Fence Sitting on Ranger Raptor or Ranger Lariat

[Onceaneagle]

i am 57. Had a f150 Lariat 10 years ago. Loved it.
If you need to tow. Don't get a Raptor.
The Ranger is a truck.
The Raptor is an event. LOVE driving that thing. Love driving it anywhere. To the store, across town, 10 hours on the highway, or on trails. The thing is awesome.

If you want a nice mid size truck,don't get a Raptor.
If you need to tow, don't get a Raptor.
If you want to enjoy driving. Get a Raptor.

Thanks! Well put.

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[ChuckyB24]

A couple of thoughts: after driving the RR, I am unsure if you will feel the need to swap shocks or a pipe. The ride is exceptional on all terrain and with 2 presses of a button on your steering wheel, you can open the exhaust. It might not be loud enough for some but it's the first thing I do after the engine turns over. While not a fan of Ford's "red-means-performance" theme inside, the truck is such fun to drive that I don't even see it any more. And if a touch fewer mpgs is no deal breaker, get the performance tune right away as it's covered by the factory and really makes a difference in torque and horsepower as well for a very reasonable sum of money (IMHO). Best wishes with your decision - 2 good choices!

 

[Onceaneagle]

Not sure if your working with Long - McArthur in Salina, KS - but they are a great dealership. Tim Bartz ([email protected]) is very active on Youtube and provides the Ford community with a ton of info. They seem to have a truck that fits your description: Ruby Red Lariat with 2.7 EB, 4x4. Only options on the truck are the Ruby Red color upgrade, 2.7EB and running boards. MSRP is $52,470 they have $4k off so $48,470. If you call, they might come off of that a bit more. Plus, they will ship the truck at very reasonable price. https://www.long-mcarthur.com/new-Salina-2025-Ford-Ranger-LARIAT-1FTER4KP3SLE41359

That truck has a green window sticker special order. Does not have everything I want anyway. I am dealing through Conklin Ford in Newton, KS, but many people I know also went through L-M Ford.

 

[fordtrks4ever]

And you have hit the nail on the head. I have owned a 1980 Vette, a 280Zx, a 300ZX, a Saab 900 Turbo, and an Eagle Talon, all bought new. Then I became a home owner. Bought a Ranger Stx and have had nothing but trucks since. Now I am a geezer home owner. Go practical or not, for a couple days a week driving? I drive about 5000 miles a year. My wife's 2024 Escape Titanium just went over 4500 miles and had its one year oil change.

I know what you are saying.
My wife's 2025 Odyssey purchased 1 year ago has 4200 miles just did first oil change.
Only sport vehicle was a used high mileage 86 Thunderbird turbo coupe owed about 18 months and needed a pickup which is all I have owed since.

 

[Bushmechanic]

I am also retired 75 and looking at a 2025 Raptor.
I will most likely never go off roading
I tow 4100 lbs. 320lbs. Tonge weight once a year Raptor can handle that.
The insurance I could live with as under 5000 miles a year driven
It will be that sport vehicle I always wished for
Sometimes you have to go enjoy life while you can.
Raptor will be priced below MSRP.
My trade is 40k to 42K
Onlly financing $12,000 for 36 mo.
Yes the red in the interior not my style either but I can live with.

I figure I am going for it
Life can be short

I hated every picture of the interior I saw (it looked like a cheap PC gaming peripheral from 2007 fitted with gaming chairs from 2015), and I despise orange with a passion. Hell, I don't even like red.

When I actually got inside the one I bought, however, I was well pleased with the interior. It's much higher quality than one might expect, and the red/orange isn't obtrusive at all.

It's just not photogenic, for some reason. Even if I took the picture properly, it would have to be artificially lit to look even remotely like it does in person.

 

[fordtrks4ever]

I hated every picture of the interior I saw (it looked like a cheap PC gaming peripheral from 2007 fitted with gaming chairs from 2015), and I despise orange with a passion. Hell, I don't even like red.

When I actually got inside the one I bought, however, I was well pleased with the interior. It's much higher quality than one might expect, and the red/orange isn't obtrusive at all.

It's just not photogenic, for some reason. Even if I took the picture properly, it would have to be artificially lit to look even remotely like it does in person.

Thanks for confirming the red is not that bad
I am no fan of red interiors either.

 

[schwartzki]

Drove both...wound up justifying the RR. It is just a FUN truck. I found an 11mo old used one for 10k off MSRP.

