Just curious if anyone here has ever purchased an XL or XLT, figuring it was all the truck they needed and could do without the extra bells and whistles, then later on regretted it?

I'm leaning towards a loaded-up XL (101A, Sport Appearance, STX, FX4, Max Tow) or a nearly-loaded XLT (302A, Sport Appearance, FX4, Max Tow). A Lariat spec'd virtually the same as the XLT is more than $5k higher than the XLT, and that's with the 501A package, not the 502 (comparing MSRP's). For me at least I just don't see an extra $5k+ worth of "truck" over the XLT (and $10k over the XL). Am I missing something here?

 

It all depends on what one wants and what one's level pf pain is. An XLT is all I need and all I'm willing to pay for as I don't pull a TT and I only drive about 12K miles p/y mainly commuting.

Anyone would be silly to say that they wouldn't like all the bells and whistles but the question remains, are they really worth the upcharge? The nav package alone runs about $2000 and comes with some cool things. A $200 portable GPS unit is all I need and better yet, Google Maps on my phone is more accurate than any of them.

I like the exterior features on the higher end trucks better. The frill, wheels, steps, skull caps on the mirrors, paint options, etc.

Either way, I'm glad that these choices are available.

 

I'm not sure but I think the only regret I personally would have is resale value. The truck I NEED would not hold value like the Lariat and other top end pickups. I have to look at what I do with it. My truck works for me and my kids are grown. As a result, a regular cab is fine for my needs. I know I am in the minority here. Since trucks have become somewhat of a fashion statement, regular cab trucks are hard to find. I'm considering one right now but I'm not to the point where I can pull the trigger yet. I haul wood, stone, manure and just about anything you can put in a truck so an 8 ft. bed is a must. Bells and whistles are not. I've mostly had XLT's as that is my favorite trim level. I've also had a 1997 Lariat. I gotta say, today's XL has more in it than that Lariat did. Properly equipped, an XL can be a very nice truck. When we travel, we take my wife's 2016 Escape. So, without rambling too much more, consider what you want to do with the truck. I would hate to put a Lariat through what I put it through. The ONLY reason I would even want one is for the 4 automatic. Good luck.

 

It really depends what you want. I was set to buy an XLT with the Sport Package until my wife rode in it. She had to have leather seats and dual zone climate control so a Lariat 501a is what we ended up with. Our truck is our main vehicle, we tow with it, we take it on vacations and we use it for projects around the house. It makes sense to have a few upgrades.

 

I went from only ever having loaded XLTs to a pretty bare bones XL. My truck has the XL value package(chrome bumpers, cruise, and CD player)and cloth seats, those are the only two "creature comfort" options I ordered it with. I don't regret the purchase one bit and the only thing I really missed was the keypad on the door because it allowed me to lock my keys in the truck while out hunting. Next truck will probably be an STX though since on the SD it is a wash because by the time I add the XL value package, aluminum wheels and get some good tires on after the fact the cost is the same as the STX package with the upgraded tires from the factory. Plus I like the 18" wheels better which aren't available with the XL.

Resale and demand is going to be lower than high trim levels but depending on where you live it might not be that much lower. I live in an area where agriculture is the primary industry and there are lots of low end trucks running around, but the dealers will still try to beat you up come trade time. Being a Reg cab is what will really beat you up at trade time.

Now, if I found a heavily discounted XLT or Lariat holdover that wasn't much more than a current year XL then I'd go that route.

 

I bought a 2 wheel drive 6.5' bed reg cab XL. Has everything I need Sync, AC, Power windows, Phone navigation is better for me. I listen to talk radio or my MP3s on my phone. So do I regret getting the XL? Nope.

2016 reg cab XL. Factory spray in liner, box link, sync.
22k out the door

 

Resale arguments are usually not an issue. A lower cost truck will have a lower resale value. The real question is if an XL looses more value than, say, a King Ranch. You may be surprised how much value that XL retains. Especially if it is optioned well.

Yesterday, on Fords build and price site, I built an XL STX and an XLT Sport 301a. I optioned them as close as possible to each other. The XLT Sport 301a was about $3k higher with the only major difference being the console shifter. Oddly, if I checked the 302a box, a lot of options that I checked for the 301a, now became included and the 302a only costed $150 more, plus you get 10 way power seats for driver and passenger.

