400 Daze + 365 Days Review

[aitch-2-oh]

Picked up the Carbonized Gray Lariat Hybrid 1 year ago, after 400 daze of sifting and weeding through MTC Forum submittals as I waited. An array of pics, mods and alarming/humorous entrees were analyzed during the wait, the Owners Manual downloaded and consulted periodically, in preparation. 2 letters to FoMoCo were crafted and mailed to Dearborn Corporate (paper, envelope & stamped = 'old school'), both received a written response. I like to think they influenced receiving the truck exactly as ordered, defending against the incessant recommendations to drop most of the features because doing so 'might, maybe, perhaps, could' lead to getting the truck earlier. Nope, the deletions didn't happen. The truck was picked up 400 days after placing the order, exactly 365 days ago.

In the 365 day meantime...flat-black vinyl lettering was applied to the tailgate, a folding transverse 'cross member' was built to prevent groceries/supplies from sliding all the way to the front of the bed and a magnetic Course Motorsports cell phone holder was installed by the Cubby. Otherwise untouched, not lifted, lowered or new tires/wheels installed. Stock.

Running 87 octane from Day 1, there's 17k miles on the odometer, FWD has proven (as expected) to be more than up to the task in 3 snow events (Slippery mode helped in 1 particularly dicey lake-effect run east to Michigan) and the HWY/City mileage numbers reflect what the Sticker predicted. The rotary shifter took less than a day to acclimate to and shifting to Eco at startup happens most of the time (when I remember to), but it's not a big deal if it doesn't. I knew the rolling hard tonneau cover wouldn't be watertight and it hasn't been. But it's not Niagara Falls either. We planned and loaded luggage accordingly on the trips taken thus far (HHI, Cinci, Cleveland, Detroit, Indy).

The caterwaul warnings to beware of soft glass, easily scratched plastic, sticky dashboard and thin paint never materialised. There's no concern about the hole in the tailgate or the bumper for the 4-pin hitch connection, the clarity of the backup camera or the (6?) holes in the underbody engine shield addressed by the one initial recall. There may be others, but not as of the most recent
Dealer oil change 4 weeks ago. All clear...

The truck starts, in-person or remotely, when asked to, runs smoothly and stops smoothly. The sound system toggles between AM, FM, Sirius and USB formats with no issues. The I-Phone, connected via either the big USB or Mini, shows a map on the info screen when selected. 50% of the names are mispronounced when calling hands free, but that's not Ford's fault and continues to be humorous.

It's been a great vehicle that fits the needs. Can't ask for more than that.

Report ended, over-and-out.

[Edit add: I did create (4) t-shirts with the image above, 1 for my Salesman, 1 for Tim Bartz, 1 for my friend with mad artistic skills that interpreted my mind’s eye and 1 for me. Definitely a ‘Limited Run’]

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[OleFordGuy]

Great Post. Enjoyed the read. Thank You! My experience very similar to yours but a 10 month wait and EcoBoost. Been a rock solid truck so far. Not a single recall, zero issues/complaints, not even a squeak or rattle. Their not exactly perfect, but nothing much is these days. Couldn't be happier. Granted there are some with legit issues that Ford needs to resolve. We need to see more post like yours instead of all the bitching and moaning about ever little thing.

 

[JBryant]

Thoroughly enjoyed the post - practical and down to earth. I am a bit surprised you have not gotten the usual responses about why you should use a tri-fold cover, why no one would drive a Maverick without doing $3K worth of mods, why 87 octane fuel would not work, and the list goes on and on.

This is what makes the Maverick and a free society work well. Get what you want, what you can afford, etc. and enjoy it.

Great job.

 

[Army Engineer (Ret)]

Great write up. Received our alto blue Lariat after 431 days last February. All good experiences with it, addEd a trifold cover and that’s it. Wife’s truck so only about 5500 miles, but she loves it. I really like it also when I get to drive it. My only additional request would have been for memory seats, but other than that great. It was a great addition to our family.

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