Hey guys..

I'm new here, and I'd like to ask you experienced ones a few questions .

First, some background. I have a 2001 F150 regular cab short bed XL Sport that I purchased new in '01. It has the v6 and a standard tranny, and I've got 90k+ miles on it now.

I'm looking at the incentives/rebates/etc on the new trucks, and I'm really salivating over the new 05 SuperCrew XLT. With all the money off (plus an extra $1k-2k from the dealer & $500 college disc), I'd be able to get a new truck for about $21k. After my trade and down payment, I should only have to finance about $15-16k.

Since my wife and I have frequent guests and we may have kids in the next few years, I think the upgrade (to a back seat) would be a good idea. The only holdback right now is that I've had my truck paid off for over a year, and I like not making payments .

So now, the questions ensue. Is the SCrew worth the money to you? How comfortable is it on trips for 5-6 people? Do backseat passengers complain about being cramped? Is the 5.5' bed useful, or do you find it really restricting. Any positive/negative views of the bed extender? There are pretty much only 4.6 engine trucks left around here; good/bad/indifferent?

I know the decision is ultimately mine, but I would take any advice or fresh ideas into my considerations.

Thanks!
Alex

 

Well, I went from a Ranger SCab to my 150 SCrew. I love the space. I don't haul a whole lot in the back end, so the 5.5' bed is plenty. Drop the tail gate, and you can get 4x8 sheets home easy. My 05 has been plenty comfortable so far, but I've only traveled about 200 miles in an afternoon.
The no payment thing?? That's you to you.

 

The family likes teh truck better than our minivan. That says a LOT.

 

I just traded my 04' sport trac for the 05 supercrew. I test drove it out of curiosity and it blew the S/T out of the water. Its very comfortable, front and back. I got a xlt 2x4 with lots of options for 23,500. Sticker price was 34,000. Couldn't pass it up. When i was looking i only found 1 with the 4.6 v8, every other one had the 5.4. The 5.4 is worth it, the gas mileage is the same plus a little extra HP.

 

Definetly worth the upgrade....especially if kids are in your future....as for the room, I can get 6 adults in my S-Screw comfortably, never had any complaints about the room in the back even on long trips 3-4 hours +.....the bed is plenty big especially if you have the bed extender....I can get 3 Dirtbikes in the back with gear and gas jugs....I say go for the Upgrade.....you and your family will be lovin it!

 

Hi insaniac,

I'm not new to Ford trucks (I just recently sold my '95 Explorer which I bought new), but I am new to the F-150. I just purchased a 2005 SuperCrew FX4 a couple of weeks ago, and I'm very impressed with this truck so far. Here's a description of my truck and options:

2005 SuperCrew FX4 4x4
5.4L Triton V8
True Blue Metallic (what other color would an Air Force guy get? )
Leather captains chairs with power driver seat
Audiophile w/6 CD
Backup sensing system
Power sliding rear window
Bunch of other stuff I haven't figured out yet

The shorter bed size hasn't really been a problem for us, but that's because I bought this truck primarily for towing a large portion of our belongings when we get reassigned every few years. I have considered purchasing the bed extender system just in case, but so far it hasn't been a priority. As far as room goes, the cab is very spacious--plenty of room for our kids! In fact, they really enjoy the view from the back seat.

The only problem I have with the truck so far is that I haven't had the chance to listen to the audiophile system very much--I keep turning it off so I can hear that V8!

Just a heads up about the rebates: before I purchased my truck, I did some research and discovered that student and military discounts can't be applied toward your purchase if you use the A-Plan (although I did try to get the dealer to give them to me--maybe you'll have better luck at your dealer). Anyway, I got my FX4 at $10,000 off the sticker price, so I felt I got a decent deal for the truck I wanted.

zx12-iowa: I agree with you--my wife has a minivan (2002 Honda Odyssey). It's got a lot of guts for a van (240 HP V6), but even she agreed my truck has a smoother, quieter ride.

Anyway, I spent a lot of time over at the Explorer forums and learned a lot from those folks. I'm looking forward to learning a lot here, too!

