To Raptor or not to Raptor


timcantwell

timcantwell

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Jan 22, 2006
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N.E. OH & Naples, FL
I've decided that I definitely want to buy a Raptor, but I am not sure if I should buy one now, or wait for the new bigger motor next year. On the plus side is the fact that the 5.4 motor is tried-and-true, and there are many aftermarket upgrades. There is a used (1300 mile) Raptor in Scottsdale. The seller is new to E-Bay and the ad is less than complete. I did get his number, but I am at my home in Ohio until October 9th when I return to Phoenix. Check out the ad:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...cks?hash=item3a532339a6&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

He wants $39K. In Arizona as a casual sale, I will pay no sales tax, which saves even more. The big question is, do I go with a 5.4 Liter motor or wait? Any thoughts????
 
I am always leary of buying from someone I don't know. 1300 miles, and its for sale? Hmmmmm. Either the guy beat it for 1300 miles and then decided to get rid of it, or he needs cash fast. Tim, it is not yellow with a set of stripes. I would pay the difference and get it from a dealer.
 
I'd wait for the new motor.

Check out Dave's Raptor site for more info.
 
Just because it's for sale with 1300 miles this soon does not mean anything negative. I would get the info direct from the seller before I assumed anything. Peoples minds change, situations change, etc. I would just try getting as much info as possible. Why wait? Buy a raptor now if your heart desires and when the new bigger motor comes out, if you desire, trade up! ;)
 
shelbyelite said:
Just because it's for sale with 1300 miles this soon does not mean anything negative. I would get the info direct from the seller before I assumed anything. Peoples minds change, situations change, etc. I would just try getting as much info as possible. Why wait? Buy a raptor now if your heart desires and when the new bigger motor comes out, if you desire, trade up! ;)
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Sounds like good advice.
 
Wait. Dealer and bigger motor sounds better. Ford needs the business.
 
I could not wait... ordered one with 5.4L in August and should come in any day.

Stu
 
AtomicGT said:
Wait. Dealer and bigger motor sounds better. Ford needs the business.
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Ford will get the business one way or another. If Tim buys this one, it will take it off the market and force that OTHER guy that's considering it to buy new.
 
Have you seen the superchargers they have for the mustang? I imagine that they have some for this engine too. I'm tempted to get this one as it's the color I want, but I think I wanted more options. Let me know how it performs when you get it going in the desert.
 
shelbyelite said:
Ford will get the business one way or another. If Tim buys this one, it will take it off the market and force that OTHER guy that's considering it to buy new.
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Well Tim, I guess you have 2 sides of the buying equation. Guess you need to do your homework, see what the discount is over what a dealer whould have you out the door, what the truck is worth and how much loss you take buying it from this guy on ebay. If the figures are right, buy it. I would take the bigger engine, and from the dealer. But that is me. Obviously there are opinions 180 degrees diametrically opposed to this on this thread, but I enjoy my relationship with my dealer, and they appreciate my business and service. It's a family kind of relationship. You may not have that where you are.
 
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There is no question that I have decided that I am definitely buying a Raptor. I just have strange vibes about buying a used one that is one month old with 1,300 miles. I would much rather spec one out the way I want it (Preferably after the new year with the bigger motor.) and deal with a dealer who can take my 2006 F-150 in on trade. In the end, I think I would be much happier!

I appreciate all the input, you guys really helped me make a decision on what to do next!
 
Atomic, I am definatly not suggesting Tim to not buy from a dealer, as I am a car dealer myself. Just saying don't rule out the used one IF it's a good deal ( I haven't even looked at the link). Now that Tim stated he wanted to trade his old truck etc, the dealer may be his best option. :)
 
SHelby

No worries, mate. You are a reputable dealer! That is different. I am a little leary of ebay dealers, myself. Tim's decision.
 
that gentleman that own that ebay raptor is on dave site raptoroffroad.com. here is his thread...
http://raptoroffroad.com/forums/showthread.php?t=314

he is selling it for what he owes and is trying to get out of debt. i applaud him for his maturity. a lot of people would keep the truck and try to work things only to make things worse.

what do you want the truck for, would be the question i would ask? daily driver with spirited runs in the desert the 5.4 will be fine. something more, go with the 6.2.:thumbsup
 
timcantwell said:
I would much rather spec one out the way I want it (Preferably after the new year with the bigger motor.) and deal with a dealer who can take my 2006 F-150 in on trade. In the end, I think I would be much happier!
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Well, there you go then.

With your stmt that you wanna TRADE the F-150 in on it - THAT changes the whole ball game in my view. In this day & age I wouldn't wanna have strangers at the house or MEET 'em anywhere. 'Too many LOONS around. The extra $1.17 one might pocket ain't worth it IMHO.

Far better to simply trade in truck "A" and buy truck "B" - ESPECIALLY since, as you mentioned, that way you can get e-x-a-c-t-l-y what you want. AND it'll definately be a "no stories" truck on top of it all.
 
This is a direct quote from the Raptor Forum. In my opinion, wait for the bigger engine...


"NOW we have the new Raptor, I got caught up in all the reviews and the look is outstanding. There,s not a meaner looking truck when it at dusk and you have the parking lights on...COOL!!!
My problem like I stated before is that it does not perform out of the hole.
So I always had to put my foot in it and sometimes it would take off nicely and sometimes it would barely kick in. For me this is unacceptable and is also the reason why I sold the truck after 28 days.
I suggest for all to drive one first, DONT be spending 45K( out the door)
and then bitch that it is not what you expected. SVT in this case means kick ass off road, not light to light."
 
HHGT said:
This is a direct quote from the Raptor Forum. In my opinion, wait for the bigger engine...


"NOW we have the new Raptor, I got caught up in all the reviews and the look is outstanding. There,s not a meaner looking truck when it at dusk and you have the parking lights on...COOL!!!
My problem like I stated before is that it does not perform out of the hole.
So I always had to put my foot in it and sometimes it would take off nicely and sometimes it would barely kick in. For me this is unacceptable and is also the reason why I sold the truck after 28 days.
I suggest for all to drive one first, DONT be spending 45K( out the door)
and then bitch that it is not what you expected. SVT in this case means kick ass off road, not light to light."
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Just my opinion but I've road in mule vehicles with the new 6.2 engine. I have to tell ya, I think anyone who buys the base truck with the 5.4 will be sick after driving one with the 6.2. Ford did an incredible job on the 6.2. It's a heavy and wide engine but the 5.4 is no lightweight either. the power and torque of the 6.2 is incredible!
 
The plan for using the truck is to drive it in the desert, off-road, and dirt-road trips (like from my house to Crown King for example). However, I also will be pulling my FGT behind it on my Trailex open aluminum trailer (About 4,000 lbs.) I think the bigger motor will help me on the hill climbs and long ascents (like up to Flagstaff for example). I think that the 6.2 liter will serve me much better.
 
timcantwell said:
The plan for using the truck is to drive it in the desert, off-road, and dirt-road trips (like from my house to Crown King for example). However, I also will be pulling my FGT behind it on my Trailex open aluminum trailer (About 4,000 lbs.) I think the bigger motor will help me on the hill climbs and long ascents (like up to Flagstaff for example). I think that the 6.2 liter will serve me much better.
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there is no question the 6.2 would serve better in a towing mode. Flagstaff is a pretty hairy climb area but with 4K behind you shoudn't even be an issue. the engine is an amazing torquer!
 
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