The death of the Base Model '24 ... take 2!

[Bronco Blue]

I believe Ford raised prices on ALL the trim levels, not just the Big Bend.

Exactly, I built a 2024 OBX like mine to a T and it’s $2,000 more than what I paid for it in 2022. Although the only new feature the ‘23 and ‘24 got over my ‘22 is the memory seating so that’s probably why the price went up in ‘23, but I can’t give a reason why they went up again in ‘24 only that it’s possibly because of inflation, but again idk.

It’s funny I just saw an article posted today on Ford Authority saying the BS is on the list of coolest cars under $30,000. Obviously next year that’s probably not going to be true.

Sponsored

 

[Deleted member 8941]

We had the opportunity to buy a '21 Cactus Grey BS Outer Banks in April 2021 when the MSRP was only $34K. What a steal compared to nowadays! Sadly, that's about the price of a new Big Bend with options. That same car is now over $38K! We ended up waiting and special ordered one a year and a half later which was a mistake since we could've gotten it for $4K cheaper the year prior. The only feature they added for '23/'24 that the '21 didn't was the already mentioned memory driver's seat. In regards to other features, it was a matter of adjusting to the chip shortage.

The digital temperature readout was replaced with a thermostat icon which now displays the temperature temporarily when twisting the nob in the infotainment system. The green light on the push button starter was eliminated as well as the perforated leather seats (the latter was a good move for easy cleaning) Even the center dome lights were altered. The early ones had two separate lights on each side of the headliner whereas the newest ones have the two in one housing in the center of the headliner. I'm not sure if the last one has anything to do with the chip shortage but that could've been a matter of ergonomics.

 

[Bucko]

In all reality, "Base" doesn't sound as exciting as "Big Bend," "Outer Banks," or "Badlands." I think aside from fewer models being cheaper to produce, most folks in the market for a Bronco really do eat up the outdoorsy theming and little touches like the badging. Sorry to say, but you are the odd one out these days not wanting all the bells and whistles. Both the Sport and the full size are marketed as "extra," mainly focusing on the gadgets and rugged capability in the commercials.

The entire reason for things like the Hertitage and Free Wheeling editions? It's to be "extra" and sell more units that make folks feel unique. The Base likely wasn't hitting that market quite as hard, so it was cut.

I agree with this line of thinking...my Ford truck is as base as it gets with a rubber floor, crank up windows, no power door locks, etc. When people ask, I tell them its a base model...they smirk. When I told them what my wife drove through the years (BMW's, Grand Cherokee's, and now the BS Outer banks) they smile.
Todays market seems to be driven to the features and packages market.

 

[Winds of Change]

In all reality, "Base" doesn't sound as exciting as "Big Bend," "Outer Banks," or "Badlands." I think aside from fewer models being cheaper to produce, most folks in the market for a Bronco really do eat up the outdoorsy theming and little touches like the badging. Sorry to say, but you are the odd one out these days not wanting all the bells and whistles. Both the Sport and the full size are marketed as "extra," mainly focusing on the gadgets and rugged capability in the commercials.

The entire reason for things like the Hertitage and Free Wheeling editions? It's to be "extra" and sell more units that make folks feel unique. The Base likely wasn't hitting that market quite as hard, so it was cut.

If this were true maybe FORD themselves would have more extras available. Those new bronze wheels for the 6G would be awesome on Sports. But not even Ford is making any real accessories for the Sport. And No I am not the odd one. I have a loaded Badlands. They are the ones that advertised ut as an affordable emsub 30k car to draw people in.

 

[Winds of Change]

The only mistake I feel I made is getting a cool car with no aftermarket support. By the time the aftermarket or ford decides to get in the game I probably will be on to something else unfortunately. Maybe a 2025 Land Cruiser lol.

 

[Robink]

True ... but the new Big Bend IS the old BasecModel because you have to pay for the optional convenience packages so it was a way to raise the cost of the previous Base Model by $2000 and slap a badge on it and call it a Big Bend. For everyone who starts purchasing the BS 2024 models ... they will be non tge wiser that a Base Model previously existed. So in truth ... they didn't really eliminate the Base Model ... they just eliminated the name. My guess is most people now will purchase the Big Bend for an additional $2,000 and most of them will pay even more $ for the additional added packages for a heated steering wheel, seats, etc ... thus raising the cost of the Big Bend even more.

Yes I agree with this!!

 

[Robink]

Like I said ... I'm 65. It's really a generational thing. We don't give crap about the badge. There are MANY people who remove the badges regardless of trim levels. Ford just messed up from the beginning and are just finally fixing it ... but make no mistake about it ... the new Big Bend in 2024 is the old Base ... but now you pay more $ for it and even more $ for the packages to make it be as it was in '21-'23 ... just marketing for $ plain and simple.

I'm 68 and I completely agree with you. I couldn't find anything that didn't involve complicated computer systems and just had a regular key darnit!!! I've spent the last twenty years exploring the desert before it became "fashionable". I don't want any crap inside or outside on my vehicle but could not find anything that I could afford. I bought the BB because I could afford it and still get out there. I drove my 2004 Nissan Exterra all over creation. I put 235000 miles on it. And it's still running great. I was worried it would let me down so I bought the 21 bronco. Now I'm worried with all the computerized crap that this one is going to let me down!! I drive mine for as long as I can!!

 

[RodNSA]

I'm 68 and I completely agree with you. I couldn't find anything that didn't involve complicated computer systems and just had a regular key darnit!!! I've spent the last twenty years exploring the desert before it became "fashionable". I don't want any crap inside or outside on my vehicle but could not find anything that I could afford. I bought the BB because I could afford it and still get out there. I drove my 2004 Nissan Exterra all over creation. I put 235000 miles on it. And it's still running great. I was worried it would let me down so I bought the 21 bronco. Now I'm worried with all the computerized crap that this one is going to let me down!! I drive mine for as long as I can!!

I agree! And as it seems ... my last vehicle was a Jeep with no "extras" and my vehicle before that .... same as yours XTERRA! Hope my '22 BS doesn't leave me stranded in the wilderness. Truthfully, my little base unit has been flawless since January when I purchased it. Hope it makes it to 200k ?.

 

[Robins21]

It doesn't matter to us because we got a BB model. I am almost 66 & my wife is closing 63, it hopefully is the last vehicle we buy her. We are happy with this model because we did not need/want all the bells & whistles that the other higher models offered plus they were out of our price range.

 

[Robink]

I agree! And as it seems ... my last vehicle was a Jeep with no "extras" and my vehicle before that .... same as yours XTERRA! Hope my '22 BS doesn't leave me stranded in the wilderness. Truthfully, my little base unit has been flawless since January when I purchased it. Hope it makes it to 200k ?.

I've had my 21 BB for a couple of months and have spent a lot of money making it do what I need it to do but so far so good! If they made a new Exterra without making it look or drive like an average suv I'd sell my little bronco in a heartbeat! By far the best vehicle I've ever had and even though its is a base model with no lockers it went EVERYWHERE. I looked at jeeps but everything used was a rental from Hawaii!! The dealers would buy them at auction in California and bring them here to southwestern Utah. No way was I going to buy a two year old rental and no way could I afford a new one. Most of the owner sellers I found were beat to death. I'm in a huge off road area. So that's how I ended up with the bronco. Would I like a full size one? Of course but no way on this earth I could afford to buy or maintain one lol.

Sponsored