Does anyone prefer the Bronco Sport over the regular Bronco? (Or vice versa)

[Bill G]

Who I think I am says 2dr Bronco w/stick, who I really am loves my Sport Badlands — which, in truth, I never really use to its full potential. Old guys with short, er petite, wives don’t really need jacked 4x4’s.

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[Warped9]

Who I think I am says 2dr Bronco w/stick, who I really am loves my Sport Badlands — which, in truth, I never really use to its full potential.

Agreed. Like you I love the idea of a 2dr/manual, but the trade-offs aren’t justifiable.

And if I absolutely had to have a manual shift vehicle for me something like a Jetta GLI would make more sense than a 2dr. Bronco. And it would have been pretty near the same money as my Bronco Sport Big Bend. And the Jetta GLI was a car I was seriously considering, more seriously than a 2dr. Bronco, against the Bronco Sport.

If I were seriously interested in a Bronco it would be the 2dr. Base model with manual transmission. Yes, I'd want to dress it a bit for my taste, but not for serious off-roading since I know I'd be using it primarily as a daily driver. There is something elemental about the basic 2dr. I find very appealing in the face of cars becoming so techy today. But just like certain sports cars appeal to me there is the recognition (which you see more clearly as you age) there are trade-offs in going for such a vehicle--can you accept those trade-offs?

My Big Bend Sport is better equipped than a Base Bronco while costing several thousands of dollars less. It handles better, drives better overall and gets better fuel economy. It's easier to get in and out of and has more cargo space. And it's a good looking vehicle in its own right. No, it doesn't have quite the same vibe as a full-size Bronco or the same off-road ability and it doesn't draw the same attention or make the same impression. But those plusses don't mean much if that's not the vehicle to best suite your needs.

 

[GizzardLizard]

I really wanted the full size Bronco when it came out but settled on a BS because I couldn't afford a full size at least configured like I wanted (that and liked the Sport's fuel economy better!). Now after having my BS BB for the last 3 years I've realized the full size isn't for me. I still absolutely love how the full size looks and even now seeing one still gets my attention, but for me personally it's too hardcore for something I'd want to drive everyday plus I'm not into the removable stuff and don't like that it makes it noisier/less insulated.

You know when you think about it, the BS is actually the more unique vehicle of the two. How many other boxy0styled off roader unibody crossovers are out there with similar capability and features? Right now I'm pretty sure the BS is the only one.

I think the Badlands is the perfect middle ground: you get more off road capability than the standard BS but you also get more comfort and fuel economy than the full size Bronco. Thats the only thing I'd change about my BS experience is I would've got a BL over the BB (BL was quite a bit cheaper in 21-22 but now they're too expensive for me).

 

[Adamas]

I got a 2022 Sport Big Bend a month ago (traded in my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo plus cash). I love it, but regret not going with the regular Bronco. I plan on searching for a used one; hoping I can get a good deal/trade in. I don’t want to take too much of a hit. Either way, I’ll have to outlay $ in the trade, which is fine. Any ideas on how much I’d have to outlay? 10,000-$15,000? I got the bug for the regular Bronco bad. I’ll test drive one. If I like it and can work the numbers out, then I may be in! Am I crazy for thinking about doing this? ?

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I got a 2022 Sport Big Bend a month ago (traded in my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo plus cash). I love it, but regret not going with the regular Bronco. I plan on searching for a used one; hoping I can get a good deal/trade in. I don’t want to take too much of a hit. Either way, I’ll have to outlay $ in the trade, which is fine. Any ideas on how much I’d have to outlay? 10,000-$15,000? I got the bug for the regular Bronco bad. I’ll test drive one. If I like it and can work the numbers out, then I may be in! Am I crazy for thinking about doing this? ?

The cost difference in 2022 started out around 5k assuming a base model of each. That ballooned to 10k for similarly equipped Badlands assuming a 2 door for the full size. Of course, you could go much higher in the full size if you wanted a Wildtrak or Raptor or add the lux package. The difference between my 22 Badlands Sport and my 23 Heritage 2 door was about 8K. Now my Badlands doesn’t have the premium package nor does my Heritage. I consider them comparable as far as features like blis, intelligent door locks and auto HVAC. The Badlands Sport is gets about 4 miles per gallon better gas milage and is quieter on the highway. Physically they are about the same size in width and length but of course, the 2 door is much taller. I can basically slide into the Sport and have to climb into the Heritage.

