*The preliminary F150 review by someone who doesn't care for trucks.

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer)
03/06/2019 at 21:01 • Filed to: None

We’ve addressed my moral objections to trucks in other posts, but I can’t play the foreigner card anymore, cus this is a Small Town, USA and here the truck sort of makes sense.

This small town actually has a ridiculous amount of space for trucks, and even if half of a lane is covered with a snowbank, parking one isn’t a pain in the ass.

But I must admit I got this F150 because it had 4 WD, chains and snow rated tires, which I will be needing tomorrow and on the weekend. It’s a pain in the ass because most rental car agencies don’t let you use snow chains. But Turo is different, in the sense that it’s up to the owner to allow people or not.

Anyway, the F150 behaves impecably in the snow: you could drive on RWD and still be safer than most Subbies I saw around here. BUT, since I’m not in the mood to defrost my suitcase or tether my board to the bed, I won’t be using the bed; which is the signature feature of the F150.

That brings us to the problem of the F150: it’s got a great engine, it’s got a great transmission, it pulls a lot harder than it should, and it is well equipped, but many people can’t find an applicable purpose to the signature feature: That Bed.

Other small annoyances make themselves present in the F150, specifically the XLT six seat model I got.

This vehicle makes an absolute racket on the road; it is very hard to drive this vehicle comfortably in the rain due to all of the road noise and all of the noise from the rain impacting that gigantic roof.

It’s a lie that trucks drive almost as well as cars,

Maybe it’s only me, but it also doesn’t feel very well planted to the road; while the 2.7 engine is gonna pull you up to 107mph (which apparently is the speed at which everyone drives on I5 ) the soft suspension and super tall ride mean that if there’s so much as a pothole-let alone a kid- on the road you’re going to have a very serious problem.

This and the very shitty hallogens made it for a relatively harrowing exploratory drive up US50 where I , the Truck Guy was being overtaken by Mazda 3s in the heavy rain and eventual snow.

The ride though is OK; and the seats are good enough. Ford’s infotainment system is also great at casting AppleCarPlay.

The AWD system is very good, but in some situations it’s flaunted by corners, which is also a pain in the ass if you need to drive up snow-covered driveways.

TAKTAKTAKTAK.

So, if I lived in this crazy town, would I get one? Probably not. You see, a well matted Jeep Grand Cherokee would manage 85% of the situations many F150s are subjected to. If I was really serious about it a 4Runner would even make sense. Sure I lose The Bed, but I win so much more stability, luxury, parking versatility, and better lights.... also no taktaktak.

But it ignores the fact that the F150 is a few thousand dollars cheaper than the cheapest one of those cars.... Which means most people would get the F150 and get the extra 1 5% of capabilities while paying less. Do they care about space? fuck no, a parking stand here must be the same size as an ap arment in many cities.

This teaches us about built-in inneficiencies, where due to market conditions consumers chose worse solutions to their problems because those worse solutions are cheaper.

So, Ford F150; being kept alive by economics, or am I just still too stuburn and dumb to understand it even under the ideal test conditions?

*This excludes you crazy towers who do need those monstrous body on frame trucks.

DISCUSSION (54)

CB > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:06

I frequently drive an F-150 for work, and yeah, I agree. Turning with 4WD on makes a heck of a racket, road imperfections at speed are terrifying, and yeah, I don’t know if I’d rather have a Ranger. My opinions on the Silverado are the same.

But, six seats would be sweet for personal use.

Spanfeller is a twat > CB
03/06/2019 at 21:12

You can't argue with six seats, unless you're talking about an explorer LWB, which will seat eight AND also keep their underwears dry.

Gerry197 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:18

I’ve owned German and Japanese sedans for the last 2 decades, and my 2015 F150 2.7L XLT Supercab with 6.5ft bed is honestly the best vehicle I’ve owned in terms of overall usability and economics.

A lot of that is due to the fact it does pretty much everything well, and I no longer need a sedan and an old truck to do the same thing. It’s fuel efficient enough to use everyday. Condensing two vehicles into one.

