Too Much Time on my Hands

[RushMan]

Rather than posting in the Tracker forum section, I'm going to leave some food for thought here.
I've got about 6 weeks or more until my Badlands is delivered, and entertain myself watching all the YouTube videos of Bronco Sport reviews. Many of them are bad, even from new and used car dealers. Calling roof rails as "racks" is one sin. And then there are the bozos pushing the button in the cargo area and wondering why the cargo area light on the passenger side doesn't cycle on/off. And then there are those who can't figure out the spring clips in the cargo area. But it gets worse. Some are thrilled about hanging clothing items from the hand grips on the rear hatch. Did you know it specifically states in the owner's manual NOT to hang things from the hand holds?
One salesman referred to the car he was showing as a Badlands. It was clearly an Outer Banks. One can see that from the wheels, the grill color and lack of front camera that it was not a Badlands.
The one very disturbing thing that is common to all these car reviews and many other YouTube videos is the overuse of "As Well." Does YouTube pay these folks on how many "as Wells" they use in one of their segments?
Saying "as Well" diminishes the value of the feature that they are highlighting.

In my career as a scientist, we did may presentations, both internally and externally. Wordsmithing was very important, making sure not to repeat words unnecessarily, whether written or in verbal presentations. Did you ever talk to some one who constantly says "Right?" or "Basically" all the time.? Or "AS WELL!" ?

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[RushMan]

And for my next Rant...
I was watching a YouTube video of a guy complaining about the tightness of the driver's space in the Bronco Sport that he had rented while his personal car was in the body shop. Hmmm, did I do a bad thing by ordering my Bronco Sport without test driving it?
I did go to a dealer and sat in a Badlands for half an hour, familiarizing myself with the controls and comfort. And I rode in my neighbor's car too.
I find that more valuable than a test drive which would marred by the distractions of a salesman next to me talking while I was watching the road, and getting comfortable with the controls. Touch screens don't belong in cars. Not for common cabin controls like HVAC and even radio/entertainment selections. Ford is one of the few who has retained simple controls for these items, even though the infotainment screen is necessary for changing entertainment sources.
Back to my project. Rhetorical question? Is the Bronco Sport I ordered going to be an uncomfortable drive? How will it fit in my garage? Many reviews say that it is 6 or 8 inches shorter in length than the current Escape. Pull up my spreadsheets and compare it to my last 2 cars.

	2017 Ford Escape	2024 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands
Exterior
Length	14 ft 10.1 in	14 ft 4.7 in
Width	6 ft 0.4 in	6 ft 10 in
Height	5 ft 6.3 in	5 ft 11.4 in
Ground Clearance	7.8 in	8.6 in
Front Track	5 ft 1 in	5 ft 3.4 in
Rear Track	5 ft 1.6 in	5 ft 2.8 in
Wheel Base	8 ft 9.9 in	8 ft 9.1 in
Interior
Front Head Room	39.9 in	41.8
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in	57.3
Front Leg Room	43.1 in	42.4
Rear Head Room	39.0 in	41.7
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in	55.6
Rear Leg Room	37.3 in	36.9
Fuel	Regular or Premium	Regular or Premium
Tank	15.7 gal	16
Mileage	20/27 mpg	21/26 mpg
Weights
Curb Weight	3552	3707
Gross Weight	4402	4717
Cargo Capacity	34 cu ft/68 cu ft	32.5 cu ft/60.6 cu ft
Towing	3500	2200
Performance
Engine	2.0L Turbo	2.0L Turbo
HP	245 hp	250
Torque	275 ft-lb	277 ft-lb
0-60 mph	7.1 sec	5.9 (rolling)
Qtr Mile	15.6 sec/87	14.5/93
Turning Circle	38.8 ft	37.4 ft
Skidpad	0.85 g
Braking	184 ft (70 - 0)	163 (70 - 0)
Base Price	$36,000	38,390

Looking at those numbers for the '17 Escape and the '24 Bronco Sport, they are very close in size and even performance such as gas mileage.
I feel better now.
About that width. I suspect the one was quoted without the mirrors and the other with the mirrors. I don't think the BS is 9.6" wider mirror to mirror edge.
But for people considering buying a Bronco Sport, don't base it off of YouTube videos. Many of them are full of bad information, and annoying inexperienced salesman and even owners who haven't familiarized themselves with their new car's features and haven't downloaded and read the owner's manual.

