Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests A few Questions about trucks

Real Quickly <hopefully>, Here's the deal...

I have been at an internet search for the last 6hrs, nothing...getting real unhappy. I am relocating to Houston, TX. from Livonia, MI. August 1...that will come into play later...due to a career change. I will be a project manager for a construction company, and making a large amount more than I do now <receiving manager for Bed, Bath & Beyond> and will need to travel to various construction sites, meaning the 'tour will not be a wise vehicle choice, especially since the trans. just went sour. I am in the market for a new f150...here's where the questions start!

1. I was at a dealer ship today looking at f150's, and a roush fx4 caught my eye. WOW, it was amazing looking. Being from Livonia, I should know more about them <roush>, but don't. I have no clue what stage this truck was, but it was black with silver stripes, had chrome 20" wheels, and some other asthetic properties. Can anyone tell me whether, or how, I can tell the roush stage this truck is, and is a roush truck even worth the money? I have always wanted a "big" truck, mostly meaning lifted, to basically look good, as well as do some minor offroading/mudding. I am not looking for anything rediculous, just maybe a 6" lift and some tires, say 36" or so. I do not believe that this roush was s/c. Since it is Sunday, I could not speak with anyone at the dealership.

2. I really liked the roush, and would not change/modify it if I bought it. My other option is simply buy/lease a regular fx4, add some lift, tires and brush guard and call it cool. This option is only if I buy it obviously, where as leave it stock if I leased it. Which option <buy or lease> is better?...I know it is a personal question, yet wondering what y'all thought would be better and why. I have never owned/financed a new car/truck, so this has never come across my plate.

3. In my search, I found that people with lifted trucks often spoke of "leveling" it, and was wondering what that was/meant and why it would be advantageous? Also, I have read that lift/tires can cause loss in power...why is that?

4. Should I just go with a new pony and say the hell with a truck, even though that would not be the best choice for a vehicle in my career, due to my decent knowlege of cars, and obvious lack thereof of trucks?

I have "A" plan, if that helps at all in my decision.

Sorry this got long, but any advice/input would be greatly appreciated...thankx for looking

Matthew R. Beal

i think the Roush version would definitely have a higher resale value and be easier to sell later. you may want to check roush's website for more info on what else you get. that or ask the dealer.

as far as the lift/tires causing loss of power. i dont think the lift has anything do with it but the tires do. as you increase the overall diameter of the wheel the vehicle gets much more sluggish. most trucks with huge lifts/tires get the gearing re-done to alleviate this. but, you have to leave it like that or have the gearing re-done again back to stock. im sure that Roush truck already comes with what it needs, in that respect. if you buy a 4x4 (or 4x2) and put much bigger tires on it than you'll want to do this. you dont have to, but it will kinda suck. my truck had just 33" tires and it was sluggish. lifted trucks are expensive and you wont get very much out of what you put into it (like all car modding). that's why id say just go for the Roush if you really like it and would leave it how it comes. you wont have to dump more money into it and youll get much more back when you go to get rid of it.

if you get bored of cars real easily, like i do, then i say go for the lease. it costs a little more but youre not stuck trying to sell a vehicle later. although as i mentioned above, i dont think anything Roush, Saleen, etc.. takes long to sell.

The FX4 is a Ford trim level not a Roush trim level. It's like just rims, Exhuast and some interior upgrades. For a work truck they are a complete waste.

For what you pay in Roush upgrades you could do twice as much on your own.

-Andy