The NHTSA just released its 5mph crash results on the new 2004 Ford F-150. Damage caused by the 5mph crash was $1500.
The new Freestar minivan cost ~$700 by comparison.
They reported that earlier models cost less to fix.
Now, the safety numbers are all good, though.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2004Pkup.html

 

The link only shows crash-test ratings for the Heritage model. Hopefully the new body style will be tested soon.

 

Here is the correct link......

http://www.iihs.org/news_releases/2003/pr121103.htm

 

That is SAD. That's what happens when you turn a truck into a car. And that is also why we all pay ungodly amounts of money for auto insurance.

 

I just took a look at the numbers for the 2001 test and I can say it is pure B.S. Last year I was rear ended twice in 6 months. The second time was no damage, no cost. The first time ther was a dent in the bumper. It and it's support brackets were replace. Total cost $500.00. I don't know where they get their cost estimates, but it looks way off.

 

I am assuming the high cost is due to the fact that at this point in time, you have to use FORD OEM parts. And you know that ford will take every advantage here. As soon as the aftermarket companies jump in, I am sure the prices will drop

 

The repairs made to my truck were Ford OEM. It was done at the dealer.

 

for those of you bitching about the extra cost of a 5mph crash .
the new f150 today got the highest safety grade possible!
this is why ! the frame is stiffer than any other so the cosmetics must take the shock of a crash to keep you safer.today this was proven!

 

I'll bet half the repair was because of the plastic egg crate grill. Doesn't take much to crack that egg!!

 

Well,

I can attest to repair costs for the 2004 F-150. I was behind a dump truck on the 9th of the month headed south down the Interstate. When I came up on the dump truck, he was leaking gravel out his dump gate.

Everyone was hitting their brakes that came up on the guy. Seing how it was at night, it was hard to see the gravel bouncing on the highway. He was doing 55mph and I was at 65mph when I hit the brakes to back off. I was getting pelted as far as 2 18-wheeler lengths behind the guy.

I notified the state troopers on the cell phone. They did not have anyone to intercept himat the time. They wanted to know if I got an ID on the truck's company. I had not at that point. I used an 18-wheeler for shelter and got up beside him in the fast lane and proceded to give the state troopers all the info on the truck.

I figured I had a few rock chips and checked the fron with a flashlight when I got home. Counted about 5-10 initially as the trucks was dirty and it was at night.

The next morining I washed the truck and check for chips/damage. Hada total of over 50 rock chips in the front. Repair estimate is over $1,600. It will need the hood repainted, both front quarter panels painted, the area below the lights and grill painted, the entire front bumper repainted, both headlamp assemblies replaced (over $200 each), the chrome Lariat grill replaced ($180), and one foglight replaced.

So as you can see, you can get damage without kissing anything with the front end. Repair costs are just high regardless of what you own. It won't cost me anything as it's no different than a deer running out in front of me. Comprehensive will cover it.

Scheduled to go in shop on the 12th of January after the wife returns from Omaha Christmas trip with it.

SRAces
USAF (ret)

 

Sort of reminds me of what an insurance agent told me once. I had just bought a new truck and the premiums went way up. I asked why and he said:

" Well you know the price of those new parts are high. It will come down as the truck gets older."

A few years later the premiums were still going up every 6 months. I asked why again. His reply was:

"Well you know how it is. Part for those older trucks are hard to find."

The moral of the story is:

You Can't Win.

 

I saw the crash test rating-poor-and was a little disappointed. Then I checked out all the new full size truck ratings and found that they were ALL poor except for the Dodge Ram. It was marginal.
My insurance cost went down when I bought the 04 F150 after covering an 01 Ranger, and it was down from the 94 F150 that I had before.
My bottom line is insurance costs less and I'm lovin' the ride! Maybe I should put that trailer hitch on the back...just in case!

 

My new 2004 Lariat insurance costs is 20 cents lower than my wife's 1999 Taurus and 20 dollars more than my 1997 F-150 XLT. I can't complain!!

 

SRAces, surprised at the low repair estimate. I've seen $5,000 and far more for repairs from oklahoma hail storms. Too bad though it happened to your new truck.

 

I'm sure it will be repaired as good as new.

Happy Holidays!

SRAces
USAF (ret)