Any 200 series owners considering a 2017 Ford Raptor?

[Angelo1]

Just like @mcgaskins wife, my wife vetoed any Raptor ambitions I had. She's probably right, too. There's no real case to be made for owning one - at least with our lifestyle.

So I go for the vehicles I can get support on! Probably picking up a Model X before the end of the year to replace the minivan - wife is very excited about one after our test drive yesterday - seems like a win to me!

I warn you against the Model X at all costs. I test drove one at the Cherry creek mall on a 95f day and the AC had a horrible time getting us cool. The vehicle has a single HVAC system and when it’s hot outside the system diverts the cool air over the battery to protect it and you get screwed with warm air inside. Total freaking flaw. Also, the falcon doors are painfully slow to open, so imagine when it’s snowing, hailing, raining, etc. and you’re sitting there waiting for your passengers to finally enter totally drenched. The doors have also be know to leak. Another big flaw is the huge windshield on a bright sunny day. It’s tinted but not enough and you will get fried, so Tesla made a crappy sunshade to stick there. Believe me, the X has been getting poor reviews. You’ll be beta testing an overpriced suv with a super cheap interior. Wait until you have to deal with service which many have said it’s a real pain as they service guys are pretty clueless. I really wanted to like it but it just has so much not going for it after driving one and having to deal with all the flaws. Another flaw is the seat backs. The actually start to peel.

 

[Tremek]

The Raptor isn't any bigger than most other half tons on the road...

Ps, re: Dakar, haven't they already done that?

Ford Raptor Takes Class With American Team in 2011 Dakar Rally - Autotrader

Sue Mead's Raptor Finishes First in Class at Dakar Rally - PickupTrucks.com News

It's worth noting the F150 is the best-selling car or truck in the US by a huge margin, and first-year Ecoboost/10 speed question marks aside, I don't think Ford has turned in an actual turd drivetrain in the F150 in a couple decades. They last decently well, as do most modern pickups.

 

[Canyonero]

Thanks for the tips, and I have seen evidence of all you say.

But... at the end of the day, some of the pros may outweigh the cons for us. The tech is out of this world and that’s very important to me. Over the air updates are a great feature. Lots of things I like about it, even though I know it’s not perfect. Minivan doors are perfect, so reinventing the wheel on that makes no sense.

I like he idea of supporting a company like Tesla Every and vehicle has trade offs.

 

[Tremek]

The X may have some merits, but it's definitely an ugly image car. Emphasis on ugly, man oh man. Also far too expensive for a towncar to me. See if you can make it to Vail and back in 0 degree temps...

 

[TonyP]

I'll be a contrarian and say go for it. I still really want a Raptor. A Model X, not so much, not yet at least. This thread got my looking at Ford.com again. But I can't see myself getting rid of the 200 yet.
The big bummer is losing a good spotter for Moab on those off camber, tippy, bits. Unless you wanna ride shotgun next year

 

[Angelo1]

Thanks for the tips, and I have seen evidence of all you say.

But... at the end of the day, some of the pros may outweigh the cons for us. The tech is out of this world and that’s very important to me. Over the air updates are a great feature. Lots of things I like about it, even though I know it’s not perfect. Minivan doors are perfect, so reinventing the wheel on that makes no sense.

I like he idea of supporting a company like Tesla Every and vehicle has trade offs.

Believe me, we came close to giving it serious consideration with black wheels and grey exterior but we spend time in Scottsdale and need reliable AC. The tech is absolutely awesome that’s for sure and speed P100 is Sweet.

 

[uzj100]

That is sweet on the win. Excited for an American vehicle and team to win the hardest race on earth. Great proving ground.

Tesla is a incredible story, a little strange in the south east, where all the Tesla's are charged off coal powered electric plants. A Tesla paired with Tesla solar shingles, and Tesla home battery is going to make a must have package. I am not sure Tesla can keep up with production when all three come together and become common place.

 

[mcgaskins]

The Raptor isn't any bigger than most other half tons on the road...

Ps, re: Dakar, haven't they already done that?

