First truck EVER - 22 XLT 5.0L

[GregBC]

So! After over 2 yrs of searching, researching, asking questions, used vs new, Silverado vs F150, I made the commitment: flew an hour out to Vernon BC to pick up a new truck from Watkins Motors. (Who is apparently the oldest ford dealership in Canada).

Overall experience was good - at this point, I knew what we wanted (4x4, SCREW, 360 camera, tailgate step), what we didn’t (moonroof), and what I was blasé on (FX4, appearance pkg). I actually got nearly 3k off msrp - not like the old days, I guess, but better than I’ve seen over the last few years. Also got 1.5% financing -I had almost pulled trigger on a used one that was around $46k but the 8% financing and 100k km mileage was just too much for me.

Drive back was great - if you know that area, it’s a gorgeous slice of the world and I wasn’t in a rush. For nearly 100km I was behind a semi on a single-lane road going 70-80kmh - got mileage over 23mpg early on! The climbs out of Kamloops and Merritt killed it then it settled out at 22.2mpg for a 470km (300mi) trip. Light foot, empty truck, Eco mode: probably never going to be this good again, lol!

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[3DogKnight]

Enjoy your truck. I really like mine.

 

[bfastr]

you lucky dawg!! I am jealously waiting on a truck sitting somewhere in Michigan.
looks very nice. happy to see someone in a new truck

 

[SupraVu]

Congrats on the truck. Did the dealer tell you why the filler trim piece around the license plate is missing?

 

[GregBC]

Congrats on the truck. Did the dealer tell you why the filler trim piece around the license plate is missing?

. The first picture was before they put on the plates. It looks ok now…I think?

 

[GregBC]

Congrats on the truck. Did the dealer tell you why the filler trim piece around the license plate is missing?

Or do you mean there’s a piece that goes in that gap? I’ll have to ask them.

 

[SupraVu]

There's suppose to be a

Or do you mean there’s a piece that goes in that gap? I’ll have to ask them.

There's a piece that goes in the gap for 5.0s since we dont have an intercooler

 

[GEN14OWNER]

So! After over 2 yrs of searching, researching, asking questions, used vs new, Silverado vs F150, I made the commitment: flew an hour out to Vernon BC to pick up a new truck from Watkins Motors. (Who is apparently the oldest ford dealership in Canada).

Overall experience was good - at this point, I knew what we wanted (4x4, SCREW, 360 camera, tailgate step), what we didn’t (moonroof), and what I was blasé on (FX4, appearance pkg). I actually got nearly 3k off msrp - not like the old days, I guess, but better than I’ve seen over the last few years. Also got 1.5% financing -I had almost pulled trigger on a used one that was around $46k but the 8% financing and 100k km mileage was just too much for me.

Drive back was great - if you know that area, it’s a gorgeous slice of the world and I wasn’t in a rush. For nearly 100km I was behind a semi on a single-lane road going 70-80kmh - got mileage over 23mpg early on! The climbs out of Kamloops and Merritt killed it then it settled out at 22.2mpg for a 470km (300mi) trip. Light foot, empty truck, Eco mode: probably never going to be this good again, lol!

You must be pretty happy. That’s a beautiful truck!

I pretty much did the same thing. Started my research in 2019, test drove everything out there.. all different brands, models etc…

Made my decision in November 2020 and went to the local dealership with my cash down payment in hand, expecting to drive home in my new F150.

NOT!

They didn’t have anything even close to the truck I wanted so we (the Dealership & I) spent 5 months scouring the nation for my truck. I had 250k Frequent Flyer miles so I was prepared to fly anywhere in the country to pick it up.

Nothing! (Covid)


So I had to order it. NINE MONTHS and SIX rescheduled build dates later my truck was delivered almost exactly 1 year after I went in to buy it.

I envy you your ability to just pick one up off the lot. But all that waiting does pretty much eliminate any second guessing and having done the research you did, I doubt you’re second guessing your decision.

You’re driving it, you know. The new F150 is an amazing piece of modern technology built upon 50+/- years of refinement.

Congratulations and ENJOY!

 

[GregBC]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah it’s very similar to my story. I almost came full circle to what I had originally wanted (2.7L PP 301A FX4 6-seat) but back then, I had doubts, looked at Powerboost, almost ordered Silverado Duramax LT (also a good truck IMO) then decided to look at used.

Found OK used trucks out to Alberta (12hr drive back) and almost went over to Vancouver to get a used one till I saw the interest rates - just couldn’t swallow paying that much interest on a vehicle out of warranty/100k km mileage.

We circled back to new and almost put in an order for a 23 and accept the 6-8-10mos wait then used autotrader.ca search functions to help me find some 22’s with the primary feature (360 camera) we wanted. From there, a couple dealers had options and one offered a semi-decent deal. I had long written off the 5L as an engine option but when that engine was in the truck with the best options/price, did some more research and realized it’s a decent engine! And also ended up with 1810lbs payload, way more than the 2.7L used models I found.

I think I test drove 6 different trucks, haha. Diesel, 2.7L, 3.5L, mid-size… so had a decent idea how each felt and what options were musts (360 camera, tailgate step), and which were not. The trucks on lots had a lot of similar options so it ultimately came down to which ones had the LEAST extra stuff that I didn’t need. Bonus thst this one came on a color I liked, haha!

The whole process felt like the saying “give me 8 hrs to chop down a tree, I’ll spend 7hrs sharpening the axe.” Lol. I felt there were times I knew more than the dealers. For the final dealership, I think they respected that I knew a bit and it made the process a little smoother, I felt. I’d recommend them to others.

Also shoutout to Pacific Coastal airlines. Cheapest and easiest flight I’ve ever had! The dealer also picked me up in Kelowna and I was on the highway (to grab my first accessory: a tailgate pad for mtn bikes, then home) in a bit over 3 hrs after landing.

 

[powerboatr]

outstanding there Sailor
how is a US navy guy in Canada
enjoy the new truck, that grey is a great color

 

[GregBC]

outstanding there Sailor
how is a US navy guy in Canada
enjoy the new truck, that grey is a great color

Haha I married a Canadian when I was in Hawaii. After I retired, she had the first choice to where to settle. Fortunately was able to find a job related to my background. Been really enjoying living up here. BC and Vanc Island are pretty nice slices of the world.

 

[Pedaldude]

Congrats on the truck. Did the dealer tell you why the filler trim piece around the license plate is missing?

. The first picture was before they put on the plates. It looks ok now…I think?

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/missing-lower-louvers.2638/#post-39404

The 5.0 gets the solid insert,

unless you have a block heater;

Then you get the same insert as the Eco/Powerboost trucks so that there’s access to the plug.

At least that’s how it’s supposed to be. I would imagine that the block heater is a popular option in North Dakota.

Is this the plug?

Sure looks like it!

 

[Kevin7898]

I'm a little further up island, welcome to the ford family. traded in my 13 on this very lightly used 21 with all the options i wanted, sans heated steering wheel, but im working on that.

 

[GregBC]

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/missing-lower-louvers.2638/#post-39404

Thanks for that! I’ll let the dealer know… I’m curious if it’s omitted for allCanadian vehicles or not. And seeing it in place, not sure if I prefer it or just leave open as-is!

 

[GregBC]

I'm a little further up island, welcome to the ford family. traded in my 13 on this very lightly used 21 with all the options i wanted, sans heated steering wheel, but im working on that.

Nice! Most of my trucks life will be spent on the island (and other islands) - really looking forward to exploring further off the beaten path and exploring out beyond Campbell River.

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