It's a disappointment!
 

Checked out a 2004 FX4 SC that dealer had out front today. I sat in it and gave it a good looking over. It seemed to be fairly loaded. The outside is too ugly for me especially up close. Big, boxy and slabslided. Nothing cool about it. The tires and wheels were several sizes too small or looked so on this new body design. The big emblem in the center of the tailgate is too much. I noticed that the outside mirrors and door handles don't match the body color anymore. But hey, black goes with everything right? I guess it's more profitable to make it that way. Overall it kinda looks like a cross between the current Ranger and the F-250. It's one of those vehicles where from a certain distance and elusive angle it looks OK but compared to the current 97-03 model it a sad day for Ford's design department. As a percentage, Ford will lose market share with this new model in my opinion.
The interior was somewhat futuristic looking. The console shifter seemed out of place. The various pieces & textures seemed to not work well together. Sort of like someone just dumped a box of interior components into a mixer. Parts of it looked like they belonged in a Focus, others in a T-Bird, some others elsewhere. The back seat area was larger than my current SC.
It may not be a total loss. Granted there was the horsepower gain and some minor mechanical improvements.
For those who have to be "the first with the newest" it may fill the bill (for a year or so maybe). Other more savvy, knowledgeable consumers will be doing more comparsion shopping.

Man....I wished I felt that way. Those incentives on the 03's sure are sweet. But I'm a glutton for punishment. Bring on my '04. I want one of those BIG, ugly things in my driveway!

Ya, I agree jzr, they are uglier than our 97-03's but...not as ugly as those new Chevys and Dodges! Thank goodness the uglys hit the market before our beloved Fords...They look good in the comparison! jb

I can't disagree with you more. I could have bought any truck, and have needed one for some time, but I have held out for this one to arrive. The 04 looks like a truck should look.

Scott

im gonna have to side with the ugly thing. i was dying to see the 04s cause they looked great in the magazines. in person i was very turned off, they are ugly. they will grow on all of us im sure but im happy with my 01 styling for now. lets just hope they dont keep this styling around as long as they usually do

amen scott!:rocker:

He needs a Dodge:devil:

Anyways I've always been a fan of slab side, bulky, and boxy styling. It gives a more brawny intimidating image. Thats why I like Lincolns. Like mine for examply is slab-sided, boxy with 90 degree angles, bulky looking. It looks more manly than a focus or toyota of any sort.

Lose market share? LOL........I really doubt it. Ford has been selling more F-250's and 350's with this "ugly" stlye within recent times. So much that it was making more profits from its 250 and 350 than its old f-150. Also Ford has been best selling in its Ranger area. It sells more compacts than anyone else.

just my two cents.

:banana:

Well I would have to say I agree a little bit with both sides. I love the beefed up frame since it adds tremendous amounts of brawn and stability to the truck. I like the increased horsepower. Ugly body yeah kinda, but just a touch of cool if you think of how it kinda looks like one of those TONKA trucks you used to play with as a kid. Unless you led a dilusioned childhood and thought TONKA wasn't just the greatest toy on earth. Anyway the extra bed space I think is nice. The big slabsides......hmmm....yeah little ugly but then again so are those damn little pug dogs everybody loves. Sometimes ugly can be a good thing. Whoever said a truck was supposed to be a euro sports car anyway? I mean we are talking about hauling around rocks and stuff so does it have to be beautiful for that? Again, that big ugly mug italian guy named knuckles don't take crap from anyone and most of your bad boys would probably agree the thing looks like it is meant to take care of business. Personally, I like my 03 style better but then again most of us didn't like the 97-03 style when it first came out either. Just will have to grow on us I guess.

The first few I saw were solid colors, ugly, but the more I looked they got better, especially the two tone. I remember in 96, the 97 models looked horrible, but they gre on me quick............. I love the new FX4 we just got.

Personally I like the 04's looks WAY more than I do the 03. WHen you think of "truck" the first thing you picture isn't usually something that's super smooth and round. You think of something big, blocky and tough looking. The previous models of the F-150 looked more "sporty" than "tough" and from the front you almost saw no difference between them and their Ford Expedition and lower SUV downgrades. The 04's are a new welcome to how a truck should look.

ALso, Chevy Silverado (for those that think Chevy's are ugly) looks great. Especially the SS model. Everyone's had the toughness look down for a long ass time except Ford. Finally Ford brings it on!

The Ford Ranger Edge model is the toughest looking truck has had (the 03' model) before the new 04's. The front grill is more tough looking and also has a nice hood scoop look to it. Frankly, if they made the Ranger Edge into an F-150 Size I think it'd look great. The 03 F-150's just looked like giant softies... they didn't look tough until people put a billion mods on them... mostly raising them and putting A/T tires on them... but stock they looked rather pansy-ish :confused:

I love mine....can't quit driving it. Have had more compliments on it in 2 days than I got in 3 years wit my '99.

I'm partial to my black with grey lower panel.

Ugly truck for an ugly guy, I can't wait for mine to arrive!