Took delivery yesterday, 1000 mile review and RANDY !

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HoustonRider

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Posts
769
Reaction score
52
Location
Texas
Month or so ago I decided I wanted a Raptor. Did some lurking on the forums and got a little educated on the truck. Did some looking locally and couldn't find anyone who would either call me back (even after my second call to them), or give me a straight price.

Found a few stories about Randy hooking up a few members on Raptors and decided to shoot him an email a few Sundays ago, during the SuperBowl. I figured he would respond Monday or Tuesday. but NOOOOO, this guy calls me DURING THE 4th QTR!.. lol... we talked a few times that night and found what I wanted that night. A day or so later, we got a VIN and I did all my preliminary paperwork and got all that taken care of.

We anticipated it landing where he could touch it last Wednesday, but it turned out to land Friday afternoon. There were a few days (due to weather) that we just weren't sure when it would land.

Although he was more than willing to carry that Raptor another 250 or so miles towards me (I live in South Texas), I opted to fly up and drive that bitch home from Kansas City, MO. I booked a one-way trip for my son (8 years old) and myself to leave South Texas Monday afternoon at 6:15 pm.

We arrived in Kansas City, MO about 11:30pm or so, and Randy was there to meet us outside the door!....we drove 10-12 miles to the Hotel, where the new truck was washed, PDI'd, filled-up and ready to rock and roll... OH, and my NAV had my home address already loaded, to make the trip that much easier.

We sat in it for about 20 minutes, signed a few docs then locked it up for the night. Randy was willing to visit with me again for the truck if I needed it in the am, but I knew he needed to pick up another vehicle 250 miles south the next day, so we headed to the rooms for the night (1am).

4:45am Tuesday morning, I drag my 8 year old to the truck so we can get started on our 985 mile trip back home. he slept till about 9am, and helped navigate the rest of the trip. We made it back to our house at 8pm.... long drive, long day.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

First of all, I swapped this for my 2009 F250 CrewCab King Ranch. I have other vehicles as well. I didn't have alot of time to find all the buttons and controls at 5am, so I kinda winged it in the dark. It took me 300 miles to get my seat/pedals right, but once I did it was pretty comfortable.

Ride is good, this wheelbase is a bit shorter and the truck alot lighter than my F250. Sometimes it bounced a bit too much on the highway, I discount that to the "new" everything, the 3 ply sidewalls and the short wheelbase. Still smoother than my F250. In some instances, it felt a bit light, or unstable over some highway bridges, etc...

Turn signal is kinda loud, like someone tapping the windshield with a baseball bat. Trust me, after a few hundred miles straight, its gets on your nerves. I finally figured I couldn't pair my iPhone without pulling over, so I pulled over and paired it, back on the road in about 3 minutes. I do notice that for some reason the truck will just "disconnect" the phone even while I'm playing something from my phone.... not sure about that one.

I did realize a few other issues.... no Home Link (unless its in the Sync system somewhere).... no rear seat center arm rest. Who the freak designed the extra large 1990 Mustang headrests for the rear seats? lol.... when close any of the doors in the right light, you can see the massive "ripple effect" along the door panel.... can't beat the American built truck, huh? Rear Camera isn't as clear as the one in the mirror, guess thats due to the enlarged image size on the NAV.

Highway driving was great, good visibility, nice rumble for the OEM exhaust, very distinctive stance and appearance. Every time we stopped, we were approached by "what kind of truck was that?" kind of questions. Also, with the 4.10 rear, the acceleration is not there.. when it kicks back UP gear it will start gaining, but kinda nervous trying to pass on occassion, compared to my F250. hopefully that will be a bit better after its broken in :)

After my long, 1000 mile day, I wasn't fatigued as much as I have been in other vehicles. Very quiet, smooth (on good roads). So far a great truck! and Randy called me yesterday about 9am just to follow up!
 
Last edited:

Raptizzle

FYT
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Posts
8,581
Reaction score
7,484
Location
Southern CA
Right on Houston!! No better way to figure out a new ride then an immediate road trip!!

