Really good thread, guys...thanks for keeping it "civil".
I came from a '17 Gen2 and love loved that truck! Got a 24 TRX Final Edition, and now have learned the Cartel wants it more than I do. Soooo...I am now wondr'in...hmmm, is it worth it??
I'M SERIOUSLY considering leaving my TRX to get an R...or even an 802, SOLELY on the "safety" of having it and not getting an ulcer worrying if it'll get stolen.
I've driven the '24 801, 802, 802 with 37's lifted, RR stock, RR lifted with 20's and...no surprise, LOVE the drive of the R. The Raptor has a more smooth "cush" feel, just as our Gen1 and Gen2 had; we always called it the Cadillac of trucks when it comes to a comfortable ride.
Forget exterior "looks", cuz it's SO subjective. I like both for different reasons. That said, I think the Raptor has more design cues on every panel than the TRX. So when you view a TRX from the rear or quarter-panel, you're hard pressed to notice the difference...I guess, unless, you're the Cartel! LOL. But, that front of the TRX is just a sexy menacing beast!
THE. ONE. EXTERIOR. THING that just makes my OCD-scab bleed, IS THE FRIGGIN' ANTENNA on the Raptor!!!!!! Come on, FORD...LOSE THAT STUPID THING...give it back to the 90's!!!!! GEESH...you're making the Amazon sellers with chinese stubbies a lot of money. So, yeah, the TRX's exterior is super "clean" in that respect...minor MINOR nit.
You guys nailed the "drive" experience; flat out, the TRX is a BEAST in every way. Whether or not the R is faster really doesn't matter, because other 99.98% of the time, you're having an eargasm listening to the SC whine, and the exhaust tone! I wonder how many times I've done a Remote Start JUST to listen to it "fire up"...so friggin cool. I did it, a bunch, to the R...and was left wanting. I describe the R's sound almost like the old "Glasspacks"...it's smooth and mellow. I love it, it's just NOT the TRX, which is just a great, narly sound without being obnoxious like some kid that's deleted his Hellcat.
Now..the interior! As most reviews point out, the TRX interior is notches above the Raptor. The refinements, accents, finishes, and materials definitely have the better eye candy and texture feel....point TRX.
The DASH and all the electronic goodies...whoa...no contest...TRX is so far out in front with it's gauges, performance & race pages (apps), camera, HUGE vertical display and fully customizable...thanks to the Android-based system......annnnnnndd, boom.....that's where it ends! LOL. Cuz, yeah...it's as the critics say, a bit of a hot mess and takes a REAL propeller head a long time to get used to...like maybe from Missouri to Californi...just to feel somewhat like you've gotta handle on it. Really pretty cool, though, the way it can be set up, and DANG has it got a ton of info to play with.
SPEAKING OF DASH...um...LAUNCH CONTROL? OH, geez...what a toy that is!! Shaves at least 30 years off of me every time I even open that app!
The feel of the console is so nice, and YES...THEY DID SOMETHING ABOUT THAT STUPID RED-HOT BRANDING IRON plaque!! So funny, when I looked at the Final Edition, that's THE first thing I checked when I got in, and was so pleased to see it's been coated and does NOT retain the heat (and I'd know now, because it's been 2,000 degrees this month!).
Let's talk about THE TWO BIGGEST ELEPHANTS, as far as I'm concerned: THE SHIFTER and the REAR SEATS!!
First, the easy one...the shifter in the Raptor is a disgrace...floppy, odd, non-conventional, no manual shift, AND IT FRIGGIN RATTLES. And, scuze me...what Raptor owner gives a RIP about laying it down so they can "do work" on the console...but hey, you've got a contractor's conversion chart just in case. (if any of you do use this, please don't be insulted by my tongue in cheek anger). The TRX shifter feels so good, and has the manual bump-shift toggle that I so love. I really miss the conventional shifter and thumb-toggle on my Gen2! That "M" button on the Raptor is just not what I'd consider "off-road driver" friendly.
Ok, go ahead, roll your eyes. That's ok.
Alright...NOW...in the hopes this will get back to FORD, there are two features of the TRX back seats that set it WAY APART from the Raptor: COOLING and RECLINING!! This is really a "dumb" criticism in many people's eyes because most would say "gimme a break, do YOU sit back there?" or, "how often does anyone sit back there?" Totally fair, but...to BE FAIR in a comparison, I think it's a major feature that DOES make a HUGE difference in the feel and comfort of the TRX.
Finally, let's NOT forget the price!!! A Final Edition TRX can be easily found any day for under MSRP...and I don't need to tell you about the R...stupid and insane. Fact is...good luck trying to break a difference of $10k if you're really good and patient. Hoping it's not for "bad reasons"...but probably dreamin' that it's not.
My TRX is still VERY new, so I haven't experienced any of the negative mechanical issues other have mentioned. I love both of these trucks and, quite frankly, have found so many things I really love about the TRX that I wouldn't have expected. So, the decision is a tough one!! I hope this gives more feedback.
