This is a great thread with some awesome insight. It goes to show what many buyers priorities are and the general knowledge level of those who don't cruise these forums for information.

One thing about my XLT that I'm sure if I like yet or not is the folding front seat / arm rest / cup / junk holder. I may have been happier with the permanent console and floor shifter vs. what comes in the Scab XLT's. Just a thought.

 

I never ever will have leather seats. I live in Tennessee and we usually have all 4 full seasons of weather here. Leather is to hot and to cold for many months of the year here. Also I have dogs that ride with me many, many times a year and they are very hard on the leather. Also it is a TRUCK, and I use it like a truck about 50 times a year and if you get away from the coastal areas we have more rain here than any other area in the country. An XLT if I buy it will not have carpet in it either. The many, many times a year around here when we hop into our vehicles with wet and or muddy feet or paws makes the black rubber floor covering much better for me also. Also I prefer the mechanical 4x4 shift also which I do not think is available in the Lariat. I do not pretend to know where you live or what you need this truck to do for you, but in my world it is XL, STX, or XLT for me even if money was not a consideration. Good luck to you. Think about what is important to you and if function is your true need take a hard look at the lower price models. They are actually the only models that Ford sells these trucks in that offer the things that are the most important to me.

 

Just to chime in about the dog thing - my 2 dogs dont ride on the seat - they lay on the floor in the rear of the cab, which only is the case because one of my dogs barfs if he can see out the window while riding. Though I could see how they would mess up the leather if I let them on the seat - the leather couch in my den looks like it was attacked by a tiger. Anyhow, I prefer leather because one of mine is a Saint Bernard who drools a lot, and the Rottie mutt likes water (yours are likely water dogs too?) The backs and sides of the front seats take the abuse and with the cloth, it was a chore to get the drool/water stains off.Also think the leather is a little less likely to hold in the stink. </Hijack>

As I mentioned I ordered one with leather, but like Ford Fred mentioned, you have to love that vinyl floor option. There was a truck in online inventory that I went to go buy that was a xlt with a vinyl floor - unfortunately it was already sold. Spent a lot of time weighing a lower payment vs. the "nice-to-haves" that came on the higher trim level and just decided that it was in my budget and thought the increase in payment would be offset by my enjoyment of the truck, which I plan to own at least 10yrs.

 

Hm I hadn't thought of the vinyl flooring when I bought mine. That would have been a good idea for me. I can't keep my black carpet clean very long. I do need to get some slush mats in there.

But ya I can see how drool from the dogs would be a pain and a wet dog rubbing against the back of the seats would be hell on them. But I think seat covers are the solution to that. There's so many different designs out there to fit almost everyones liking. That and some brands are fully waterproof. And the ease of washing them makes it so simple. Some brands that are custom fit are outrageously priced but look great. But I chose to use cheaper cabelas brand ones. That way if for some reason they tear or just get that muddy or nasty I can just toss them away and not feel so bad. Just tossed away my first set from the dodge I traded in after I took it to a mud bog competition and got talked into taking my truck out for a run haha. My interior was a total wreck after that day and night! Lol

Another question. I saw in a post above someone mentioned scotch guard on their cloth seats. Does this work well? Thought about trying it for a little extra protection before I put the seat covers on

 

I would never buy a vehicle that has a dash full of stickers that are supposed to look like wood. I've never understood the fake wood look on vehicles. What's the point? Everyone knows it's a sticker including the owner. To each their own though.

So in saying that, the FX2/FX4 and XLT would always be my choices.

 

Brushed Aluminum like on the old 04 FX4s looks better IMO than the light wood on the new Lariat. I think that the old darker color of wood in the last body line's Lariat and King Ranch look much better than the new light trim as well. Also I would like to see the stone color in leather rather than just Black or Tan.

 

I want a Lariat in silver and have had my heart set on that color for some time. The only problem with that is I am not too fond of the black interior. This is the only reason I have yet to buy a new truck. I keep looking at a couple of different colors that offer the tan leather, but I really want a silver truck. I wish they offered the stone interior with silver for the Lariat. If they did, I would be at the dealership right now working on a deal.

 

adkhunter, I have sent you a message to keep from hijacking this thread.

 

How about an FX?

