The engineering that Ford put into it seems really impressive for off road use; though, it also seems really complicated and computer/sensor dependent.  I think these new vehicles that contain so many sensitive sensors and complicated computers won't age well.  I think they are really only for buyers that plan to keep a vehicle for a limited time.  At this point in my life, I really appreciate the older vehicles that are not so complicated. 
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I can still appreciate the amazing engineering that has gone into this throw-away vehicle.
 

First, they are going for like $100k, which is utterly absurd.

Second, there was nothing wrong with regular old mechanical 4WD.  I've wheeled all kinds of crazy trails in a mostly stock CJ5.  It doesn't take mechanical trickery; it takes a skilled driver and tough mechanicals.  When I bought my F250 the salesguy kept trying to sell me on electronic 4WD.  I said, yeah, it all sounds great, except it will fail when you need it most, so thanks, but just the same, no thanks.  I want manual locking hubs and a stick on the floor connected to a transfer case.  I've yet to have a single issue with my 4WD, yet the Super Duty boards are FULL of guys who have issues with the electronic/vacuum 4WD system.

Third, I look at it and think I bought my '07 FJ Cruiser for $16k.  Its now worth $30k.  I buy this for $100k, and its worth $85k the minute it leaves the dealers lot. 

Finally, why can dealers get these, but new trucks are like hen's teeth?  Not for nothing, but cute utes don't make the world go round; pickups do.  So thanks again Ford for dumping your resources and money into whatever makes you the most profit while screwing the guys who need pickups for work that keeps America running. 
 

BTaylor wrote:

Re bodied Ford Escape

 

The Bronco Sport is just that!

The BRONCO is whole different animal at double the price.

We have been debating on when it if we will get a new bronco.  If we do it won’t be the sport model but the four door with the oversized tire package of some sort.  There’s one that shows up where I go mountain bike riding and I love it.  But this won’t happen any time soon. One we are enjoying no car payments and second we want to wait until this over priced thing calms down and gets back to retail numbers. 

In the mean time I’ll bank my car allowance I get from work and use that savings for when we do decide to buy anything new.

I think that on all my new purchases a good extended warranty is a must because you just can't afford to fix these thing when the break. My dad had a Caddilac that the rear-end failed just out of warranty, his extended warranty paid $3.000 on the repair. You would think that we would be past those types of drive train failures after all these years of building them!

Trade them in when the factory warranty runs out.

Anymore I'm much more impressed with engineers who build a simple design that works well and rarely breaks.  Sadly most of them seem to live in Japan anymore.  The simplicity and effectiveness of design I've observed in my WRX and FJ Cruiser makes an embarrassment out of current American designs.  My WRX for example has full frame rails.  Ford has built the Mustang since 1965 and still never bothered to do that.

On warranties, honestly, I am the warranty.  Newer cars aren't impossible to fix by any means.  Google and Youtube have allowed me to fix every issue I've ever come across on them electronic or otherwise.  The extended warranties work for those who need them, but for the vast majority they pay into something they never use.  Basically, its insurance, and insurance companies aren't in business to pay thousands on a policy that costs comparatively little.  They bank on what their actuaries have determined through statistical modeling; that most people will never file a claim and thus the few payouts they make are insignificant compared to the millions in premiums they collect.  Where they maybe become attractive is if you can't really work on your own stuff anymore.