Why buy a Raptor??

[motorbreath]

I get virtually the same mpg out of the Raptor as I did my 3V 5.4 reg cab/short FX4...

Virtually the same?

I owned a 2008 5.4 as well, it was terrible on fuel and felt like it was towing 10 000 lbs ALL THE TIME! haha.

I have a 2010 4.6 3v 6 speed right now.. It is by far the best motor I've ever had in a truck. Awesome throttle response, great fuel mileage (anywhere from 21 mpg to 15 depending on how you drive), and decent power (300hp I believe)!!

So to move up to 411hp I am willing to take a little loss in fuel mileage..

I don't agree with the statement "If you have to ask yourself then its not for you" Man... I've never been sure of anything in my life haha. I always second guess myself when making a big purchase. I take a long time to convince myself, as there have been a couple times where I jumped too quick and didn't get what I truly wanted/needed. The only thing I knew I wanted as soon as I looked at it was my 2007 Ford Mustang GT/CS in grabber orange.. I seen it one day and bought it the next, and I still love the car just as much as day 1!!

Keep it coming you guys!

 

[AdkRaptor150]

I have to agree with GJMcManus- but go with an fx4- put a suspension lift in and oversized tires but then kiss your warranty goodbye. Every heard of the 90's song I got the power or some shit like that. Yeh well with this truck you got the power to do what you want when you want. Its simple go with the fx4 and possibly regret or go with the monster and never regret. Price wise you can find it for cheaper then 60 fully loaded. Ask Randy bet he could work out a better deal for you.

Never second guess yourself- you only live once might as well enjoy it.

 

[MTUH3]

I agree with Humvee, this truck was the closest thing to my Hummer that I could buy new. Think of the 2012, with the new Torsen Front End.

35" Tires
Longer travel suspension
Smooth Ride
Wide Stance
Electronic rear locker (FX4 has the same)
Did anyone mention 411 hp?
Limited Production - Should hold better value.
People love it. Even the guys at the dealership ask me about the truck when I am in.

Now, if this will be your DD and
you live say 30 miles+ from work,
you routinely (minimum once per month) haul dirt, rock, poo, home improvement stuff and plan on hauling that in the bed, the small bed size might not be right for you.
you don't like attention
may be the Raptor will be more annoying than fun (hit at the pump and difficulty cramming stuff in the bed and not wanting to ding it
Also remember that with an FX4 you will be able to find incentives / employee discounts that you cannot get on the Raptor.

I looked at buying a power stroke 350 for my vehicle, but when I though about what I would really be towing at the Max (my H3) the 8000 lb towing capacity was just enough on the raptor. So i felt with the Raptor I got everything I wanted for about the same price.

If I bought an FX4 - which I also was considering... Do I really need a Raptor?

35" tires - $1500(yes they would have been a better tire like MTR or KM2)
Lift Kit - $1500 - $2000 and the downside is I HATE the look of a 6" lift with to fit 35" tires.
Wheels - $1000 because often you need to change the backset with lifts and would go for something with better looks
Power - Extimating another $2500 (intake, exhaust, programmer, ect) to get close to 411 hp

So I figured I would build up an Fx4 with more interior crap for 40k
45,000 Truck
+6,500 in goodies to make it what I want
-5,000 in incentives or other savings

Fx4 came out to like 46,500

I got my truck - minus taxes and crap for 48,000

Now all I need is to add some likes - done
and tweek some skid plates and stuff for wheeling in MI

The extra 1500 bucks is worth it.
Truck looks better, has everything out of the box so it is covered under warranty, and it won't take me two months of taking it so shops and ordering parts to get it up to MY specifications.

So yeah, I HAD to have it in the end

 

[Big Blue]

I hate to use an old Harley cliche but...

If I have to explain...you wouldnt understand.

The raptor is in a class by itself.

 

[Stepside]

~ When You Turn It On ~ It Turns You On ~

 

[mpyle101]

If I bought an FX4 - which I also was considering... Do I really need a Raptor?