 

[Dude]

For reference here’s L, W, H size comparison to 2016 Forester, 2022 bronco sport badlands with the OEM Roof-Rail Crossbars II, 2022 big bronco and the CyberTruck (CT dimensions for the production version differ)

 

[MAGPLM]

You will love it!!! I have had a 2005 Escape, 2014 Escape, 2019 Escape, and now a 2022 Bronco Sport Badlands. 2004 was a 3.0L V6, 2014 was 2.0L I4, 2019 was 1.5L I4, and Bronco Sport is a 2.0L I4. 2019 was like driving an oversized go cart with that 1.5L. lol 2.0L with 250HP is the way to go. Have same engine in my 2023 Maverick as well. Love this 2.0L engine, as it has get up and go when needed. Ordered both my rigs without test driving either of them. Just did a bunch of research on both.

 

[RushMan]

You will love it!!! I have had a 2005 Escape, 2014 Escape, 2019 Escape, and now a 2022 Bronco Sport Badlands. 2004 was a 3.0L V6, 2014 was 2.0L I4, 2019 was 1.5L I4, and Bronco Sport is a 2.0L I4. 2019 was like driving an oversized go cart with that 1.5L. lol 2.0L with 250HP is the way to go. Have same engine in my 2023 Maverick as well. Love this 2.0L engine, as it has get up and go when needed. Ordered both my rigs without test driving either of them. Just did a bunch of research on both.

Thanks for the reply. I've been watching the BS ever since it was announced. My intention was to replace my '17 Escape when the extended warranty runs out. I shopped several cars and always found the BS closest to my wants and needs. My choice of the Badlands was primarily for the 2.0L engine which I have in my otherwise very basic Escape.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

My Badlands was the long awaited replacement for my 2006 Escape. Only negative for me is the lack of a manual transmission. I use the “U” in the SUV a lot and the Escape’s made after 2012 didn’t seem to cut it for me for access getting into the back. The 2006 held two 32 gallon garbage cans perfectly as does the 2022 Badlands. It also fits both our bicycles inside as did the 2006. But the 2022 Badlands is way better in every other way compared to the 2006 Escape.

 

[S Duncan]

Rather than posting in the Tracker forum section, I'm going to leave some food for thought here.
I've got about 6 weeks or more until my Badlands is delivered, and entertain myself watching all the YouTube videos of Bronco Sport reviews. Many of them are bad, even from new and used car dealers. Calling roof rails as "racks" is one sin. And then there are the bozos pushing the button in the cargo area and wondering why the cargo area light on the passenger side doesn't cycle on/off. And then there are those who can't figure out the spring clips in the cargo area. But it gets worse. Some are thrilled about hanging clothing items from the hand grips on the rear hatch. Did you know it specifically states in the owner's manual NOT to hang things from the hand holds?
One salesman referred to the car he was showing as a Badlands. It was clearly an Outer Banks. One can see that from the wheels, the grill color and lack of front camera that it was not a Badlands.
The one very disturbing thing that is common to all these car reviews and many other YouTube videos is the overuse of "As Well." Does YouTube pay these folks on how many "as Wells" they use in one of their segments?
Saying "as Well" diminishes the value of the feature that they are highlighting.

In my career as a scientist, we did may presentations, both internally and externally. Wordsmithing was very important, making sure not to repeat words unnecessarily, whether written or in verbal presentations. Did you ever talk to some one who constantly says "Right?" or "Basically" all the time.? Or "AS WELL!" ?

Or, “Like.” Ugh! If you watch videos on RV’s or Tiny homes, you will encounter this word repeating, it’s almost trending, just like when you go into any business and say thank you and they say, “Of course”, or “My pleasure.” I’m pretty sure it’s a corporate thing. They sound robotic.

 

[RushMan]

Or, “Like.” Ugh! If you watch videos on RV’s or Tiny homes, you will encounter this word repeating, it’s almost trending, just like when you go into any business and say thank you and they say, “Of course”, or “My pleasure.” I’m pretty sure it’s a corporate thing. They sound robotic.

I wouldn't confuse politeness, even forced politeness such as in the checkout lane in a store, as in the same vein.
"As well" permeates even the amateur car reviewers. I've become so sensitized to it that I even notice now being overused on news programs.
As for corporate speak, we were ever aware of "buzz" phrases. You could always identify a manager who was a follower rather than a leader who used expressions such as "thinking outside the box." Now that's someone who is incapable of independent thought and expression.

 

[Mark S.]

People spend years in broadcast schools learning how to avoid the mental/verbal pauses you describe while speaking for recorded presentations. YouTube has made it possible for anyone with a camera and some free time to record and broadcast themselves to the entire planet. It’s not hard to separate the pros from the amateurs.

That said, it’s refreshing to get opinions from real people that haven’t been rinsed through some corporation’s marketing and legal departments to make sure the “right” message is presented.

