That reads like a Marvel comic... LMAO

 

If not to late add the BLIS blind spot warning. It's an option on the XLT that I wish I'd have added when i built mine.

 

If I could get an XLT with keyless ignition I definitely would have went that route over my platinum.

 

My wife is just the opposite. I added Lariat visors to my XLT with Homelink/lighted mirrors. When I showed her she told me I shouldn't have wasted the money on a lighted mirror on the passenger side. (I figured while I was doing it, I would do it all the way.)

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadAltitude

Last fall I bought a 2017 XLT, Chrome, Screw, Max Tow, 302A, Nav. I do not regret my decisions on price points.

[...] If you drive in a climate where snowpack is fairly uniform, I don't think 4A is valuable because you clearly need 4H or 2H, and that's all. So my advice is the value of 4A depends on where you drive and the nature of snowpack.

It depends on the place where you drive - absolutely right!! I see other members from my province not giving up on 4A. Maybe they feel more comfortable using it. I don't! Some members and I had a debate on another thread about 4A and posted our conclusions there. I got a better picture of the thing, but
Coming from an XLT and other 4x4 vehicles, I trust way more 4H any day. If the road is slippery, it won't bind so I can use it and if the road isn't slippery then all I need is 2H.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadAltitude

I suggest you are making a mistake not getting Max tow. You likely will be tempted to start towing, and the cost is relatively low, for a number of features which create value whether you tow or not. Skip the liner and you are about halfway to the cost of Max tow.

If you're in time and foresee some heavy towing down the road, follow the advice. If you're not towing anything above 9K Lbs, then save the money.

 

@ rliles1
go understand them women

 

Lots of good advice here, and it's interesting to see the differing points of view. All of them are worthwhile.

If the OP is stuck on the 4A issue, I would venture to say that it's the one feature I don't have that could have been a worthwhile upgrade to me. But it certainly isn't worth $5-10k to me. I personally think it can be a good feature for soccer moms (maybe that's unfair) or those with less interest in the technical aspects of how the Ford 4WD system works... and for those who live in areas where road conditions dictate very frequent switching between 4WD and 2WD. For the rest of us, which I believe is most of us, I think it's an unnecessary convenience.

I'm probably biased because nobody drives my truck but me. In a different situation, I might look harder at having 4A. But at the same time, anybody who can learn to drive can also learn when to use 4WD. And you have to admit, switching in and out in the fly is a huge convenience by itself -- although it's commonplace now, I remember well lockout hubs and such...

 

I totally agree. I'm the only one who drives my truck, my wife won't drive it and sticks to her Lincoln MKS. You either need 4WD or you don't. Knowing when to put it into 4WD comes from experience and is part of learning to drive. It not the days of the old manual 4WD hubs anymore, just a quick twist of a **** in the cab when conditions warrant using 4WD. Even with owning a truck with 4A, I never used it. Maybe okay for some but 4WD works great for me.

 

The way they bundle options I don't think I could be completely happy with an XLT or a Lariat. I don't like leather seats, but I would want LED head and tail lights. Of course you could always add LEDs to an XLT the DIY way, but it would probably cost between $2k-$3k to do it.
I've enjoyed having 4A for the last 13 months, but I lived without it for the previous 35 years. My other ride (92 Bronco) has manual hubs. When I know I may need 4wd I just leave them locked in and I can shift on the fly if I do need 4wd.

 

Maybe consider trying an entirely different approach although I'm sure it's too late since the thread was started in January.

Don't worry about trim levels. Instead, write down all of the 'must have' options then go to the Ford website and build the lowest trim package that has ALL of those options. I did that and ticked quite a few of the Lariat boxes... (NAV, BLIS, heated steering wheel, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, Leather, NAV, LED headlights, rear backup camera, 3.5EB - for tuning later, and a bunch of other options that don't immediately come to mind) so I went with the Lariat. Don't forget that you'll recoup a portion of that $5k at resale so you can factor that in too.

If you are focused on 'price point' then buy the vehicle that fits into your price point.

If you have the means, and you are focused on 'what the vehicle offers' take the approach above. Just don't confuse those 2 approaches or you'll end up always 2nd guessing yourself.