The full size seems to be holding it’s value better at the surface but there are plenty for sale now so it’s possible you could negotiate favorable terms depending on milage and options.

As far as crazy, it all really depends on what you want. I like them both for different reasons. I don’t consider them to be in the same class so toe to toe comparisons don’t make sense to me but I know plenty in both camps do it. If you can swing it financially and you want it, why not?

 

[Adamas]

The cost difference in 2022 started out around 5k assuming a base model of each. That ballooned to 10k for similarly equipped Badlands assuming a 2 door for the full size. Of course, you could go much higher in the full size if you wanted a Wildtrak or Raptor or add the lux package. The difference between my 22 Badlands Sport and my 23 Heritage 2 door was about 8K. Now my Badlands doesn’t have the premium package nor does my Heritage. I consider them comparable as far as features like blis, intelligent door locks and auto HVAC. The Badlands Sport is gets about 4 miles per gallon better gas milage and is quieter on the highway. Physically they are about the same size in width and length but of course, the 2 door is much taller. I can basically slide into the Sport and have to climb into the Heritage.

The full size seems to be holding it’s value better at the surface but there are plenty for sale now so it’s possible you could negotiate favorable terms depending on milage and options.

As far as crazy, it all really depends on what you want. I like them both for different reasons. I don’t consider them to be in the same class so toe to toe comparisons don’t make sense to me but I know plenty in both camps do it. If you can swing it financially and you want it, why not?

Thanks for your detailed feedback.

I definitely want a 4-door (used 2021-2023, but not sure what model; maybe. a Big Bend?). I don’t buy the base model in any vehicles, usually one or two tiers above. I am going to test drive one very soon and take it from there. No issues with affordability, just don’t want to take a huge hit on the trade-in, but hey, you only live once, right?!?

I bought my 2022 Sport Big Bend about a month ago with 30,000 miles. It came off a 3 year lease. The previous owner kept it in immaculate condition.

 

[Warped9]

One of the things I had to get used to when I got my Bronco Sport was sitting higher and in a smaller vehicle overall from my CrownVic. The higher seating position threw off my sight lines in where the corners of the vehicle are. I still get it off sometimes, and in conjunction with driving a smaller vehicle I sometimes don't realize how much space I have around the vehicle because for years I was used to driving a big car. Initially I sometimes took some turns a bit wide and sometimes I think there isn't enough room in a given parking space because my brain is sometimes still in "parking CrownVic" mode for so many years.

Now a full-size Bronco, at least a 2dr., would be about the same length and width as my Bronco Sport, but you sit even higher. So my sight lines would be thrown off again.

Whenever I drive my Bronco Sport, particularly on the highway, is when I'm really glad I didn't go for the bigger Bronco which wouldn't handle as sharply, would have more body roll, get worse gas mileage and be noisier (given it's a convertible even though it has a hardtop).

I see the bigger Bronco as something analogous to a sports car of 4x4s--it looks very cool, but it's not as practical or as refined overall as the Bronco Sport.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

One of the things I had to get used to when I got my Bronco Sport was sitting higher and in a smaller vehicle overall from my CrownVic. The higher seating position threw off my sight lines in where the corners of the vehicle are. I still get it off sometimes, and in conjunction with driving a smaller vehicle I sometimes don't realize how much space I have around the vehicle because for years I was used to driving a big car. Initially I sometimes took some turns a bit wide and sometimes I think there isn't enough room in a given parking space because my brain is sometimes still in "parking CrownVic" mode for so many years.

Now a full-size Bronco, at least a 2dr., would be about the same length and width as my Bronco Sport, but you sit even higher. So my sight lines would be thrown off again.

Whenever I drive my Bronco Sport, particularly on the highway, is when I'm really glad I didn't go for the bigger Bronco which wouldn't handle as sharply, would have more body roll, get worse gas mileage and be noisier (given it's a convertible even though it has a hardtop).

I see the bigger Bronco as something analogous to a sports car of 4x4s--it looks very cool, but it's not as practical or as refined overall as the Bronco Sport.

