Which truck should I get? 2018 Raptor or Platinum F-150?

I’ve been looking at trucks for a few weeks, and these two caught my eye. Both would be in Ruby Red, which I think looks amazing. After adding all the features I want on Ford’s site, the Raptor comes out to $70k and the Platinum is $65k.

I’ll mainly be using the truck for driving around town and occasionally towing heavy stuff like a boat or trailer. I know the Raptor has lower towing capacity compared to the Platinum, but it just looks so cool.

If you had the money, which one would you choose? I know I could look for cheaper used ones, but I’m not a fan of used vehicles. I’m curious what others think!

If you’re spending that much, go with the one you like most. The Platinum is better for highway driving, while the Raptor is ideal for off-road use. Both are great trucks, but make sure you take each for a good test drive. Try to emulate your daily driving to see which fits you best.

@Vesper
For $70k, I’d go with an F250 diesel and customize it with whatever options you need.

Galen said:
@Vesper
For $70k, I’d go with an F250 diesel and customize it with whatever options you need.

That’s fair, but not everyone needs an F250. Personally, I think it’s the best-looking 3/4-ton truck on the market.

If you’re mostly driving on highways, skip the Raptor and go with a regular F-150. Better MPG, and the 5.0 V8 is a solid engine. Most trucks on the lot are probably Ecoboost models, though.

Have you considered the F250 SuperDuty with the King Ranch package? It’s worth a look if you’re spending that much.

Devi said:
Have you considered the F250 SuperDuty with the King Ranch package? It’s worth a look if you’re spending that much.

I didn’t even think of that. How much bigger is the SuperDuty compared to the F-150?

@Ollie
It’s overall larger, but the Raptor is actually about the same height. The Platinum will sit a bit lower. The F250 feels big but manageable, and it’s incredibly capable.

I love the Raptor, but it’s more of a fun truck than a working truck. It’s not great for towing heavy loads, and its width can be a challenge—drive-thrus might be tricky.

Beck said:
I love the Raptor, but it’s more of a fun truck than a working truck. It’s not great for towing heavy loads, and its width can be a challenge—drive-thrus might be tricky.

I’ve managed most drive-thrus in my Raptor—granted, I’m in Texas where everything’s bigger.

You might struggle to find a Raptor at the $70k price listed online. It’s an amazing truck for off-road use, but for your needs, the Platinum might make more sense.

I get it about buying new vs. used. I recently bought a new truck because the used ones were almost as expensive, and at least with new, you know exactly what you’re getting.

I think you all have convinced me. The Platinum suits my needs better. The Raptor looks awesome, but its towing capacity, size issues, and potentially higher maintenance costs don’t seem worth it for my use case. Thanks for the input!

My brother-in-law had a Raptor (around 2015), and he wasn’t a fan. He couldn’t tow his camper because it exceeded the limits. Highway driving was loud, and the truck felt underpowered when carrying heavy loads. It looked great, though.

@Rafe
If it was a 2015, it would’ve had the 6.2L V8, which had plenty of power. Maybe he had the 5.4L, which was offered on earlier models.

The Raptor has a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters and a twin-turbo V6. The performance is incredible!

Rin said:
The Raptor has a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters and a twin-turbo V6. The performance is incredible!

They haul.