3TV,

I see your point and agree there is a niche for these, but I can't fathom the cost to tool up and build these will be equitable for the few units they'll sell to guys like you - even if they charge an astronomical price. And in that case, a big sticker will kill the sales even more.

I like the truck and the concept, but it's just not practical in today's market and economy. And that's not to say the Platinum is much more practical, but I'll bet the Platinum "make" Ford money and will outsell the specialized Raptor 100:1.

 

it amazes me that everybody feels necessary to say how stupid the Raptor idea is...or say you shouldn't own one unless you'll use it



will I ever need one? would I ever use it as designed?

nope. But I still want one...it's a badass truck that comes with everything I want in a 4x4 from the factory without any mods needed


if it's offered in the Screw configuration I'm 99% likely to have one sitting in my driveway in 2011. If not offered that way, I'll buy a Screw with the 6.2 and put the Raptor components onto it.

 

The IDEA of the Raptor is not stupid. Not stupid at all. I like it myself. The idea if bringing a high-priced, specialized, limited edition, and most likely low demand vehicle to the market when Ford (as well as the other big three) are scrounging to make ends meet IS STUPID. For the quantity of these that will most likely be sold, the price is going to have to be astonomically stupid for Ford to even break even. That will push it out of the price range for the average Joe and limit the demand even further. How does a company make up the cost for a specialized vehicle like this? It doesn't look like it shares alot of parts and pieces common to the standard F-150 build, so where else to get the money? Make it up in the price of the vehicle. That, I think, is about as common sense as it comes. If it was a different time and different economy, then I'd consider this truck a WISE choice.

I fully agree with you... alot of truck ownership has NOTHING to do with need... but alot of WANT. Nothing says anyone that buys this Raptor needs to use it like it was intended. I, too, like driving around in my Superduties looking cool knowing I can to 15,000 pounds when all I really to is 7,000. It's the WANT thing. Again, I fully agree with your thoughts. I am very curious, however, how the numbers will actually shake out in TODAY'S economy.

I did have a chance to get a good look at the sales literature this weekend. A really neat truck the Raptor is going to be. I had a chance to talk to the owner of my dealer this weekend (I think he used to be a regional rep or head of one of Ford's HQ departments) and he said that the Raptor is typical of Ford trying to keep people captive on that one little niche in the market, and the SVT department has a budget that they'll spend on stuff like this just to keep a few people coming back for special builds.

The literature I read said the truck was not available in the Supercrew, and the 5.4L V-8 was standard, with the 6.2L Boss being optional. It did not say the truck would be early released with only the 5.4L. maybe the 6.2L is coming sooner that we think.

 

You need to keep in mind the development time on projects like this truck. I would suspect develpment first started about two years ago, back when the Dow Jones was at 12,500. For the first year of Raptor development the Dow continued to climb, reaching a peak of 14,000 just over a year ago. At that point Ford had already spent the develpment money on this truck. I would bet that if the Raptor development team were starting this project today that the idea would have never left the board room.

I personally am glad they built the truck. I did watch a program on cable TV where they were interviewing a Ford engineer about the Raptor at SEMA, and he implied that Ford had to sell very few Raptors to break even on the project. I don't know how many "very few" is, but those were the words he used.

3TV

 

it will be stupid of Ford if they offer this truck without the SuperCrew option.

The people who can afford it are the middle age'd...with kids and a family and truly need 4 real doors. The SCAB just doesn't cut it.

For the goodies this truck offers, I wouldn't blink twice at paying $5k more than a similarly equipped Screw...maybe even $10k more if the truck is as awesome as it appears...but tell me I have to downsize to a Scab or Reg cab...well Ford can keep their fancy truck.



but as for custom components...there really isn't alot of difference.

The optional bigger motor, shocks, lower control arms, rear leafs, axle gears...and some sheetmetal. This is all assembly line stuff. If done properly, Ford can easily keep the pricing low enough to be feasible for those who want it. They've already done the tooling, so all the initial high $$$ items are already done. Now it's just a matter of producing them

 

After going through the Ford GT market launch where it was 3X MSRP, it took me 18 months to get one at MSRP but you know what - I own one, drive it, mod it and have 14,000 miles on it. The FGT program summary is that they produced 4,038 cars, all hand built and generated positive cash flow for the total program in 2 YEARS!

Many of the team members that launched the FGT from SVT are working on the Raptor, even the drivers, and are well known names and acquittances (ie Jamal).

Ford can make money while launching the Raptor. Hell, if they sold just 20k the first year the tooling alone would be 1/5 the amortization (and subsequent cost) of the ford GT!

GO FORD! Go RAPTOR!

Problem is I couldn't wait till 2010 so I picked up a 08 Lariat Supercrew today.... In three years - I will own a Raptor!

 

No one will want a specialty vehicle? um.. has anyone heard of the ford SVT Lightning!?!

I mean really, back in 98 when they talked about the first supercharged truck!! Who the heck wanted a pickup truck with a supercharger????? Sports or muscle car? Well sure.. but NOT a pickup truck..

I bet the Raptor will do well.. Its unique (think lightning) and fun (lightning).

 

According to the Ford guys here in Vegas at Team Ford the Raptor is going to be quite pricey. Anywhere from 60k on up. It was at the dealership here in town about a month ago. They had it out in the desert letting the 4x4 racers at Team check it out. It is one bad *** truck. From what they said it handled the desert terrain rather well. But, that is what it is intended to do. I asked about towing and what not. It is not made for towing is the response I got. It is for off-roading! Don't think the bigger engine is going to tow more but it will take you where ever you want to go. As for a supercrew, probably not going to happen. I guess we will see in time.