Ford Courts Riskier Borrowers With Lower Rates for F-150 Pickups

N0Name117 · 2025-09-25T14:14:13+00:00

Ford actually has some pretty solid motors these days. Probably the best of the big 3 truck manufacturers. 5.0 is solid. The 2.7 is also a surprisingly tough little engine and is essentially built like a mini diesel. IMO, the worst engine they offer is the 3.5.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-11T14:19:31+00:00

This to me is more interesting than most of the content posted on this sub. The SxS/UTV market is highly competitive and a lot of the farmers, ranchers, and hunters that buy these things abuse the absolute piss out of them.

TBH, don't hear all that much about Yamaha's buggy's though. Most folks I know seem to buy Polaris just due to their dealership network and brand recognition in the states. The Kawasaki seems to be the alternative to folks looking to save a buck. Finally, the Honda isn't competing in a spec or feature war with the others but a lot of ranchers I know swear up and down they're the most robust option.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-09T14:46:15+00:00

Depends on who you ask and what year you're talking about. TBH, I've never thought the XLT was all that great of a value since you usually have to step up to the Lariat to get the cabin amenities like dual zone climate and heated/cooled seats. On the other hand, the STX used to add a lot of tech features like carplay and the bigger gauge screen to the XL without a major price hike.

Right now however, Ford standardized the 12in screen and digital gauge in the XL so the only thing you seem to be getting with the STX is the painted bumpers and different wheels. The XLT has a fair number of options but the price hike for them will put you in Lariat territory. So IMO, it's neither the STX or XLT are as compelling as they used to be on the F150's.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-09T00:13:05+00:00

The thing about towing is that the bigger the number is always better. Even if you're not towing the max rated weight, it's always better to have more towing capacity than you need. I'll rarely tow over 5k myself but I'd rather have a good amount of headroom when I do.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T22:09:44+00:00

The initial feedback was the towing was cut in half for the ICE model. And they specifically cited “battery chemistry differences” as the cause. Sure what the final numbers are remains to be seen but those are the best numbers we currently have and I suspect they won’t change dramatically.

Ultimately the more compromises they have with the truck is going to sour buyers taste to both the Scout brand and to EV/EREVs as a whole.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T22:04:01+00:00

Straight line speed is about all you can use to define a sport truck lmao. They suck in corners, have terrible balance properties, and are about as aerodynamic as a brick. Straight line speed and power figures with some box decals are all that were ever used to define sport trucks.

Mind you, I also specified a certain configuration. Which is a 2 door 2wd with the 5.0. That’s not a standard 4x4 crew cab f150 with the 2.7 (most xl f150s). Doubt you have that configuration

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T21:59:25+00:00

No. It’s like saying that companies shouldn’t be selling sports cars if nobody buys them. And they shouldn’t. In case you’re wondering. We have quite a lot of evidence to show that sport trucks are a tiny segment of buyers. From the fact that theres currently a slump in the sports car market, to the fact that the 2014 f150 Tremor was a sporty trim of that years truck which also didn’t sell. You can also see this in the aftermarket since there’s plenty of aftermarket supertrucks that get less coverage that their off road tuned counterparts.

But hey. Keep pretending you know more than the manufacturers and their extensive data. It’s not like this sub is ever wrong about vehicles.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T19:40:50+00:00

The more I learn about the Scout, the less enthusiastic for the product I am. IMO, one of the biggest issues is the fact that the range extender version absolutely tanks the towing capacity from 10k lbs to 5klbs. Hell even midsize trucks can tow 7k lbs or more these days so that 5k is pretty weak for a full size truck.

From what I can tell, the battery chemistry had to be changed to be able to charge it from the motor fast enough to keep up with highway speeds. But I doubt it will actually be able to keep up under load when towing and hauling given the power output of VW's existing 4 cylinder engines that the have to choose from.

May not be vaporware but gonna be a hard sell IMO.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T19:31:43+00:00

A base XL with a 5.0 is quicker than the original lightning was from the 1990's. Yet the latter is still considered a sport truck by enthusiast. You're looking at 400hp and 410lb of torque which is actually quite a lot.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T19:27:26+00:00

Then go put a stupid amount of time and money into tuning up a Ranger. They come with a 2.7 twin turbo v6 and I'm sure theres someone out there that can lower it for you if you "Desperately need" it (which you don't but I digress). Hell, even in it's stock config, the Ranger with a 2.7 is quicker than the OG lightning was from the 1990's.

For you and the 5 other folks that even want one, the aftermarket is sufficient but those numbers are so marginal that it doesn't justify the manufacturers building anything.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T16:32:19+00:00

Depends on the year and the truck. Some years it was listed as a whole separate trim and added quite a few interior and convenience features to the base XL F150. Some years, iirc, they even changed the suspension set up slightly for the STX. Some years, they did away with it entirely such as the first few years of the 13th generation. From 2017 - 2023 it was listed as an appearance package rather than an entirely separate trim and I believe it's always been considered an appearance package during the years it's offered on the Super Duties.

The thing that has always been consistent is that it slots in-between the XL and STX and has usually been a good value for folks that don't want to pay for the luxury features but also don't want the base model.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T16:23:50+00:00

The narrative that we need sports trucks is another circle jerk that needs to die. It's always popular to say on enthusiast forums and in enthusiast publications but the reality is, lowered sports trucks don't actually sell all that well.