Another big factor has been value retention, or low depreciation. Pickup trucks in general have historically high resale, regardless of fuel prices. This is the first new vehicle I’ve owned after 2 years where I actually owed less than what is was worth.

In fact, I traded in a VW sedan that I was $3 ,500 upside down on, added to the loan on this truck, and still ended up in the black on my 3rd year of ownership!

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:20

The Grand Cherokee, properly configured, will blow the doors off any and all trucks in the snow. Period.

Snow comes down to traction and weight distribution. Trucks have zero weight out back so they can carry payloads. Since the days of the SJ, the full size Jeeps have had a weight distribution of about 55/45 worst case. F150's are 60/40 best case.

And people buy trucks, because people are stupid. The trucks are not cheaper. An F150 can easily spec out north of $5 0,000. FIFTY . THOUSAND. DOLLARS. Assuming you want the SuperCrew (4 door cab) and the 501A equipment group (required if you want backup sensors or remote start,) $50k is still short . The second you tick the ‘I want a basic towing package’ you’re over $51k. You’ll need to buy Voice and Nav if you want Android Auto (cabled only,) now you’re pushing $53k. And that’s only the Lariat trim. The ‘Platinum’ faux-luxury starts at over $55k.

Spanfeller is a twat > Gerry197
03/06/2019 at 21:22

I agree that it is a very versatile vehicle, and I got something stupid like 19-21 mpg combined; so it’s not bad!

But, at least for me, the bad just tips the scales over.

Svend > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:23

I don’t dislike them or the owners on a moral level.

I just find it odd that the owner has one when they have no need at all for them and simply use them for bragging rights or to fit in.

Most of the time a Daihatsu Midget would do them.

Kinja'd!!!

Okay I’ve a Skoda Superb estate. It was bought so it could carry both mum’s and step-father’s wheelchairs and still have cabin space for five people and luggage space, but with mum’s passing and step-father now being more mobile a Ford Focus or Skoda Scala would be more ideal, but as I’ve had Sandy not even a month yet, I won’t be replacing her soon.

CRider > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:24

T his truck has 3 cab configurations, 3 bed lengths, 6 engines and 7 trim levels. You can get 2wd or 4wd with almost any configuration. Want one with massaging seats than can hit 60 in under 5 seconds ? There’s an F-150 for you . Want a regular cab with a 5.0 V8? You got it. Want a diesel? It’s there.

E veryone buys F-150s because there’s an F-150 for everyone.

Spanfeller is a twat > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
03/06/2019 at 21:27

Yeah, but if you want to configure a GC to beat a truck off road, you’re gonna want the 4wd model, which is also very expensive.

Victorinoo > Gerry197
03/06/2019 at 21:29

Depends on where you live. Here in NYC your f150 would probably get 10mpg, and be impossible to park.

Spanfeller is a twat > CRider
03/06/2019 at 21:31

I understand that personalization is also a part of it, but the elephant in the room here is that The Bed on every other truck I saw on the roads was gathering snow. It’s the same everywhere else I go... I can’t seem to find very many people who would put their shit on the bed instead of under or behind the seats.

So personally, I’d rather take a smaller car that will also hold more dry, climate controlled luggage even if it costs me some personalization.

Gerry197 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:31

Sure, every vehicle has the pluses and minuses for everyone.

CRider > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 21:48

True, 90% of the time trucks are driven around empty. But if you have a trailer to pull or bikes to haul around , it’s a lot easier to own a vehicle that can pull it than it is to rent a truck or buy a second car.

Spanfeller is a twat > CRider
03/06/2019 at 21:51

I mean, you can get a small trailer and trailer hitch too.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 22:01

The nail head that you have correctly struck is that, for the F-Series trucks and their ilk, they only make sense in their natural habitat....regional North America .

Once taken o ut of context, either by driving one in another part of the world OR being driven by someone from another part of the world...they make no sense at all.

Gerry197 > Victorinoo
03/06/2019 at 22:05

Sure, my situation applies to a 44 year old with wife and 3 daughters, living in the suburbs of San Diego with a bass boat and occasional horse trailer.