Ford Raptor Takes Class With American Team in 2011 Dakar Rally - Autotrader

Sue Mead's Raptor Finishes First in Class at Dakar Rally - PickupTrucks.com News

It's worth noting the F150 is the best-selling car or truck in the US by a huge margin, and first-year Ecoboost/10 speed question marks aside, I don't think Ford has turned in an actual turd drivetrain in the F150 in a couple decades. They last decently well, as do most modern pickups.

Since none of our wives are supportive, do you, me and @Canyonero want to meet up on Saturday and go test drive a Raptor? If we find one more tagalong, we can fill it up so no sales guys ride along

 

[Canyonero]

I’m in!

 

[mcgaskins]

Yeah I believe that. Size (beyond cost and availability) is definitely its biggest disadvantage.

It's going to be interesting to see if the 4-door Bronco/Ranger Ford is bringing to market addresses some of these ails.

Quick aside; I participated in a paid focus group a few years ago when they were doing market research on the new Bronco. As a former owner of (technically) 3 Broncos, but who had moved on to the LC, it was hilarious to hear how the current Bronco owners in the room were 100% NOT the target market for a new Bronco...

Half the Bronco people were pre-77 folks, most demanded solid axles, everyone agreed a V8 option was important, everyone said the roof should come off, and most wanted 2 doors, and they wanted it to be cheap.

Instead, the Bronco that will show up here will likely be 4 wheel independent suspension or at best IFS and solid rear like our 200s, 4 and 6 cylinder Ecoboosts, a fixed roof, and 4 doors, and probably $40k+, which isn't cheap.

I'm sure the designers and product managers behind the 1-way mirrors were grimacing the entire time.

At any rate - the one upshot here is they may make a Raptor version. I could see that being a very interesting alternative to trucks like ours...

Sounds like a Jeep focus group. If you've spent any time on Jeep forums, you'll notice CHEAP is what they all want above everything. The interesting thing is Jeep actually sells a ton of the fully loaded, top of the line JKURs like the Hard Rock edition. No doubt 100% financed and poor financial decisions, but nonetheless they always fly off the lots. But then when they go to mod them, they look at price first before quality or function.

 

[littlegreenmonster]

The Raptor isn't any bigger than most other half tons on the road...

Ps, re: Dakar, haven't they already done that?

Ford Raptor Takes Class With American Team in 2011 Dakar Rally - Autotrader

Sue Mead's Raptor Finishes First in Class at Dakar Rally - PickupTrucks.com News

It's worth noting the F150 is the best-selling car or truck in the US by a huge margin, and first-year Ecoboost/10 speed question marks aside, I don't think Ford has turned in an actual turd drivetrain in the F150 in a couple decades. They last decently well, as do most modern pickups.

i have 2 coworkers that have had to have their eco-broke replaced at less than 50K miles due to timing chain and timing chain tensioner faults. In one case a coworkers husband had to pay out of pocket to get the engine replaced at just over 36K miles. In the other case it happened on a certified used truck in the first 60 days at 25K miles. Ford had the truck for over 3 weeks before they admitted the truck needed a new engine and my coworker had to get a third party mechanic involved to get them to admit it. They then jerked him around and he had to get attorneys involved and they agreed to take the truck back if he bought another one (which he didnt want to do at that time but was basically forced to). In the exchange they would not refund any dealer fees on the original transaction and charged him again for fees on the second truck. South Carolina lemon laws aren't as strong as north carolina.

I also know 4 other people who were continually having issues with their eco-broke going into limp mode. All trucks i know of are 2011-2014, but still....Turbo 6's are AWESOME for sports cars and sedans. Not full size trucks that need to be dependable and work. There is no way a turbo 6 will out last a v8 with similar power without significant maintenance.

 

[Tremek]

What could go wrong?

Who has one in stock?

 

[Canyonero]

The X may have some merits, but it's definitely an ugly image car. Emphasis on ugly, man oh man. Also far too expensive for a towncar to me. See if you can make it to Vail and back in 0 degree temps...

To each their own. But I do find some irony in that comment given the 200 is not exactly a looker. Some would say $80k for a vehicle that 90% will never use to its full ability is the definition of an “image car”.

