I'd rather buy an XL and beat the hell outta it and save the 20 grand.

It's a good truck if you like burn your money ,,,

And let's not forget the "Market Adjustment" dealers are going to add to the price tag. All of a sudden a $60K Raptor is $75K.

I'm actually surprised the base price isn't higher. I was expecting $60,000. I think people are failing to account for inflation. 53,000 in 2016 equates to only $38,000 in the year 2000. Today we have trucks that are soo much better with soo many more features and they have actually gotten relatively cheap for what you get. Problem is many people's wages have not risen in accordance with inflation, but you can't blame the car manufacturers for that. I paid 50,000 for a super duty back in 2002. Today with inflation that price would be equivalent to $67,000. If people really want to save money, there is nothing stopping them from getting a base xl f-150 4x4 for around $30,000 that is better than any top of the line truck offered 15 years ago. usinflationcalculator.com

"but it sure would be nice to have something sporty, capable and fun to drive at a much lower entry price."

Say hello to the ZR2.

Let the games begin...,

In reference to what Beebe posted, I for one would not buy a fancy, decked out truck. I would only get the XL. The reason is this: A truck is a truck. It should be used like a truck and haul and tow like one. If you want to drive around in your living room buy a Navigator. (Just my opinion) Its my view that truck prices are creeping up because of these expensive models ( king ranch and platinum)pushing the upper $ end ever skyward. Eventually the lower priced trucks need to follow the upward trend. Before long prices will get so out of control we will all be driving around XL's...if we can afford those? Wages are not following price creep in the automotive industry. At least mine are not.

Big toys cost big money.

At least $10,000 dollar profit if not $15,000 on each one of them. Not sure about Ford but last year every GM employee got an average $6,700 bonus by the company gouging the consumer...

They need a "tradesman" version of this truck like Ram does with the Power Wagon.

For the majority of people that buy this truck, the only high speed bumps they will take is the mall parking lot speed bumps. It's a status symbol truck, a costly one at that.

This truck doesn't need to be watered down, regardless of what Fiat does. Buy what you can afford. Don't buy what you can't.

" mountain-goat" That's funny. RAM Power Wagon owns that title. Raptor is a toy. Power Wagon is a serious tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxrbRRC2DLw

Get a lot more truck for your money with RAM.

I agree with Beebe, I expected also a bigger bump considering inflation & a much improved product all around.

I checked with local Ford dealer in Tahiti & they already have pre-lim order for 5 full optioned Raptors for delivery before X-mas. They will sell quick even though estimated selling price will be approx $90 000 USD which includes shipping, taxes (approx 40%) & US dollar exchange rate with the stronger dollar.

Love those Rebel inspired tail pipes. Two bad you need a V8 sound track. V8 Raptors just increased in price. It's the last of the V8's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bQzkdK2ha0

" mountain-goat" That's funny. RAM Power Wagon owns that title. Raptor is a toy. Power Wagon is a serious tool.

Get a lot more truck for your money with RAM.

Posted by: HEMI V8 | Jul 26, 2016 3:54:23 PM

@ HEMI V8; sorry & I don't agree; the Raptor can do everything Power Wagon can do & then some & but still look much better at it. This includes power plant delivery 10 speed smoothness, speed, comfort whether on freeways, twisting highways, off-road & definitely when playing the in sand dunes. But still good enough to take wife/family out for dinner in style.

Of course if you're going to tow/carry heavy loads, then move up to a 1-ton but otherwise this truck can do it all & you really don't need another truck.

A hint to PUTC; I can foresee a future match up comparison between Raptor, Power Wagon, Tundra TRD & similar offerings from Nissan & shaky Chebby/GMC will be perfect!

" Not sure about Ford but last year every GM employee got an average $6,700 bonus by the company gouging the consumer..."

This is common of every automaker. There is no such thing as an affordable car. Even Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Kia, once the poster children of cheap cars, are now into the price-gouging game. (Okay, so the Mitsubishi Mirage is the lone exception, but hey...)