When I was single and living in NYC, I didn’t own a car. But if I did, certainly not a new one. I think maybe a Focus hatchback. I would love a Civic SI or Integra, but those would get stolen right away.

shop-teacher > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 22:27

You’re too biased to understand that truck owners don’t feel the way you do about the way trucks drive. We aren’t suffering through horrors, just because trucks are cheaper. We like them . You would by utterly appalled by how my truck drives. Yet I find it quite comfortable and competent, and have happily put 140k miles on it in the nearly 13 years I’ve owned it.

The assertion that nobody actually uses the bed of their truck is tired nonsense. You know what’s in the bed of my truck at this moment? Not a damn thing. However, I’ve hauled countless tons of shit in there over the years. From 3000 pounds of yard waste, to motorcycles, to metric-fuck-tons of wood. Could I get by without a truck? Absolutely. It would be a gigantic pain in my ass though . My truck was cheap. It has been reliable as the day is long. Most importantly, I love it. I absolutely love it. And so I will continue to drive a full size crew cab truck four miles to work and back, with nothing in it but myself, a coffee, and a lunch bag. Because it's there when I need it.

You don’t like them. Fine. You’re not used to how they handle, so you think they can’t. I get that. The truth is they can handle a lot more on the road than you think. You just aren’t used to the way they feel. Which makes sense. You drive a Stinger. If you drove one for a couple weeks, you'd get comfortable.

CRider > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 22:27

I f your needs are small, sure. But what if you have a toy hauler and like to go camping in it on weekends? Th ose can weigh well over 10k lbs loaded, more than most half tons are even rated to tow.

Spanfeller is a twat > CRider
03/06/2019 at 22:30

Yes, which is why I exempt towers from this review :)

Gerry197 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:03

This is where I think you are missing the vital piece about the bed. Because there is nothing in it, doesn’t mean it’s not being used. On weekends, I am either running my gas powered 1/5th scale RC cars at the track, or surfing. The bed is the perfect place for sand or salt or oil and gas dripping off my RC trucks. Certainly not in the cab of a SUV where that stuff would smell and stain up the place.

But the primary job of a full size truck isn’t carrying cargo, it’s towing heavy objects that other vehicles can’t do. I tow a trailer than is 8,000 lbs from time to time, something I can’t do with any Jeep. Especially not with 6 people in the cab and dirty stuff in the bed.

Do you need all this capability all the time? No, but it’s there when you need it, and if you have the space and fuel economy, why not?

Spanfeller is a twat > shop-teacher
03/06/2019 at 23:09

I think you took this review way too personally.

shop-teacher > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:19

Not really. Although I can see why it may come off that way.

Spanfeller is a twat > Gerry197
03/06/2019 at 23:19

I don’t challenge any of that, what I challenge is the fact that I drove a few blocks around residential streets and everyone had a truck.

More and more people buy trucks because they can, which is what I was trying to transmit: Trucks are 100% capable, size matters not in America, and model for model are cheaper.... I personally wouldn't deal with a truck for the extra 15% capability that I will very rarely use.... but it is just that: personal preference.

Gerry197 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:22

Sure, the auto market is about what people want, not what they need, otherwise there would be no sports cars, luxury vehicles of any kind, etc.

Is there a reason why my neighbor drives a 700 hp Mercedes AMG that only holds 2 people? I guarantee you he doesn’t drive it on the track.

Also, not sure where you get “cheaper” from? Full-size trucks have cloth bench seats until about $40,000. Most nicely equipped trucks start in the $50,000 range and go all the way up $100K.

Spanfeller is a twat > shop-teacher
03/06/2019 at 23:23

I do want to refute one point on your comment. I never argued that truck drivers suffered through horrors because their vehicles are cheaper.

My argument around price has more to do with consumers prefering trucks than the actual build quality and safety.

Nibby > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:26

He didn’t at all. Actually my 2018 F150 looks almost identical to that one, except mine has 5 seats and not 6 . It’s pretty comfortable. Recently drove it on a 400 mile road trip and only stopped twice for food and bathroom breaks. Zero issues with comfort and ride (but I’ve been driving trucks/large SUVs for 5+ years now). And I don’t have stuff in my bed all the time but I do use it a decent amount. Bed covers are awesome for keeping stuff in there dry.

Nibby > Gerry197
03/06/2019 at 23:26

do you think i’m crazy cause i regularly drive my F150 to NYC

Spanfeller is a twat > Gerry197
03/06/2019 at 23:32

Your neighbor could drive on the freeway at 85 and have absolute certainty the vehicle he is driving will deal with a manouver quite capably, he could also drive said car to a parking lot and fit quite well. a truck can’t do that as well compared to even regular cars. Capability costs us, and what car we choose depends on what we feel that we want from it.

Most cars are excessive as hell, no one can deny that though.

As for cost, I mispoke on the “model for model” thing... I was comparing the f150 with an GC and a 4R. In those cases the F150 is cheaper.

shop-teacher > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:37

That was how I interpreted this paragraph.

“This teaches us about built-in inneficiencies, where due to market conditions consumers chose worse solutions to their problems because those worse solutions are cheaper.”

My argument is that trucks are not as unstable and incapable of handling, as you think. You just weren't comfortable, because they feel so different than what you're used to, and that was unsettling to you. Which is entirely understandable.

shop-teacher > Nibby
03/06/2019 at 23:38

That trifold bed cover was some of the best $400 I ever spent.

Nibby > shop-teacher
03/06/2019 at 23:42

mine was $250 and it’s pretty decent

shop-teacher > Nibby
03/06/2019 at 23:45

Even better then!

Spanfeller is a twat > shop-teacher
03/06/2019 at 23:49

It’s a worse solution in the sense that it’s too much. Think of it like brining a bazooka to a knife fight.

CRider > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:57

Yes, but what you often don’t see at a glance is h ow people use their trucks for more than driving around town. Hit the freeway on a holiday weekend and you’ll see a parade of trucks pulling trailers with everything from dirt bikes to race cars on them.

Gerry197 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/06/2019 at 23:58

Exactly. I know if I was carrying more than 1 passenger or towing a bass boat, it would be better with my vehicle than his.

There are a million variations of F150, which I’m sure you can get one cheaper than the base trims of the GC or 4R. However, there are only a few trim levels of Grand Cherokee and 4R.

Trim for trim, spec for spec, I can’t imagine the F150 being cheaper, especially on higher trim models. The truck you’re driving is at least in the low $40K, and that’s with a cloth front bench seat!

Gerry197 > Nibby
03/07/2019 at 00:02

Where and how, that’s brave of you. I didn’t even want to drive a small sedan in NYC.

atfsgeoff > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 00:28

I would absolutely take a bazooka to a knife fight, every time. Fuck getting stabbed.

pat > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 00:49

The irony is the f150 properly equipped is the safest vehicle on the planet. The crew cab lariat and above has an unbelievable resale value. One of the highest out of any vehicle. Furthermore, 4x4 will ‘ best’ awd in nearly any situation where awd is necessary. Lastly, lariats ( if you tested one) has better build quality, HID and LED headlamps/fog lamps , imported Lincoln leather interior, standard center console, etc.etc.

You drove the “ budget” version , of the best selling vehicle on the planet; and while some points you made I can agree with, most of them missed the mark because of sheer ignorance.

For example, t he roof is aluminum, so rain pings it a little louder than steel, - not build quality, as it’s the only vehicle on the planet that isn’t going to rot out from the elements, unlike your stinger. The truck you drove also didn’t have AWD, so of course it drove differently and unexpectedly than you’re used to. If you kept it in 4x2 there is an additional “snow mode” which can be used in tandem with “4-Hi “

If I were to post a review of a product, I’d most likely learn everything about it to ensure I’d deliver the most thorough, unbiased, and as informative article as I could. Making points I actually knew, learned, and what I might have missed - or, were simply just incorrect about. That way, I would make better articles in the future. Great read, I just think you didn’t want to actually enjoy your time with the vehicle. Or you wanted to put out an ‘ edgy’ review to make it seem overrated?

