I have to agree with J-150, I am not sure that you are really looking at buying the F150. If you do buy the 150 I can assure you that you will be happy with your decision. There really is not a better full size truck on the market.

I would suggest that you take a look at the FX4 if you are looking at the 4X4 version and if you like to listen to music spend the $500 on the audiophile system.

JZ150

 

I've heard all of the practicle reasons for buying a Ford truck or any other American built vehicle.

I realize our hard earned money should be spent were we want to spend it.

We're spoiled, that's part of the reason why we grip, whine, complain, question, compare and so on and so on.

There is nothing really wrong with any of the american made trucks. Some are just a bit different and better in some cases than the next. You've heard, "Different Strokes For Different Folks".

If we would just buckle down and buy nothing but American vehicles we could eventually get a better handle on the so called
"Exporting American Jobs and products".

I'm sure this statement will get flamed buy someone but I just wanted to remind everyone that we as consumers are the major cause for the situation we're in.

Go ahead, enjoy your TITAN!

 

I had a question to people reading. If you know for sure.
What kinda gas milage dose the Titan get? I heard it was bad from some show on TV but they were Ford Fans!
Anyone know what the Titan 4 door, 4x4 gets?

 

I agree with the Titan being firsts full size.Ford has been putting full size trucks on the road for over 50 yrs. This by far is the best iv'e owned,smooth ride, very comfortable. It's had a couple small bugs but nothing Ford could not be able to fix .

 

I am a die hard ford guy, my wife and I both have ford(taurus/95 f150). My brother has fords, my dad has a f150/Lincoln LS/ & F250 SD. I like the new f-150 a lot, it is my first choice in a truck. I am in the market for a new truck. The way I see it, here are the pros for the f-150 in no specific order:
1. Very refined interior
2. Nice exterior looks(a bit conservative, but that is Ford)
3. Good reliable motor/trans combo. Won't win too many races, but it is very good, good torque .
4. Ride quality is supposed to be extremely good.

Cons:
1. Compared to the competition, the motor is a little low in the power department.
2. Lack of 5/6-spd auto trans. I think this affects the above point.
3. Trim levels, if you want a few nicer options you have to go all the way to the FX4 or Lariat. I know what ford is doing, I just don't like it.
4. A few minor first year bugs, nothing major, but time will tell.

I have also looked the dodge1500, it's a nice truck, the 5.7l is no slouch, everybody like's to bash around, but it is a brute of a motor and dodge is developing a 6.2 or 6.1 liter version of it also. I spoke with a guy who is a service tech at a dodge dealer(he drives a f-150) and the new 5 spd dodge tranny has been very good so far. All in all competition is good for everyone.

 

If I remember the Consumer Reports article had the Titan (5.6L) getting the 2nd worst average mileage behind the HEMI (5.7L), with the F-150 (5.4L) in the middle, the Silverado (5.3L) next up then the Tundra 4.7L) on top, just follow the increase in displacement to worse gas mileage.

Another thing to consider with the Titan is that Nissan is majority owned by Renault these days so its actually "le titan" (add snooty french voice) and I really detest the frogs.

this is true to an extent but the imports are still a lot worse in terms of having to buy stuff you don't want to get what you do.

 

Thanks guys for all of the responses, I really do appriciate it. As for those that think I have already decided on the Titan and just needed justification, you couldn't be more wrong. If I had decided on the Titan I wouldn't be on this board. The reason I stated that is I had looked at the Chevrolet, Toyota, Dodge and didn't really like any of those, they all had major issues to me that I didn't like. The Titan had the fewest number of issues with me and that is why I had decided on it. The Titan does have some issues, 1- First full size truck from Nissan, 2- Small selection and a limited number of dealers, 3- Unknown reliablity - Its all brand new. The reason I went to look at the Ford is the fact that it won Motor Trend Truck of the Year. Like I said I have never been a Ford fan, but I decided brand shouldn't matter I just want the best truck for the least amount of money. With the rebates I think the Ford will be cheaper. The ads that they have been running tell me I can buy the Ford for 9,000.00 to 10,000.00 off of MSRP. There are 8 local Ford dealers vs. 1 Nissan dealer. The Nissan dealer has 6 extended cab 4x4 trucks, and there are probably a hundred Fords to choose from if not more. I did drive a Ford, it drove great until you hit 65 mph and then the steering wheel started shaking pretty bad. I will go back to drive a different truck but didn't have time that day. The one thing I don't understand is why Ford and GM don't give extended powertrain warranties. I haven't checked into the extended warranty but in the past they have been pretty expensive. I really like the Ford that is why I found this site and I am asking questions. Some of you shouldn't be so quick to judge.

