Onamission,

Great report. Thanks.

 

My Grandpa had a 1989 chevy C1500 with a 350, and it was a great running, hard working machine,and it was a beast, it would tear up the road, and sounded like monster! But my stepdad had an 88 with the same engine, and it was the biggest POS we'd ever had in the family, it went through 3 engines, the original 350, an older model 350 w/turbo 350 trans, and a 92 305 from a caprice. Hes a chevy guy so he got a 94 GMC to replace it, and it isnt the best of trucks either. My Grandpa now has a 98 F-150 with a 4.6l, it is the same as his chevy was, all his vehicles are usually like that, its like they have more power than they are supposed to, and never have problems.

 

Flash, I knew you'd had truck problems but had no idea it was THAT bad. It's a shame really. I do believe every automaker will crank out a lemon on occasion. It is just not a good thing if you get stuck with that lemon.

My previous truck was a 2000 model, XL 5 speed, 4.2. It was the most reliable, trouble free vehicle I ever owned. Sold it at about 170,000 miles. It ran as good as it did the day I bought it.
I had to have the lower intake manifold gasket replaced at ~150,000 miles. I replaced a $19 brake sensor at about 80,000. That's it. That's all that ever went wrong. It didn't squeek, leak, rattle, or anything.

I bought another F150 in Feb 2005.
2005 model XL 4.2 except it's auto.
So far (29,000 miles) it has been as reliable as a cement brick. No problem of any sort at all. And that really is kinda' suprising. I'd expect something would mess up - but am glad nothing has.

 

I have had an 04 FX4 extended cab since July 2004. bought it new. I drive about 50 miles a day for work, and my wife and I use that truck on frequent trips to see family. We live in CT, most of our family is still in NY. I also frequently take it to Maine/Mass for fishing.

Truck has almost 34,000 miles so far. Only problem was a rear window rattle at about 7k...dealer quickly fixed.

I am happy with the truck and plan on keeping it until there is not a breath of life in the engine...

Previous truck was a 1993 F150 with the Inline 300 six....when I sold it it hat 185,000 miles..person I sold it to now has over 200,000 miles, still runs great..just needed something w/4WD when we moved from Long Island to Northeastern CT.

 

Hate to say this, but the first model year of any car is typically not too far from a prototype, hence I'll avoid buying it and wait for the 2nd or preferably 3rd year. The 4th year is typically the best but last before another major update is introduced. They're typically pressed for time to deliver the new model and will rework/redesign issues found as problems surface from the 'field' thereafter.

I'm just about 9K in my '05 FX4. No major issues (not surprising) that haven't been resolved yet other than the AC which blows warm air on "hot" 90F days here. Going in a few weeks to the dealer to deal with it. My 84 Toyota's AC still freezes my hands in the same weather.

About that reflash--I got it early on. What a world of a difference in response and shifting. No change in mileage--I still get 15mpg, freeway or around town.

I haven't driven it much in the last few weeks due to the rain and stuff simply because it's so big and such a hassle to wash :-( sigh... yeah, I'm lame...

 

Aquaman, I couldn't agree with you more about the problems with vehicles that are new to the market. My Dad told me to wait a couple of years for Ford to work out the "bugs" on these newly redesigned trucks. I actually thought I would have more annoying problems with this truck than I've had, considering the new design. The '07's should be solid as long as they don't drastically change anything in the motor or drivetrain. I had an '02 FX4 before this truck, and it had over 100k trouble free miles.

 

LOL!!!! My wife has been suggesting several times to have me go buy a bigger F-250 so she can take over my F-150 since she likes it so much. Only problem is the 250 won't fit in the garage, nor is the house big enough for 2 trucks. SIGH!! :-(

 

I can feel both of your pain my wife and i bought our new vehicles on the same day her 04 Taurus (i hate that car ) and me a 04 F150 larait screw with the 5.4 .
My biggest problem with her was that she was jelous that my screw had more buttons and gee whiz gizmos than her car did!
Her respnose wsa to give the car to my daughter and go buy a exp limited with ALL the bells and whistles