Some people simply like to get the best. The bottom line is that the Lariat is the top of line in the Ford truck line.

 

The only option available in the Lariat I wanted was the auto climate control. Lariat not available in Blazing Yellow. My only choice.

 

I like my Lariat, it’s perfect!

 

My FX4 has the auto dimming mirror, for what it's worth... you can see it in one of the pictures on the page linked above.

In my case, simpler is my preference. I haven't seen a single '04 that looks bad to me!



MM

 

I don't like the 'bar' inserts in the other models. I love the tan interior, the dash, the ETAC, the steering wheel contorls, the heated mirrors, the painted flares, and the overall 'luxurious' look and feel of the lariat.

My truck is my only vehicle, and since I'm of freakish hieght and size and couldn't get a nice luxury SUV like I wanted I went with the best of both worlds - size, utility, power, and luxury. Perhaps if the FX4 had the speedo & tach swapped and offered something other than black leather I might have purchased it. But I doubt it!

Lariats rule!

 

well since I couldn't afford either I'll just enjoy my pathetic little XLT. Just kidding, I love my truck and I like both the Lariat and FX4 but the wood grain on the Lariat needs to go IMHO.

 

wood grain with the tan interior looks good

 

I started out thinking XLT...but then I found that after adding everything I wanted added on, the cost was almost at base Lariat level. I wouldn't have been so picky, but this is likely to be my only vehicle for the next 10-12 years. So I wanted to be sure I got what I wanted. I'd have to say this purchase has worked out much better than I thought. I'm very happy with the truck...how it rides, it's looks, the fit/finish, overall comfort, etc. Only thing I would change if I could is slightly improved accelleration and maybe I would have bought the better sound system. Figured I'd upgrade the sound system later anyway.

I definitely wanted the auto climate control (which I really love), so that ruled out the FX4. The stiffer shocks and skids plates didn't appeal to me since I didn't need them (could easily add later anyway) and I like the grill and dash better on the Lariat. Personal preference. Leather was also standard, not add-on...so that was another bonus for the Lariat when I was deciding. The FX4 I like the best if the all black model. bumpers painted black, black grill, etc. Looks good.

P.S. The wood grain trim looks fine with the tan interior...but in my opinion, it just doesn't look right with the black interior on a Lariat.

 

Sure does. It looks a little out of place with a black interior.

Oh, and the painted bumpers.. yuk! Rock-chip (not pick) city! Without a clear bra your doomed with those bumpers!!

 

I did test drive a Lariat that had the back with wood grain, I have never physically been inside one with tan and wood grain so I'll take your word for it. I like the Lariat gauges the best with the FX4 close behind. You would think that the cheapos at FoMoCo could afford to throw the message center into the FX4.

 

I went with the fully loaded XLT because as mentioned above, I was a fan of the chrome bumpers however not a fan of the Lariat interior. It also helped that the only black Scab they had left within 50 square miles was a fully loaded XLT = FX4 - flares, skid plates, and nifty gauge cluster. They wanted an additional 2k for the FX4 in another color and I couldnt justify that when I knew the skid plates and "off road shocks" were coming off. All in all I got a XLT loaded with fx4 fender flares ($50 ebay).
All the trucks are pretty much the same, its all in the options you want. Tan is tough to keep clean, and I dont mind a cold seat in the winter.

 

Ok I have to give my 2 cents.

I had an 02 lariat. I liked all the little extras and all but most I didnt need or use. The ones I miss are the electronic AC and the homelink. The heated seats were nice but I never used them that much.

I opted for the fx4 for several reasons. The gauges are cool. I didnt like the wood grain of the lariet. The fx4 black leather interior is cool. The Fx4 18" wheels are the best looking wheels, in my opinion. I think the fx4 just looks tougher, more like a truck!

Ive gotten used to the manual ac controls and I dont miss the electronic controls anymore.

I think the painted bumpers look much better than the chrome. Im not sure how they will hold up but I plan on looking into that 3m clear bra stuff so it really doesnt matter.

I havent really added anything that most fx4 owners havent allready said. It really comes down to personal preference. However I dont see the lariat as an upgrade to the FX4.

Tom

 

I traded in my loaded 98 Lariat for a loaded FX4 Super cab (no sun roof, dimming mirror or two tone paint). I really wanted a 4x4 Lariat but I could not overcome its looks. I hate fake wood interiors, did not want leather seats (suck in AZ hot climate) and exterior color choices sucked, plus I hate bling bling chrome. I was disapointed that I could not get the computer information system and digital temp control on the FX4. The FX4 interior looks much better than the Lariat in my opinion.

One reason that I think the FX4 is more than a Lariat is because the market warrants it. It says FX4 on the side and has skid plates, thats got to mean something .

zman

 

Funny thing is, the only mechanical difference between the FX4 and the Lariat is the shocks and the skid plates. The rest of it is cosmetic. Springs are the same, etc, etc. You can add skid plates and shocks and other stuff like that to a Lariat...but you can't add the message center, homelink, auto temp control and stuff like that...not easily anyway. It's all about what you want. I might add stiffer shocks later, a better radio and that's about it. It's got everything else I wanted.

 

What do you mean mechanically, because in that sense all the trucks are the same (unless you get into motors).
My loaded XLT is identical to a lariat except for the painted flares and interior trim and accessories. Point being, they all pretty much are the same its just a matter of what accessories you want and what you want to pay for em. Some wanted chrome but not a lariat, some wanted painted bumpers but not an STX, or in my case, some wanted chrome, not a lariat and put flares on from an FX4.