 

[The one thing I don't understand is why Ford and GM don't give extended powertrain warranties. I haven't checked into the extended warranty but in the past they have been pretty expensive.]

You can always buy a warranty from other places such as credit union that will cover everything Ford's will cover and it is always much cheaper.
Just got a 60 month 100,000 mile bumper to bumper, except for the normal stuff that's never covered, for $900 ($50 deduction) compared to a partial warranty that only went 60 month 60000 from Ford that was going to cost $1500 ($250 deduction)

 

If you are worried about a shorter powertrain warranty on the Ford, then get the extended warranty. I got the 6 yr/ 100k extended warranty for $1300 ($50 ded) along with invoice pricing and rebates.

I have an extended warranty on my wife's Toyota 2001 Sienna (cost $850) and we have had the butt warmer replaced, power sliding door unit, seatbelt tensioner and A/C Condensor replaced. Total cost to TEW=$980 and we still have 30k miles to go. If you plan on keeping the truck, it's a worth while insurance policy.


You have several Ford dealers around, just tell the two you feel comfortable with for the best price on similiar models and options. Let them know that the best price wins.

Then sit back, relax and enjoy the best ride on the road...

 

Ford Warranty

 

I can't get past that Titan front end..I just think it's ugly. So for me, it's betwen the Ford and the 2005 Tundra with its new 5 speed tranny and 282HP. It will beat the Ford because it's so much lighter. I like the Ford's looks better though...the vibe thing bothers me though. Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's about the new Toyota Tundra Double Cab vs the Ford?

Here's a new review on the 2005 Tundra: www.pickuptruck.com

 

I'd compare the Tundra to a Ford Ranger or Sport trac or something. It's not really in the same ball park as a F150 full sized truck. JMO

 

I recently sold my 98 Dakota 5.2L and picked up a 04 F-150 FX4 and can't even express how happy I am that I did.

If you worried about gas milage then get a car All kidding aside, coming from my Dakota I wasn't expecting a whole lot from a full size when it came to gas milage. The F-150 gets better milage than my Dak (and I've only gone thru 1 tank of gas so far). I'm averaging 17mpg (70% x-way, 30% city)

You've already taken a test drive so I don't need to go into how quiet it is, how sweet the styling is, how nice the ride is... you know, all that good stuff. However, I do recommend you take another truck out because I've done 80mph and haven't had a single vibration or shimmy.

While I think the Titan is impressive (but ugly as sin), you can't beat Ford's record when it comes to the F-150. I walked out the door paying 26000 for an ExCab FX4 with the 18" wheels, towing pkg, sliding rr window and audiophile system. Trust me man, you wont be dissapointed with Ford.

 

If you do go Ford, you may not want to wait for any "future deals" if you are particular about features. The rebates could get better, but the selections for the 2004 year will get worse. I had a hard time finding my truck. I did end up finding one with every feature I wanted except two tone paint. Definately want to test drive another one, becasue as mentioned its a nice smooth ride, even at 80 (or 95).

zman

 

Yes all vehicles do have the glare problem, the problem with the new F150 is that the dash is two tone, and for that reason the dash sticks out big time. It's like having a white sheet of paper on the dash. I went with a dashmat that is one color. Problem solved. I also donot care to wear sunglasses.

zman