Thinking of trading my Bronco for an F4i. Opinions?

[shonole]

Opinions?  Right now I have a 96 GS500e, and I'd really like something a bit sportier.  I've always been fond of the F4is, and I found an 02 that someone is willing to trade for my 93 Ford Bronco (full size).  It looks good in pics, although it has some rash from where it was laid down at low speeds (no real damage, and has been that way for several years).  The only concern I have is that it has 52k miles on it.  I mean, I know it's a Honda, so it should be good.  Any opinions?  Does this seem a fair trade?  Or should I hold out and find something better?  Thanks!

Link to the bike:
http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/3096911982.html

Link to my Bronco:
http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/cto/3071681904.html

Also, by trading the Bronco, I would still have the GS, thus allowing me to put it up for sale.   

[jestercinti]

That's a lot of miles UNLESS it was taken care of.  Unless you can prove that it was, it's a crap shoot with high miles.

Hold out for something better. 

[shonole]

That's a lot of miles UNLESS it was taken care of.  Unless you can prove that it was, it's a crap shoot with high miles.

Hold out for something better.

Yeah, that's my big concern.  My GS is high mileage (have no idea HOW high, because the gauges were changed), but even since I got the carbs sorted out, everything has been great. 

Getting more details tonight, just thought I'd check with everyone here first.  FWIW, my Bronco is high mileage too, so it's hard finding someone willing to trade, and the market for gas guzzlers (351 with a 33 gallon tank!) is down right now.

[iclrag]

Honest;y, i think your bronco is worth alot more than that bike, i would wait for a better opportunity!
on a side note, thats a nice bronco! good luck selling!

[yamahonkawazuki]

Honest;y, i think your bronco is worth alot more than that bike, i would wait for a better opportunity!
on a side note, thats a nice bronco! good luck selling!

i agree. hold off. got pics of the bronco? you may be able to ask for boot. but would this leave you vehicle less or do you have somethign else to drive when not riding?

[shonole]

Honest;y, i think your bronco is worth alot more than that bike, i would wait for a better opportunity!
on a side note, thats a nice bronco! good luck selling!

i agree. hold off. got pics of the bronco? you may be able to ask for boot. but would this leave you vehicle less or do you have somethign else to drive when not riding?

Not the best pictures, but you get the general idea.  All of the specs were posted on the craigslist link, but I'll copy them here for anyone interested.  And no, the Bronco is nothing but a toy.  I've got an 06 Mustang that is my DD, and the GS.  I'd really like to trade it for a bike, or even a jeep, but no real bites yet.  I've had it up for a couple of weeks.  Once the weather cooperates, I'll clean her up and get some better pictures. 

1993 Ford Bronco
193,000 miles
80,000 miles on new motor
5.8 liter EFI V8
Automatic transmission
Push button 4x4 with Auto Hubs

The good:
Runs like a champ, shifts smooth, very reliable, rust free body, seats are in okay shape, rear window works great. Great A/C and heat.

The bad:
Needs paint work on the hood (tree sap has eaten the paint away), front windows need to be put on track/have motors worked on (they work, but the driver's comes off track at the bottom and the passenger requires some help pushing it up. The dash bezel is broken in numerous places, but can be replaced for <$75. Needs minor interior work. The carpet is dirty, but I planned on rhino lining it anyway (or I can pull the carpet out and pressure wash it).


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[yamahonkawazuki]

apologies, i didnt pay attention my friend. if it were me, id keep the ford. with 80k on engine, shes still a baby. if you were determined to get the bike, id ask for boot. even with teh oj wagons shortcomings. on the least, id ask that they pay for registration costs. id check the condition of the cam chain, and its tensioner, , valve shims etc. its at teh age where these items will start to give way. these bikes RARELY are ridden like a scooter lol. they are ridden hard and put up wet.

[shonole]

apologies, i didnt pay attention my friend. if it were me, id keep the ford. with 80k on engine, shes still a baby. if you were determined to get the bike, id ask for boot. even with teh oj wagons shortcomings. on the least, id ask that they pay for registration costs. id check the condition of the cam chain, and its tensioner, , valve shims etc. its at teh age where these items will start to give way. these bikes RARELY are ridden like a scooter lol. they are ridden hard and put up wet.

No worries!  I never mind sharing.  I'm definitely going to look the bike up and down before I even consider anything.  The guy that owns it is a decent chap, and owns a performance/tuning shop.  He's got tons of pictures from when he rode the bike on trips (Deals Gap, etc.), and most of the time he was riding with older riders on tourers.  I'll post up some more pics of the bike tomorrow.  I've always had a soft spot for the F4is, and the Bronco just sits the majority of the time (full time student).  I really only end up riding it if I want to go riding in the woods (we have 70 acres of family land, mostly dense woods, on the Ochlocknee River).  Guess I'm just really wanting something to happen soon!  Lol.  If it were half the mileage, it would be a lot easier decision.  At the same time, it's a Honda, and there's even a video on youtube of a man crossing 200k on his!

[cbrfxr67]

I'd do it.  Especially if I didn't need the Bronco.  That's just me though. 