The Chinese brands will be the only solution to this problem, if AND when they get here.

" Not sure about Ford but last year every GM employee got an average $6,700 bonus by the company gouging the consumer..."

This is common of every automaker. There is no such thing as an affordable car. Even Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Kia, once the poster children of cheap cars, are now into the price-gouging game. (Okay, so the Mitsubishi Mirage is the lone exception, but hey...)

The Chinese brands will be the only solution to this problem, if AND when they get here.

@ HEMI V8; "sorry & I don't agree; the Raptor can do everything Power Wagon can do & then some"

@ Lionel, It's a free country you can believe that.

@ Lionel, just curious how many power wagons and raptors you have owned?

@ Lionel, just curious how many power wagons and raptors you have owned?
Posted by: HEMI V8 | Jul 26, 2016 5:08:19 PM

None, but test drove them all & almost bought a Raptor 2 yrs ago until I realized garage was not big enough (got a Ranger Wildtrak instead). I've planned for a Raptor once my new house is completed with a 4-car garage with height to accommodate a Raptor (or a Power Wagon:-).

@ FTDC; what more serious conditions do you need? Unless you're one of those people that believe in the end of the world scenerio overrun by zombies, well then the Raptor can get away even faster too :-)...hahaha
But seriouly, for the serious off-road nuts, I'll just use my '93 Jeep Wrangler (Renegade) with 4" each lift, 4.11 gears, lockers, snorkel & I can doguarantee it will go places the Power Wagon can't including slow crawling, forge rivers & fit all the narrow trails.

But seriouly, for the serious off-road nuts, I'll just use my '93 Jeep Wrangler (Renegade) with 4" each lift, 4.11 gears, lockers, snorkel & I can doguarantee it will go places the Power Wagon can't including slow crawling, forge rivers & fit all the narrow trails.

Posted by: Lionel | Jul 26, 2016 5:31:05 PM

That should get it done without destroying the paint on your 50K plus brand new truck on the rocks or brush.

That should get it done without destroying the paint on your 50K plus brand new truck on the rocks or brush.
Posted by: LMAO | Jul 26, 2016 5:38:49 PM

Yep that too!

Very confusing commentary from PUTC here.

I ask you:

If you produce a web publication devoted to trucks, wouldn't you go bonkers over a total boffo off-roader dedicated to awesome performance and pure fun?

Not that a Raptor is on my wish list, but I'm talking about automotive journalism here. Can you imagine Car & Driver blasting Ferrari or Lambo rolling out a half million dollar super car? Or Hot Rod magazine saying that drag racing engines cost too much?

Weird.

@ papa jim; one of the few times I'll agree with you :-)

This is a niche vehicle so I would expect a higher price tag. But it is still cheaper than a platinum by the figures posted. They will sell well just like the 1st version. Ford has never had an issue selling their niche vehicles. I remember dodge trying to sell their trucks with the viper v10. They offered a neon with the truck to move them off the lots.

It's a gaudy toy. I think they are funny sitting in Wal-Mart parking lot. Some contractors bought the first version. They eventually disappeared. I would buy one if I had money to just throw away. I'd rather have a tradesman power wagon though. Just need a better engine or tranny in those.

For a starting price of over $50,000 I would expect at least a V8. For a performance truck I would have hoped to see the standard 5.0 with performance parts on it. Instead you get the ecoboost, probably still with artificial sound pumped into the cab. Pathetic. Pretty soon you will only be able to buy a triple-cab truck with a 2' bed, with a 20-speed transmission behind a 1.0L quad-turbo engine. If only we could harness the power of leftist smugness we would never need another source of fuel.

"The earth is flat too"
Posted by: Done | Jul 26, 2016 5:15:13 PM

Done keep you wife's chest out of this.