Definitely sits higher than the Sport and way higher than my Lexus ES 350. I don’t find the sight lines any worse than any other vehicle. They both have pretty short hoods. I had a 72 Mustang with a hood a mile long. Even that was something you just got used too.

The Heritage has the Sasquatch package so it’s wider as far as the overall tire patch and doesn’t roll much as you might think, but I don’t drive it the same as my old Lightning! It is still a body on frame truck, although the suspension is softer than most pick-ups so it rides pretty decent on the roads. We had it out today and I still enjoy driving the Heritage more so than the Sport for short road trips. The ES350 beats them both for long road trips.

If I could only have one vehicle, I would probably pick the Sport over the Lexus or the Heritage as it can fill a multitude of roles. But, for the specific uses I have the other two for, I’ll keep ‘em for now as they excel for the roles I use them for.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Definitely sits higher than the Sport and way higher than my Lexus ES 350. I don’t find the sight lines any worse than any other vehicle. They both have pretty short hoods. I had a 72 Mustang with a hood a mile long. Even that was something you just got used too.

The Heritage has the Sasquatch package so it’s wider as far as the overall tire patch and doesn’t roll much as you might think, but I don’t drive it the same as my old Lightning! It is still a body on frame truck, although the suspension is softer than most pick-ups so it rides pretty decent on the roads. We had it out today and I still enjoy driving the Heritage more so than the Sport for short road trips. The ES350 beats them both for long road trips.

If I could only have one vehicle, I would probably pick the Sport over the Lexus or the Heritage as it can fill a multitude of roles. But, for the specific uses I have the other two for, I’ll keep ‘em for now as they excel for the roles I use them for.

I know all about the Mile Long Hood your 72 Mustang had. My first car was my 73 Mach 1.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I know all about the Mile Long Hood your 72 Mustang had. My first car was my 73 Mach 1.

Great looking car! I loved that body style. Do you remember the Warren Tope Edition? Kind of played off the Stroppe Bronco. I like the new ones as well but not for 75k!

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Great looking car! I loved that body style. Do you remember the Warren Tope Edition? Kind of played off the Stroppe Bronco. I like the new ones as well but not for 75k!

I wish many times i would have kept the Mach 1 i bought it in 1986 IIRC and Sold it in 1989 or 1990 IIRC. I always have dreams i still have it but it needs restored and i wonder if i should restore it or not in those dreams.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I wish many times i would have kept the Mach 1 i bought it in 1986 IIRC and Sold it in 1989 or 1990 IIRC. I always have dreams i still have it but it needs restored and i wonder if i should restore it or not in those dreams.

I keep debating my decision to sell the Lightning in 2020 when I ordered the full size. The Lightning was 25 years old and in pretty good condition. Parts were becoming difficult to get although LMR made some reproductions. I wasn’t driving it much with fear of getting hit and not being able to fix it. Now after buying a 2 door Heritage with a manual transmission, I’m probably on the same path as I was with the Lightning. I really don’t want to own a vehicle and not drive it.

 

[Mark S.]

I wish many times i would have kept the Mach 1 i bought it in 1986 IIRC and Sold it in 1989 or 1990 IIRC. I always have dreams i still have it but it needs restored and i wonder if i should restore it or not in those dreams.

The dreams of a true gearhead. I like it!

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

I keep debating my decision to sell the Lightning in 2020 when I ordered the full size. The Lightning was 25 years old and in pretty good condition. Parts were becoming difficult to get although LMR made some reproductions. I wasn’t driving it much with fear of getting hit and not being able to fix it. Now after buying a 2 door Heritage with a manual transmission, I’m probably on the same path as I was with the Lightning. I really don’t want to own a vehicle and not drive it.

The Mach 1 was from North Carolina when i bought it and i Live in Northeast,Ohio.I know what you mean about finding parts one of the reasons i Sold the Mach 1 was the Trunk had some little pin holes starting in it.And at that time the 71-73 Mustangs weren't as popular as the earlier Mustangs so parts were scarce. Wouldn't you know it not much longer after i Sold it 71-73 Mustang trunk Floors started being made.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Bump TTT forJ3u29!

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