On another note, I, uhhh, errrr, 'borrowed' one of those Broncos as a kid and jumped some railroad tracks evading the Poh-lice, at about 90mph and somehow didn't wreck.  I'll never forget the -no- sound from the tires when I left the ground.  It bounced all over the place when it landed but didn't wreck or roll over.  Thank God. 

Yea yea, 'pics or it didn't happen,' you're right, didn't happen!  Wasn't me.  Had nothing to do with that!

[shonole]

I'd do it.  Especially if I didn't need the Bronco.  That's just me though. 

On another note, I, uhhh, errrr, 'borrowed' one of those Broncos as a kid and jumped some railroad tracks evading the Poh-lice, at about 90mph and somehow didn't wreck.  I'll never forget the -no- sound from the tires when I left the ground.  It bounced all over the place when it landed but didn't wreck or roll over.  Thank God. 

Yea yea, 'pics or it didn't happen,' you're right, didn't happen!  Wasn't me.  Had nothing to do with that!

Hahaha, yeah, I've had some good times in the Bronco as well.

I'm seriously considering the trade.  The bike isn't perfect cosmetically, but if it runs well (it's supposed to) and I can't find any real mechanical faults with it, I'm going to do it.  If for no other reason, the Bronco has started to act up (I think she knows I want to trade her).  The 4x4 switch (electric) doesn't want to engage (or disengage) and I think it's the computer ($300), it's leaking like crazy, and to top it off, the battery discharged itself for seemingly no reason.   Oh, and it's going to need tires soon.  (The bike comes with an extra set, woo!).  I may see if he can throw anything else in to sweeten the deal, but I feel like it's a fairly even trade, since the Bronco needs some work.

Here's some more pics of the bike:


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[cbrfxr67]

I already would've taken it home. 

[shonole]

I already would've taken it home. 

Lol.  I'm gonna try and meet up with him before the weekend.

You've got an F2, right?  What are your thoughts on the F4i?  Ridden one?  Never heard anything bad..

[mister]

Are you thinking about this project bike cause the guy is willing to trade or cause you want a more powerful bike? Before you decide anything, take the thing for a spin - you might not like it. THEN you can decide.

Michael

[shonole]

Are you thinking about this project bike cause the guy is willing to trade or cause you want a more powerful bike? Before you decide anything, take the thing for a spin - you might not like it. THEN you can decide.

Michael

A little of both.  I don't really need the Bronco, and my GS is great for city riding, but I just can't get comfortable on it riding on the highway.  I really don't care too much about the cosmetics (I can clean it up and paint it), even though they're not terrible.  I'd probably just live with it the way it is.  I just want something that is reasonably comfortable, gets decent mileage, has fairings, is fuel injected (our temperature fluctuations suck on carbs), and a little sportier. 

I'm definitely going to ride it before I commit.  I would hate to ride it, and not enjoy it. 

[Kijona]

Don't touch that bike. It's dirty as hell and doesn't even look that good in the pictures. I've always found that bikes look a hell of a lot better in pictures than they do in person. What's that say about this hunk of junk? Plus...alllllll those miles with who knows how many owners.

Honestly man that truck is probably worth more than that piece of shaZam! bike.

Sell the truck. Get 3k for it. Buy an SV in the fall/winter. Done.

Hell, I might be interested in trading with you when it comes time. I'm about to have a second job and having a bike as my only means of transportation might not be an option.

[cbrfxr67]

I like the F2, but I'd go fi any day.  I haven't had the op to ride the f4i but I'm certain it is better than my F2 (or the F3 I had), which is still a blast to ride.

Good words from Mister as in riding it and then deciding.  Good observations from Kijona too.

Truly it would hinge on how well it runs.  I think Hondas have an outstanding record even with that many miles on it.  My point of view comes from, having an older truck that I don't really need vs picking up a bike that I could really enjoy.  It'll be a good read to get your review after/if you go check it out.

[shonole]

Yeah, the biggest thing for me is how well it runs.  I've got some pics of it cleaned up and it looks a lot better, those were just the ones from this morning (we've been getting flooded), so the Bronco looks like crap too.

If anyone wants the Bronco, hit me up!  Lol.  I'm definitely going to go check it out and ride it, just because.  At the least I'll be able to give my feelings on it. 

[ohgood]

F4i's run forever. The bronco, maybe not.

I wouldn't hesitate to trade a guzzler for a f4i, unless it was my family hauler.

The tank bag (vs stickers and blacked out signals) that it might have been ridden sanely and cared for.

[mister]

Regarding the pricing...

For a trade either...

A - you believe the bike is worth as much as your vehicle
B - you believe your vehicle is only worth the price of the bike, less actually cause all prices are negotiable.

Michael

[shonole]

Regarding the pricing...

For a trade either...

A - you believe the bike is worth as much as your vehicle
B - you believe your vehicle is only worth the price of the bike, less actually cause all prices are negotiable.

Michael

I believe the Bronco is worth between 2.5 and 3k.   It is rough around the edges, and filthy.  I'm going to clean it up tomorrow and see how it looks under all the grime.  I don't know if I mentioned, but it's going to have to be repainted.  The hood has hardly any paint, and the front fenders are a bit of a different shade from the rest of the truck.  With the market the way it is, I don't see me getting the 3k it's probably worth..