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It's not really my style to gush about a vehicle. But I gotta say, over one year in and still loving it.
Recently for ten days, I was compelled to drive my wife's Volvo XC40, a nice R-Design with a PoleStar boost. For what it is -- a unibody crossover compromise with 8" of ground clearance -- it's very good. Great engine, good tranny, quiet, strong brakes, great screen, lots of storage space. Suspension is a little wobbly but then it's not a BMW. "Slick" is a good word for it.
But, you're too dependent on the G-D screen. Good luck managing the climate without it. And due to the emphasis on structural safety, rear visibility is not great -- the backup camera is required, and I think this is true of a lot of new vehicles. Need that screen just to reverse. Per "tough," I thought we were getting a resilient Volvo, which used to be a tank, but these body panels are aluminum and can be dented with your elbow. And the tires are low-profile which I really regret. You won't be cornering at speed in this car so there's no point and we've already blown one ($450.00 -- that's right). These are quibbles in a great car that we are very lucky to have, and I am grateful for my wife to drive it, but they are modernizations that cumulatively alter the driving experience from what it was when I was younger.
My former cars included a 1969 Firebird (drove it everywhere for seven years) and a 1983 Datsun 280 ZX (drove it everywhere for eight years). Old school vehicles had their pleasures. So getting back to my Bronco was like coming home. You can feel the thoughtful design decisions that bring back the good old days. Driver side window rolled all the way down? No wind in my face because I'm sitting where I'm supposed to be: Above the door. I can rest my left elbow in its rightful place on the frame, turning red in the sun. Simple things like that makes a big difference.
My urban and suburban world is characterized by increasingly weird weather patterns, failing infrastructure and truly crazy drivers. But my Bronc is lifted with 35s that put you above practically everyone else. (Yet it always feels planted -- nice and wide.) With the Bronco and Goodrich AT's, any road obstacle is no problem: Potholes, ditches, floods, big bumps, whatever. Great visibility at all angles -- you can see everything. Some psycho on my bumper? So what. Completely does not matter. All this results in more pleasure and a lot less stress.
I thought I wanted the six -- ended up with the four. Still love it -- plenty of power! Originally wanted a manual, ended up with an auto -- still great fun to drive! Thought I wanted 4A, ended up with 4R -- could care less and sometimes have fun deliberately spinning the tires! Forget the 4A! And screens? The Bronco screen could completely fail and I could not care less -- I have buttons and knobs to manage everything critical. Not dependent on OK Computer!
A couple years ago, I drove a Jeep Sahara for 8 days. Strong engine (4 cylinder turbo) but not much else. Heavy, jerky steering, cramped cockpit, cheap interior, glugging gas at 14MPG. I hear that Jeeps have stepped up recently but I'll never be interested.
I bought this Bronco and I intend to drive it for as long as gasoline is produced. Seems like the fun will last forever.
Recently for ten days, I was compelled to drive my wife's Volvo XC40, a nice R-Design with a PoleStar boost. For what it is -- a unibody crossover compromise with 8" of ground clearance -- it's very good. Great engine, good tranny, quiet, strong brakes, great screen, lots of storage space. Suspension is a little wobbly but then it's not a BMW. "Slick" is a good word for it.
But, you're too dependent on the G-D screen. Good luck managing the climate without it. And due to the emphasis on structural safety, rear visibility is not great -- the backup camera is required, and I think this is true of a lot of new vehicles. Need that screen just to reverse. Per "tough," I thought we were getting a resilient Volvo, which used to be a tank, but these body panels are aluminum and can be dented with your elbow. And the tires are low-profile which I really regret. You won't be cornering at speed in this car so there's no point and we've already blown one ($450.00 -- that's right). These are quibbles in a great car that we are very lucky to have, and I am grateful for my wife to drive it, but they are modernizations that cumulatively alter the driving experience from what it was when I was younger.
My former cars included a 1969 Firebird (drove it everywhere for seven years) and a 1983 Datsun 280 ZX (drove it everywhere for eight years). Old school vehicles had their pleasures. So getting back to my Bronco was like coming home. You can feel the thoughtful design decisions that bring back the good old days. Driver side window rolled all the way down? No wind in my face because I'm sitting where I'm supposed to be: Above the door. I can rest my left elbow in its rightful place on the frame, turning red in the sun. Simple things like that makes a big difference.
My urban and suburban world is characterized by increasingly weird weather patterns, failing infrastructure and truly crazy drivers. But my Bronc is lifted with 35s that put you above practically everyone else. (Yet it always feels planted -- nice and wide.) With the Bronco and Goodrich AT's, any road obstacle is no problem: Potholes, ditches, floods, big bumps, whatever. Great visibility at all angles -- you can see everything. Some psycho on my bumper? So what. Completely does not matter. All this results in more pleasure and a lot less stress.
I thought I wanted the six -- ended up with the four. Still love it -- plenty of power! Originally wanted a manual, ended up with an auto -- still great fun to drive! Thought I wanted 4A, ended up with 4R -- could care less and sometimes have fun deliberately spinning the tires! Forget the 4A! And screens? The Bronco screen could completely fail and I could not care less -- I have buttons and knobs to manage everything critical. Not dependent on OK Computer!
A couple years ago, I drove a Jeep Sahara for 8 days. Strong engine (4 cylinder turbo) but not much else. Heavy, jerky steering, cramped cockpit, cheap interior, glugging gas at 14MPG. I hear that Jeeps have stepped up recently but I'll never be interested.
I bought this Bronco and I intend to drive it for as long as gasoline is produced. Seems like the fun will last forever.
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