Loading your home address in the Nav speaks volumes about Randy's service and attention to detail!!
 
Last edited:

JP7

Likes Canadian Mudbaths
Joined
Sep 25, 2010
Posts
1,683
Reaction score
169
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Great post Houston - sounds like yet another great experience from someone dealing with Randy.
I agree with several of your first impressions - that damn turn signal is definately for the hearing impaired!!!. And the mustang headrests - lol, they do present quite a blind spot.
As for the acceleration, try driving the truck in Tow/Haul mode - I do most of the time and find it keeps the engine more in the powerband for a quick getaway. Once you're happy with the break in, you will definately be impressed with the roar at 5500 rpm...
Happy trails!
 

Shaggy

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Posts
2,069
Reaction score
791
Location
Arizona
Nice write up and congrats. Any pics of the beast you can post up?
 

Droid

kglesq's Brother
Joined
Sep 25, 2010
Posts
1,486
Reaction score
757
Sounds like the typical Randy experience, have nothing but good things to say about that guy!

Have noticed mine's a bit lazy on the downshift. I had to tune my old truck (5.3L GMC) to give me what I wanted when going from a 65-75 cruise to WOT....appears the same will be necessary with the Raptor. I don't understand why manufacturers don't program them correctly to begin with....WOT means "I want to go as fast as possible, right now."...i.e. select best gear immediately and go open loop, there's no reason to wait a second to make sure I really meant it.

Mine certainly has the ripple effect on the body panels too..don't think there's a practical way around that with a giant flat panel. Skin aside, this is by far the most rigid truck I've ever owned, amazingly solid.

Haven't had too much trouble with my Droid2 staying paired..have had a few disconnects but they tend to occur in 30 seconds after starting the truck. Rebooting the phone might help.
 
OP
OP
HoustonRider

HoustonRider

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Posts
769
Reaction score
52
Location
Texas
Actually, no pics yet, it was dark when we left yesterday am, and dark when we got home. I can shoot a few in a day or so, Its a 2011 Raptor Crew, Nav, Lux/Rap packages, Moonroof, Tailgate step...

Regarding dealers, they pretty much suck down here... I stopped at Starbucks this am and a guy in an older F250 asked "how do you like it?"... told him I got it yesterday and racked up 1k on it already... I told him the local dealers just play too many games. he said he's had the same experience locally and its frustrates him (and me).

the Saturday before I talked to Randy, I visited 4 Ford dealers, specifically looking for a Raptor (Silver or Black). One dealer has a USED one for $60k (see another one of my posts).... One said he had a silver coming in and would let me know when (that was Feb 5th, haven't heard from him yet), one gave me some ******** about making the deal first, get financing in order (which I didn't need, and incidentally, I drove by today and the Finance guy is DRIVING IT....), and FINALLY, we drove on the lot of another Ford dealership, this ****** told me to GO HOME and look at his inventory online and call him and he would give me a price. I told him to get fukked (he kinda stood there lifeless, right after I told him I had just talked to the sales manager 30 minutes before....just typical dealer BS.

I have had EXCEPTIONAL service at the local Mercedes Benz dealer, and in the last 2 years I've purchased 3 of them... (but my FIRST experience with them was great as well)... I still get phone calls and hand written mail from my salesman (whos at a BMW dealer now).

I spend $800 plus fuel ($175) and a day of my life to deal with Randy, even though I COULD have worked the same deal (eventually) here locally. Sometimes its not about the price as much as it is the service.
 

TheJoker

FRF Addict
Joined
Dec 6, 2010
Posts
4,124
Reaction score
3,374
Location
N. E. Massachusetts
Great write up Houston, makes me wish mine was here... and that I called Randy. lol! I got a great deal from a great dealer, maybe I will get a ESP from Randy. PLEASE post pics.
 

6.2

Banned
Joined
Jul 11, 2010
Posts
17,803
Reaction score
1,626
Location
Canada
Well I think when the time comes I'll have to get Randy to put some miles on one and sell it to me as "used" haha
 


Write your reply...
Top