2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

<a href="/articles/2003/2004f150drive.html"><img src="/2004f150firstdrive.jpg"></a></center>
<b>07/01</b> - <b>Special Feature Article</b>: <a href="/articles/2003/2004f150drive.html">2004 F-150 Ride And Drive</a><br>
<b>07/01</b> - <b>Special Feature Photos</b>: <a href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=4680">Album 1</a>, <a href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=4681">Album 2</a><br>

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Very nice truck. I am not suprised that the toyota couldn't keep up in the towing area.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

.....I can't wait to buy one!



I can't wait either, but I gotta ask one very important question, is it plastic? This is quite important to me. I won't ever own a plastic truck. Aside fromt he tonkas I play with all the time.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Great article Ken, Maybe you should be a writer.

John

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

This just further confirms that GMC's are the grocery getters, Dodges put the power down, and Ford delivers the complete package.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Nope, its metal, heavier in fact than the current F-150.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

My only question to you is if the white 4X4 had a 5.5' box on it and if MOST of the 4X4's had the 18" tire set up on them? You absolutely have a career in writing. And once again thank you.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Great article on the new Ford. I would also like to see a similiar test against the current body style Ford. Since a lot of us own the '03 and prior, a good comparison would maybe push us over the edge on the purchase. Most of us don't get the chance to compare back to back with all the various courses to try and a test ride around the block would not do it justice. How about it Ken, are you willing to do a test ride against an '03 or so F150?

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

The problem is I don't have the means to drive a 2003 on the same course in San Antonio. I've driven enough miles in the current model to tell you that the current truck blows it away.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Great article. Looks like you had a fun time.

I'm real glad to hear that the new 5.4 works well. It did not surprise me that the Dodge Hemi and Toyota lacked pulling grunt. They are smaller engines. At least in gas, cubes still matter.

Here in California, the second largest truck market, Dodge Ram seems to be outselling everyone else in half tons. Considering that they are designed and built here, you just don't see many Tundras. Ford needs to get those trucks out here ASAP!

Jim

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Actually, Ford outsells Dodge by a long-shot in California. California is the second largest Ford truck market. Dodge has traditionally seen a large increase the first year they come out with a model due to radical styling and then sales flatten back to prior levels the next year after all the style oriented people make their purpose and only the "truck" buyers are left.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Ken,

So you say if it were you would wait for the '04's even though you might get a pretty good deal on a 03' for now?

The cost could or could not be a big thing.

Basic question. You have driven the new 2004 how many miles? It appears after reading your article that I should wait and maybe pay and extra +/_ $5000. for the new 150 SC lariat..
Just because of the towing

Thanks for your response

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

I drove it over 100 miles.

I'm in the market for a new truck and will be holding off for the 2004 but there are some great deals right now on the 2003.

I don't think the difference in cost will be $5,000 -- we were told some of the incentives will probably apply to the new truck as well.

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

Ken,

I would love to know whom you spoke to. Every dealer I have spoken to told me the Base Price would be at least $2000 more.
And this was not including the packages that were in addition.
Again I am not saying you are not telling me the truth, salesmen are really liars for trying to get you to by NOW...

So if you are saying that the cost would b e 10% more I could handle that. I was just quoted 27k TTL for a 03 lariat with the MRSP of 34. I would like to wait for a new one, but would there be quirks in the new design? I know that the Towing has some kind of response system or something.. Can you expand on that for me. Since I have a 22' boat and I would probably shoot myself in the foot it after I purchased, i should have waited..
The 5.4 ''03, vs the 5.4 '04. I am sure the added 40 to 50 hp, not including maybe 2- 3 mpg increase..

Thanks

2004 Ford F-150 First Drive Special Feature
 

After telling the F-150 brand manager my plans and how I would probably wait several months after the 2004 was introduced (to let the price go down) he told me I can expect to see incentives early on. He did not give specifics.

You can't compare base to base because the base model on the new truck has more features. For example, you can't get a 4.2L on the new truck.

By the way... those salesmen are just guessing because Ford has released prices yet. :)