A Review of a Classic: The Ford Bronco

California has a reputation for its classic car scene. If you’re looking for a classic, you likely head to an exhibition, or a dealer that ONLY sells classics. But a classic isn’t just the fancy, the vintage, and the extravagant.

Did you know that classics show up at Capital City Auto Auctions all the time? Cars that are iconic in their own right. Cars with their own fan bases. Scout’s honor! 👍

As of this writing, there’s a 1966 Chrysler 300 and a 1931 Ford Model A sitting on our lot! Yes, classics roll through our lot… a lot! See what I did there? Anyway.

I know more than a few people who would argue that the Ford Bronco is a classic. The tough exterior, dependability, power, and timing in the market gave it great success when it arrived almost 60 years ago.

Imagine if you had a Ford Bronco at your dealership?!

From 1966-1996, the five generations of Ford Bronco’s were competitors to other off-road, powerful large vehicles. Demand shifted toward the SUV, which paused the Bronco for 25 years until it was re-released in 2021 to compete with Jeep Wranglers and the like. The new Bronco’s echo the golden age of the Bronco!

We’re not going to talk so much about the sixth generation. If a Bronco rolls across our Rancho Cordova lot, then be sure it’s going to be from the first five generations, and be sure not to ignore it if you care about power and reliability.

Let’s take a look at:

1. Best Ford Bronco years
2. Ford Bronco Problems
3. Ford Bronco price
4. Finding a Ford Bronco at auction near you

🗓️ The Best Ford Bronco Years:

When it comes to the best years, you have to go back to the 90s, at least, and further back if you’re looking for something even more iconic.

The simple Ford’s of the first and second generations are dependable and classic. We often see these early Bronco’s roll through our dealers’ auction lot.

The first generation (1966-1977) had a body-on-frame build, making it sturdy enough for off-road. It came as a wagon, a half-cab, or even a roadster. The first generation was simple, built tough, and is beloved among enthusiasts and will also make for a reliable classic. 💪

The 1978-1979 Ford Bronco was one of the most dependable models from the second generation, with a V8 engine, simple tech, and solid handling.

The 1992 improved on design and fixed a lot of issues in the 4th generation. Again, a sturdy drivetrain, dependable fuel injection, and even marks for comfort made this a popular choice back then and a popular choice now. 🤩

Browse our Sacramento auction inventory. You can filter by all sorts of things on the left, like show me the Ford’s!

⚠️ Ford Bronco Problems

Well, hard to mention the best Ford Bronco without mentioning the worst Ford Bronco. Not every driver is a fan of the Ford Bronco, but if we look past design preferences, we can see certain models that had more troubles than others.

There’s reason to avoid the 1980 Ford Bronco, as well as 1981, 1982, and 1983 models. Poor performance and poor gas mileage, even engine damage, due to carburetor issues. While there’s an argument that these models are still classic, the mechanical issues are a big pain.

Another one we have to mention is the 1988 Ford Bronco. Owners complained about electrical issues, and engine stalling during braking for crying out loud! 

The 1991 Ford Bronco had fuel system problems and A/C problems. It stalled and it didn’t handle well. The immediate predecessor, the 1990 Ford Bronco, had a pile of engine problems too. Oil pressure would drop and brake lines would rust (especially dangerous).

Another, more recent, model that we recommend caution around is the 1995 Ford Bronco. A rattling dashboard, unreliable transmission, and stalling made the drive more worrisome.

💲Price

So, how much? 🧀

A new Ford Bronco costs over $50,000, even upwards of $100,000. Wow! 😰

A used dealership might have a used Ford Bronco, but one with around 100,000 miles will still carry a price tag of $10,000 or $15,000.

Capital City Auto Auction sees your price and… lowers it! We recently saw a 1990 Ford Bronco with 93,000 miles sell for $7,500. 🥳

Finding a used Ford Bronco on the auction lot can be like finding a classic. Classics are snatched quickly on auction lots. Be prepared to act fast. Mark your calendar now! 👌

No matter what car shows up here in our Sacramento auction yard, the bid always starts low, and it’s more than possible to snag a durable 1992 Ford Bronco or an iconic 1966 Ford Bronco for just a few thousand dollars.

A Ford Bronco for Sale at an Auction Near Me

If you can easily picture yourself driving or reselling one of these well-built beauties, then register to bid. We’ll see you soon! 👋