C-17 Pilot

 

Its worth it for all of the room inside the cab. I have a trailer so when I haul big things and my ATVs I use it. As for the engine, 5.4 all of the way, trust me you will be kicking your *** if you got the 4.6, as stated before same gas milage more horsepower. Good luck.

 

Went from a 96 Windstar to an 04 SCrew. Between vacation, camping trip and normal running around we put almost 4000 miles on it the first month we had it. In the mini-van we had a DVD player. Haven't got around to installing it in the truck yet, but with after 4,000 miles the three kids haven't missed it a bit. Are the seats comfortable? Are the back seats comfortable? My kids have yet to complain.

Prior to purchasing the Screw we haven't had a car payment in over 10 years. Haven't regretted the payments for a second. One of the best vehicle purchases I've made.

If you can afford it - GO FOR IT!

 

It's definetly a good upgrade, I went from a 00 supercab to the 05 screw. The difference between the two trucks is unbelievable. The difference in ride quality, power and overall comfort is well worth it. Like you I usually have friends with me in my other truck people would complain to get in the back set, with this one I haven't had a complaint yet. They had a baby a while back and the car seat fits very easily back there and you can still fit two adults with it. As for the bed I really don't find it a problem, however I do have utility tralier if I need to haul any thing that won't fit in the bed. Even in the short bed I can fit a mountain bike easily with the tailgate up, that's about the most I'll haul in the bed. Definetly worth it.

 

Find an '04 w/ some miles that someone else has taken the big hit on & save some cash. That will give you extra money to add a few custom touches on it. Once you have had it a few months it is still used. The trade in's at the dealers are lower than in the past & some have too many used to get too heavy in them, so the used deal awaits for the frugal shopper. You cannot look at my 01 Screw & tell if I paid $11,500 or $15,000, but my bank account & payments tell the diff. Is a 04 or 05 worth $10k more? Not to me.
Just some food for thought from someone with kids, school pymnts, etc...
Later

 

The leg room in the backseat of my 05 screw is amazing. There is more leg, hip, & shoulder room in the screw than in our 03 Merc Mountaineer. I love the mountaineer, but the truck is 100 times better. My wife believes the ride is smoother in the back than in the front. If you get the screw and are used to having the rear window open be sure to get the power sliding rear window. I don't think you can reach it any other way. I have the bed extender as well but usually leave it locken in. This keeps my stuff from sliding all around. By the way, my uncle bought a new dodge ram 1500 4 door about a month before I bought mine. It has no leg room in the back!

 

I know how you feel. It was VERY hard for me to go out and buy a new SC when all of my vehicles were paid for. I was really starting to like not having a car payment every month. But, alas, I figured with all of the rebates on new vehicles at the moment, the value of my trade-in in 6 months or so would drop considerably.

It was hard locating a loaded SC FX4 in True Blue. It seems the Air Force has purchased huge numbers of '05 True Blue Ford trucks. Another hard one to get is the white Sport Trac since Dyncorp has purchased large numbers for their security personnel at Air Force bases. Darn Zoomies!

Anyway, the SC offers a smooth ride and ample interior space. The rear seating area is huge and far more comfortable than the competition. I would hold out for the 5.4L engine. Gas mileage is about the same as the 4.6L, but the difference in horse power is noticeable. The bed is plenty big enough to haul around sheets of plywood with the tail gate down... no need for a bed extender in my opinion. I never thought I'd get a Cadillac like ride in a 4X4 truck, but Ford managed to do it.

 

worland, I like your choice of trucks!

Fly safe,
C-17 Pilot

 

I like it!

The poor thing gets mistaken for a GOV all the time.

 

I have an '05 SCREW Lariat 4x4 and I really like it. I had and Explorer before and didn't like it a bit - the SCREW rides much quieter and smoother than my Explorer did and is much more user friendly for me anyway....I like the short bed - not only for the looks but eveyone forgets that the shot bed also has a shorter wheelbase which makes it easier to park, etc.

I'm planning on keeping this one at least 5 to 10 years. And there is a HUGH difference between my '05 SCREW and my brothers 95 SCAB - the newer F-150's really ride like and car - but have the utility of a truck!!