Will Wrangler Owners Jump Over To Bronco Or Is That Like A Chevy Guy Switching To A Ford?

If you were to ask me to predict what is the front runner right now of which vehicle will have the most buzz and excitement around it in 2019, only one comes to mind right now.

The 2020 Ford Bronco.

You can feel the anticipation building.

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of it a few months back at Ford HQ. All we can say is if your heart flutters every time you see a restored vintage Bronco, we promise you that you won't be disappointed when you see the new one.

I've been a Jeep guy for a long time and it got me thinking. When the new Bronco hits, will a lot of Wrangler owners defect?

Or is that a pipe dream like thinking a Chevy owner will see a new Ford and run and go buy one?

I can tell you this, as a Wrangler customer, I WILL be one of those defectors.

Now I know I'm not the average brand fan boy. I like what I like no matter which brand it is. And when a brand starts making something better that what I currently have it doesn't matter if I've been an owner for years. For ME, it's ALL about the product.

For me the defection that will happen will be two-fold.

1. I want something fresh. I've had 6 Wranglers since 2012.

2. And although I like my new Wrangler Unlimited JL, I feel FCA did a LAZY redesign and played it super safe. Too safe for my liking.

So Spies, will I be a member of a minority or will I be in large company with others who will jump from Wrangler to Bronco?

Spies, discuss....

Dexter1 - 7/6/2018 7:04:16 AM

+2 Boost

They might if OJ does the TV commercials.

MDarringer - 7/6/2018 8:52:16 AM

+1 Boost

I can see the slogan now: "When you killa b!+ch and wanna play da victim so youcan gedda way wit it, you needs a Bronco."

Agent001 - 7/6/2018 1:12:21 PM

0 Boost

LOLOLOLOL!!!! He used to live in my neighborhood when I grew up in Buffalo!

001

MDarringer - 7/6/2018 8:06:40 AM

+2 Boost

For real Jeep enthusiasts, only a Jeep will do. It will be interesting to see if Ford really does give it real off-road capability. The lack of prototypes running around is a bit odd. Granted the new Bronco is a rebodied Ford Everest, but you'd think prototypes would be out by now wearing Bronco styling.

MDarringer - 7/6/2018 8:42:44 AM

-1 Boost

Somehow I doubt there will be that level of technological separation between a Wrangler and a Bronco.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/6/2018 9:10:29 AM

+2 Boost

@jazzjazzy Isn't the case more like asking a Harley rider finally upgrade from their 1900's low tech bike to a modern high-performance Honda motorcycle?

Agent001 - 7/6/2018 1:13:13 PM

-2 Boost

Don't you mean going from a Harley to an Indian?

001

TomM - 7/6/2018 8:54:14 AM

+2 Boost

Fca has indeed played it "safe" when they redo vehicles - just look at their update of the CHrysler 300 - can hardly tell the difference. The only time they really did it different - was the Pacifica - and the Grand Caravan - which they were going to discontinue - still outsells the Pacifica Handily.

THe question is - just how "retro" will the Bronco be? I think some retro cars look good when they come out -but they age fast. It all depends on how Ford sells the Bronco- and its price point.

But as far as Jeep owners leaving jeep -= JEEPS have been among the least reliable vehicles on the road - with numerous problems - and yet people continue to buy them by the handsful. Ford will get some crossover- but I doubt a lot.

MDarringer - 7/6/2018 8:56:36 AM

+1 Boost

handsful (sic) = small amount
truckload = large amount
boatload = huge amount

mre30 - 7/6/2018 9:22:02 AM

+5 Boost

Although the Jeep has substantial off-road cred, it is a terrible vehicle in day to day use - even the Wrangler owners say so.

It currently has no competition, except for perhaps the MB G-Wagon which is an equally formidable off-roader but a lousy day to day vehicle (even in its revised form I imagine).

Do we conclude that people buy these vehicles to make a fashion statement since few are ever taken off road? If so, the Bronco can make a big dent if it a less of lousy vehicle than the Jeep Wrangler while keeping the off-road cred and hence, the "Fashion Statement 4x4" aspects.

Let's all admit that most Wranglers customers buy it as a fashion statement for how "butch" it makes them look while they are driving it. As such, it is vulnerable.

Once the Bronco is

Deutschland - 7/6/2018 10:03:39 AM

+4 Boost

The Wrangler truly is a piece of garbage. I had a 2018 Wrangler as a rental recently and I had to repeatedly slam the drivers door to the door open sensor to go off. The suspension doesn't belong on paved roads either.

greGARYous1 - 7/6/2018 12:29:57 PM

0 Boost

Jeep market growth ends when the family of Bronco (Raptor) suvs enter the market.

Jeep has enjoy No Competition n therefore could produce poor quality too rough driving vehicles for years.

Ford will deliver a great Bronco n Raptorize it for serious off roading... Perhaps with indep. Front suspension like F150.

Expect better quality n features than Jeep n it will pull many away from Jeep.

Family has had 3 Jeeps... I can't wait for the Bronco family of suvs!!!!

Agent001 - 7/6/2018 1:15:20 PM

0 Boost

Maybe it will do to the Wrangler what the first Explorer did to the S10 Blazer did back in the day...

001

MDarringer - 7/6/2018 4:12:41 PM

-1 Boost

The S10 Blazer was garbage and the Explorer was truly set the mark. The target to beat was the Jeep Cherokee against which the Explorer had precious little impact. GM was powerfully unhappy.

Agent001 - 7/6/2018 5:05:18 PM

0 Boost

But the S10 owned until the Explorer showed up. Then, they took such a hit, they had to introduce a 4 door blazer 4 years too late.

I owned 4 S10's in the day. Never had a problem with any and they were great in the Buffalo/Toronto snow.

001

MDarringer - 7/6/2018 10:15:19 PM

-1 Boost

My first not crappy car after 5 years driving a dilapidated Mustang Grande diesel was a 1989 Jeep Cherokee. There was a first-gen Ford Exploder, but I preferred the Cherokee. The Jeep was tremendous and as reliable as a Toyota. Maybe I got lucky. Ok so the Mustang wasn't really a diesel, but it smoked like one and I knew where to go to get it illegally smogged.

qwertyfla1 - 7/6/2018 9:45:03 PM

-1 Boost

— Agent001

"Buffalo/Toronto snow" -Really? We will get 6 snowflakes in TO and Buffalo will get 6 feet. I am in WNY/EPA frequently and you guys get hammered while we seem to dodge the bullet 90% of the time. It must be that high taxation or US trade tariffs that keeps it away?

Agent001 - 7/8/2018 3:35:30 PM

+1 Boost

Well I haven't lived there since the 80's and yes it's changed. TO doesn't get the snow it used to.

And BTW, back in late 80's TO was a great spot to live. Canada was VERY, VERY, GOOD to me.

Even Buffalo doesn't get the same amounts as when I was a kid.

But I do remember all my teachers assuring us in elementary, junior and senior high that because of climate change/global warming that Buffalo would have the climate of Miami by the year 2000.

Oops!

001