2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by Nightshark

Wow they keep making the F150 more and more ugly. This thing looks hideous now. I have never been a Ford fan but the F-150 from two generations ago was the best looking pickup IMO. Current gen and now this new one I have not cared for at all. Much to square looking.

agreed Ford had competing models from Chevy, Dodge and Toyota out on the proving grounds as well (I was in the area myself) and if given a choice based on my observations I'd rather have a silverado or a ram then a new F-150 the styling is too boxy and i think Ford went a little overboard with the "tough guy" look on this truck.

[tgagneguam]

Not sure why Ford designers chose to transplant the face of larger, work-versions of the F-series on the front of the F-150. It's awkward.

Nonetheless, I'm glad that despite troubled truck sales Detroit is continuing to invest in this large segment. Historically, when times are tough, Detroit cuts and runs... and allows foreign-branded models to make inroads into segments. We witnessed it with family cars, with minivans, with compact pickups, and with near-/luxury cars. I say the FS truck segment is far too important to neglect, and I like seeing the top sellers wear domestic badges.

[paul8488]

This is what a truck used to look like. I think that people that want a traditional truck will love this (along with the Ram), while people that want a family vehicle with a bed will prefer the GM twins. I personally prefer the Silverado and Sierra, but I can see people liking the rough and tough look of the new F-150.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by HotCarNut

I think the Dodge Ram is a better package than the new F-150 in terms of innovative design (rear coils) and packaging (Ram-box storage in bed sides). The F-150 isn't attractive, doesn't handle as well, and has a lot less power from the top-line engine. However, given Chrysler's troubles the new Ram may not get much of a chance as customers shy away from Chrysler LLC products.

I love pickups, and I would love to get a nicely optioned crew cab half ton if I had the money.

But I bet a lot of people that would have bought a half ton pickup without a second thought 3 years ago are now looking at a sedan, a compact pickup, or a used half ton instead because they're nervous about the economy and afraid the price of oil may head up again.

It's a shame, too. I think Ford and Dodge did a fantastic job on their redesigns.

[DetroitIron]

It looks like the box it came in. The Ram is the best looking, but with past quality problems and miserable fuel economy, the Silverado is still the best bet. I wouldn't even consider a rice burner...

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by GMfan1111

i think Ford went a little overboard with the "tough guy" look on this truck.

I agree with this 100%. For some reason Ford decided everyone love the Super-Duty look.....when nothing is further from the truth. I think the SD, though capable and all....are the ugliest trucks on the road. And yes that includes the Tundra that almost everyone here seems to hate. The Tundra is tad rounded, and appears "soft" for a fullsize....but otherwise, I think it's OK. My favorite truck is the Silverado......though no looker in pictures...I think it has great road presence in person.

[wescoent]

Two pages of comments, and all almost everyone has to say is that it's UGLY?!

It's a truck!

[KingElvis]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

I love pickups, and I would love to get a nicely optioned crew cab half ton if I had the money.

But I bet a lot of people that would have bought a half ton pickup without a second thought 3 years ago are now looking at a sedan, a compact pickup, or a used half ton instead because they're nervous about the economy and afraid the price of oil may head up again.

It's a shame, too. I think Ford and Dodge did a fantastic job on their redesigns.

It's almost not even about wanting to buy one, but if they'll LET you buy one (with a Ford loan)

And that's assuming you have a high credit score.

Leasing being off the table means the luxo-trucks with mega pricetags are going to have ridiculously high payments.

No more $40K trucks for people making $40K a year.

Phew, as Red from "That 70's Show" might say "Play time is OVER."

[skylark68]

So now i'm going to have to put up with Toby Keith AND a VERY UGLY TRUCK!!!!! At least the Super Duty isn't hideous...

Looks like the F-150 is the antithesis of the Tundra. BOX VS ORGANIC PUDDLE OF GOO

Looks like the GM twins and the Ram win just on looks alone.

[squat]

That's god aweful ugly. Fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down and all that

[Extreme4x4]

Until people finally got used to the "looks like it rear ended a van, and what is up with those fender flares," you would read much the same comments about the Silverado.

I still find the Silvy to be odd looking, like the individual parts do not come from the same vehicle.

That said, once people get used to the new F150, it will do fine.

The '08 Superduty looked odd when new. Now, I love the look of the new SD, and think that the older versions look very bland. Obviously, I like the way it looks, as I bought one, and so did alot of other people.

The F-series trucks look very capable. They look very truckish. They look like they are carved from a block of steel, and can do anything you ask of them. The grilles had to get larger, due to the larger radiators (more capacity means more cooling is necessary). They are form follows function. Yet, the interiors are almost luxurious.

That the majority of the posters on this thread are talking about looks only, leads me to believe that few of them are actual truck buyers. Truck buyers have a different criteria, and pure asthetics is usually fairly low on the buying equation. Capability, and having the features they want and need, are usually on the top.

[Silverado14]

I understand wanting your pickup to look tough, but that doesn't automatically mean it has to be ugly too. The Ram and new GM twins (to me) look tough and are no where as butt ugly (as the new F150).

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

It's almost not even about wanting to buy one, but if they'll LET you buy one (with a Ford loan)

And that's assuming you have a high credit score.

Leasing being off the table means the luxo-trucks with mega pricetags are going to have ridiculously high payments.

No more $40K trucks for people making $40K a year.

Phew, as Red from "That 70's Show" might say "Play time is OVER."

Yeah.

Well, as much as I'm a bleeding heart liberal (and I am) and I have a lot of sympathy for people with money problems, leasing a $40,000 truck on a $40,000 annual salary is ludicrous. I'll be the first to admit I'm not that responsible with my money - and I knew I was really pushing the envelop to buy a minivan at half my salary (but I'm hoping to run it past 200,000 miles).

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by Extreme4x4

That the majority of the posters on this thread are talking about looks only, leads me to believe that few of them are actual truck buyers. Truck buyers have a different criteria, and pure asthetics is usually fairly low on the buying equation. Capability, and having the features they want and need, are usually on the top.

I'm not so sure of that... maybe a TRUE truck buyer who wants to use their truck as a truck have different criteria... but if they were the majority trucks wouldn't cost 50 grand and have all the luxury options that they have nowadays.

I agree that truck people may love it, but we'll have to see what non-truck people (who buy trucks as cars or status symbols) think.

[American_Muscle]

Originally Posted by wohho

2009 Ford F-150, First Drive

Ben Wojdyla/JALOPNIK
Friday, October 17, 2008

...while also offering best-in-class fuel economy (tied with the Chevy Silverado XFE) of 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway when you opt for the fuel-sipping SFE model.

here's my truck. 1997 (Built Sept of '96) Cheyenne ext. cab 5.0L 305, 6" suspension lift, 35" Pro Comp Xtreme terrain tires. I get 16-17 mpg with stock replacement manifold and cat, and then a cat back exhaust w/ 3" pipes. Thats it for mods. most of my driving is a good combination of highway/stop and go when i get in town...I went from Blacksburg, VA, to the I-81/I-70 split in Maryland averaging in the 70's for speed...on roughly 4/5 of a tank..averaged 21 mpg. Fun to see how far gas mileage in trucks has really come...