Columns on Bronco, Volvo, Golf R spark reader response
Mr. Wells: I always enjoy reading your column and am living vicariously through you. I love cars, especially the Ford Bronco. I have owned three of the full-size ones – 1992, 1994 and 1995. I was beyond thrilled when it was announced that Ford was bringing back the Bronco. As soon as I could, I placed an order for one. That was 15 months ago. My excitement has turned to frustration. I put money down for a 2021 and was bumped to a 2022 and am nowbeing told, more than likely, a 2023. And yet, I am seeing Broncos all over on the streets, on the internet at dealers. They are adding $20,000 or more and call it amarket adjustment. How is this legal. This should be dealt with by Ford. – Barbara K.
I’ll send a note to your dealer, Barbara.
Bud: I find it odd that people will pay $60,000 for a super truck to go to the grocery store and then complain about the cost to fill their tank. On top of that, they are financing these cars for six to eight years with a $600-or-more truck payment. The only people that are winning here are the auto dealers putting people in cars they can’t afford. When will this insanity end? I hope gas goes to $7 a gallon and I can watch them cry as I fill up my car. People will look back at this time in car history and wonder what they were thinking. People in my neighborhood can’t even fit these in their garages. Good luck when it hails.
I know you have no control over what cars or trucks youwrite about. – Dave S.
Youmight hope others follow your lifestyle, Dave, but you shouldn’t expect it. And, $7 a gallon?
I hope not.
Bud: Your dilemma with the
Volvo XC40 is the reason batteries are not a practical answer.
My Park Avenue would have taken less than5minutes to get an 80-mile range and cost not much more than you paid. We should nowbe going plug-in hybrid and then transition to fuel cells as refueling with hydrogen takes as long as doing so with today’s diesel/gas. Mating surface transit and aviation fuel-cell technology is the only practical solution.
– Robert S., Fort Collins
I was impressed, Robert, with the capability of the XC40 to recognize
our plight and ask if it could help find a charging station.
Bud: Are the MSRP’S that you cite the same for every dealership in Colorado? Canmanufacturers create MSRPS for different regions? I ask because I have an October 2020 deposit on the Golf R. The dealership has givenme production and cost updates. Your quote was considerably less than some scary possibilities, so I am actually relieved. Are they bound to use your MSRP, $44,640? Thanksamillion, love your column. – Jim R., Fort Collins
It is not that the MSRPS are inaccurate, Jim; it is that there are so many optional packages and add-ons that create all sorts of variables to the bottom line.