Life is full of tradeoffs.

 

[S Duncan]

I wouldn't confuse politeness, even forced politeness such as in the checkout lane in a store, as in the same vein.
"As well" permeates even the amateur car reviewers. I've become so sensitized to it that I even notice now being overused on news programs.
As for corporate speak, we were ever aware of "buzz" phrases. You could always identify a manager who was a follower rather than a leader who used expressions such as "thinking outside the box." Now that's someone who is incapable of independent thought and expression.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the forced politeness, I prefer it to rudeness that I get from this generation sometimes. But it still all sounds trendy, gimmicky and yes,forced to me, none really bothers me but it’s obvious, and funny.

 

[wireman]

And for my next Rant...
I was watching a YouTube video of a guy complaining about the tightness of the driver's space in the Bronco Sport that he had rented while his personal car was in the body shop. Hmmm, did I do a bad thing by ordering my Bronco Sport without test driving it?
I did go to a dealer and sat in a Badlands for half an hour, familiarizing myself with the controls and comfort. And I rode in my neighbor's car too.
I find that more valuable than a test drive which would marred by the distractions of a salesman next to me talking while I was watching the road, and getting comfortable with the controls. Touch screens don't belong in cars. Not for common cabin controls like HVAC and even radio/entertainment selections. Ford is one of the few who has retained simple controls for these items, even though the infotainment screen is necessary for changing entertainment sources.
Back to my project. Rhetorical question? Is the Bronco Sport I ordered going to be an uncomfortable drive? How will it fit in my garage? Many reviews say that it is 6 or 8 inches shorter in length than the current Escape. Pull up my spreadsheets and compare it to my last 2 cars.

	2017 Ford Escape	2024 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands
Exterior
Length	14 ft 10.1 in	14 ft 4.7 in
Width	6 ft 0.4 in	6 ft 10 in
Height	5 ft 6.3 in	5 ft 11.4 in
Ground Clearance	7.8 in	8.6 in
Front Track	5 ft 1 in	5 ft 3.4 in
Rear Track	5 ft 1.6 in	5 ft 2.8 in
Wheel Base	8 ft 9.9 in	8 ft 9.1 in
Interior
Front Head Room	39.9 in	41.8
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in	57.3
Front Leg Room	43.1 in	42.4
Rear Head Room	39.0 in	41.7
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in	55.6
Rear Leg Room	37.3 in	36.9
Fuel	Regular or Premium	Regular or Premium
Tank	15.7 gal	16
Mileage	20/27 mpg	21/26 mpg
Weights
Curb Weight	3552	3707
Gross Weight	4402	4717
Cargo Capacity	34 cu ft/68 cu ft	32.5 cu ft/60.6 cu ft
Towing	3500	2200
Performance
Engine	2.0L Turbo	2.0L Turbo
HP	245 hp	250
Torque	275 ft-lb	277 ft-lb
0-60 mph	7.1 sec	5.9 (rolling)
Qtr Mile	15.6 sec/87	14.5/93
Turning Circle	38.8 ft	37.4 ft
Skidpad	0.85 g
Braking	184 ft (70 - 0)	163 (70 - 0)
Base Price	$36,000	38,390

Looking at those numbers for the '17 Escape and the '24 Bronco Sport, they are very close in size and even performance such as gas mileage.
I feel better now.
About that width. I suspect the one was quoted without the mirrors and the other with the mirrors. I don't think the BS is 9.6" wider mirror to mirror edge.
But for people considering buying a Bronco Sport, don't base it off of YouTube videos. Many of them are full of bad information, and annoying inexperienced salesman and even owners who haven't familiarized themselves with their new car's features and haven't downloaded and read the owner's manual.

Sorry to say that Ford went to touch screen climate controls in the 2023 Platinum & ST line with the larger touchscreen.

 

[BravoAlpha]

Rather than posting in the Tracker forum section, I'm going to leave some food for thought here.
I've got about 6 weeks or more until my Badlands is delivered, and entertain myself watching all the YouTube videos of Bronco Sport reviews. Many of them are bad, even from new and used car dealers. Calling roof rails as "racks" is one sin. And then there are the bozos pushing the button in the cargo area and wondering why the cargo area light on the passenger side doesn't cycle on/off. And then there are those who can't figure out the spring clips in the cargo area. But it gets worse. Some are thrilled about hanging clothing items from the hand grips on the rear hatch. Did you know it specifically states in the owner's manual NOT to hang things from the hand holds?
One salesman referred to the car he was showing as a Badlands. It was clearly an Outer Banks. One can see that from the wheels, the grill color and lack of front camera that it was not a Badlands.
The one very disturbing thing that is common to all these car reviews and many other YouTube videos is the overuse of "As Well." Does YouTube pay these folks on how many "as Wells" they use in one of their segments?
Saying "as Well" diminishes the value of the feature that they are highlighting.

