The new Ford Bronco is the four-wheel must-have of 2021, and judging by the prices we’re seeing for nearly new cars, some fans must have one at all costs.
According to Ford’s configurator, a bare-bones three-door Bronco Base lists at $28,500, plus $1,495 for destination. But a look at the Autotrader site reveals adverts for 10 different Broncos, all listed for more than $100,000, with one commanding a stunning $150,000 asking price.
In mitigation, most of these cars are the range-topping Bronco First Edition, which upgrades the Base car’s four-cylinder engine to a 2.7-liter V6, is limited to 7,000 units, and in four-door guise carries an MSRP of $63,250. And that number can swell a little with the addition of a few desirable options. But to $150k? The First Edition’s expansive list of standard kit, and modest option count means you wouldn’t come close.
Some of the Broncos advertised, including the $150,000 one, have yet to be built, meaning you might have to wait until November to get behind the wheel, though you could at least be the first person to put any miles on it. But say you pick one up in November. Aren’t you going to feel like a bit of an idiot by January having paid a fortune for a car that’s by then starting to become a common sight?
Related: Ford Officially Announces The Bronco Raptor, Says It Will Be Available In 2022
Credit: Autotrader
But if you want to get your hands on one right now, and are prepared to downgrade from the First Edition to Badlands trim, Autotrader has you covered. A private seller in Atlanta, Georgia who claims he waited a year for delivery has a 70-mile example up for $115,000 (pictured above). The Badlands has an MSRP of $46,730, though this one has some desirable touches like the $2,495 Sasquatch off-road package.
Still sold on the First Edition idea? I mean, if you’re going to get bent over on your new car purchase, it might as well be for the best version, right? There is one in Desneux Motorsports in Peculiar, Missouri that’s peculiarly priced at $104,980, making it cheaper than the Badlands we mentioned earlier. It’s also only done 15 miles, still has the upholstery covers and all the paperwork, including the Monroney label, which you’ll probably try not to spend too much time looking at because it’ll be a constant reminder that you paid almost $40k over MSRP.
Someone Is Asking $90,000 Over MSRP For A Production Slot In December
Credit: eBay
But then $40k over the MSRP looks like a bargain when you consider the $165,000 someone is asking on eBay for another First Edition due to be built in early November. The seller claims the with-options MSRP is $72,558, meaning he could clear over $90,000 if someone is dumb enough to pony up for this Bronco.
Your Car, Ford’s Rules?
You might recall that when Ford selected buyers for its GT supercar, it forced them to sign paperwork that forbade them from selling the car for at least two years in an effort to stop the cars falling into speculators’ hands. We reached out to Ford to check if any similar restrictions were placed on Bronco buyers with regards to reselling their pre-ordered vehicles with a markup.
“There [is] no contractual obligation set with customers around reselling their Bronco” a Ford spokesperson told us. “Once the sale is complete, the customer is the owner of the vehicle.”
But given the current explosion in values is Ford now contemplating any measures to stop price gouging /markups on the dealer and/or reservation holder side(s)?
“Dealers are independent franchises and ultimately the final price a customer will pay for any vehicle is agreed between themselves and a dealer that is at, below or above MSRP,” the spokesperson explained.
Related: Ford Dealers Could Be Punished If They Sell Broncos To Those Without Reservations
“We do recommend that all customers agree to the selling price with their dealer when an order is placed via a signed purchase agreement. If a customer isn’t happy with their dealer experience, Ford can help them find a different dealer that’s a better match.”
That suggests Ford’s stance has changed since March this year when the company made a point of stamping down a dealer who tried to inflate the price of an in-demand Mustang Mach-E.
And Then You Have The Quarter Million Dollar Restomod
Mind you, it’s not only new Broncos that seem to be commanding big bucks. The clamor for the 2021 car has amplified interest in the already collectible classic Broncos from the 1960s and 1970s. The car pictured above is currently for sale on eBay for a cool quarter million bucks. Which one looks like the better deal to you?