Ok so has everyone gone freakin mad!?

You can't get cooled seats with a 3.7 Soooooo I just can't understand what the question is...

And to think before I got the new '10 I was missing the days way back when a '59 f-100 sat in the driveway. 292 V8 with a granny low, a dash board you could wax and the gas tank behind the seat. Man I loved that truck.. What the hell happened to me...

One big difference; even though they were both daily drivers the new one is also the vacation vehicle. The wife will now ride in it were as she didn't much care for the f100. See what I mean about missing the old one

Really though if you're replacing the Expy with an XL truck you may have some creature comfort disappointments. Transportation is the primary function of the vehicle- even a work truck (transports cargo, gear etc). There are plenty who would say a Spartan existence is sufficient and correctly so. If a 3.7 will perform that function to your satisfaction then that is the ticket. But if you can manage it get the creature comforts. They have not turned out to be a disappointment.

As for the car - Ford put me in 20+ rental cars over a 32 month period. Drive the Fusion.. it was the only one of the loaners that was significantly better than the Camry.


Tim

 

I don't think it's a matter of debate which is best or more practical because everyone buys what they want anyhow. This is only a discussion about everyone point of view not trying to dictate what others should drive.

I lived in Michigan for 15 years and spent a fair amount of time visiting the UP in the winter with an ’85 2wd F150. I just limited myself where I went. I drove a VW Beetle in Germany for 5-½ years and never got stuck once and it snows there a lot.

I would not take offence if someone thought I should be driving a 4x4. If I had a lot of disposable income I might even own one.

 

2wd is perfectly do-able in the winter. My work truck is a 1/2 ton Dodge with a 3.7 V6, 5spd and an open diff 4x2. I get around better than most people in 4x4 trucks. It is all about having good tires and half a brain.

 

Well said Crazy.Here is another thought and that is resale.In a few years if gas does not get too high the 5.0 will be a more sought after engine than the 3.7.Also if you live in a northern climate just try to sell a 4X2.No one wants one so resale goes down.In the south they seem to devalue if it is a 4X4 because not many need or want one.Where Tim lives its probabally a toss up because he is close to snow country.If gas hits $6 0r $7 a gallon the 3.7 will be very popular even though it gets only slightly better MPGs.

 

Not true as the 3.7L is only available in the XL, STX and 4x2 XLT. The 3.7L is not available in most models, in fact, it's nearly as limited as the 6.2L in model availability. However, the 3.7L will be larger volume engine than the 6.2L in the F-150's.

The Expy is staying with us and the truck will be added to my fleet. The Expy only has 80K on the clock and many good years are still ahead of her.

Again, you all have brought up some very good points to be considered.

 

I was wondering Tim, when do you expect to get a new one? Summer or fall? Will you be looking for a new or used 2011?

 

Honestly at this point, I'm not sure when the day will come. I'm most certainly getting a brand new truck. I will admit, I'm very spooked over fuel prices now and in the future. So, I'm waiting until we see a little relief before I pull the trigger. This has happened to us twice and I don't relish spending anymore on fuel than is necessary. Where does the fuel increase end before we see relief? How about next time and the time after that?

Affordability really isn't the issue as much as my own stinginess. I'm a tight wad and I squeak when I walk and like all of you, I work my tail off for my money.

But anyway, like you all say, you work hard, get what you want.

 

It almost sounds as if you shouldn't get a truck, but a car. Unless you think you *need* a truck. Since we are talking about needs. The Expy and a utility trailer, or even a car with a tow hitch and utility may very well haul anything you need on occasion. Just another thought, since you speak of needs and seem pretty concerned with fuel economy and prices.

 

There is only so much oil to go around, emerging middle class Chinese and Indians are buying new vehicles in record numbers.

For example, last year the Chinese bought more new vehicles than were sold new in the US, the first time this has occurred.

Estimates are that there will be more vehicles in China by 2020, then there will be in the US. While fuel prices will fluctuate, as long as the demand is high, the prices will continue to rise every year.

