What could have FORD done better on the new F150???
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 165
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Originally posted by ford+ford
The GMC Sierra is better.
The GMC Sierra is better.
No one in their right mind would posit that the GMC Sierra is better than the new F150.
Read the February Car and Driver .... they tore the Silverado to shreads.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 31
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From: California
XLT Sport - The metal plate in your head must be getting loose. Ford admits that the 04 F150 costs substantially more than any 150 they have ever built. Not the R&D or the advertising or anything else.... the unit price per truck is higher. That said, they are definitely pushing the high-end models (can you blame them?) through clever option packages.
From the USA Today
DJ
From the USA Today
Wall Street analysts criticized Ford earlier this year because the manufacturing cost of the new truck was more than $1,000 higher than the cost of making the old one.
Ford says 57% of buyers are opting for the high-end priced FX4 and Lariat versions of the pickup, which pack much higher profit for Ford. The company had expected the more expensive versions to account for just 40% of sales.
Ford also underestimated truck buyers' interest in four-wheel drive option packages: 60% of its customers are buying them vs. Ford's forecasted 40%.
Ford says 57% of buyers are opting for the high-end priced FX4 and Lariat versions of the pickup, which pack much higher profit for Ford. The company had expected the more expensive versions to account for just 40% of sales.
Ford also underestimated truck buyers' interest in four-wheel drive option packages: 60% of its customers are buying them vs. Ford's forecasted 40%.
DJ
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Austin TX
A light in that huge center console Would be nice though...
http://www.tvproducts4less.com/eltl-4.html
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 71
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Fun with trolls
Awe you guys wrecked all my fun!! I was getting quite a laugh out of how many times the troll had to post before any-one took notice of him (poor little guy !) I get the same kind of fun with the telemarketers when I put the reciever on the counter-top & let them yap on until they realize that no-one is listening Hello...... hello...
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5
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From: Ontario Canada
For me Ford could have made:
1, the mini message centre readable - its too dim.
2, the AUX selection on the radio should work - I want to plug in my mp3 player.
3, Although the paint quality on my truck is good where it matters there are a few out of sight places where it is very thin.
4, I agree with almost all the comments of others re the short turn signal lever etc.
5, The tail gate is poorly adjusted, big gap on right side, - hope the dealer can adjust this.
I have not had any of the strange vibrations or any other defects that others have had.
This is my fith F150/250 and for me knowthing else even comes close. I do think Ford could improve the quality of trucks comming out of Norfolk, quality is obviously not job one there.
1, the mini message centre readable - its too dim.
2, the AUX selection on the radio should work - I want to plug in my mp3 player.
3, Although the paint quality on my truck is good where it matters there are a few out of sight places where it is very thin.
4, I agree with almost all the comments of others re the short turn signal lever etc.
5, The tail gate is poorly adjusted, big gap on right side, - hope the dealer can adjust this.
I have not had any of the strange vibrations or any other defects that others have had.
This is my fith F150/250 and for me knowthing else even comes close. I do think Ford could improve the quality of trucks comming out of Norfolk, quality is obviously not job one there.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Texas
1) Improve initial quality. I bought a 97 when they first came out. That truck never went back to the dealer. My 04 has been 4 times already with more to come. Beginning to think I bought a Dodge...
2) Tell the RIAA to stick it. All modern cd players should be able to play mp3s.
2) Tell the RIAA to stick it. All modern cd players should be able to play mp3s.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 124
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From: Wisconsin
1. Work the bugs out of the drivetrain. After being to the dealer three times I still have a vibration from 25 to 55 mph and now have steering wheel shutter.
2. A few more body lines to make the truck less boxy.
3. Turn signal lever is awkward, after a month of driving it I still have a hard time signalling without flashing my high beams.
4. Offer more stylish wheels (my '04 Lariat wheels remind me of 1982 Camaro rims)
5. The rear doors on the Scab are difficult to close and impossible to open and close when iced over. Three times now I've had to pull over and reclose them because a rear passenger didn't shut theirs tight.
6. Either make the top of the inside door trim lower to rest your arm on or raise the armrest. I loved the height of the door trim on my '97, it made the perfect arm rest.
7. Make the seats a little softer please. And what's with the bulge at shoulder height?
8. Paint quality. I've been on gravel for a total of about 1/4 mile but I've already got about 12 big chips out of the rocker panel. Not to mention two factory dings, and one of the worst orange peel paint finishes I've ever seen.
This truck has to work hard for a lot of miles if this isn't going to be my last Ford. I haven't given up yet, but I've already started cruising the Dodge and Chevy lots. I actually wish I'd have just bought a Super Duty. I was afraid I would be giving up too much comfort, but so far this truck isn't as comfortable as my '97.
2. A few more body lines to make the truck less boxy.
3. Turn signal lever is awkward, after a month of driving it I still have a hard time signalling without flashing my high beams.
4. Offer more stylish wheels (my '04 Lariat wheels remind me of 1982 Camaro rims)
5. The rear doors on the Scab are difficult to close and impossible to open and close when iced over. Three times now I've had to pull over and reclose them because a rear passenger didn't shut theirs tight.
6. Either make the top of the inside door trim lower to rest your arm on or raise the armrest. I loved the height of the door trim on my '97, it made the perfect arm rest.
7. Make the seats a little softer please. And what's with the bulge at shoulder height?
8. Paint quality. I've been on gravel for a total of about 1/4 mile but I've already got about 12 big chips out of the rocker panel. Not to mention two factory dings, and one of the worst orange peel paint finishes I've ever seen.
This truck has to work hard for a lot of miles if this isn't going to be my last Ford. I haven't given up yet, but I've already started cruising the Dodge and Chevy lots. I actually wish I'd have just bought a Super Duty. I was afraid I would be giving up too much comfort, but so far this truck isn't as comfortable as my '97.
Last edited by Fordcountry; Jan 18, 2004 at 04:00 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 124
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From: Wisconsin
Oh yeah, I almost forgot one of the things that I find most annoying. The mirror mounts catch water when you wash it and no matter what I do to try and dry it out, it drips down the door side for two days leaving an ugly streak.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 115
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the things I would like to see improvements are:
1. Better Wiper design, I know other people on this forum have complained about it.
2. Power folding mirrors
3. A rear window that rolls down vertically.
4. Better paint quality, I noticed some swirl marks on my black truck.
1. Better Wiper design, I know other people on this forum have complained about it.
2. Power folding mirrors
3. A rear window that rolls down vertically.
4. Better paint quality, I noticed some swirl marks on my black truck.
