2005Explorer

I just got a new 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor and to my surprise I learned today that the '24 and '25 had signal lights on the mirrors. Mine? Like a magic trick... Deleted.

I was one of the Ranger sales. My 2026 Ranger Raptor in Marsh Gray. I saw it sitting in front of my local Ford dealer and decided it was time to upgrade from my 2022 Ranger Tremor.

As a 2026 Ranger Raptor owner I would agree with this statement. It’s “OK” but I’d question if B&O had anything to do with that audio system other than supplying a branded logo. It’s pretty much what Ford would have branded “Ford Premium Sound” back in the day. The best sounding stock Ford audio I ever had was in a 2005 Explorer with the “premium sound” including a factory subwoofer in the back cargo area. IIRC it was a system made by Visteon. I don’t know who is currently Ford’s audio supplier, but it’s not B&O.

I think the 5.0 V8 is a better V8 offering in a light duty versus the 7.3 which seems much more focused to heavy duty work versus day to day performance. Ford offers the Powerboost if you really need the ultimate in towing capacity. Basically if the 5.0 isn't V8 enough you're likely overworking an F-150 anyhow.

I know people that have recently bought F150s that wanted the V8 as well so it's not just GM or Ram thing. Although Ford sells more V6 Ecoboosts it is smart to offer a V8 option. From everything I've read the 5.0 V8 accounts for about 20-25% of F-150 sales. That's a plenty large enough share to continue to offer it and give buyers a choice. The fact that the F150 uses the same block and many components of the 5.0 in the Mustang likely helps keep costs lower with the increase in production volume. Ford has been smart to continue the 5.0 V8 in the F-150 and I'd argue it's the best V8 in a 1/2 ton truck offered right now by any manufacturer. The GM V8s (especially the 6.2) is plagued with problems. The HEMI is very inefficient for it's size and has had a host of it's own issues.

There was a former member of this site that banned himself wanting Ford to spin off Ford Blue from Ford Motor Company ASAP. If they’d had done that Ford would have been bankrupt. The spin off probably would have survived, but the original company going forward as Ford Model e only? Toast.

I don't care what anyone says... Ford isn't Ford without a sedan. I'd love to see this added to the line-up.

It didn’t need any reinforcement on the 2019-2023 models. Why would they go backwards on bed strength?

You're right it can be and you absolutely need a vehicle mix that can bring in more price conscience buyers along with those aspirational vehicles that make huge profit. Affordable vehicles can be attractive and sell in enough volume to make good profits. I believe Ford knows this as a mainstream brand. I just brought up the example of Stallantis because they took the route of short term profits by jacking up prices to astronomical levels while cutting almost every affordable model out of their line. If you've been following any of the news their current situation is turning into a disaster. I'm friends with a young man who was at a Ram dealership and he transferred to a Chevy dealership owned by the same company. He was literally making no money trying to sell Ram trucks. He said the lot was full of overpriced old stock that nobody wanted. Stallantis expected them to sell overpriced stuff that was sitting on the lot well over a year without incentives. Luckily he's at a Chevy dealer now and can sell product because they have a good selection of vehicles that are attractive to all different types of customers. He's making a lot more money at the Chevy dealership. I think it's safe to assume the dealership that's moving a lot of metal on a daily basis is making more money than the dealer with product just sitting there even if the handful they can move in the month have great ATPs.

It's not really working for Stallantis. Sure ATPs on that chart above look amazing until you realize how much lot rot is going on. You can buy brand new 2022 and 2023 Jeeps and Rams. Now they have to idle some plants for months? Terrible management only looking at ATPs and nothing else. There has to be balance between volume and profit margin to keep a healthy business.

I think trying to turn Ford into an exclusivity brand would work about as well as it has for Stallantis trying to do the same with Jeep and Ram.

Stallantis already tried that with ridiculous price increases on Jeeps and Rams. Jeeps and Rams fill the lots and aren’t selling. Some dealers have 3 model years still sitting on the lots. Short term it made for great profits, but long term it's been a disaster.

That all might be true, but spec wise it's virtually identical in rear legroom to the last gen. To be fair I haven't sat in one to see for my own eyes, but interior specs are all within an inch.

I'm guessing the engineers had a pretty tight budget on the Ranger refresh and that's why the cab was carried over, however if you start stretching the cab way out without widening it it'll look goofy. If you also widen it a few inches while stretching it what's the point? You basically have built a 98% F-150. The Maverick actually has a little more cab room than the Ranger if you want a bit more. The new Ranger is likely not doing that well because of a few reasons. Supply is probably the biggest one, but when lots are full of F150s discounts are available on them. Throw a more affordable Maverick under it and discounted F150 STXs above it and it has a very narrow market lane. I have a Ranger because it's what I consider to be the perfect size and capability for me, but I'm not your average customer.

It's down 12 HP because they are sticking a gas particulate filter on it. I expect more check engine lights in the future for these owners. Just ask modern light duty diesel owners about emissions issues.