I wasn’t convinced the X was worth six-figures until I spent an hour with one on a test drive this week. I came away with a different perspective on the Tesla value proposition. The tech, the speed, the range, all so impressive when you experience hem firsthand.

Plus, it’s an American company and if charged with solar it’s a pretty eco-friendly ride. Plus, I want to experience owning an EV to see what thats like. But hey, to each heir own.

 

[mcgaskins]

I’m in!

It would be amazing to watch the look on some Ford saleman's faces when 3 built Toyota Land Cruisers descend onto a Ford lot to drive a Raptor

 

[linuxgod]

The big bummer is losing a good spotter for Moab on those off camber, tippy, bits. Unless you wanna ride shotgun next year

I’ll take Greg’s spot next year if you can deal with a novice spotter

 

[Tremek]

I watched a mom in car line scream in frustration at her X's doors last year while trying to get her kiddo buckled in, which I'm pretty sure was the opposite of her (or her spouses') intent of impressing carline.

LC otoh - not sure how that's an ironic statement - if anything 200s are "stealth wealth." Find someone that's impressed by aN expensive fat Highlander and I might agree with you.

Yes to each their own, but, honestly curious - as you work in property why not put some spend into an appreciating asset? (Or at the very least the difference between the Raptor and the X! Tell your wife you're saving money!)

Edit & PS: I think the X, specifically, is dumb. I like the S a lot, maybe the Model 3 will be cool, Tesla is neat in general, and Elon Musk is amazing. While you shouldn't care about my or anyone else's opinions in theory, in practice most of us do on some level! The X is to Tesla as the Bentagya is to Bentley - a good way to one-up the Jones and bolster the company bottom line at the same time.

A story I'm amused by; one of my neighbors rented a Polaris Slingshot last year and took all these dumb faux-sexy glamor photos of his wife draped across the car while slathered in Instagram filters, and a few days later came by to brag about how he was thinking about getting one and wanted to know what I thought (which was his biggest mistake) - I told him I thought it was a midlife crisis-mobile which made his wife choke on her drink laughing and he didn't talk to me for months after that. He did not, however, buy the ego mobile, so I guess in some small way I did him a solid?

PPS: Driving around in my $4200 Suburban more than half the time these days while doing house stuff and don't give a hoot what anyone thinks.

 

[TexasTundra]

I warn you against the Model X at all costs. I test drove one at the Cherry creek mall on a 95f day and the AC had a horrible time getting us cool. The vehicle has a single HVAC system and when it’s hot outside the system diverts the cool air over the battery to protect it and you get screwed with warm air inside. Total freaking flaw. Also, the falcon doors are painfully slow to open, so imagine when it’s snowing, hailing, raining, etc. and you’re sitting there waiting for your passengers to finally enter totally drenched. The doors have also be know to leak. Another big flaw is the huge windshield on a bright sunny day. It’s tinted but not enough and you will get fried, so Tesla made a crappy sunshade to stick there. Believe me, the X has been getting poor reviews. You’ll be beta testing an overpriced suv with a super cheap interior. Wait until you have to deal with service which many have said it’s a real pain as they service guys are pretty clueless. I really wanted to like it but it just has so much not going for it after driving one and having to deal with all the flaws. Another flaw is the seat backs. The actually start to peel.

That's easy. Sure, you may have to wait a minute for the door to open, but you wont get nearly as wet because you can hail the car from its parking spot to your door and open the door remotely. If you're at a restaurant, this will keep you much drier than running all the way to the car.

I agree with you on the other points though. You pay extra for exclusivity and the novelty of the thing. You are paying to be part of the experiment, and if you're fine with that, then you get to be on the leading edge of technology.

Me, I prefer analog for my cars. To each his own.

 

[Canyonero]

Yes to each their own, but, honestly curious - as you work in property why not put some spend into an appreciating asset? (Or at the very least the difference between the Raptor and the X! Tell your wife you're saving money!)

That’s an interesting thing to say.

 

[Tremek]

It would be amazing to watch the look on some Ford saleman's faces when 3 built Toyota Land Cruisers descend onto a Ford lot to drive a Raptor

As a wise man once said -

 

[mcgaskins]

As a wise man once said -

100% down for reals. I need to drive one, and I think you do too.