Frank > shop-teacher
03/07/2019 at 00:49

Wow, this review of the F-150 was obscene. I personally own a a 2015 fx4 with the 2.7 tow a 22, glass boat as fast as i want uphill. When not towing it rides like a Cadillac. And yes I have rode in one. Not sure where the road noise is coming from in the one you rented mine is quiet as a mouse. Funny thing is you are comparing it to a jeep with no bed yet bed or not the 2.7 turbo gets better mpg’s than th e wifes lexus.

Alfalfa > Nibby
03/07/2019 at 01:12

We have many other reasons to think you’re crazy.

dezertrat0 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 01:29

That taktaktak sound is the poor drivetrain screaming because the truck you got does NOT have awd it has 4wd and you don't appreciate the difference. The Lariat model does have awd

YoshiEx > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 03:40

“The AWD system is very good...”

Not to be ni t picky but there a big difference betwee n 4WD and AWD.

shop-teacher > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 07:07

Too much is a personal value judgement. It may be too much for you. For me though, a Grand Cherokee, as you’ve suggested, is not enough. That would require me to purchase a trailer to do most of my truck stuff in. Which would work, but that's a PITA. I'll keep my truck.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > shop-teacher
03/07/2019 at 07:36

I like trucks. I used to daily a 2004 F250.

I however agree with his assessment that the modern F150 drives like a cheap crap can. Serious they have more creaks and rattles from factory that my 25 yo, 240k mile minivan, on top of an overly harsh ride and terrible handling.

bhtooefr > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 08:19

Maybe it’s only me, but it also doesn’t feel very well planted to the road; while the 2.7 engine is gonna pull you up to 1 07mph (which apparently is the speed at which everyone drives on I5) the soft suspension and super tall ride mean that if there’s so much as a pothole-let alone a kid- on the road you’re going to have a very serious problem.

We’ll ignore the kid, and say that... if you have one of these, you’re not avoiding the pothole. The soft suspension is meant to take the pothole without avoiding it.

Nibby > Gerry197
03/07/2019 at 08:36

usually brooklyn or manhattan. i can’t tell you my secrets to find free parking though, confidential

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 08:42

Which is fine, because the Grand Cherokee is explicitly a luxury SUV. It’s not cheap. If you want a cheaper one, you get a Cherokee.

But, you can get a GC Laredo 4x4 for an honest $36k. Altitude with full leather, heated seats, and heated steering wheel clocks an MSRP of $42k after delivery but FCA advertises the ‘Estimated Selling Price’ down at $36k. You can’t get a pickup with those three things under $50k from anyone .

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 09:05

lol the fanbois have me dead...honestly other truck drivers (at least in florida) drive/act/mod their trucks like they’re compensating for something. yeah i get that trucks have big bed and scream murica but thats the problem too; they take up a lot of space in traffic to drive like a semi truck or an asshole and the drivers are usually the type to scream murica while brandishing a confederate flag. I am not saying this is everyone. I know there are people who drive trucks and aren’t as described above and use them for actual jobs and shit. But living in Florida 90% of the truck drivers are like the worst case scenario.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Nibby
03/07/2019 at 09:07

I totally forgot you have an F-150, what trim is it?

Gerry197 > Nibby
03/07/2019 at 11:01

I salute you, you beautiful bastard!

Spanfeller is a twat > Nibby
03/07/2019 at 11:50

I can’t imagine what you store there

Bill > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 16:40

For me,

I have a full set of mechanic tools. A hydraulic floor jack, several tie downs, an extra 9k winch, extra fuel, gas and diesel for the tractor. Various shovels rakes and other landscaping tools. This is under a locking hard bed cover. Can you tell I actually use my truck as a truck this is a 2009 FX4.

Bill > Spanfeller is a twat
03/07/2019 at 16:42

For me,

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
03/07/2019 at 19:03

I’m surprised he said that as I would pick a GC over an F150 every damn time if I was driving on snow, the light ass end of a pickup really sucks when you are putting down miles in snow country.

Nibby > Spanfeller is a twat
03/08/2019 at 10:09

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