Estimates are that a gallon of 87 octane regular gas could reach 10 bucks a gallon within five years. So if MPG is a concern, buy something fuel efficent.

Right now, with concerns over turmoil in the Middle East, gas prices have gone to the moon ($4.23 is average price for a gallon of 87 octane here in LA LA Land), but...

When things settle down, the prices will drop, but will continue to rise ever so slowly, all because of OPEC and strong demand.

If y'all are old enough to recall the two Arab Oil Embargo's that occured in 1973/74 (after which gas prices QUADRUPLED) and in 1979 when gas prices increased another 25%, none of the above should come as a surprise.

And, if you think gas is expensive here in the US, you oughtta see what it's selling for in Europe! "She, who must be obeyed" and I are taking a three week driving trip throughout the UK this summer.

We don't relish paying EIGHT BUCKS a gallon for regular, so will rent the smallest econobox I can fit into...whatever that is, I dunno.

 

I take the motorcycle as much as possible but I'm looking for an older 'combat car' that gets real good mileage. Not really concerned with the looks, just a good runner with good mileage. I like my new truck but the mileage on it is about the same as my 65'. A cheap commuter car would be nice.

 

I'm not concerned about MPG, since I only drive about 300 miles a month. The elephantine behemouth I just bought is only getting about 14 MPG, but only has 1,200 miles on the clock (purchased 1/22/2011).

When the gauge reads 1/2 tank, I fill up. It's a rare day when the guage reads below half on any pile I've owned back to the 1950's.

The reason is: My dad was so cheap, he would only buy a bucks worth of gas at a time, and this was back when gas was 20 cents a gallon.

Running out of gas was something that was common in our family at one time, and since my dad was an Olds Dealer, he shouldn't have been a cheapskate.

But, some ppl who lived during the Great Depression are penny-pinchers...even today, cuz they remember how hard it was...just to find a job.

"She, who must be obeyed" was born in 1954, but waits for the light to come on before filling up. I've told her many times...what if there's an emergency and no local gas station is open? She says, 'I'll just take your vehicle!'

 

Yeah and then insurance costs: I have USAA BTW,

A 2011 4x4 F-150 will cost me $100 per month extra.

A 2011 fusion is $80

A 2012 Focus is $85

A 2011 Taurus is $91

A 4x2 F-150 is $95

My 17 y/o daughter is on my policy to drive the 2010 Focus only. My deductable is $500, we have no accidents over the last 6 years or violations over the last 15 years. I carry the top tier coverage with accident forgiveness and the other goodies.

To say the least, I've done my homework, asked all the questions, taken notes and committed most everything to memory.

Through all the costs my wife has remained strong and has said that I deserve a new truck. The truck will most likely happen, it's a matter of choosing the drive train.

 

No kiddies here to raise insurance rates...which are super high in CA as it is. When I replaced the 2008 Fusion w/the F150 (no loans on either), my rate went up 35 bucks...to $1035.00 a year! I'll betcha your rates are less.

66 years old, no ticket since 1982, no accident since 1963 (t'was not my fault), drive about 4K a year. Full coverage and un-insured motorist is a must have here in LA LA Land, my deduct is $500.00.

 

I was paying that every six months before my kid was added. This is a tough area insurance wise. When I added her it nearly doubled as a part time driver on a brand new car with all the safety bells and whistles.

 

When the 2011's were announced and I saw the 3.7L I was very interested in it as a second truck to replace our Tundra when it eventually dies. The hard work is done with our 250 PSD and the Tundra is now being driven by my wife to the barn (we have a horse) and it keeps her from making the interior of our car smell like horse ****e. That being said we do need 4wd as we have a cabin in Northern VT that we spend about 100-150 days per year in. The driveway right now is mud......the 250 would be up to it's axles if I drove it this week.

All this background leads me to the fact that I was disappointed to see I couldn't get a 3.7L 4wd in either xlt Super or Screw......too bad. And since the Ranger is not available with a stick, 4wd and 4 banger, it looks like the replacement will be a Tacoma with the 4 banger, extra cab with a stick and a cap........which is disappointing as I would like another Ford.