The Ford Bronco’s Roof Problem Somehow Just Got Even Worse

by Gabrielle DeSantis

After decades of waiting, Ford fans might soon be able to drive their brand-new Ford Bronco SUVs. But, unfortunately, due to a slew of problems, including the vehicle’s roof, Ford has been forced to delay Bronco production. Here’s a look at the Ford Bronco’s roof problem and how it somehow got even worse. 

The Ford Bronco’s roof problems

2021 Ford Bronco | Ford Motor Company

The Ford Bronco’s first run-in with roof issues happened months ago. That said, this issue was related to the pandemic, so Ford isn’t to blame. Simply put, the company that makes the roofs for the Bronco couldn’t build enough of them, MotorTrend reports. This caused a few roof options to be delayed until 2022.

But not all options were delayed. Ford began making the Bronco in June 2021, and deliveries started not long after. Currently, the automaker is building only molded-in hardtop roofs and soft-top roofs, but things hit a snag already. MotorTrend reports that some owners of hardtop Broncos have reported quality issues with the roofs. 

Owners have made a few complaints. For example, some said the headliner was peeling from the roof despite being relatively brand-new. Others have said strands of fiberglass stuck out of the roof panels. And in general, some Bronco owners have complained about the poor finishing on the roofs.

The roof problems went from bad to worse

That said, Jeff Marentic, Ford’s general manager of passenger vehicles, told Automotive News that these issues were ultimately “microscopic.” He said these problems also shouldn’t affect the roof’s functionality. Additionally, he claimed the rooftop manufacturer, Webasto, has fixed the roof issue and will build a new production facility in Michigan to meet the high demand for the roofs.

But while the rooftop manufacturer may have fixed this issue, it doesn’t mean Bronco customers will be happy. That’s because this hardtop issue has caused Ford to delay the Bronco yet again. The automaker wants to do two things: First, it wants to replace all the hardtops delivered already. Second, Ford wants to replace the hardtops on the Broncos that haven’t been delivered just yet.

This has caused potentially thousands of nearly finished Broncos to be delayed, Automotive News reports. They’re sitting on lots in Michigan, waiting for Ford to replace their roofs. Due to this escalation of the roof problems, some customers will get a 2022 Bronco instead. 

Is the Ford Bronco still worth it?

The good news is that Ford will honor the 2021 price customers paid even though they’ll get a 2022 Bronco, MotorTrend reports. And for its roughly $29,000 MSRP, the Bronco is still a great SUV. As Marentic said, these hardtop roof issues don’t seem to affect the roof’s usefulness. So it’s not a huge deal to some Bronco owners.

At the end of the day, many customers want a Ford Bronco because of what it can do, not what it looks like. This SUV is meant to go off-road, and when it comes to that, it’s an excellent vehicle. It’s also good enough for regular driving, so the Bronco ultimately provides plenty of value. However, it’s still not a good sign for the Bronco to have so many roof issues this early in its life. But at least Ford is taking these problems seriously. 

RELATED: The Standard 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Punches Harder Than You’d Suspect

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2023 Nissan Z: Best Features For Driving Enthusiasts

by Gabrielle DeSantis

After much anticiaption, the 2023 Nissan Z has finally been unveiled. With 400 hp and a starting price around $40,000, it looks to be a strong competitor for the Toyota GR Supra. Here are some of the best features on the new Z for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Nissan Z saves the manual

2023 Nissan Z blue interior with manual transmission | Nissan

Even with the latest crop of incredibly smart and fast automatics, sometimes there’s no replacement for a clutch pedal. Driving a sports car is one of those times. To the relief of enthusiasts, the Nissan Z will continue to offer a six-speed manual. In a world where these transmissions are disappearing left and right, that’s a breath of fresh air.

To ensure the clutch is up to its high-performance task, Nissan partnered with renowned Japanese clutch supplier, Exedy. In addition to the serious clamping hardware, manual models will receive a carbon-fiber driveshaft per Car & Driver. As on the 370Z, the computers will even rev-match downshifts for you on the Performance trim. Hopefully, there’s still an off button for us purists, still using the old heel-toe method.

