I'm guessing I'm in the minority here, but that Bronco doesn't do a dang thing for me. I would much rather invest the same amount of coin in a restored vintage trail rig. Maybe a Commando or nice Scout. Beyond the novelty of bring back the Bronco name, I just don' see the appeal.
While I can appreciate that, I'm actually the polar opposite. I prefer vehicles with a rougher ride and lots of road feel being transferred through the steering wheel and floor pan. Hell, I even love climbing into an ice cold vinyl interior on a frosty winter's day (sick, ain't I?), and sitting in there until things warm up. And while my diesel Dodge has a cloth interior, it has a top speed of 70 mph...downhill (no overdrive). I am more at home in that ol' rattletrap than in any vehicle I've owned in the past thirty years (I've owned it for 22 years).
While I can appreciate that, I'm actually the polar opposite. I prefer vehicles with a rougher ride and lots of road feel being transferred through the steering wheel and floor pan. Hell, I even love climbing into an ice cold vinyl interior on a frosty winter's day (sick, ain't I?), and sitting in there until things warm up. And while my diesel Dodge has a cloth interior, it has a top speed of 70 mph...downhill (no overdrive). I am more at home in that ol' rattletrap than in any vehicle I've owned in the past thirty years (I've owned it for 22 years).
The one and only thing I have against some of the older vehicles is brakes. It's kind of hit or miss. Most disc brakes, even early ones, were fine for me. But four wheel drum brakes are generally lacking. Generally. I had a 6-cylinder Rambler wagon that I put V-8 drum brakes on up front, and it stopped incredibly well, without ever having to deal with brake fade or pulling. It's brakes were bigger than what came on the original '64 Pontiac GTO!
I hear ya about the literal "pain" of working on cars as the years advance. I'm kinda like an old carbureted car when it comes to working on something. Hard to get started, but once I'm going, I feel like I could go all day without pause. That's when I'm really in my element. Nothing else matters. But like I said, getting started is rough. I don't look forward to the pain I'll feel the following day. Still, for any of the vehicles you listed, all I can think to say is "Hurt me, dammit!"Totally get it man!
I grew up with a mechanic dad, we had old school vehicles. I love and remember them as a kid. I wanted the ‘67 fastback. I wanted the ‘71 Bronco. The ‘71 challenger. The ‘70 Cuda. The ‘69 CJ5....I could go on.
But my dad hated to work on vehicles. He sold all that and bought Japanese as he got older and switched careers.
I kept the old stuff alive in my 20’s and 30’s.
My TJ is my throw back. It sits a lot. But my daily driver is comfortable and has remote start.
I love old school. If I didn’t have to rely on it for a daily, I might love that again. Getting down on cement hurts more and I don’t love it anymore.
Yep. I don't want *any* of the new car crap, daily driver or otherwise - with the exception of cruise control. Heck, I actually prefer driving a vehicle without power steering - the road feel is VASTLY better, although I'll admit that in a large pickup truck it can be nice, especially when it comes to backing a trailer. I don't know about manual steering in Jeeps and offroading though - outside my experience.While I can appreciate that, I'm actually the polar opposite. I prefer vehicles with a rougher ride and lots of road feel being transferred through the steering wheel and floor pan. Hell, I even love climbing into an ice cold vinyl interior on a frosty winter's day (sick, ain't I?), and sitting in there until things warm up. And while my diesel Dodge has a cloth interior, it has a top speed of 70 mph...downhill (no overdrive). I am more at home in that ol' rattletrap than in any vehicle I've owned in the past thirty years (I've owned it for 22 years).
The one and only thing I have against some of the older vehicles is brakes. It's kind of hit or miss. Most disc brakes, even early ones, were fine for me. But four wheel drum brakes are generally lacking. Generally. I had a 6-cylinder Rambler wagon that I put V-8 drum brakes on up front, and it stopped incredibly well, without ever having to deal with brake fade or pulling. It's brakes were bigger than what came on the original '64 Pontiac GTO!
The thing I will say about this, is at least its something meaningful. Increases the vehicle's capabilities, and apparently doesn't add to the effete luxury crap. No microprocessors need apply! With that said, and without doing further research, it seems to be a ton of money for what you're actually getting.
Yes it’s not cheap but it’s all under warranty, roll it into the loan.
That would be the conventional thought. Aside from the HP increase, everything else is stuff that isn't gonna break under warranty anyway - and is easily fixed/replaced if it does. *shrug*
For us sure, many can’t put air in their tires without assistance.
Yea - don't get me started. I'm not exactly the Goddess's gift to auto mechanics, but even I can change a shock absorber or a light bar.
I too was raised in the country, although pavement was a bit closer at about .8 miles. However, the dirt road got pretty rutty at times, and the part in front of our property turned into an impassible quagmire at one point. Nobody had 4WD anything, but we "usually" got through without issue.
