I have spent about an hour in a Raptor so far, Tuxedo Black with no graphics. It is a real blast to drive alright, and the looks I got while out on the streets was testament to the presence of this truck on the road. It has a nice exhaust snarl when WOT from the light, and the tow/haul mode is a nice setting for me, kinda like a shift kit.
The width of the truck is what hits ya first. I took it to a show two weeks ago, and the reaction from people was amazing. They all agreed it was the nicest truck they had ever seen, period. I spent the better part of the day removing finger/faceprints from the paint! lol
Anyway, if anyone wants one, it has the great stereo, black interior, 4.11 gears with electronic locking differential, tailgate step, and a host of other goodies and options besides the standards.
$42,500 sticker price.
Brand new.
Call me!

 

Just kiddin'. It's all true. Git some!

 

Huck... this is Alex that signs on at P/Utrucks.com.. good to see you on here! How's ya Raptor going?

 

Hey Alex, I love everything about it. It's a hoot. It's wide, so I park and walk but that's ok. The truck's frisky and handles so well. It's like a mondo hotrod. I've had extremely fast cars, I've had cars that handle world class. The Raptor's not any of that, it's just a great package.

Problems:
1. The supercab door. Chevy's got 'em beat there. It's a PIA when someone parks next to me too closely.
2. Tires. I can't find winter tires, anywhere, anyhow. One guy said "I can put some smaller tires on it" I think the vomit on his counter gave him the answer!!
3. I love the sound in it. It's great. I do have a problem though, the sub takes up valuable storage space. I'd love to have a super flat space back there. Heck, if I could take the seats out and it look good, I would.
5. I wish I the running board extended back a little more to aid in getting in the box and tying stuff down. I do have a technique though, one foot on the running board, one on the tire. Not as nice as Ford's extendostep on their other 150s, but it works.
6. The backup camera. I wish it were mounted not on the tailgate. When you carry loads, it doesn't work anymore.

That's the bad of it to me. The rest is superfine! Love the engine and six speed. Awesome combo! Offroad, needless to say, the Raptor goes like no other.

 

Nice, glad you are enjoying it. I would have thought the standard BFG A/Ts would work wonders in the winter anyway?
As for the handling and the acceleration. I am sure it is awesome, I would prefer your Raptor to a Subaru WRX or a Camaro, Challenger etc. There is a lot you have, they don't have. That is the smile on your face when you are driving it. A car can handle like it's on rails and go 0-60 in 3 seconds and be bloody boring as hell to drive.
You are right on the Supercab thing, that's where Chevy excels. I have an 02 Chevy Ext cab, and i find it's actually pretty good in the back. New one would be even better with the rear power windows and doors that open 180 deg. Ford just needs to make theirs a little bigger.

I want to see some more pics when your ripping up dirt! :-)

Alex