Hey everyone. I drive a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I like it, but I used to have a Toyota Tacoma and I miss having a truck. I’ve always dreamed of owning a Ford F-150, especially a Raptor.
I’m thinking of getting a used one, maybe from 2017 to 2022. Are they worth the hype? How do they handle? Do they hold their value, and how long do they last?
I work in the rental car business, so I could get $1,000 off if I buy one from my company, but I know rental vehicles can get beat up. Should I go for one from my job or buy from a dealer? Also, how does the Raptor compare to the Ram Rebel? I know the Rebel is cheaper, but I’ve always been a Ford fan. Would love your advice.
For the price of a slightly used Raptor, you might be able to get a brand new Tremor, which is Ford’s answer to the Ram Rebel. I chose the Tremor because of the updated interior and other perks of getting something new.
I wouldn’t buy a rental car, especially something like a Raptor. Even if the oil changes are documented, it doesn’t account for the hard driving renters might have done. Unless you have an amazing warranty, I’d avoid it.
Raptors do hold their value really well, though. They’re one of the best vehicles for that.
What do you mean by V6 versus V8? Are you trying to decide between the two?
You don’t have to buy local. Dealers like Granger will ship, or you could fly out to pick it up. I drove six hours for mine and saved $6,500 compared to local prices.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t get a Raptor, but think about whether the extra cost is worth it.
That’s fair. For the cost of a used Raptor, you could probably get a new Tremor with a V8. The Tremor gives you most of the Raptor’s capabilities unless you’re planning high-speed off-roading.
Another idea: Buy a used Tremor, add aftermarket upgrades like a bumper, lift, and maybe even a supercharger. It could cost about the same as a used Raptor and still be unique.
If you go that route, you could even customize it with some cool decals. Maybe call it something like “Brontasaurus”? Okay, we can workshop the name, but you get the idea!
Check out discount dealers and use their prices to negotiate locally. Sometimes they’ll match or at least come close. If not, it might be worth traveling to save a good chunk of money.
You might be better off getting a gently used Lariat with about 20k miles. Add an aftermarket suspension and some wheels, and you’d have a better off-road vehicle than a factory Raptor.
Raptors are cool, but for what you’d spend, you could build something more versatile. That’s just my take, though. I do some off-roading but nothing extreme—just some backcountry trails.
I tested a 2019 Raptor when I needed something to tow my boat. It looked amazing, but I didn’t like the ride—it felt soft and bouncy, the brakes weren’t great, and the tires were loud. It’s built for off-road, but that made it less fun on regular roads.
I ended up with a 2021 Lariat instead. The interior was better, and it drove great. I also checked out GMC trucks but didn’t like the dealers I visited.
You should definitely test-drive one, especially a 2021 or newer. I was comparing the older generation Raptor to the newer F-150s, and the newer ones are a huge step up.
In my case, the Raptor I could afford was an older model with higher mileage. The Lariat I bought had way fewer miles for the same price, so it was a better deal for me.
The newer Raptors are really smooth on the road. I had a 2018 Raptor, and it was better on-road than my 2022 Lariat in many ways, aside from being so wide.