teen driving school program. Most of the race driving schools have them and BMW also sponsors one. A day of pushing the limits around orange cones will do wonders for your awareness of vehicle capabilities. They may be pricy, but from a parent's perspective they are worth every penny.

The driving dynamics of Jeeps, and to a lesser extent Broncos, require some experience to get the most out of the vehicle. The high center of gravity means that there is a higher chance of disaster when things go bad. Get a fun beater for the first few years. Unique vehicles don't have to be expensive and will give you a lifetime of great memories.

Or here is a way to make HUGE points with your parents. Tell them that you will take the Edge (on your profile) and they should go out and buy your mom a new car. You will be the favorite child.

My daughter, years ago, in a hand-me-down BMW at the teen driving school:

 

[DriveAllNight]

Huh? Some people choose an item, because it has key features they will actually use. Example you want to get to some remote fishing lake or whatever, and need a high clearance 4x4 with maybe 4-low to get there, so you buy accordingly.

If driving only on pavement, it makes sense to buy a vehicle with features geared towards excelling for pavement use. (Hint - high clearance and skid plates to clear air molecules over pavement, might not be the ticket.)

But yes it's true some people buy vehicles (and other things) based on imaginary use. For the image or whatever. But don't think everyone does that. Some people do real things, and need vehicles with real features they actually use to accomplish those things.

I wasn't saying people don't buy a vehicle for specific needs of course they do, I was saying you don't have to have the need to still want to drive that vehicle anyway. The Bronco and the Wrangler are both designed to go off road, but the also have other characteristics that you simply can't get in other vehicles that are just as vald reasons for buying them.
The bottom line is, people love to tell other people not to buy either one if they never plan on going off road and I'm saying that's a very limited view point, and by that logic, how many vehicles are the best choice for any specific need....

I could easily make the winning argument if you're going fishing, you'd be better off in a 4x4 pickup but that doesn't matter if you would rather be driving a Bronco or want to take the roof and doors off.

 

[Ground_zero298]

Honestly I’d have them get you a G wagon. Way safer vehicle. You should head over to the g wagon forums and check them out.

 

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

Are you legit going to off-road though? If you don't for real need the ground clearance and other off-road features, then consider getting a vehicle designed to excel on pavement.

I'm a long time 4x4 owner and off-roader, but with Bronco taking so long, I bought a used sports car, and now Bronco has fallen on my list of wants. (At least until moving back to a part of the country where I'd make more use of it's features.) If only on pavement try and get a used rear wheel drive sports car and have fun.

He probably wants a convertible and those are the two vehicles that fit the bill. The commute to high school is almost certainly 20 minutes or less so this is going to come down to style instead of long haul comfort on pavement.

I live in a pretty affluent town and there’s plenty of kids riding brand new jeeps (and now broncos) to school. Despite everyone here giving sound advice on a used car or a Bronco Sport, it doesn’t sound like that’s the criteria here.

I’d recommend a OBX for the advanced 4x4 along with the most street worthy tires on a bronco. As a parent myself I wouldn’t want my son trying to stop in the rain on a set of 35’s!

Edit: As a parent I like a 2dr to disincentivize you to have passengers. As a new driver you should like it because it’s the “cool” Bronco. My first vehicle was a 98 Ranger and had an awesome vibe with just 1 passenger.

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