Another oddity, you can load out an XL STX with a 2.7 and get the payload package. If you try to do that with an XLT it will force you to the base option package and wont allow you to choose many of the available options.

 

I was gonna say, the resale value hold is far better on a work truck than it is on a high end truck.

I didn't buy a truck, but I bought the cheapest car ford makes. Manual windows and manual trans. I got it in Dec of 14 and frankly I still love it. I've been considering the '18 F150 and the only thing that spoiled me on my base fiesta is having bluetooth, which would force me into a 101a package. As you can see, I'm a utilitarian sort of guy. So in the end, the only one who can really answer is yourself. If you're asking if you'd regret then I'd lean to the idea that you will. If you think air conditioning is a waste of weight, well then, spoil yourself with that 101a package!

 

The question really can't be answered by a forum, because your satisfaction has more to do with your personality and priorities than anything else.

I'm the kind of guy who always keeps his eyes open to what's around me...and I love bells and whistles. Which sucks because I really hate paying for them. I've always bought mid-level trims and have always wished for more options as I owned the thing. But I can never justify the additional purchase price when I get the truck. I wouldn't stay happy in an XL, but there are lots of people who do just that every day.

Interesting subject, but this is more of an internal question than an external one. I wouldn't settle for an XL because I'd always be wishing for more gizmos and gadgets. You may be different, though...and if so, you'd save quite a bit with the XL.

 

Yes, this. A King ranch will probably lose as much value as the XL costs to buy, over a 5-6 year timeframe.

I've noticed this. Don't listen to people that try to justify a more expensive vehicle because of 'resale value'...all you need to do is go on KBB or Edmunds and you'll see the more basic trucks retain a higher percentage of their original cost.

Aaaand, this is the real answer to the question. It's really about how much you appreciate what you have. I could be perfectly happy driving an XL for many years. I could be perfectly happy driving a KR for many years. My wife, would be tired of a KR in 3 years (I'm probably the only thing she's kept around longer than 3 or 4 years... )....it's more about 'feelings' than the vehicle.


.

 

As alluded to above, it all depends on what you want. A friend and I were discussing this the other day. We both have XLTs with the 301A package and are very satisfied with our "bells and whistles", mostly because we compared them to our previous vehicles. The XLT version of my 2008 F250 was a lot better than the XLT version of my 1989 Bronco. The XLT version of my 2016 F150, even with the lower 301A package, is exponentially better than the XLT package in the old F250. For me, personally, my current package gives me all the "luxury" I want or need.

I would submit that more important regarding regrets is getting a truck that won't do all the truck stuff you want to do, vs how luxurious the interior is. My only "regret buy" was my 2002 F150XL, which I got bare bones with the V6 and 5 speed manual. It was a fine daily driver, but it had an anemic payload capacity and for the few times a year I took it on long trips (I had another vehicle for that at the time), I really missed cruise control and being able to give my foot a rest on long, straight highways.

 

Wow, I would not have thought of this being possible. Everybody seems to buy crew cabs and short beds and I figured they held value because of that alone. This makes me feel a little better about the one I am looking at. It's an XL regular cab 8' bed. 2016 with less than 5,000 miles. I never bought a new truck in my life simply because of the work I put them through. The lot that has this truck takes almost every truck they get a customize it to appeal to I guess the folks that want a customized truck. They did a little to this one (tinted the windows, put 20" Mayhem wheels and a leveling kit) to try to move it. It's sharp and I really like it. It has the tow package, rear camera and traction control with a 3.55 rear end. 2.7 Eco Boost which I'm still not convinced is what I want. This makes me feel better about the XL though.

 

I don't think that is true. Sure a used lariat is worth more than a used XLT, but if the difference purchased brand new is $5000, the difference after four or five years will be LESS than $5000, not more.

The higher the trim level, the worse the depreciation.

 

Yep, that's a fact on absolutely everything. ALL vehicles depreciate to nothing over time. The higher you start, the greater the value that goes to zero.

 

There is always someone looking for a good low cost truck. Think utility vehicle, something to use as a truck with little investment. IMO, condition is more of a factor in a used truck value than equipment.