2008 F250SD: Get Ready for Plastic and Fiberglass

[wharrell]

Checked out a new 2008 F250 King Ranch this weekend. Overall, I'm not sold on them. They come off with somewhat of a cheap feel to them. Lots of fiberglass and plastic in many places.

Bumpers: No longer chrome metal

Running Boards: Flimsy fiberglass with no Diamond Plate surface. The running board noticeably flexed under my 6'4 200# weight. The camel fiberglass running board with no diamond plate will scuff heavily with your boots. (Fiberglass Camel Colored Running Boards on King Ranch) (The regular Lariats still have the metal ones)

Front Grill: Can you say flimsy? And the entire grill lifts up when you open the hood.

Interior Dash: Flexible flimsy plastic in many places. The top dash is the same and is black, even in the camel colored interior. Will be hot as blazes in summer.

Navigation package and audiphile system was nice, but should be for 2.5 grand. A rip.

New King Ranch Leather Seats: Seats have a different form to them. No longer Castrano. Still a natural leather that needs your special care and upkeep. Overall, leather was more supple, but not sure how it will age as it dries out and needs treatment.

New Engine: Diesel? Well it says it is, but it does not sound like one anymore. And no diesel familiar oder from the exhaust.

Hopefully they will firm things up over the next year and get the kinks out of the engine.

The think that took the cake was the sales rep. He knew hardly a thing about the truck. His comment. "I'm just starting starting to learn on the F250's so I am going to learn with you". I did not say a word as I did not want to hurt his feelings. He obviously had not traning. And this was a sales rep at the largest Ford truck dealership in the Charlotte, NC area.



I think I'll wait a year.

[jason1168tx]

Wow. I was thoroughly impressed with the interior and exterior styling compared to the several Chevrolets I have owned prior to buying my first Ford ever! To each his own, I guess.

[Ranch96]

Those big 'ol chome bumper sides on the new chevys is plastic too! I don't see what they are thinking with plastic bumpers. Not even the flexible kind of plastic, the hard kind that will crack if you bump anything!
...and about the salesman....I was at the Houston Stock Show and Ford had a big setup with some new 08 SD's there. I commented to the Ford guy there....."Thats a big 'ol intercooler"..and he said..."No, thats an oil cooler"

[Over29]

I didn't notice much flex in the boards for me. I must be the only one to think it still sounds like a diesel. and the seats are supposed to be a better leather then the Castano for stain and durability.

[OLDTOM]

I checked an 08 out today while dropping off my 04 for a recall. The interior looked more like an import suv than at work truck. The only thing that I liked was the tailgate step. Looks like I'll be keeping the 04 for a long time. The sales person even suggested when I asked about the 6.4 to give them several years to get the bugs out. Not a good way to sell a new truck but at least he was honest.

[Jon]

on the '08 SD is A+! Big step forward in looks and comfort. Still have a strong chassis platform and the 6.4 is stout. Not to mention it has the best stock stereo I have ever heard! Drive a 6 speed once and see what you think.

[Logan]

Why a six speed?

[Jon]

really get an appreciation of the motor when you are in control of the shifting!

[Logan]

OK, just wondering

[97_obs_ford]

wharrel,
what dealership did you go to in charlotte so i can steer clear?