One Reason I Did Not Purchase A New F150

unit731 · January 14, 2008

From Automotive News archives:

Article Excerpt

Byline: Jason Stein

Ford Motor Co. says it will trim $1,000 in production costs from each redesigned F-150 by the end of 2004.

Ford said the savings will come from engineering improvements and reductions in material, labor and logistical costs.

Customers will not see any noticeable changes, the company says.

"This is all variable cost, it's not content,'' says Ford CFO Don Leclair.

But some analysts are skeptical that the company can count on the...

I originally read that it was $1,800.00. When this current generation of F150 was introduced, according to Automotive News, the manufacturing cost to produce an F150 was $1,800.00 more than a comparable Chevrolet 1500. So, in the back of my mind, what did they cut to reach their goal or $1,800.00 or even the $1,000.00 in stated article above?

Yes, I have been thinking about purchasing a new truck for a long time.

fbachman · January 22, 2008

So, in the back of my mind, what did they cut to reach their goal or $1,800.00 or even the $1,000.00 in stated article above?

Yes, I have been thinking about purchasing a new truck for a long time.

I don't know specifically, but I can tell you from personal experience that it WILL effect the truck quality. My last 3 fords STUNK.

They are going CHEAP everywhere.

asilverblazer · January 22, 2008

I've worked on Ford's and GM's, there is no comparission in design, and quality. Fords are junk, in the most factual way possible.

7egend · January 22, 2008

FORD - Forget Out Running Denali

I would take a ford, but after someone gave it to me I would drive it to the nearest car lot (literally the nearest one) and trade it in on anything they had, nissan, toyota, honda, gmc, chevy, dodge...just give me something other than a ford.

excaliber · January 31, 2008

So, in the back of my mind, what did they cut to reach their goal or $1,800.00 or even the $1,000.00 in stated article above?

Yes, I have been thinking about purchasing a new truck for a long time.

I don't know specifically, but I can tell you from personal experience that it WILL effect the truck quality. My last 3 fords STUNK.

They are going CHEAP everywhere.

That's pretty funny. I had three brand new Ford Trucks and they were the worst vehicles I've ever owned so far.

I'm in the market for a new 1/2 ton but I want a CC with a 6.5' bed. No one makes one except Ford.

I'm leery about even thinking about a new Ford.

I hope GMC comes out with a 6.5' bed and a 6 speed tranny for 09 or 010.

y2kz71 · January 31, 2008

My wife got in a wreck 2 years ago and her rental was a brand new F150. It rode good and was very quiet inside. However, we got home and was looking at it and she commented that the gas filler door was slightly sticking open and asked me to close it. So I went and looked at it and it had duct tape holding it on to the hinge....the d**n filler door/hinge was painted plastic and had allready broken and this truck only had 350 miles. I showed her and told her this is why I dont like fords...they are just cheap and lack quality.

Anyway....I guess they could save $20 right there on a gas filler door from metal to plastic. I know chevy and all mfg's use alot of plastic, however I dont think this should be plastic and flimsy on something you use and open all the time when you get fuel.

unit731 · February 3, 2008

That's pretty funny. I had three brand new Ford Trucks and they were the worst vehicles I've ever owned so far.

I'm in the market for a new 1/2 ton but I want a CC with a 6.5' bed. No one makes one except Ford.

I'm leery about even thinking about a new Ford.

I hope GMC comes out with a 6.5' bed and a 6 speed tranny for 09 or 010.

Ford is new design for model year 2009. See what they come up with. It's make or break for them.

C & A s Dad · February 5, 2008

A couple of things I have noticed about Ford vehicles:

1) They do an excellent job with appearances and the initial quality "look". However, it seems after some time and wear on their vehicles, the real lack of quality begins showing up. It just seems their materials look great at first but after time, they begin looking cheap and inferior.

2) The underhood is so cluttered that it is unbelievable. This alone would keep me from every owning one of their trucks. I do not want anything where you cannot even see the motor, much less work on it.

montecarlo31 · April 9, 2008

Interesting, I drove my 03 Supercrew FX4 for 80K miles not one warranty repair, 1 set of front and rear pads. My 06 Silverado CC Z71, 2 transmissions, 1 rear end failure, water pump, window track/motor and tons of trim issues, 2 sets of front pads and rear shoes and DRUMS. This is a 1LT model so maybe GM doesn't put effort into their cheaper trucks??? Another fellow at work had his sliverado purchased back due to transfer case issues (4.8L 4x4 LS model). Now his second truck has issues when you go over a speed bump the radio cuts out (LS model as well). So out of the 3 06 or newer GMs ive been in I was not pleased. Keep in mind I have a GM card from 12 years ago and deducted 3,300 dollars in rewards on my 06 Z71 (think I likeD GM?) Maybe GM puts no effort into their regular joe trucks. Another person purchased a LTZ Suburban, 2 days later I noticed the headliner had strings hanging from it, pulled one and it started pulling the cloth off. I can also tell you when you get to 4500 and 5500s it's 10% cheaper to run COMPAIRABLE Fords then chevys (this includes fuel costs and resale at the end). We run over 200 fleet trucks and the GMs have a great drivetrain but it seems like we are always being nickle and dimed on little things. I can agree that a 5.4 motor is hard to work on but that's why I purchase 100K mile warranties and trade at 80K. It's all subjective till you start having problems. If GM doesn't put a 6 speed auto in their truck this year they are out of the game when the new F-150 hits the show room floor. I can tell you after driving a crew cab 2500 w/ the 6 speed and 4.10s that is the only way i'd by a GM again. Seems they put more quality into their 3/4 tons then 1/2 tons.

As for the rental f-150 maybe someone hit the fuel door or damaged it and that was the rental company fix. I find it hard to believe that ford shiped a truck with a fuel door "taped" on.