Two Week Report
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 143
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Two Week Report
Here is a two week report on my new F-150.
I really intended to get a smaller, cheaper truck.
But after driving the new F-150, I really fell in love with it.
My Truck:
2004 F-150 XLT Supercab
Dark Shadow Grey
4.6L V8 3.55 Limited Slip
Towing Package
P255/65Rx17 OWL
17" Polished Aluminum Wheels
Vehicle Replaced:
1994 Ranger XLT Regular Cab
2.3L I4 5 Speed Manual
No Frills
I put 110,000 miles on the Ranger in eight years.
It needed tires, batteries, brakes, and oil.
Still had original clutch and shocks.
No front end parts or alignment needed.
The kind of reliability that brought me back to Ford.
The other guys looked nice, but that was one tough Ranger.
Other Trucks Compared:
I drove Ford Ranger, Dodge Ram/Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier.
I didn't drive a Tundra, all the available ones had $3-4,000 in options I didn't want.
I didn't see a Nissan Titan untill after I bought the F-150.
It looked pretty good from the back and side. But I didn't like the front.
The biggest competition was probably the Dodge Ram. But I worry about it's reliability.
No badmouthing, most were nice trucks. But None compared with the 2004 F-150.
Style:
I still like the exterior Dodge Ram and older F-150, but my truck looks better.
Where the Dodge Macho is "in your face", the F-150 is more refined and quiet spoken.
The Dodge is Godzilla, and the F-150 more like John Wayne.
As for the interior, no contest. It's the nicest truck interior there is.
No regrets about choosing the F-150 based on style.
The salesman kept trying to save me money with an XL, but the XLT had what I wanted.
He also tried to sell me a 2003 Ranger, but I really wanted an F-150 when I bought the 1994 Ranger.
The 2003 looks just like my 1994 from the outside, it was definitely time to move up.
Size:
It still seems awful big, and I sometimes wonder if I bought too much truck.
I look at Rangers, way too small.
I look at Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Dakota, I might have been happy.
Then I climb in my new F-150, and I'm in heaven. I just love all the room.
I had considered saving money on a regular cab, now I'm glad I chose the Supercab.
Roominess:
The front cabin is more than spacious, it's actually oppulant.
Sometimes I forget it's a truck, untill it's time to find a parking spot. No compact slots.
The rear seat area is far larger than any other Supercab/Extended Cab Truck.
I primarilarly need some inside storage, and the flip up seats are great.
But, with the 2004 there's actually room for people to ride back there for short trips.
They're not as big as a Crewcab, but bigger than my Daughter's Honda Civic.
Seats:
I included this comment due to the large number of posts about them being uncomfortable.
They seem to be not only comfortable, but extremely suited to me.
It's like me and the seats have been adapting to each other, they keep getting better.
With other vehicles, I always got a sore neck on long drives.
The seats reclined too much, and when I rested my head back I was looking up at too high a angle.
I guess a lot of people like to lean back when they drive, but I can't see right unless I'm upright.
With the F-150, I can sit at an upright angle and still have my head resting back on the headrest.
Power:
Yes, I was tempted by the 5.4L, but my costs were getting awful high.
I test drove the 4.6L, and it seemed to meet my needs.
It was a better alternative than gettlng a Regular Cab or XL model.
After two weeks, it seems to have even more power. I'm happy.
I will seldom tow, and then prpbably never over 2-3,000 lbs.
Considering circumstances, the 4.6L was probably a good decision.
Ride and Handling:
It sure doesn't feel like a truck.
It actually corners better than my little Ranger.
But even through the smooth quiet ride, you know it's got the power to work.
Summery:
In the eight years I had the Ranger, I felt like I should have bought more truck.
In the past two weeks, I have asked myself if I maybe bought too much truck.
I always get the same answer -- Naaahhh!!!
At first, my expectations were to get 8-10 years, and well over 100,000 miles on it.
Many of the posts in this group tend more toward 200,000 miles on these trucks.
I keep my vehicles a long time, and this one is going to be a pleasure to keep.
I really intended to get a smaller, cheaper truck.
But after driving the new F-150, I really fell in love with it.
My Truck:
2004 F-150 XLT Supercab
Dark Shadow Grey
4.6L V8 3.55 Limited Slip
Towing Package
P255/65Rx17 OWL
17" Polished Aluminum Wheels
Vehicle Replaced:
1994 Ranger XLT Regular Cab
2.3L I4 5 Speed Manual
No Frills
I put 110,000 miles on the Ranger in eight years.
It needed tires, batteries, brakes, and oil.
Still had original clutch and shocks.
No front end parts or alignment needed.
The kind of reliability that brought me back to Ford.
The other guys looked nice, but that was one tough Ranger.
Other Trucks Compared:
I drove Ford Ranger, Dodge Ram/Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier.