In my career as a scientist, we did may presentations, both internally and externally. Wordsmithing was very important, making sure not to repeat words unnecessarily, whether written or in verbal presentations. Did you ever talk to some one who constantly says "Right?" or "Basically" all the time.? Or "AS WELL!" ?

youtube is full of mind-numbing garbage. So many trying to post content and get views…trying to become the next Doug DeMuro or Joe Rogan. They are trying to sound complex and sophisticated. Local news and the weather channel doesn’t sound much better. Our vocabulary is on the decline

We turn to YouTube to gain knowledge but the “knowledge“ we are looking for was never there. Just 18 minutes of “content” with a lot of filler and what seems to be a vocabulary word bank from a 4-year old.

I’ve noticed people of all generations wake up, watch the same things, eat the same food and say the same things over and over. There’s very little original thought or opinion spoken that wasn’t just regurgitated. I’ve been left to ask myself whether I’ve become wiser or is life just dumbing down around me to make me feel smarter .

Now I did repair my refrigerator for like $200 from an awesome YouTube how to. And they had to dumb that down real good because I didn’t understand a thing I saw the first time

 

[Elegance]

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the forced politeness, I prefer it to rudeness that I get from this generation sometimes. But it still all sounds trendy, gimmicky and yes,forced to me, none really bothers me but it’s obvious, and funny.

Slightly different, but I've been educated during college and grad school to communicate scientific knowledge in an engaging and effective way to a general audience. It started with several communications and writing courses in college that I wound up really loving. I then worked full time as a zoo educator for a few years during undergrad speaking to crowds up to 1000 people of varying ages and abilities about animals, ecology, evolution, and other topics within the natural sciences with the help of my animal ambassadors. During grad school, I presented my thesis research at a variety of conferences, then going on to become a published author within my field. I also won an award at our university's Three Minute Thesis competion where participants are challenged to present their entire thesis in a 3 minute presentation using only one static slide. My work now is in a very public facing job with a federal agency. Lots of practice with honing my communication skills for diverse audiences. Every day is humbling.

The absolute best thing you can do as a speaker is be real with folks, regardless of content or setting. Find the eloquent language to describe the honest truth rather than masking the content, "dumbing it down" for your audience, or stuffing it with filler. The most genuine connections to my listeners have occured when I'm my authentic nerdy self - open and honest about the subject matter while also putting it in a form they can easily interpret and understand. I tend to have open conversations that rely little on visual aids and lend themselves to making the audience feel like we're just having a discussion, even if it is a very formal talk. A lot of what you're hearing in content today has sounded forced because most speakers/creators limit themselves (or have limits placed upon them) in the honesty/realism department. Anyone can whip out their confidence and flashy vocabulary, but it won't strike you as important nor memorable unless they're truly meaning what they're saying and giving it to you openly. I learned this even more so when speaking to kids. They can smell BS from a mile away even if they don't know the subject matter.

 

[Poolmanz Sport Bronco]

1. Welcome Russ to the forum . Love the rants. Can't wait to read your raves.

2. Thanks Russ, I'm going back to review all my YT videos posted for any "Word Whiskers" as I like to call them.

3. I also stared getting annoyed at the Bronco Sport "list" videos - "Thinks I hate" "Hidden features", AS WELL AS, the long term Reviews based on years or milage. "I want to crush them in the head- those flat heads"- Kids in the Hall

 

[RushMan]

Sorry to say that Ford went to touch screen climate controls in the 2023 Platinum & ST line with the larger touchscreen.

For that reason, the touch screen secondary controls, this may be my last brand new car.
Being a retired scientist, techno doesn't frighten me, but it has limitions for appropriate application. Some decades ago, 2 manufacturers designed their scanning electron microscopes with solely keyboard and mouse operation. Besides being awkward and inefficient, operator fatigued and carpal tunnel damage was the result. Eventually, they added proper ontrol panel operations (knows anuttons and switches). I bought one of these instruments and developed a ganglia on my wrist. The ganglia went away shortly after I bought the newly developed contro panel. I met with the engineer who developed the control panel. He also developed a wrist ganglia , which was his motivation to deelop the add-on control panel. Later model microscopes were no longer sold with just mouse/keyboard control.

The problem with touch screens and multifunction controls is that they require taking your ees ffof the road to make function changes and selections. The result is distracted driving. You might as well be texting. It's no differen than hunting around a touch screen.

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