Do you regret buying a base model truck?
- Thread starter Redheddedwonder
- Start date
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
A better way to phrase this question might be "did you regret buying a vehicle that didn't have the options you wanted?"
I was in that exact situation last year. Tons of low-mileage F-150's close to me in my price range. But it was darn near impossible to find the specific features I wanted: 36 gallon tank, E-locker, trailer brake controller, and heated (cloth) seats. And could not be black or dark blue.
Personally I could do without the heated seats - IMO heated seats are a real benefit on a vehicle with leather seats because leather gets very cold in winter and the heat is a nice way to offset that. But the wife insisted on the heated seats so I had to specify those as well. Happy wife, happy life etc.
Almost everything I wanted COULD have been added aftermarket (even the big tank, which several people on the F-150 forums have done.) But for what I was spending I figured I had the time to wait for exactly the right one to come along and I'm glad I did.
I was in that exact situation last year. Tons of low-mileage F-150's close to me in my price range. But it was darn near impossible to find the specific features I wanted: 36 gallon tank, E-locker, trailer brake controller, and heated (cloth) seats. And could not be black or dark blue.
Personally I could do without the heated seats - IMO heated seats are a real benefit on a vehicle with leather seats because leather gets very cold in winter and the heat is a nice way to offset that. But the wife insisted on the heated seats so I had to specify those as well. Happy wife, happy life etc.
Almost everything I wanted COULD have been added aftermarket (even the big tank, which several people on the F-150 forums have done.) But for what I was spending I figured I had the time to wait for exactly the right one to come along and I'm glad I did.
Thanks!
The visual proportions of the truck are deceiving- with nothing else next to it, it could easily be mistaken for a 5-ton truck, or even a deuce and a half. The MTVR's cab is so large, that my wife can stand straight up inside, as long as she's not wearing high heels. In order to use the machinegun hatch (one of her favorite features), she has to fold down the passenger seatback and stand on it.
For perspective, here is a pic of an MTVR towing a 5-ton:
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IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
For what its worth, pretty much every vehicle that is CANBUS makes it very easy to add options that the truck was not purchased with.
I added things like remote start, puddle lights, steering wheel head unit controls, etc... to my bare bones XLT Superduty for very little money.
Only option we dont have that Id still like it the power folding mirrors, to be able to fold them in while driving.
Just the mirrors though are big $$, so its a feature Ill live without.
I added things like remote start, puddle lights, steering wheel head unit controls, etc... to my bare bones XLT Superduty for very little money.
Only option we dont have that Id still like it the power folding mirrors, to be able to fold them in while driving.
Just the mirrors though are big $$, so its a feature Ill live without.
blackdmax15
Observer
To hopefully be somewhat of value, I Custom ordered a 2018 Ram 3500 with a few specific options. Got the Cummins/Aisin for the power, dual 440A alternators and the HD vinyl seats due to the kids. Had Dennis Dillon Dodge add all the suspension and mods I wanted. My thought was get the chassis I wanted, save money not buying a Laramie or higher trim and use that for mods. I ended up about the same price a Laramie would have costed, but already built (Phase 1).
Fastforward almost two years and I have added bed LED lights, upgraded the headlights and just recently put a factory fog light bumper on to add BD SAE fogs and their squadron Pros. I have added a ton of 2-300 dollar mods along the way. I still want a better radio and the seats are mega uncomfortable and not super adjustable. I have some back issues from my time flying the plane in my avatar and I’m about to go with the Scheel-man seats or nice Recaro’s that are cooled and heated. I hear everyone’s point, but by the time I’m done with mods I would be in the price of that Laramie. All of my desired mods aren’t “required”, but Annoyances I could have avoided by buying the nicer truck from the start.
I do believe one can save coin by buying a stripped truck and modify it to your needs, but it will take a while to get there. I’m keeping the truck as of now and when I’m done it will be a better truck. I enjoy modifying my vehicles so it was my reason for going the route I did. I say buy as much truck as your wallet or wife will let you justify.
Fastforward almost two years and I have added bed LED lights, upgraded the headlights and just recently put a factory fog light bumper on to add BD SAE fogs and their squadron Pros. I have added a ton of 2-300 dollar mods along the way. I still want a better radio and the seats are mega uncomfortable and not super adjustable. I have some back issues from my time flying the plane in my avatar and I’m about to go with the Scheel-man seats or nice Recaro’s that are cooled and heated. I hear everyone’s point, but by the time I’m done with mods I would be in the price of that Laramie. All of my desired mods aren’t “required”, but Annoyances I could have avoided by buying the nicer truck from the start.
I do believe one can save coin by buying a stripped truck and modify it to your needs, but it will take a while to get there. I’m keeping the truck as of now and when I’m done it will be a better truck. I enjoy modifying my vehicles so it was my reason for going the route I did. I say buy as much truck as your wallet or wife will let you justify.