Twin turbos return to the Nissan Z

2023 Nissan Z engine
2023 Nissan Z engine | Nissan

The taillights on the 2023 Z aren’t the only nod to the ’90s 300ZX. Twin turbos are back with a vengeance, after two generations of naturally aspirated Z engines. While the motor itself is nothing new or innovative, it’s a welcome upgrade over the maxed-out VQ from the 370Z. Particularly given the new boosted competition from Toyota’s GR Supra.

With a few years under its belt in the Infiniti Red Sport 400 variants, the VR30DDTT is potent and well-proven. A 350 lb-foot torque plateau stretches from 1600 to 5200 RPMs, so swift acceleration in any gear should be no problem. And 400 horses is only a baseline, with plenty more available in the aftermarket.

Double wishbone suspension

While much of the automotive world has converted to MacPherson struts for front suspension, the double-wishbone configuration can still be found. Though it is more complex and costly than a strut assembly, double-wishbones typically do a better job of maintaining proper alignment while cornering. Many race cars use the design for precisely that reason.

For 2023, Nissan has improved the geometry compared to the 370Z predecessor. To improve stability at highway speeds on straight roads, the caster angle was increased. For weight savings, the front wishbones and some of the rear multi-link suspension components are made of aluminum. A two-point shock tower brace is now standard across the board, for improved structural rigidity up front.

Final thoughts

The 2023 Nissan Z appears to have struck a fine balance between making progress and retaining old-school traits that many drivers love. And while the Toyota GR Supra will be a natural competitor, the Z will likely offer a better value proposition. Not to mention, it already has a feature that you can’t get on any GR Supra: a manual transmission. Bravo, Nissan.

RELATED: Easy Mods That Make Your Car Instantly Drive Better

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Are Stick-Shifts On Their Way Out?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

You’ve almost certainly been in a vehicle with a manual transmission, even if you haven’t owned one, or driven one. For a long time, manual transmissions were what most people drove. An automatic transmission was a luxury that not everyone could afford – or wanted, really. Yet now the automatic transmission has become standard, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find cars with manual transmissions. Are stick shifts on their way out? Or are they just taking a break, and will surge again in popularity in the future?

A car with a stick shift | Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images

Automatic transmissions have become better

Automatic transmissions have undergone many transformations since their inception. While they used to be a way for a driver to get a sort of break from driving, they became more and more commonplace until they were the standard. 

Similarly, electric cars have a single-speed transmission, and don’t require a multi-gear transmission the way that fuel-powered vehicles do. While electric vehicles may not make up the majority of car sales right now, they’re gaining in popularity, and there will likely be even less of a need to decide between a stick shift and an automatic transmission.

People who really love cars tend to love manual transmissions

According to CNBC, these days you can typically find a manual transmission in two types of cars: really cheap cars, and performance models. Even those performance models don’t generally come with a stick shift automatically. Car makers set aside a certain amount of their vehicles for those “purists” who only want a manual transmission. 

Yet if you’ll be driving your car every day, commuting to work, going to the grocery store, and such, the labor involved with driving a stick shift can become tiring. Sure, it isn’t difficult to drive a stick shift once you know how, but it certainly can be tiring. For this reason, even manual transmission purists sometimes prefer to choose an automatic transmission for their everyday car. 

There are still some cars you can get with a manual transmission

If you still have your heart set on a manual transmission, you do have options. For example, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 comes with a manual transmission – in fact, it only comes with a stick shift. Ford also offers the Bronco with a manual transmission. 

You could get a Toyota Corolla with a stick shift if you’re so inclined, or a Tacoma. According to Cars.com, Toyota skipped the 2021 GR86 and gave it an automatic transmission only, though it will be bringing back the manual transmission in 2022. 

If you’re looking for a high-end manual transmission car, you have some choices. You could get the Aston Martin Vantage, or a BMW M3 or M4. The Genesis GV70 comes with a manual transmission option, as does the Porsche 911. 

If despite the convenience and technological advancements of modern automatic transmission vehicles you still want a stick shift, you have choices. With a variety of car manufacturers still producing manual transmissions at varying price points, it’s likely that you can find something you want with the ability to shift gears.

RELATED: The Best Cars of the 1970s

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Why Honda’s Partnership with GM Could Go up in Flames

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Are Honda’s electric vehicles doomed before they are even released? Honda has entrusted GM to help the Japanese automaker build electric Honda and Acura crossover vehicles. General Motors successfully launched the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle in 2016. Today the Chevy Bolt is the most problematic EV on the market. What does this mean for Honda’s new EVs?

Honda’s GM deal suddenly doesn’t seem so wise

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV | Chevrolet

Honda’s deal with General Motors to collaboratively produce electric vehicles was a good idea at first. Honda has not successfully mass-produced a popular electric vehicle yet. GM’s Chevrolet Bolt was one of the most popular vehicles in America after its debut. Partnering with GM seemed like a good move because it is the more experienced automaker in electric vehicle production. GM’s recent recalls have changed everything.

GM has issued several Chevrolet Bolt recalls this year. When Chevy Bolt models are plugged in and charging, their battery packs can catch on fire. This has happened to many consumers, and GM has issued recall after recall to no avail. The Chevy Bolt’s reputation continued to take hits, as well as the reputation of General Motors as a producer of electric vehicles.

General Motors still has more experience producing and selling electric vehicle units, but does that mean anything if the company must recall close to 69,000 units? Honda was looking to GM for guidance and assistance, but now GM doesn’t appear to be the most credible source for EV production advice.

Honda’s major EV problem

A red 2021 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell driving on a highway with an urban city in the background
The 2021 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell model | American Honda Motor Co., Inc

Honda is one of the best automakers in the automotive industry. It has produced the popular Honda Civic and Honda Accord when sedans were the most popular American vehicle class. Its SUV, the Honda CR-V, has become one of the most popular SUVs at the height of SUV popularity. Honda was always an automotive industry leader until the rise of electric vehicles.

Honda tried to electrify its lineup with the Honda Clarity, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. Honda’s lineup has something for everyone. The Honda Civic and Honda Accord have peppy powertrain options and decent gas mileage. Honda’s CR-V is an amazing all-around SUV. The Honda Odyssey is perfect for families. Honda even has a decent truck in the Honda Ridgeline. All the automaker needs to continue selling major units, and having prosperous quarters is a great EV to serve as the foundation for its future. Enter the Honda Prologue electric SUV.

Honda plans to produce a battery-electric SUV in 2024. A successful EV is necessary for the company’s future in the automotive industry. The Honda Prologue BEV is meant to usher Honda into a new age and stake its claim as a top competitor in the electric future.

If Honda is depending on GM to lend the helping hand it needs to get with the times, the company is in for a rude awakening. GM will spend $1 billion on Chevrolet Bolt battery module replacements because they are a fire hazard. Did Honda lose its last chance to catch up in the great EV race and stay relevant in the future of the automotive industry?

Is Honda’s newest EV doomed?

A white Honda logo with Honda written underneath on a red background.
Honda logo | Getty Images

Honda is still one of the best-selling automotive brands in the industry. However, the future of automobiles in the next decade is electric. The Biden administration is pushing for 50% of new vehicles to be electric by 2030.

With only nine years left, Honda has yet to produce even one successful electric vehicle. If the Honda Prologue BEV flops, it could spell disaster for the company. According to Car and Driver, the new Honda and Acura crossover EVs will use GM’s Ultium battery platform. Will GM perfect its EV production process by the time it works on Honda’s vehicles, or will Honda’s future go up in smoke when it desperately needs a win?

RELATED: General Motors Partners With Honda to Build Two Electric Vehicles by 2024

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