Is it just me or do the 2014s seem really cheaply built? I'm sure they are built well, but the components seem / feel really cheap compared to my 2008. The leather on my steering wheel feels really nice, but on the 14's its almost like rubber. The tailgate is like tinfoil and the bed seems like it would dent easy even with a LineX application. The door handles, seats, buttons, hood, etc all feel like crap compared to my 2008.

I was looking for a 6.2L FX4, but I only got to drive a Lariat Ecoboost. Nobody stocks 6.2L trucks and there usually is only one FX4 on the lot with the baby bed. After that experience I'm really starting to appreciate what I have. I don't think I'm going to get a 2014. Sure, I'd be getting more hp/torq but that is about it. I can't justify $40,000+ for one.

I think I'm going to keep what I have for awhile and get an F-250 for my next truck. It is a little more than I need, but I don't like the direction Ford is going with the F-150s.

 

I haven't gotten that impression at all, after driving a dozens of the new body style ones. Part of it, that you maybe didn't think about, might be the kick-butt power steering is too light and makes it drive like a tiny car. I think you might just be checking it out super thoroughly and it's unfamiliar to you. All leather from all makes has slowly (actually pretty quickly) began to decline since ~2000-05. I think even the leather in our years is crap, but the new ones' is certainly worse yet.

 

I also wouldn't be chastising the dealers too much on not having 6.2L FX4 Long Beds in stock because it really isn't the most highly sought-after option. If you wanted that particular truck, you will probably have to drive a long way to a dealership that has one, or order one custom. Also, a lot of the dealers will be holding minimal stock of the 2014 F-150s and Mustangs since the 2015 redesign of both vehicles will require a large portion of their lot space.

 

I'm not chastising them. I know it is a truck that I would have to order. I just wish they had a 6.2L in any trim so I could test it out. Around here the lots are 90% Ecoboost and 10% 5.0L. 95% 5.5' bed SCREW / 5% 6.5' bed SCAB.

 

I went from a 97 F150 to a 2013 F150, both XLT's, but the 2013 makes that 97 seem like a 'work truck'..

The dealer I got my 13 from had a couple of 14 6.2's on the lot. I think they were FX4's. Had stickers north of $45k on them if I recall..

I got lucky with mine being on the lot, being a Super Cab XLT with the Max Tow package and 6.5' bed. I originally wanted a 5.0, but they don't have those with the Max Tow package, so 'had' to get the Eco...

I've been in a 2009 F150 STX before, but it was a V6 Regular cab 6.5' bed and the most spartan interior they come in, so not really comparable..

All I know is I'm happy and got a heck of a deal on the 13..

Mitch

 

Dealers can do a dealer trade to get that truck in. They did it with my 08 when I bought it new.

 

Well trucks are getting more comfortable because more families are using them for vacations instead of cars. They are getting better power and mpgs so it's not a huge deal to take a truck cross country anymore. If you ride in an 86 f150 from NY to CA you will be in a lot worse pain than that 97. But comparably the same goes from that 97 to 08. I bet that 97 made an 86 look like a work truck too....
I've had 8 vehicles and my 08 f150 gets the 3rd best mpgs I've ever gotten. My trans am was 27, my 90 chrysler 5th Ave was 23 and my truck falls at about 22. So taking my truck cross country would be slightly worse than my old grandma car I had. In comfort, my f150 probably ranks 4th out of the 8 vehicles but it's also a base model...

 

Oh, I hear ya! My Dad still has his 71 F250 that he bought brand new in 1970... That thing is as stripped down as a truck can get.. It does have power brakes... It's got the 390/C6 combo and is a "Camper Special" "Custom". It rides like a covered wagon! Only has a GVWR of #6900, but we used to load that thing up with a slide in camper and tow a TT with it! Stuffed us kids in the camper and M&D up front!

When I got the 97 in 2001, it was the most expensive and optioned vehicle I've ever owned..

I am a little worried about the 2013's cheap plastic grill... The way it hangs down and when you grab it to close the hood, it does feel like it's going to just snap off!!

Mitch

 

I had a 78 f150 custom, 86 chevy c10, 97 ranger xlt, 04 f150 heritage xl, and my 08 xl I have now. Huge differences. The 78 and 86 were bare and so was my 04. The ranger and my 08 at least had bucket seats and my 08 for being a base model feels pretty good inside. And I know what you mean about the grille. Mine feels a little weird too.

 

Pretty much any truck prior to 97 was a work truck. When did non-work trucks even come about? And when they did, fuel injection and maybe power windows constituted "luxury" truck

 

I realize that, I was just making sure he understood that the particular truck he was looking for wasn't exactly a high-volume item he could expect to find at most dealerships.

In any case the 1997 F-150 was a luxury vehicle compared to just about any truck from any maker prior to that. That truck kind of broke the mold of the "work truck" in terms of suspension softness and handling, as well as some additional creature comforts that were previously only available on special edition trucks from conversion companies (the Boss GM trucks, the Mark III packages on F-150's, etc).

The 2004 was another pretty big leap up in road manners, with the 09 being a small improvement as well. The 2015 should be similar to the jump the 04 had over the 97's; not revolutionary, but still significant in design and weight.

 

I think you might just be checking it out super thoroughly and it's unfamiliar to you.