Remember Ford issued a safety recall for the 2011-2012 Ford F-150, and 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator for a potential problem with the output speed sensor in the transmission's lead frame. The company said that in certain conditions the part can lead to a temporary downshift into first gear. Depending on how fast the vehicle is going, that could lead to an abrupt reduction in speed that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up....lol

What a joke!

Posted by: rodando lata de cerveza | Jul 26, 2016 9:53:59 PM

Didn't G.M. help them?

"I'll just use my '93 Jeep Wrangler (Renegade) with 4" each lift, 4.11 gears, lockers, snorkel & I can doguarantee it will go places the Power Wagon can't including slow crawling, forge rivers & fit all the narrow trails."

Posted by: Lionel | Jul 26, 2016 9:52:16 PM

Sure buddy. I would love to see your jeep tow my 10,000 lbs toy hauler, much less in the soft dune sand. Not only to I live where I park it I can unload any one of my 450's and do circles around your jeep. ;-)
P.S a stock power wagon can out 4x4 a stock jeep. Jeep has no balls no ground clearance and no winch. ;-(

The Ram Power Wagon is the real deal off road truck. Lockers all the way around/sway bar disconnects/4.10s/winch/v8/solid axles and last it can be had cheaper then the Raptor. The Raptor is a joke compare to the Power Wagon when it comes to off road trucks end of story.

Oh and dual alternators to run more lighting ;)

"they'll likely pack them full of features and options, meaning that in the real world, we'll be looking at a lot of Raptors in showrooms with price tags of $60,000 or more"

Yeah, for the dealer it is a no brainer, and there will absolutely be a surplus of demand for these. So they have the choice to just turn inventory for Ford and sell X or add a bunch of high margin extras and pad their bottom line all while still selling X trucks.

I do get a bit of a chuckle though that a 50k truck is somehow considered "accessible" to the average truck buyer. I would lump myself in that bucket, and lets just say I'm not shopping that high up the range. I guess by "accessible" you mean the dealer can work magic with the financing terms to get your payments to something just below immediate bankruptcy inducing, of course you will be paying for it well into the next decade, but a 50k truck for someone with kids and a house payment and a median income in the US is not really affordable by any metric used by reasonable people.

I agree with papa jim, this site covers all trucks even the higher performance off road trucks. The reader doesn't have to buy this truck. I think it is a lot of coin but then I am not in the market for this truck. If Ford sells every last Raptor then maybe they can charge more.

I don't think this truck is meant for the average Joe making a living wage. There are plenty of other trucks including more affordable F-150s that the average Joe can afford. A Raptor might bring even more buyers into the showroom to look at other Fords. Also if the market is this good for this type of truck Chevrolet could come out with a true off road Colorado and rack up some additional sales and additional traffic into their showrooms without even effecting Raptor sales. Many Chevy loyalists are yearning for a new successor to the off road version of the S-10.

Here's music to my ears. Get this sound track in your Eco bust!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_hvFALTJQ

Honestly unless you have a place to bomb this truck through sand, it's pretty useless. I know here in the mid-west where there are no dunes to bomb through, you would have more fun and utility out of a Ram Power Wagon or a Jeep Wrangler due to them being built to do slow crawling offroading.

The Raptor in a nut shell is a full sized truck with lockers, mid-travel suspension, and 35" tires. Not taking into account the the electronic modes this truck has (majority of people that I have meet who wheel never use these electronics, like the crawl control in the Tacoma and 4Runners), this truck could be duplicated by any platform that can be lifted and have lockers added that utilizes a coilover IFS.

But you get a factory warranty when you buy it from Ford, unless they determine that the damage was via offroad abuse and your warranty claim is denied. Like those bent frames, power steering pump, or torn CV boots the previous generation had issues with.