35" tires - $1500(yes they would have been a better tire like MTR or KM2)
Lift Kit - $1500 - $2000 and the downside is I HATE the look of a 6" lift with to fit 35" tires.
Wheels - $1000 because often you need to change the backset with lifts and would go for something with better looks
Power - Extimating another $2500 (intake, exhaust, programmer, ect) to get close to 411 hp

So I figured I would build up an Fx4 with more interior crap for 40k
45,000 Truck
+6,500 in goodies to make it what I want
-5,000 in incentives or other savings

This.

This same type of calculation got me to trade in my 2010 FX4 and order a 2012 raptor (and don't forget regearing which is another $1000 or so after parts, labor and tax - give or take). Then, when your all done, you might have warranty issues, you might have fitment issues (my FX4 had some bump steer after I leveled it) and ,if you go to sell it, little to none of that money is coming back. With a Raptor I get all that stuff stock, dialed in at the factory, with a warranty and, if I ever have to sell it, the "goodies" are part of the base price of the truck.

Plus...it's a really freakin' cool truck.

 

[CineSLR]

If you want a toy, build a junker and build it right. If you want something new that you can drive every day the Raptor is it. There is a lot more to the raptor than 35s and nice shocks. If that's why your buying it, save the cash and get an FX4. Its a more than capable truck. The Raptor isn't just built for off road,its built for speed. Its 7" wider which allows for the extra suspension travel, but more importantly it keeps the truck stable at speed over rough terrain.

 

[dabsdb]

I too had the same quandry; buy an FX4 or Raptor.

I ended up buying a FX4, 5.0L, 6.5' box, lux package with nav unit ($40,015) & then put on 3" leveling kit ($185) 17" Raptor wheels ($800) with 35x12.5 tires ($1400), power running boards ($1000), Frontier brush guard ($650), Bedslide ($1000), bilat gun/rod boxes ($550) & BakFlip lid ($900). FX4 total cost, before taxes = ~$46,500, compared to the best Raptor with nav price quote before taxes ~$49,550.

Reasons to buy Raptor:
Wow factor
Wow factor
Wow factor

Reasons to buy FX4:
Same off road capability as a Raptor, as long as you go slow
6.5 ft box will carry more, to do more when you get there
Pulls a trailer better
~$3100 less than Raptor, even after all the extras
~$1000-2000 less in fuel costs/yr, I average of 16.3 MPG with 35x12.5x17 tires
The 5.0L engine with 3.73 gears performance is awesome
And no affect on warrantee


But, an FX4 is no substitue for a Raptor. I got to have one & I can use 2 trucks. Plan is to buy a used 2011 or 2012 Raptor screw in late spring or early fall 2012 from someone who is tired of the "wow factor" & the payments.

 

[whtrapta]

You will never get tired of the WOW factor in a raptor! Turn the key and it brings you right back!

 

[6.2]

I too had the same quandry; buy an FX4 or Raptor.

I ended up buying a FX4, 5.0L, 6.5' box, lux package with nav unit ($40,015) & then put on 3" leveling kit ($185) 17" Raptor wheels ($800) with 35x12.5 tires ($1400), power running boards ($1000), Frontier brush guard ($650), Bedslide ($1000), bilat gun/rod boxes ($550) & BakFlip lid ($900). FX4 total cost, before taxes = ~$46,500, compared to the best Raptor with nav price quote before taxes ~$49,550.

Reasons to buy Raptor:
Wow factor
Wow factor
Wow factor

Reasons to buy FX4:
Same off road capability as a Raptor, as long as you go slow
6.5 ft box will carry more, to do more when you get there
Pulls a trailer better
~$3100 less than Raptor, even after all the extras
~$1000-2000 less in fuel costs/yr, I average of 16.3 MPG with 35x12.5x17 tires
The 5.0L engine with 3.73 gears performance is awsome


But, an FX4 is no substitue for a Raptor. I got to have one & I can use 2 trucks. Plan is to buy a used 2011 or 2012 Raptor screw in late spring or early fall 2012 from someone who is tired of the "wow factor" & the payments.

PICS!!


-Sent from my iPhone