Here is SE Michigan it's a bit rough finding any dealer stock for a 2021 F-150 well optioned with a 5.0 or 3.5 ECB. The delayed production runs has dealer stock way down. Some have 2.7 ECB motors on XLTs with 301A packages. Nice trucks, but not what I wanted. I didn't really want to order unless I had to because the dealers are offering insane trade in value for my 2015 XLT Sport 5.0. Once production kicks back up, stocks should slowly recover and trade values will come down from their peak when that happens. I was trying to time the gap so to speak.

After looking for a week with virtually nothing to be found, I stumbled upon my unicorn. It was at a dealer pretty far up north. This was an XLT SCREW, 5.5 bed, 3.5 ECB, Agate Black Metallic, 302A group with 3.55 gear, 360 Pilot Assist, 360 Camera, Trailer Tow package, FX package, Sport appearance, B&O Sound, Tailgate Step, Adjustable Pedals, 20" Dark Wheels, 36 Gal Tank, and wheel well liners. It literally had everything I wanted (well, the adjustable pedals were not on my list but what the heck). Surprisingly every box for me was ticked and then I saw that the dealer had sent the truck in for a custom installed Katzkin leather interior as well. I immediately called and was shocked to hear the truck was still on the lot!

Now I had to drive for 3+ hours to the dealer to see it, but it seemed like an impossible find so I immediately took a few hours off work and scampered up north to see the truck. When I arrived it was simply gorgeous. I was honestly a little skeptical about the leather until I saw it in person. And holy cow it was nice. The fitment was perfect and they wrapped the center console with matching stitching. I couldn't understand how this truck remained available for more than a day, but looking around and talking with the dealer...this kind of truck is not commonly what they sell in northern Michigan.

I hesitated on the Agate Black as black is a really tough color to keep looking nice. Grey was my first choice. But the truck was optioned as if I had a ordered it myself and the custom leather on the XLT was truly sweet. The dealer came back with my trade appraisal and offered me a few grand more than the SE Michigan dealers had for my 2015 XLT Sport so at that point it was a no brainer and I closed the deal. I cannot believe what the dealer offered on my trade....or my luck in finding a perfectly optioned F-150 (for me). I don't consider my self a lucky person, but this week the automotive gods smiled upon me

I hope you enjoyed my story

 

Congrats! Looks like my truck, but you have way more options.

 

Which dealer? Personally, unless you get a platinum or limited, I think the Katzkin leather is better than the factory. They make a phenomenal product, plus you can customize them.

 

This was Richardson Ford in Standish. Super nice folks there. Zero pressure and willing to chat about all the possibilities. They also stayed an hour and a half passed closing time to get my deal done, prep and detail the truck, and send me on my way back home in my new ride. Great dealer and highly recommended. They also had a few 3.5 ECB trucks in XLT 302A and chrome package hanging around.

I never new about Katzkin until this situation. But I agree 100% with you. The leather is very nice and appears to be quite a bit better than what Ford offers in the Lariat.

 

That's a great story, I am really glad it worked out so well! Plus, a drive to Northern MI is usually a nice one anyway, especially around now. One of my favorite places in the country to be.

 

It seems often that agate black is the last color on the lot. I guess black is least popular color. It is somewhat of a pain to keep clean but once clean black looks great

 

Consider yourself lucky, most of us had zero luck finding a truck we liked on the lot, and ordering is a crap shoot now.Black looks nice when clean, but I regularly drive gravel roads, and it looks terrible when dusty.

 

Btw, I drove passed the local Ford dealership yesterday and they had 1 F150 on the lot.

 

Let's see some pictures of that beautiful new ride!