That’s a very safe assumption, but people who buy these like to think that they could and fit in at a job site, which is why Ford doesn’t slap a Lincoln badge on it. There has to be some level of blue collar authenticity to offset the over the top luxury for certain buyers.

I actually kind of like it, I’ve never driven one but I’d imagine the visibility is incredible and it seem pretty roomy for such a small car. It reminds me of the funky French cars of the same era which I don’t think are bad looking at all. I can think of many other cars I’d be more embarrassed to drive, but then…

I agree...sort of. The Expedition and full size GM SUVs have gotten so soft in recent years that they would probably have a hard time keeping up with a Subaru off road. The other vehicles aren’t even close to being within reach for the average buyer, most will never see any sort of dirt, and all are sold in such…

There’s more to it than nostalgia; there is a huge under-served market for rugged, off-road capable SUVs. Jeep owns a money printing machine with the Wranger and the 4Runner still sells well despite the fact that it hasn’t seen a significant update in 12 years...12 years! Those are the ONLY two rugged SUVs left in…

I think this is what will happen, the manual will be like the Brett Favre of transmissions, just when you think it is gone for good it makes a not so surprising but short lived comeback.

I’m all for hand cranking, no more being stranded by dead batteries and starters! At least as a backup mechanism it would be cool, sort of like old piston engine planes that had a shotgun shell starter.

Yeah, but will he have enough left over for a mustache comb and a Hawaiian shirt?

I love Broncos, this one is tough to decide, it is nice enough that I would feel bad beating it up offroad but not quite nice enough to be a “cherry” survivor car. I love this classic ‘70s look and the 78-79 were the only full size Broncos to have a solid front axle so I think it scrapes out a NP - but just barely. 

I know that I’m probably an unusual case but I owned a ‘91 and then a ‘96 Bronco which I finally sold this year and bought a new JKU Wrangler simply because it is the only vehicle on the market that is even remotely similar to the Bronco.

I love the clean, sleek lines - very refreshing compared to the overwrought NSX and GTR.

I’d like to think that my fellow Jalops are much less of brand snobs compared to the general public; besides Buick has made some decently entertaining cars like the Regal GS (complete with maunual) in recent years.

I think you are being a bit morose, the fact that Ford is even entertaining offering a true SUV instead of the limp wristed, egg on wheels crossovers that we currently get is huge. The new Bronco could be powered by a hamster and I’d still consider it a win.

Couldn’t Buick simply offer 2 different packages for this? One for Jalops and hipsters with lower suspension in brown and another for soccer moms in silver with a 1/2 lift and some sort of badging that includes an “X?” Everyone wins.

Yes and Yes! I say this as someone who has owned 4x4s with open diffs, limited slips, a rear locker only, and front and rear lockers.

Good off road tires > locker

Yup, air down a bit and it is no problem. The only time I’ve ever experienced “axle walk” is on a lifted solid axle truck that uses tall ass blocks instead of a proper suspension lift.

That has nothing to do with solid axles and everything to do with the fact that it is shaped like a brick and has heavy, knobby tires.

Since forever, I can’t think of an application where a selectable locker has ever been used for a FWD car and can you imagine what would happen if you tried? If the locker was left on in a situation where you had traction the entire transaxle would go pop, pop BOOM! Car based FWD drivetrains just aren’t sturdy…

I guess my point is that there are so many other things that the Cherokee (and its sister CUVs) need in order to be a halfway competent offroaders before a locker even begins to make sense. It is sort of like bolting a giant wing on an otherwise stock Civic in order to have better traction. The weak, car based…