Well, after 2500 miles on my new truck, I figured I’d post my thoughts. Most are positive

2006 F350 Lariat Crew Cab, 4WD,Shortbed, Powerstroke/Auto

First the good:
Love the leather, driving position is comfortable, motor is a lot quieter than other diesel’s I’ve ridden in (my first) Sound system is great (few exceptions below). Ride is much better than other 1 ton trucks I’ve owned (both Chevy’s). Heated mirrors and heated seats are something I’ll never be without again (the Boxster has heated seats, but not the mirrors). BTW – thanks for allowing me to program out the seat belt reminder “nag”. Mileage is very acceptable in the mid 14’s for a motor that isn’t broken in yet, and sits in traffic 90% of the time between the office (LAX) and home (Lakewood). Added a tonneau cover, all my R/C airplanes have a nice safe home for trips to the field. Nice to have two betteries, Ford must have realized I have lots of LiPo batteries to charge!

Now the areas where Ford maybe didn’t have a “better idea”:
The control for the heated seats needs either a bigger spring, or some sort of raised collar around it – WAY too easy to engage. Needs a user programmable option as to whether it shuts off with the key too. On the way home, by the time I realize that I forgot to turn it off – I’m already baked

AUX input for the 6 disc CD/Stereo not well though out. I’m aware of the P.I.E interface, but any instructions that start with “pull the dash off your brand new truck” aren’t going to fly far with me. I’ll live with my XM radio through a FM modulator, thank you very much.

No ability to play MP3 CD’s on the 6 disc factory stereo. It’s 2006, not 1996.

The “next” button on the steering wheel should be user programmable to select the next MEMORY, not just search up frequency

Auto window down should be both front windows, auto up also

 

The pull the dash off isn't that bad, really.

 

You can solve all those problems with the factory radio by getting an aftermarket radio. I have the Kenwood Exceleron DDX-8017 and you have all the features that you listed above, except the 6disc changer, although you can get whats called a music keg, an mp3 player like an ipod except I think it's much better, with memory going all the way up to 120GB(you will have to get a seperate modulator in order to maintain the use of your steering controls, but you will be able to use the "next" button like you want to), but you do have a dvd/cd/mp3(will play a dvd that is filled with mp3 which makes up for there not being a changer built in even if you don't get a changer or music keg or ipod) single cd slot. Plus you will have aux inputs for navigation and a back up camera. You also can choice xm or sirius, so you can keep your existing sat. radio tuner.

 

I agree with you about the heated seats. They should at least put the indicator where you can see it without looking down to the side of the seat. I've also been toasted before I knew it.

 

so very true

 

i think all power windows should have a auto up,for convenience and safety.

 

I don't know why Ford didn't do this. My 2005 Mustang had that and I loved it.

 

My heated seat on my 06 F250 Lariat turns off when you turn the key off. It is easy to bump and I have done that several times. Momma doesn't mind she likes it hot.

 

if yall are talking about the auto up i think they would have left that part out for the safety reason

auto down is one thing..but auto up is another. (smashed fingers or bruised arms come to mind)
most people dont expect the window to continue going UP after they let go of the button

 

my wifes jetta has auto down and up on drivers and passangers side...it is great!!! and the smashed fingers is not the case they have sensors that prevent that. the button had 4 settings
Slight up-window up till releace
Up-window all the way up
Slight down-window down, till releace
Down-window all the way down
great system, and i agree that especialy a $50k truck should have it standerd.

 

I'm surprised that everyone is surprised that auto up and down isn't available on 50k truck, when a/c is still optional equipment on a 50k truck. If a/c is still optional equipment what makes you think they are going to have something like auto up and down is going to be standard(and I'm not talking the difference between upgrading from manual a/c controls to digital a/c controls, I'm talking a/c controls period is still an option, atleast they read as an option on the sticker to my 06 King Ranch).

 

City slickers and their gadgets.

 

If you'll notice everything reads as an option. The A/C on the mustang was an option also but it had auto up/down windows. It also wouldn't let you lock you keys in either. But with the door coded entry that doesn't really matter.

 

Not everything reads as an option, most everything, but not everything. I also noticed that it tends to be "domestic" vehicles that there are quite a few options that most would think of as standard. I know the cl500 that we have, a/c(and digital at that) is listed as standard(or course, when you get into that price range of a vehicle, you either take it or leave it as far as what they offer), as is quite a lot of other stuff that is listed as optional on trucks or "domestic" cars. Also that cl500, doesn't have auto up on any of the doors, and it only has auto down on the driver side, but it does have an mp3 single cd player, as well as a cd changer mounted inside the center armrest console, but that changer can't do mp3, just the single slot in the radio.