 

I owned a older Ford F-150 prior to buying a Tahoe, a Suburban and two Yukon XLs from 1997 to 2011 - the child rearing years. The last one graduated this past spring and I ordered a gray 2011 F-150 XLT SCREW, 3.5L, 6.5' box with gray cloth captains seats. I would have preferred gray leather but it was not available and black leather was something I would not consider which eliminated the Lariet package. (We already have two vehicles with black seats and they are always a mess.) After 13 years of leather seats I thought I would miss it but the cloth has been fine. Not too hot and not too cold.

Going from a 2007 Yukon XL SLT (glorified 4x4 mini-van) to the F-150 ecoboost has been a definite upgrade. The F-150 is quieter and has a ton more power with a better transmission. It rides nicer on smooth roads but the Yukon rode better on rough roads. Overall I am very happy with the Ford.

 

[quote=pkvir;10629974]How about an FX?



I thought about that, but rather the chrome bumpers and grill on the Lariat.

Nice looking truck you have there!

 

[quote=FORD COASTIE;10636711]I think if you bought the FX, you'd easily find someone to trade the bumpers and grill with for Lariat. Or just buy the Lariat bumpers and grill.

 

[quote=edwardlloyd;10636762]Seems like this board is split about 50/50 on who likes the chrome vs painted bumpers - and even though I never even considered the FX4 (I have no need for it), I have to admit, if I was interested, the painted bumpers alone would've turned me off. But really, my nickname here should be chrome... I love my chrome lol. I have the XLT with the chrome stuff and the first thing I did was add a chrome toolbox. Really makes it pop. I'd like to get the chrome inserts for the back of the side mirrors but that'd be it - don't wanna over do it

 

Well I am still trying to decide what I want. As me and tseekins have been discussing on the citydata forums I have about narrowed it down, but still have some time before my actual purchase time arrives, so I can still research, etc. lol.

I dont even know if I want 4wd/2wd - dont know the engine, nor what cab or trim. I think I may get the 3.5L Eco, so thats about narrowed down. If I go with 2wd, I think though that the 3.7L would be OK since I would never really tow a heavy load. I think its around 302hp which I think would be fine for me.

I really dont NEED 4wd, so I am thinking of 2wd, but then again if I can get a good deal on a 4wd, I may do it for resell value sake. I know I at least want either super or crew cab. Now the trim line I am still torn over. lol. It will either be an XLT or Lariat. Personally I like the "fake wood" but I am used to alot of the old American luxury cars that had the fake plastic wood in them. lol. I really like the XLT with the chrome package (but I also like the look of the grille and wheels of the base XLT, LOL), so if I go XLT, I will likely go 4wd, loaded up with all I can get on it... and maybe even crewcab.

If I go Lariat trim, it will probably be 2wd, supercab, 3.5L, maybe navigation (I know some say this system is lousy, but it would be a toy I guess, lol), but where it gets odd is that I want the bench seat up front. I have not personally seen a nav optioned Lariat with the bench seat. I have seen the non-nav models with the bench seat though. I like the blue flame, but you cant get it on the Lariat. So, if I went with the Lariat, I would either choose the adobe gold or candy red with adobe interior. If I go XLT, it will definitely be blue flame with adobe interior. I am leaning more toward supercab, as I really dont need alot of back seat room as I would rarely (if ever) carry passengers in this vehicle). So having room mainly just for groceries, etc would be fine.

It really depends on what deal I can get, but here is about what i am thinking of....

XLT, 3.5L (or maybe the 3.7L), 2wd, supercab (maybe crewcab), chrome package, blue flame / adobe interior, bench seat, satellite radio, rear camera, side steps, tailgate step, convenience package.

OR

Lariat, 3.5L, 2wd, supercab, (base exterior package), adobe gold / adobe interior, bench seat, navigation (MAYBE), rear camera, side steps, tailgate step.

Ya know though, I have not personally seen a supercab XLT on any of the dealers lots with the chrome package, only on the crewcabs, but on the Ford build your own, you can do the chrome package on the supercab XLT as well.

I would not even mind the STX and I like like looks of it, but you can only get gray interior and you cant get the convenience option on it.

I guess time will tell what I end up with. lol.

 

I reading an article / interview a couple of weeks ago in a business paper that one of my customers showed me. They were interviewing Alan Mullaly. The gist of the article focused on the low J.D. Powers score that Ford recently got for quality. The quality issues were focused around the SYNC / NAV units and the transmission shifting.

He says that 2012 promises to be a better year and improvements will be made in these areas.

So, if anyone is holding out for a 2012 model, you may see even more refinements and improvements to an already great truck. XLT or Lariat, you can't go wrong.