 

[rstaples1]

I had the same choice. I chose the Lariat as the truck was going to be my daily driver and I put on around 35,000 miles a year. So, I wanted something less "off road" oriented (mainly the tires) than the Raptor that was on the lot. I love my Lariat.

 

[Onceaneagle]

FYI. Well, this has been really interesting, and man do I appreciate the very helpful comments and suggestions. I called my insurance company and asked which of the two VIN I provided changed anything after trading in my F150, the Raptor or the Lariat. Exactly the same cost: $10 a month increase. $60 for six months. $120 a year. And I have low rates now.

 

[cc1999]

Both are really nice trucks.
I didn't read through all the pages but if no one mention TCO or resale values and how that can play a factor in Total cost to own figures, and those figures are important to you.

I would venture to say even with a price premium and fuel mileage deficit when comparring the Raptor to the other trims. I am betting based on how strong the resale values are proving to on the Raptors, that the TCO would be lower on the Raptor compared to Lariat, the Raptor might even the lowest of all the Ranger trims due to it very strong residual values.

 

[Onceaneagle]

A couple of thoughts: after driving the RR, I am unsure if you will feel the need to swap shocks or a pipe. The ride is exceptional on all terrain and with 2 presses of a button on your steering wheel, you can open the exhaust. It might not be loud enough for some but it's the first thing I do after the engine turns over. While not a fan of Ford's "red-means-performance" theme inside, the truck is such fun to drive that I don't even see it any more. And if a touch fewer mpgs is no deal breaker, get the performance tune right away as it's covered by the factory and really makes a difference in torque and horsepower as well for a very reasonable sum of money (IMHO). Best wishes with your decision - 2 good choices!

That is part of my decision because I would sink accessory money into the Lariat but most of what I would do is already in the Raptor.

 

[Pops]

I had a 22 Ranger Lariat tremor that I drove for 44k. Loved it but I have been looking at the RR since they came out in 24. Finally found what I wanted with out a dealer up charge and got a 25 in June. 4k on it and it’s the best and most fun vehicle I’ve ever owned. Runs on regular, averaging 18.6 mpg. In my area the few used RR I see advertised, are more than I paid new. So my opinion is buy the RR not the FX4!

 

[Onceaneagle]

Thanks for confirming the red is not that bad
I am no fan of red interiors either.

I had a red leather interior in my then dream car, a new 1980 Corvette with the L48 and a 4 speed manual. I had saved for years and paid cash at dealer invoice, 5K off. I did not notice the red color anymore after a couple weeks because I was more involved with the fiberglass nose unbolting on the Interstate, a brand new rear end after 400 miles, a new clutch cable at 550 miles, and a new wiring harness at 3500 miles. Found out I had bought one of the last ten Vettes built at the St. Louis plant before they moved to Bowling Green. Dealer knew it, thus the invoice price. Traded it for a new 1982 280ZX and got more on trade than I paid. I wonder about all those Ford Edge models built in Canada, as the factory was shutting down in 2024.

 

[hand-filer]

I had a red leather interior in my then dream car, a new 1980 Corvette with the L48 and a 4 speed manual. I had saved for years and paid cash at dealer invoice, 5K off. I did not notice the red color anymore after a couple weeks because I was more involved with the fiberglass nose unbolting on the Interstate, a brand new rear end after 400 miles, a new clutch cable at 550 miles, and a new wiring harness at 3500 miles. Found out I had bought one of the last ten Vettes built at the St. Louis plant before they moved to Bowling Green. Dealer knew it, thus the invoice price. Traded it for a new 1982 280ZX and got more on trade than I paid. I wonder about all those Ford Edge models built in Canada, as the factory was shutting down in 2024.

They were assembled with the same care as all previous Edges and Nautiluses. It's how we do things here.
P.S. For context, I previously owned a 2019 Nautilus. Of the dozen + new vehicles I have owned over the years, it was by far the best built of all of them. Zero issues and zero recalls in the 5 years I owned it. No squeaks or rattles, it felt like you were in a vault. The Ranger is a good truck but it doesn't hold a candle to the build quality of the vehicles that were produced in Oakville.
Ford's decision to stop production of the Edge/Nautilus at the Oakville plant was idiotic in my humble opinion.

 

[gmpetrie]

I have a ‘25 Lariat 2.7L with the FX4 package and love the truck. I do a lot of highway and dirt road driving and the Lariat is really comfortable for both. Recent 3,000 mile round trip between MT and CA averaged 24mpg on 87 gas.

Lariat has higher towing and payload capacity so I am told.

You’ll likely be really happy with either choice, but I am really happy with my Lariat 2.7L FX4.

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