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HD Chrome
10-26-2008, 01:53 PM
Took the time yesterday to check out and drive the new 09 F150. I drove a White Chocolate Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 with the 6.5ft box and the 5.4l V8 matched up to the new 6 speed tranny.
First off I am going to say I liked the the new rear end much better than the 04-08's as it seemed to bring life to what is in general the most bland part of any pick-up truck. The new tail lights were much better looking in person than the pictures on the net I have seen. Hated the new 4x4 sticker.
I am still undecided on the front end but I think its growing on me...
The best part about this trucks looks was definetly the new interior which was put together very nicely!
The fit and finish was excellent and very impressive and the new Nav screen really makes it pop aswell the new seats were very comfortable.
The new 700 watt Sony sound system is also a big upgrade over the outgoing Audiofile system and definetly packs a punch.
The extra room in this truck is very aperant as soon as you get behind the wheel, for those who have met me in person you no I am not a small guy "6'6 three and change" and this is the first vehicle I have EVER gotten into behind the wheel and had to move the seat forward. I was very impressed with that.

Onto the drive...

I had this truck out on the road/hiway for about 45min and these are my thoughts.
The ride quality was the best of any true truck I have been in, very smooth ride on the 20 inch tires and the quietness inside the cabin while driveing is luxury car like.
The handleing I thought was improved on sharp turning even with the 6.5ft box and the brakes felt alittle more firm and true on faster stopping.
The new six speed tranny shifts very smoothly through its paces and is begging for a faster engine.
That being said, the 5.4 is still the 5.4:(. This truck is still a dinosaur off the line, 6 speed or no 6 speed mergeing onto the hiway still sucks and seemed really not much different than my 07.
I don't need a 400+hp truck for daily driveing but IMHO this truck needs and extra 50hp for sure.
0 to 60 times I don't think are going to be much different between the outgoing model and this one.
The truck feels alittle more peppy off the line with the 6 speed but that quickly fizzles when you put your foot to the floor on the hiway and the response is not there. I would still like to put a trailer behind it and test its performance and handleing with the new 6 speed.
If you are happy with the engine performance of your 04/08 than you should have no complaints with the 09 as there are improvements with the new tranny and suspension. Another thing to note is this truck only gets 320hp/390fpt running E85 which I believe is not available here and running on regular unleaded it does 310hp/370fpt I belive.

Priceing...

The Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 I drove was equiped nicely with the 20inch wheels, Navigation, Sony stereo, Sunroof, Power slideing rear window, Leather buckets, reverse camera, power mirrors, bed extender, heated/cooled seats.
Only options it didn't have were the tailgate and side steps and for some strange reason it had no running boards.
The truck came in just shy of $55k on the sticker.
I am an A-Plan customer and I priced out that truck while I was there and I can tell you that with A-Plan and $3000 rebate with 0 down you can't
Finance this truck for under $1000 a month on a 60 month plan rightnow.
The cheapest lease price I could get was for a 48 month 20000km a year lease at $875 a month and $998 for a 36 month lease. Lease and Finance rates are both the same at 4.99% accross the board and all prices quoted are A-Plan taxes in. The residual value on these trucks are awfull at around only 30% after lease.
All I can say is that rightnow I am driveing a 07 Lariat 4x4 SuperCrew Chrome Edition 5.4 with every option but Navigation on a A-Plan 36 month lease for $650 taxes in a month.
I don't know how a similarly eqiped truck went from $650 to $998 but I think I may hold off and see what happens with the priceing and rebates next fall...

Anyways just wanted to share my honest opinion with you guys as to my thoughts on the new truck after takeing some time checking it out yesterday.

fordtough.ca
10-26-2008, 02:07 PM
Very nice write up
and I'm still upset about the diesel option

TRUKNUT
10-26-2008, 02:12 PM
Good Read...Thanks Andrew.:happy-smiley-541: I to got to test drive the 2009's up at BlackStock Ford along with Matt on . I was very impressed with
the new 3v 4.6 .It has nice power and the ride seemed greatly improved along with better seat comfort .I drove a Fx4 and XLT/W/ XTR package . I realy like the new look . Oh we got to sit in a ( KING RANCH ) LOL !!!

Northern Supercrew
10-26-2008, 04:23 PM
yep, I think i'll keep my 08...it does need a few more ponies.any idea if this truck is heavier than the 04-08 model?

HD Chrome
10-26-2008, 04:26 PM
yep, I think i'll keep my 08...it does need a few more ponies.any idea if this truck is heavier than the 04-08 model?

They say its lighter... By how much I have no idea.

HD Chrome
10-26-2008, 04:34 PM
I realy like the new look . Oh we got to sit in a ( KING RANCH ) LOL !!!

I was hopeing to look at a Platinum yesterday "not so much now that I see what they want for a Lariat" but all that was on the lot was the Lariat I drove and a SuperCab XLT.
I have the 4.6l V8 in the 07 Explorer we have and like it alot in that truck! How did you find the exceleration of it in the F150 compared to the outgoing one and was it matched up to the 6 speed or the 4???

LayinHp
10-26-2008, 04:50 PM
my dads going to be looking next fall for a new truck tried to get him to get one this year but he thinks he can get another year out of his 93 f150



resale ? whats that ? lol although i was impressed with what they offered on my 02 explorer with 190xxxklm on the clock if i wanted payments again id have jumped at the trade but i didnt like the payment idea again not right now anyways

pete74
11-21-2008, 10:16 PM
I test drove one too.......I agree with pretty much everything LC said. As far as speed and power........My tuned 08 would kick it in the nuts so hard it wouldn't know it was in a race:)
sorry!

truckpilot
11-22-2008, 09:35 AM
Nice write up Andrew, I can't believe how high those lease rates are.

BMac
11-22-2008, 12:45 PM
The dealership here got a few in last weekend I was looking at, defiantly not cheap! I will say I like the new tailgate, pretty sharp looking