We are drawing closer to the full scale arrival of the aluminum bodied 2015 Ford F-150 at dealerships around the country. At the same time, there are still plenty of 2014 F-150 pickups on lots so over the next few months, buyers at Ford dealerships will be able to pick between old and new F-150s.
During this time, buyers will be able to consider the aluminum bodied 2015 F-150 that will carry a higher price and less “wiggle room” to the steel bodied 2014 F-150 that will likely cost far less thanks to deep discounts to move old models.
While some people question the move to aluminum and things like the cost to repair the body panels, the lighter body will make the 2015 F-150 the lightest half ton truck on the market – also making it the most efficient and the most capable.
On the other hand, the 2014 F-150 offers very similar capabilities and very solid fuel economy, while being far less expensive when sitting on the same lot as the brand new models.
With all of that in mind, we come to our question of the week.
If you were looking to buy a half ton truck in the next few months, would you be shopping for a 2014 F-150 or a new 2015 F-150? Click here to head into the forum to vote in our poll!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.