Sure buddy. I would love to see your jeep tow my 10,000 lbs toy hauler, much less in the soft dune sand. Not only to I live where I park it I can unload any one of my 450's and do circles around your jeep. ;-)
P.S a stock power wagon can out 4x4 a stock jeep. Jeep has no balls no ground clearance and no winch. ;-(

Posted by: HEMI V8 | Jul 27, 2016 1:36:32 AM

Actually your precious RAM will not last in my neck of woods which is pure thick jungle with narrow trails used by dirt bikes. Your fenders will be scratch so bad or worst still ripped off LOL. Secondly, we do a lot of river crossings of more than 3-4 ft (snorkel is mandatory); your huge V8 will drown so fast & die in the middle of the river & then we'll need a winch from my jeep to pull you out :-). I've seen many cases of other jeeps/Land Rovers same situation & swept away...insurance will not cover it...LOL

status-symbol trucks

Below is what the US military is ordering and it is not a Raptor http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/07/u-s-military-goes-team-orders-covertly-armored-pickups-testing/#more-1383522

Actually your precious RAM will not last in my neck of woods which is pure thick jungle with narrow trails used by dirt bikes.

Posted by: Lionel | Jul 27, 2016 5:13:59 PM

The Raptor will never make it then. Its like a foot if not more wider then the Power Wagon.

"then we'll need a winch from my jeep to pull you out :-)."

The Power wagon comes stock with a winch. No need for your make believe jeep you keep talking bout.

I don't know why would some diot pay 100 grand for a Raptor when it won't even fit on the trails where they live?

"Actually your precious RAM will not last in my neck of woods which is pure thick jungle with narrow trails used by dirt bikes."Posted by: Lionel | Jul 27, 2016 5:13:59 PM

When they can buy a Power wagon for $45,000 that would fit in more places, or the soon to be ZR2.

This is a toy for people with the cash for it. Don't get me wrong, it is a seriously cool toy and a blast in the right places, but I'm not sure you'd get a ton of respect showing up at a job site in one of these.

This is a big middle finger to a lot of people (in a good way) - would love to own one if i had the cash and was less than a 1 day drive to serious off road

I remember dodge trying to sell their trucks with the viper v10.

Posted by: LMAO | Jul 26, 2016 9:18:37 PM

That was a very different time when gas prices were high and the economy was spiraling downward. Try and be real for once.

FCA earmarks $1.5 billion to build Ram 1500 pickups at Chrysler 200 plant

Fiat Chrysler will invest $1.48 billion to convert its Sterling Heights Assembly plant in suburban Detroit from unibody to body-on-frame construction to build the next-generation Ram 1500 pickup. The automaker today confirmed that the plant will end production of the slow-selling Chrysler 200 sedan in December to begin the conversion.

TBH most truck guys looking for budget toy truck will build their own.

GM beat Ford in Q2 profits, keep giving trucks away to fleets Ford.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20160728/OEM/160729848/ford-posts-9-decline-in-q2-profit-warns-of-challenges-ahead

http://www.autonews.com/article/20160725/OEM/307259967/gm-profits-triumph-and-trouble

@jdoe
Do you know the gross margin on Ford fleet sales?

That was a very different time when gas prices were high and the economy was spiraling downward. Try and be real for once.

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Jul 27, 2016 11:27:56 PM

Actually no, you are wrong again. Things were doing well in the early 2000s. Ford could not keep Lightning and Cobra Mustangs on the lots. Ford had no issue selling the Ford GT's even though dealers marked up prices 50k. Dodge wanted a piece of Ford's success with the lightning and cobbled together a 1500 with the viper V10. It proved to be aN epic fail for dodge. Just like the rest of their products. You need to think before you write.

Was there briefly a v6 challenge posted on this site the other morning, then removed?

Actually no, you are wrong again. Things were doing well in the early 2000s.

Posted by: LMAO | Jul 28, 2016 9:28:55 AM

Actually no, you are wrong again. The v10 showed up just as the lightning disappeared. At that time, gas prices were worrying everyone. Why do you think FORD never prepared a lightning for the 2004 - up model F-150. They too worried about where gas prices were going. Unfortunately, it was bad timing for the V10 Dodge pick-up.