Redheddedwonder
Active member
One take away I take from this though is you can put aftermarket parts towards a lower level truck and end up with a nicer truck than some of the higher level trucks. Seats for example I believe are way nicer aftermarket. If you save $10,000 on a truck you can build up with aftermarket exactly the way you like over time.
Sweet jet btw! Do you still fly?
MR. ED
Observer
Spacer, enjoy those electric windows. As a cranker I look at autotrader weekly for a simple truck with electric windows. The one time I got pulled over recently I thought I may get shot as I was trying to gesture that I couldn't just roll the passenger window down. Much to the dismay of the increasingly annoyed police officer.
Sold my '99 XLT with 110,000 miles on it and thought I was done with trucks, that the Jeep Cherokee would be fine for my elder needs. Nope, bought another boat so that meant another truck.
Bought an XL F-150, I don't know, it might be loaded for an XL, steering wheel controls, remote mirrors, 4x4 & tow package, and it tells me stuff like tire pressure, XM, blah, blah, blah. From what was in my local market for late model used F-150's, it came down to 6,000 fewer miles on an XLT, get carpet and cloth power seats and a larger media screen for $24,xxx+ more.
My old XLT had power seats, they probably weren't moved a dozen times in over 10 years. My carpet had a coffee stain that took me a month to get cleaned and I didn't have all the media stuff. Cloth seats might be nicer than vinal, but that can be a toss-up, my dog likes the vinal. I like the "rubber" floor, it's insulated, quiet and very easy to clean out.
As to exterior trim, I don't really care, I like the white with black trim without decals and stickers. Pretty sure my truck was in service with the Texas Highway Dept. so I know it was serviced. It was very clean, no dents or scratches, so I'd bet it was driven by some supervisor to different jobs.
I do kinda wish my media screen was bigger, like the one I have in my Jeep Cherokee, but I can live with it.....
Bought an XL F-150, I don't know, it might be loaded for an XL, steering wheel controls, remote mirrors, 4x4 & tow package, and it tells me stuff like tire pressure, XM, blah, blah, blah. From what was in my local market for late model used F-150's, it came down to 6,000 fewer miles on an XLT, get carpet and cloth power seats and a larger media screen for $24,xxx+ more.
My old XLT had power seats, they probably weren't moved a dozen times in over 10 years. My carpet had a coffee stain that took me a month to get cleaned and I didn't have all the media stuff. Cloth seats might be nicer than vinal, but that can be a toss-up, my dog likes the vinal. I like the "rubber" floor, it's insulated, quiet and very easy to clean out.
As to exterior trim, I don't really care, I like the white with black trim without decals and stickers. Pretty sure my truck was in service with the Texas Highway Dept. so I know it was serviced. It was very clean, no dents or scratches, so I'd bet it was driven by some supervisor to different jobs.
I do kinda wish my media screen was bigger, like the one I have in my Jeep Cherokee, but I can live with it.....
85_Ranger4x4
Well-known member
I get so sick of the power seats in my F-150. Every time I get out I bump the lever thing to lay the back seat down. Bump it 3-4 times and it becomes very noticeable.
My '02 with manual seats... they stayed where I put them.
JaSAn
Grumpy Old Man
If I were younger or if I didn't think my current 2012 Ram would last as long as I need it, my next truck would be pre-1970.
I have enough experience building race cars, custom cars, classic cars, etc. to build a reliable truck that I can maintain.
Too much gimmicky technology on the new ones. They haven't been designed to be fixed.
I have enough experience building race cars, custom cars, classic cars, etc. to build a reliable truck that I can maintain.
Too much gimmicky technology on the new ones. They haven't been designed to be fixed.
Todd780
OverCamper
Had a 2015 F150 XLT 301previously and this time round went with a XLT 302a.
302a's come with heated seats & remote start which are nice to have in winter.
302a's also came with LED Daytime running lights. My commute is all highway so brighter lights are nice during the dark winter months.
The halogen in my 2015 were terrible. Felt like I was driving down the dark highway with just my park lights on.
Another benefit for me is it came with a 12" in dash screen and I optioned it with the 360 camera's. They've been awesome when hooking up my travel trailer.
All that being said, it depends on what you intend on using it for. If I wasn't using this truck as a daily commuter and it was just going to be for towing duties, I'd be fine with a base model 1 ton.
302a's come with heated seats & remote start which are nice to have in winter.
302a's also came with LED Daytime running lights. My commute is all highway so brighter lights are nice during the dark winter months.
The halogen in my 2015 were terrible. Felt like I was driving down the dark highway with just my park lights on.
Another benefit for me is it came with a 12" in dash screen and I optioned it with the 360 camera's. They've been awesome when hooking up my travel trailer.
All that being said, it depends on what you intend on using it for. If I wasn't using this truck as a daily commuter and it was just going to be for towing duties, I'd be fine with a base model 1 ton.
85_Ranger4x4
Well-known member
Heated seats, I use them year round. After dragging around semi truck parts all day it feels awesome on my back.
To go one step farther i wish the seat itself could be toggled off so then just the back is heated. When it's 100* and my back is sore having the seat bottom heated doesn't do much for me.