Thinking about buying this... any thoughts?

Question
1

Looking for advice about my test drive experience. I think it’s better built than the Jeep Wrangler but a few things popped up.

Cons:

  1. Took the soft top on the highway and it was really loud. Does the hard top really help with that?

  2. Highway driving was a bit annoying. I know it’s an offroad vehicle, but it didn’t feel very responsive on the road.

  3. A lease would cost about $500. I always plan on having car payments, so leasing and buying are about the same for me. I’d rather avoid a big payment to keep more cash for investments instead of losing it on a depreciating asset. Right now, the lease APR is 3.9%… any better deals out there?

  4. How do you park without worrying about someone dinging your car?

Pros:

  1. Definitely the best off-road car I’ve seen.
  2. The roof coming off was a nice touch.
  3. Washable floor mats are perfect for the beach.
  4. It’s great for pulling a boat or camper.
  5. Surprising amount of trunk space.
  6. Didn’t check out the sound system, but guessing it’s decent.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

2

It drives fine on the highway. Not sure why it felt off during your test drive.

Also, I bought mine to have fun, so dings don’t bother me.

3

Landry said:
It drives fine on the highway. Not sure why it felt off during your test drive.

Also, I bought mine to have fun, so dings don’t bother me.

I had the same experience. Mine is perfect on the highway… except for the noise.

4

@Vic
My BB SAS had 44 PSI when I got it. It was too bouncy. Lowered them to 35 and it’s much smoother. Was a rough ride at first.

5

Landry said:
It drives fine on the highway. Not sure why it felt off during your test drive.

Also, I bought mine to have fun, so dings don’t bother me.

I rented a Jeep and drove 75 mph, but it wasn’t comfy, so I had to slow down. This car handles 90 mph smooth.

The window buttons are much better placed than the Jeep.

As for the sound, you might not love it. It’s not the quietest car, especially with the soft top. You get used to the noise, though.

As for parking… every car will get dings at some point. It happens.

Biggest downside for me is the rear seats on long trips. Road trips with five people can get uncomfortable. But it’s perfect for camping trips, just bring lumbar pillows for the backseat.

6

I have the hard top wildtrack with soundproofing. It’s quieter than my Mazda commuter and way quieter than my last RAM with MTs!

7

Zayn said:
I have the hard top wildtrack with soundproofing. It’s quieter than my Mazda commuter and way quieter than my last RAM with MTs!

Did you get that roof aftermarket, or does it come with the car? I saw a four-part one and it seemed really nice, but I didn’t drive it.

8

@Mai
That was the one that comes with it. There’s an option without soundproofing, so I can’t speak for that, but the base model was quieter than my old truck. I’m coming from a RAM 1500 with a 4" lift and 35s, so this feels super quiet in comparison.

9

@Zayn
If you’re expecting it to drive like a luxury sedan, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want a fun vehicle, you’ll love it. I’ve been driving mine a lot and it’s been fantastic for off-roading and work.

10

@Zayn
Do you ever drive with the rear window up to haul stuff like wood?

11

Mai said:
@Zayn
Do you ever drive with the rear window up to haul stuff like wood?

No, I decided to get a box trailer for hauling stuff after I sold my truck. Since the rear isn’t really a frame, I wouldn’t recommend driving with the window up, but I could be wrong.

12

I have the Badlands Sasquatch, and it’s smooth on the highway. The 2.7L V6 has enough power.

I have the soft top, and I think it’s quieter than my old Jeep Rubicon with the Sky One Touch Roof. I drive a lot of different cars for work, and this is quieter than some of those too.

13

This car might not be the right fit for you. I love highway driving with mine, no issues at all. I have the shorter, less stable wheelbase.

14

Were you maybe in eco mode on the highway? I drive in sport mode, but even in normal, my 2-door, 2.7L, hardtop Bronco drives well.

My last car was an Infiniti Q50, so I can tell the difference. The Bronco isn’t a luxury sedan or sports car, but it’s still great for off-road trips.

15

The model and configuration make a big difference. Just make sure to test drive the exact model you want to buy.

16

I have a 2022 2-door hardtop. I usually drive 80-90 mph on the highway. It’s noisy but not too bad (my average trips are 2-3 hours). It’s louder than a Tacoma or Lexus, but quieter than a soft-top Jeep or Miata.

17

Your first ‘pro’ is not true. It’s good, but not the best off-road vehicle.

18

What engine did you test drive? It’s surprising that it felt unresponsive.

19

I had a Wildtrak for 2 years but sold it. It wasn’t great on the highway (hardtop), really loud. I didn’t mind dings in parking lots. It’s not the best off-road car (check the tie rods), and towing was a bit weak with the OEM hitch. It was fun around town and on weekends, but I do too many highway miles to love it.