Is the XL base enough?

[mshapeer]

First truck I drove daily after getting my license was a 79 F350 Crew cab Long bed. First truck I bought used was a 74 Mazda Rotary Pickup. What a size difference.

I had a 1973 Mazda RX-3 coupe - Wankel engines were fast and quiet, but got lousy gas mileage

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[LSchicago]

I had a 1973 Mazda RX-3 coupe - Wankel engines were fast and quiet, but got lousy gas mileage

Yes MPG sucked. But it had a 4 barrel Carb, so I should've known.

 

[mshapeer]

Yes MPG sucked. But it had a 4 barrel Carb, so I should've known.

Yep - four barrel carb and two distributors - one for each rotor. Had to set the dwell and timing separately for each distributor.

 

[yamahaSHO]

It comes down to the individual. I would like it. I am a very minimalistic person. Not everyone wants more features. The less features, the better for me. I believe it would sell enough of them that they could produce a small number. If an individual has less money, or one that is financially concerned but wants a new car, that individual will want this. If the demand is low, they can produce fewer and make more of the other trims.

I can be very minimalistic as well... I want to put minimal effort into opening windows (especially anything other than the driver's) and adjusting mirrors.

Crank windows and manual mirrors won't sell. As far as financials, a new vehicle may not be the appropriate answer for that individual. I didn't buy a new vehicle until I was 40, and that's only because I it was cheaper at the time.

 

[RobbieAG]

I wouldn't have bought an XL if it didn't have cruise control and the power amenities that come standard on just about every car nowadays. I added CP360 mainly to get power mirrors.

I think a case could be made for a no frills "work truck" configuration for fleets like is available in larger trucks. That would be unlikely to happen though unless they ramped up production volume significantly.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I am not for sure why people would say the XL is too basic. The XLT is the same thing tech/feature wise as the XL. At least this was the case 2023. The only difference between the two is wheels and interior color lol. Can you really consider interior color a perk? To get anything extra, you have to pay more. I did same as you. Got the XL. Had a hitch added and ford 360. But a $2,000 increase to go to XLT and only truly get a wheel upgrade is bit of a rip. Go get the XL and spend $1,000 on better after market wheels. Then upgrade to actual proper tires for another $1,000.

I don't recall being able to upgrade to the luxury package with the XL. Part of the reason we went with an XLT for our 2023 was some of the upgrades not available in the lower trim.

 

[Solaryellow]

Unfortunately, my XL came with everything (2.0EB, AWD) I wanted minus three things, well two really. First, I would have liked satellite radio integrated in the entertainment center. Second, I would have wanted a downhill descent w/o the off-road package. Better choices in tires would have been nice too. Besides the descent, the other two I fixed myself. Take away power windows, a/c, etc...,? No. While it is utilitarian for what I wanted, it also provides things I'm glad to have available.

 

[BeardedMarine]

Ford would make ZERO $ doing this, and it would cost them money to redesign the doors for Manual windows, and other items you are suggesting. XL is known as the BASE model. That's as base as it will ever get for Ford. XL is the base model across all their trucks.

They are not going to make a "Base" or "X" model just because a couple dozen guys yearn for the 70's again. Buy one or don't, it really is that simple.

You could always buy an Old Ford Courier.

Oh damn! Bad, bad memories of my dad's base model Courier, vinyl seats, 4 speed manual and no a/c. We would travel (dad, mom and myself) from Omaha Neb. to Tulsa OK. 2 to 3 times a month. Summer really sucked.

 

[JLB]

My XL Eco AWD is nearly perfect for me and I expect to keep it at least 10 years. I waited a long time for a truck this much fun. I don't need all the leather and flashy options. My Edge has the flashy options. I sort of wish the XL had power mirrors, but that is all. The steelies that everyone snubs are just fine. I got the hitch only to hold a bike rack, I don't expect to ever tow a trailer, and I got the rubber mats so muddy feet are no concern. That's pretty much all the options I wanted. The Continental road tires are quiet and smooth on the highway and they climb steep dirt roads with the AWD plenty well enough. The ground clearance is suitable. But here is the special feature: the real value of a Maverick that nobody seems to talk about is the awesome stock performance from the turbo 250HP coupled with the smooth shifting 8 speed dual clutch transmission and AWD that puts almost all of those 250HP to those 4 steelie wheels to haul only 3500 lbs, plus me and my bike and outdoor stuff, passing trucks on 2 lane highways with ease, and climbing up the steepest dusty roads in the mountains. Translation to plain talk: It's a like a go-cart with it's great power to weight ratio!!! Fast, quick, nimble, and a sharp turning radius. All the optional features are so much less important. The second best feature is that the AC is awesomely cold here in the desert that is often 115 degrees, and third best is the Android Auto. Oh, and it fits in the garage too!

 

[WannaMav]

Handles for roll-up windows are a body puncture hazard in a crash.

 

[Bigfoot7262]

I think Ford is just tossing in a few more options on the XL to offset the price increase but I don't want to see the Maverick move so far up the ladder you can't get an XL for what a Civic costs.
And everything's priced relative to everything else. If Lariat & XLT move up, the XL probably will to.
My dad bought a new Tacoma in '15 and found the cheapest one they made, a white extended cab with the rear seat delete option. They not only removed the rear seats but they even took off cruise control and intermittant wipers, bare bones. Knocked $1500 off the sticker, and it's more practical as a truck with no back seats. Would like to see Ford offer a 'rear seat delete' package on the XL, take off a few options and try to get it back to the 20k intro price.

Of course, I went with an XLT with the luxury package. I don't buy new vehicles often but I'll stretch a bit to get the stuff I know I'll enjoy.

And my first truck was a very used '71 Ford Courrier, manual shift, no air, just a radio with one speaker. I miss that ol' thing...

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