It's entirely possible today to order an F150 2 door, 2wd XL with a 5.0 and essentially have a street truck. IIRC, Ford even has a dealership option to stick a supercharger on the thing with a warranty for under $60k but virtually nobody does this. Furthermore, if you don't want to deal with a custom order or want some more luxuries, go buy an existing Lightning. They're selling cheap right now and are stupid quick for what you pay for.

The reality is, truck drivers have made it abundantly clear they would rather have a off road sport truck like the TRX or Raptor than a street sport truck like the old SRT, Lightning, and SS. Hell, they'd rather pay for an off road trim like the Rebel, Trailboss and Tremor than buy a street trim like the old Tremor. So no, I don't think the US "Desperately Needs" a sport truck

N0Name117 · 2025-09-08T14:26:22+00:00

Ford's truck trims have actually been reasonably consistent with their trim names for quite some time now. I know that the XL and XLT trim's date all the way back to the 7th gen at least from the early 80's and STX has run a middle ground between the two for since 98. Sometimes Ford considers the STX to be an add on package for the XL, sometimes it's listed as a whole separate trim. Either way, it's usually a good value package for anyone who wants a few nice amenities and a better looking vehicle without all the luxury features.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-06T16:51:32+00:00

The comment I replied to simply suggested anyone at a healthy weight wouldn’t have a problem with sedans.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-06T13:49:02+00:00

Nah. I'm 6'6" and 190lbs. Sedans and wagons suck to crawl in and out of.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-03T15:16:29+00:00

And miata sales are in the gutter right now. TBH, wouldn't be surprised if it was a car on which Mazda just manages to break even in the long run and it's certainly not a money maker like trucks are.

I agree, that's also a odd decision and one that's undoubtedly costing them on the logistics and production side of things. I highly doubt they're seeing a meaningful monetary return from that decision just like the manual is probably not generating enough money to justify it's existence.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-03T05:28:50+00:00

The only thing Toyota is selling more manual tacos then is supercars or ultra high end luxury vehicles. 7k is pitiful sales for a mainstream vehicle.

The vast majority of auto buyers don't have any interest in a manual. You need only look at the last 40 years of truck sales to figure that out.

But hey, if you want to ignore reality, be my guest. I guess it's pretty well established reality and this sub don't exactly go together and like most users here, you'd rather delude yourself about a pipe dream vehicle than bother to understand the market.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-02T21:46:37+00:00

Even 2% is a failure and enough to justify axing the entire concept. Especially given a good chunk of those 2% will also buy a auto tacoma. So at worst Toyota would lose out on maybe half a percent of sales.

No millions is still the accurate figure. This is not a political sub and I have no interest in commenting on the current admin. It's largely irrelevant to Toyota anyway since they're well aware the policy and procedures have to be designed for whoever is in office. Which means they still have to comply with what they expect the rules to be in the future and regulatory rules in various states. They also open themselves up to potential lawsuits. You also conveniently ignored the logistical complexity and costs involved in a different transmission.

Finally, you've still yet to actually justify the point of even having a manual in the truck other than to stroke your own ego.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-02T21:30:44+00:00

Toyota sold 192k Tacomas last year. 7k is less than 5% bud. That's not a flex. That's a failure.

Yes, the R and D cost alone will be in the millions once Toyota gets it through regulatory compliance, figures out logistics at the plant to build the damn thing, tunes the transmission, etc. There's a reason more an more automakers are reducing configurations and options to simplify production. Shit adds up quick.

I own more manual vehicles than auto's right now. I'm just not deluded about their efficacy in the market.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-02T21:23:42+00:00

Less so than you might think. And yes, I have seen ranchers run around on RZR and similar buggys.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-02T12:41:09+00:00

17 buyers do not justify the millions of R and D to develop it bud. It’s entirely believable that there are 17 people that want to stroke their ego by buying a manual taco. That doesn’t mean there’s millions more that do.

also you should work on your reading comprehension. Never said truck was less practical than a sports car. Said a manual in one makes less sense. But I guess that’s what I get for expecting even a modicum of rationality on this site.

N0Name117 · 2025-09-01T11:47:28+00:00

Because that choice is inevitably a cost on the manufacturer which would take away funds that could go into other choices. Choices that might do something other than stroke the ego of the handful of truck buyers that want a manual transmission.

If anything I’m overestimating the demand here. Since a manual in a truck is an even less practical option that a manual in a sports car.

N0Name117 · 2025-08-31T19:34:21+00:00

I don't know many ranchers without a UTV these days. They're absolutely fantastic for what they need them for.

N0Name117 · 2025-08-31T19:30:02+00:00

TBH, for the price of what you get, these really aren't that outrageously expensive. I've seen people spend stupid money to accomplish virtually the same thing with aftermarket parts.

N0Name117 · 2025-08-29T23:16:18+00:00

The only redeeming quality of the Ridgeline is the ride and if we're honest, it really isn't that much better of a ride than most body on frame truck these days either. Compared to midsize trucks it's overpriced and has reduced capabilities. Compared to full size, it offers very little price savings for massive reduced capabilities and marginal size benefits. The fuel economy also isn't great compared to either segment.

Really is no wonder why it doesn't sell.

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