Ford F-150 Ranks at #2 and is The Only Truck in the “Doenges Top Ten” Used Cars for December 2008

The Ford F-150. Actually, that may be all that needs to be said. After all, the Ford F-150 has been the most popular vehicle sold in the U.S. almost every single one of the past thirty years. Writing a review of the Ford F-150 is almost like writing a review of Coca-Cola. But, what the heck, I’ll do it anyway.

What started out long ago as a utility minded workhorse has since morphed into a truck that finds itself just as suited for a night on the town as a day on the construction site. With seven trim levels, from XL to Platinum, two drive-line configurations and three bed and three cab sizes, the Ford F-150 strives to be a truck that is the right vehicle no matter what the occasion. When you find yourself sitting in a King Ranch trim model, with ammenties like plush sadle leather seats, you’re likely to forget that its a truck at all.

But a truck it is, and one that is more than capable of handling all those truckly duties. The past two generation of F-150s have offered engine options that range from a 4.2L 202 hp V6 to the 300 hp 5.4L V-8 as well as some special models like the Lightning or the Harley-Davidson, whose supercharged V-8 produces a whopping 450 hp. All that power plus proper towing equipment and the F-150s towing capacity can reach as high as 11,000 pounds, enough to handle almost any farm or recreational towing needs. With all trim levels, aside from the FX4, available in either rear or four wheel drive, rest assured the this truck remembers its a truck even when you don’t.

When the clock strikes five, or seven or ten as is often the case these days, and its time to leave the job site behind, you will likely be surprised by the smoothness of the ride and the solid handling, two things that are not historically qualities one expects from a pick up truck. Though the lower end models are fairly plain inside, sporting bench seats platic dashboards and black rubber floorboards, higher trim levels offer everything from heated and cooled captain’s chairs to six disc cd changers to rear seat entertainment systems. No matter the trim level you can expect straightforward easy to use controls and clear functional gauges.

The Ford F-150 also offers one of the widest varieties of body configurations in the industry. With available standard, extended cab and crew cab, the already mentioned bed lengths and options like two tone paint and fog lights, you can likely find a truck configured just like you’d like it. All modern F-150s feature attractive rounded body panels that are a stark departure from their sqaured off predecessors and have a tough rugged styling that lets you know its a real truck.

Looking at saftey features the recent F-150s come equipped with driver and passenger airbags. In fact all models since the 2004 model year have rated five stars in frontal crash tests by the NHTSA. Many older model years have scored either four or five star ratings as well. Gas mileage is coming along too, with the Ford F-150 getting around 20 mpg highway in many models.

As you can see, and probably already knew, the Ford F-150 is a truck that deserves the popularity it enjoys. It is the truck all trucks want to be and it is a shining star as the one and only truck on this top ten used vehicles list.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Related posts: