The 2008 Lincoln Mark LT sings its swan song this year. But never fear: Ford will bring out a Platinum version of its 2009 F-150 for those who still might be looking for a high-end truck.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...d=122468?imw=Y

 

No big loss in my eyes.... I think they should release a King Ranch edition in 2009 and leave that as their high end model.

Ford offers WAY too many trim levels....
1) XL
2) STX
3) XLT
4) FX2
5) FX4
6) Lariat
7) King Ranch
8) Harley Davidson
9) and now the F-150 Platinum?!?!

Give me a break! Buying a truck is getting way too complicated these days. What happened to starting with a model and adding features to it? Now to get certain features, you have to change models which is a real PITA if you are like me and want a FX4 with a leather bench seat.... or some other non-standard combination of features.

 

....you don't have to change models, i got my 07' FX4 with leather bench or 40/20/40 or whatever the hell it's called...no center console anyways.....the seat choice was available with FX4 Plus package.

 

I may be mistaking, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't an option in 2004 - 2005 when I was shopping. If I wanted leather, I had to pick either a Lariat or the FX4 with the flow-through console from what I remember. Historically, I've always had trouble finding the options and color schemes I want all under the same package with Ford.

 

.....i think you're right about that, i think it's a recent change...as is the 'plus' package period. I agree that there is less variability in what can be ordered 'outside the trim level'.....i think it's a sign of the times though, manufacturers can streamline the build process if they can bunch things in groups or trims & package options together & such rather than building things 'a la carte'.
I had the same issue trying to get a rear window defrost on my 07 FX4....couldn't be done on a scab unless i went Lariat....& on a Canadian truck no less, oh well...

 

It would be interesting to see Ford launch the new truck with anything above the Lariat trim level. Back in 1997 and in 2004 the Lariat was the top-of-the-line you could get that first year. It would truly surprise me to see anything above the Lariat trim level (eg. Harley, King Ranch, Platinum, etc.) in 2009. But I'd be happy to be proven wrong!

 

Um, so you're complaining that you have lots of choices? Give me a break... if they only offered 2 trim levels you would be complaining about a LACK of choices... Ford just can't win

 

The lack of choices is the problem.... The packages limit the features that are available. I drive a Chevy, but when I bought it, I picked individual options as opposed to a trim package and ended up with only the features I really was willing to pay extra for.

The auto manufacturers limit some options such that they are only available in a certain trim level ; which costs more and includes other features that the buyer may not necessarily be interested in. This isn't anything new with Ford - Toyota has been doing the package thing for quite some time and it is defiantly a sign of the times in the auto industry.

Grouping options in packages reduces the manufacturing cost, streamlines the production process, and makes it easier to sell inventory that is on hand since buyers have fewer vehicle configurations to choose from in comparison to vehicles whose features can be itemized. I'm just not a big fan of the concept because it forces buyers to pay a little more for a package of features when they may really only interested in a couple hundred dollar option. Bottom line is, it's good for the manufacturer and Ford did win by offering a wide array of packages configurations.

 

Good point Lumadar, wish I would have said that myself

 

Couple of new interior pics:

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news...ior/page1.html

 

Much more here:

http://jalopnik.com/cars/detroit-au...f150-307988.php

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news...ior/page1.html

 

I hope all of the new F150s will have the new updated shifter. It looks like it is much better quality and looks 100 percent better. I also like that the gear display will be led lights, instead of the outdated orange indicator that slides to what gear youre in. My lettering is already getting erased slowly but surely by the slider thingy. And those seats! They actually look comfortable!

 

wow.. look the rake on that ****.. I sure hope the bed aint that tall and that is a 2wd......

 

Is the rake the angle of the windshield? If it is, I dont think its that much different. If your talking about the rear glass, Im sure that and the bed are just camo. I remember someone saying (someone who knows) that the bed is NOT going to change.

 

There is like 3" of foam padding along the bed rail giving the false perception of a taller bed.