Good day all, this is the Angry Systems Administrator. After almost three years, I have finally been able to put in my order for a Ford Bronco. I just came back from the dealer and confirmed that my order is now in the “Official” Ford order book.
It’s been tough going to get one of these vehicles. Generally, you don’t want to buy one from the first year model, so I waited until 2021. I got to test drive one a year ago and was working the numbers when news came out that the order book for the 2022 models had closed.
I kept my eye open of course and last August was notified that Ford was going to open the order book for the 2023 model. I went to the dealer and paid the $100 reservation fee and waited…and waited…and waited. I finally found out the order book for the 2023 model year was going to open in late March. I spoke with the dealer and confirmed with them I was interested. Last week they contacted me and told me to update my preference sheet and send it in. The order book for 2023 was going to open on March 27th, for one single day.
The demand for the Ford Bronco, not the Sport version, but the real one, has exceeded the manufacturing capacity for 3 model years. Ford has just caught up with the orders from 2022. Needless to say, I contacted the dealer the same day the notice came out and confirmed the spec sheet I sent them. This morning I went up there with a friend, plonked down $900, (The original $100 brings that to $1000), and I just received the order confirmation.
According to the dealer, they had over 50 orders to submit, and I was the first one to pay money. I said that puts me at the top of the list, right? They promised number three. The way this is working is on a first come, first served basis. Until I get the VIN number, there is no guarantee that I will be able to actually get the Bronco.
However, it looks promising due to what I ordered. Most people are going for the 4-door model. I don’t want one of those so I went for the 2-door. I didn’t go for the High End Sasquatch package, just the mid-grade options package. I also didn’t go for a lot of extras. According to the dealer, some models are not available this year, and even more interesting, you won’t be able to order a Bronco with a standard transmission. (or, as people of my generation call it, the Millennial Anti-theft device) You can only get an automatic transmission.
This is fine with me since I’ve been done with standard transmissions for a long time. I can drive one, be it “Three on the tree,” “Four on the floor” or a toe shifter on a motorcycle. I just don’t want to be bothered any longer with constantly clutching and shifting gears.
Now the model I ordered is the two door Big Bend with the four cylinder engine. I test drove one of those and it matched or exceeded the performance of my current vehicle with a 6 cylinder engine. It have the mid-package, as I mentioned before. As to the delivery date? Who knows? When I was talking to one of the sales reps and drooling over the Raptor version of the Bronco, he estimated July, although it could be anywhere up to the end of the year, if then.
I probably won’t see the VIN number and estimated delivery date until May. Once I have that, then I start planning on my financing. Obviously, I want the payments as low as possible. I’ve already run some numbers and I intend to make a really large down payment, along with the trade in value of my current ride. (I’m guesstimating that at between $10K and $15K)
Now, you might be wondering what I’ll do if this falls through. I won’t be waiting for the 2024 model year. It’s time to replace my current vehicle. If I can’t get a Bronco. I’ll have to go with my second choice. A Toyota 4Runner.
I did look briefly at the Fiats, (Formally known as Jeep), but with the exception of the Wrangler and the new Centurions, they’ve been turned into Eurotrash clown car crap. I’ve also driven SWMBO’s Subaru Forester, and it is a very nice car. However, I don’t like the Unibody cars. If they take any damage, it’s easier for the insurance companies to write them off instead of paying to repair them. (SWMBO’s Forester was hit last summer and it cost $8K to repair. If there had been any frame damage, it would have been a write off)
It’s been a long trip, and I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It could still be an oncoming train of course, but I think it’s going to be actual sunlight. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go wander over to the Blithering Idiot’s office a gloat for a while.
Thank you
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~The Angry Webmaster~
