I fell in love with the NEW F-150 the first time I saw it at the auto show in Houston. I filled out an info sheet with the Ford rep at the show, and when they started arriving at the dealerships several months later, I started receiving invites to "come and get one and drive it for a full day". I did so and was very impressed but I was not quite ready to purchase at that moment. So after the the first of this year, when all the counting was done, I decided it was time to buy and started my search. For over 5 weeks, I test drove EVERY make and model of pickup that is available form compact to midsize to 7/8 size (Tundra) to fullsize in extended cab to crewcab. I narrowed it down to 1. Toyota Tundra Ext. Cab, 2. Toyota Tacoma 4-door LTD 4-wd, 3. Nissan Titan Kingcab, 4. Ford F-150 Ext. Cab. I then went and drove each one of these trucks at least once more. I also kept checking out several internet forums daily and made lists of all the pros and cons of each vehicle that actual owners of each had braggged or complained about. My final choices came down to 1. Nissan Titan Kingcab and 2. Toyota Tacoma 4- door LTD. After driving each one again in the exact model with all of my desired option, including color, Drum Roll Please ----------- I chose and bought the Titan!
I am a "pain in the ass customer and shopper" but, it's my hard earned money. My ONLY reservation on buying the Titan was that it was the first year of production - period. I really like the overall looks, which can always be argued - just look at each person's choice of mate! Hands down though, the Titan's overall performance, handling and standard equipment excelled over the rest. The F-150 is a beautiful machine inside and out, but it feels like an overburdened and heavy beast and kept wondering if I was driving the BIG V-8 or the small one, even though I always picked the Lariat. The F-150 has a definite lack of immediate lack of throttle response off the line that I was not comfortable with, and I'm not the type that likes to "lay down some rubber" at all. The hesitation was noticeable. The F-150's ride is outstanding though.
Finally, the best test is for you to go and drive each back-to-back and make your own decision as we are all different in our likes and dislikes. Warning! If you go in totally open-minded, unbiased and remain truthful to yourself about the TOTAL PACKAGE - the TITAN is going to blow you away! Again, I am not blindly brand loyal, I just want my money to go into the best thing that's out there, ALL things considered!
If ANY problems do arise, I will gladly post them as they occur and let y'all know the results. I bought the TITAN Kingcab SE, Red Brawn with Rockford-Fosgate Stereo & Power Captains chairs and factory bedliner. It has so many "standard options" that are included in the SE package that I won't list each. Just pull it up on Edmunds.com and "build your vehicle" and you'll see what I mean. I drove it out for $25,860 including TTL and all other fees. The MSRP was $27,280.00.
thanks,
pathfinder1810