I didn't drive a Tundra, all the available ones had $3-4,000 in options I didn't want.
I didn't see a Nissan Titan untill after I bought the F-150.
It looked pretty good from the back and side. But I didn't like the front.
The biggest competition was probably the Dodge Ram. But I worry about it's reliability.
No badmouthing, most were nice trucks. But None compared with the 2004 F-150.
Style:
I still like the exterior Dodge Ram and older F-150, but my truck looks better.
Where the Dodge Macho is "in your face", the F-150 is more refined and quiet spoken.
The Dodge is Godzilla, and the F-150 more like John Wayne.
As for the interior, no contest. It's the nicest truck interior there is.
No regrets about choosing the F-150 based on style.
The salesman kept trying to save me money with an XL, but the XLT had what I wanted.
He also tried to sell me a 2003 Ranger, but I really wanted an F-150 when I bought the 1994 Ranger.
The 2003 looks just like my 1994 from the outside, it was definitely time to move up.
Size:
It still seems awful big, and I sometimes wonder if I bought too much truck.
I look at Rangers, way too small.
I look at Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Dakota, I might have been happy.
Then I climb in my new F-150, and I'm in heaven. I just love all the room.
I had considered saving money on a regular cab, now I'm glad I chose the Supercab.
Roominess:
The front cabin is more than spacious, it's actually oppulant.
Sometimes I forget it's a truck, untill it's time to find a parking spot. No compact slots.
The rear seat area is far larger than any other Supercab/Extended Cab Truck.
I primarilarly need some inside storage, and the flip up seats are great.
But, with the 2004 there's actually room for people to ride back there for short trips.
They're not as big as a Crewcab, but bigger than my Daughter's Honda Civic.
Seats:
I included this comment due to the large number of posts about them being uncomfortable.
They seem to be not only comfortable, but extremely suited to me.
It's like me and the seats have been adapting to each other, they keep getting better.
With other vehicles, I always got a sore neck on long drives.
The seats reclined too much, and when I rested my head back I was looking up at too high a angle.
I guess a lot of people like to lean back when they drive, but I can't see right unless I'm upright.
With the F-150, I can sit at an upright angle and still have my head resting back on the headrest.
Power:
Yes, I was tempted by the 5.4L, but my costs were getting awful high.
I test drove the 4.6L, and it seemed to meet my needs.
It was a better alternative than gettlng a Regular Cab or XL model.
After two weeks, it seems to have even more power. I'm happy.
I will seldom tow, and then prpbably never over 2-3,000 lbs.
Considering circumstances, the 4.6L was probably a good decision.
Ride and Handling:
It sure doesn't feel like a truck.
It actually corners better than my little Ranger.
But even through the smooth quiet ride, you know it's got the power to work.
Summery:
In the eight years I had the Ranger, I felt like I should have bought more truck.
In the past two weeks, I have asked myself if I maybe bought too much truck.
I always get the same answer -- Naaahhh!!!
At first, my expectations were to get 8-10 years, and well over 100,000 miles on it.
Many of the posts in this group tend more toward 200,000 miles on these trucks.
I keep my vehicles a long time, and this one is going to be a pleasure to keep.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Montana
"Power:
Yes, I was tempted by the 5.4L, but my costs were getting awful high.
I test drove the 4.6L, and it seemed to meet my needs.
It was a better alternative than gettlng a Regular Cab or XL model."
I was just the opposite. I got the XL scab with the 5.4 L. I like the no non-sense of the XL and wanted the power since very little sacrifice in mpg. I do alot of off pavement in the mountains and prairies here in montana. The XL comes nicely accessorized with standard equipment. My truck had a few nice options: cruise control (needed), the CD/cassette stereo, tow package, block heater, and fog lights. What else do ya need? I can lean over and unlock the other door and hand crank the two windows. I hate all that extra power stuff for two doors. I also love no carpeting.
Enjoy your truck. Your truck is smaller than all the Suburbans on the freeways/highways. You got more truck for your money in my opinion. Those midsize and mini's are overpriced.
Yes, I was tempted by the 5.4L, but my costs were getting awful high.
I test drove the 4.6L, and it seemed to meet my needs.
It was a better alternative than gettlng a Regular Cab or XL model."
I was just the opposite. I got the XL scab with the 5.4 L. I like the no non-sense of the XL and wanted the power since very little sacrifice in mpg. I do alot of off pavement in the mountains and prairies here in montana. The XL comes nicely accessorized with standard equipment. My truck had a few nice options: cruise control (needed), the CD/cassette stereo, tow package, block heater, and fog lights. What else do ya need? I can lean over and unlock the other door and hand crank the two windows. I hate all that extra power stuff for two doors. I also love no carpeting.
Enjoy your truck. Your truck is smaller than all the Suburbans on the freeways/highways. You got more truck for your money in my opinion. Those midsize and mini's are overpriced.
