Earlier this year we saw a few pics of the 09' F-150 from Ford. One was a short bed, extended cab, two-tone light blue setup in a wooded setting. Great pic. Why doesn't Ford and the other auto companies list a compilation of similar real life pics of all models in all colors for we consumers to see? It wouldn't cost that much and would be of great assistance in providing research.

 

That's a great PR idea sir. Maybe that's why it hasn't availed itself: it makes sense. The color pictures on Ford's website suck. Very "plastic" looking. Not at all realistic. Try extending your thoughts to Ford directly. Maybe someone there will wake up, smell the coffee, and get the camera out. I'm sure all models and colors are right there in the holding yards.

 

Ford actually has at least a hundred photos on their media site that they made available to the press which have appeared in magazines, newspapers and online.

I'm not so sure I agree about showing all models in all colors in a "natural setting" not costing much. The trucks used for the photo ops can't be sold as new.

XL - 10 colors
STX - 7 colors
XLT - 28 colors (1 tone and 2 tone)
FX4 - 17 colors (1 tone and 2 tone)
Lariat - 9 colors
King Ranch - 6 colors
Platinum - 7 colors

That's 84 trucks they'd have to build for this, and schedule weeks of photo ops to get them all, weather permitting. Considering how huge a press effort is with just a dozen or so trucks, the logistics expense of 84 trucks would probably be expensive!

Fordvehicles.com lets you see what the various models look like in each color combination, using technology to change the paint color. The truck is in a plain white background setting. Its a very good accurate color representation (assuming your monitor displays colors correctly).

 

I hear what your saying but I bought a new 08' FX4 s-cab flareside 1000 miles away because the respective dealer had full pictures of the black/black F-150 that I was looking for. W/O the pictures I don't really think I would have bought the truck. The $9,500 off sticker didn't hurt either but like they say Ken a picture is worth a thousand words. I thought the post made by the individual regarding real pictures really made some sense. Just my $.02 as always.

 

Question....

Did the dealer 1000 miles away have photos of all 84 combinations, or did they just get lucky? I'd wager the price had a lot more to do with the sale than the photo! ;-) You could have seen the photo on their site and then gone to a more local dealer who had the same truck. At least that's what I would do - I won't drive that far for a vehicle just because they happen to have a photo of how it looks that someone else may not have, for the same identical truck. I flew from Georgia to New York for a 2005 Freestar which I drove home, but only because it was $10K off MSRP. A picture is worth a thousand words, but not $9500!

The post makes sense, but I don't see how, logistically, it could be done with 84 physical trucks verses 7 trucks with the color change digitally. Try it out, I think you'll see it serves the very purpose this thread was about. You can even click the "better view" link to see a picture of the truck in various settings such as a farm, rotate it 360 degrees... and change the color digitally.

The idea, well, its like every time someone posts an idea about forum features. Some are good, some are not, everyone thinks their idea is good and takes it personally if somone else doesn't agree. And then of the good ideas, most are not practical to implement, or the system already has something similar though not exactly the same.

 

I agree that when shopping online that seeing pictures is a GREAT way to see what you are buying. The key part there...is locating a dealer with your specific needs. Then once that is done...the dealer (sales person) should be responsible for providing pictures of the vehicle upon your request. That way...you have an opportunity to view what you "think" you want to purchase.

That is how I have researched getting the truck I want...but saving money at the same time. For example...I was seriously considering purchasing a NEW '08 Tundra 4x4 SC. I was lucky that I found an online dealer that had the truck I wanted with all the options. I asked the sales person to please take specific pictures of the truck (engine, interior both sides, exterior all sides, etc.) and email them to me. He did...and all was going well until I actually test drove a similar truck here locally. I found out...that I did not care for it. The sales person understood...and the deal was off. But my point is...I was able to find the truck I was interested in...and request the pics too.

So...IMO...having FORD offer pics of all color and model combo's would be a waist of money and resources. Let the dealer do that...and earn your business by complying with your requests for pics (and price, etc.).


biz

 

I agree, it's the dealer who is hungry for the sale, let them do a little footwork.