I have a 2015 F150 Platinum that I bought new. It has been a very good truck.

Here are some of the things I like about it:

• Having a bed - I don't work out of my truck but I am a DIYer and love road trips. I use the bed often. I have towed a few times but never towed anything particularly heavy (golf cart on a trailer, tailgating trailer, stuff like that)
• Very spacious backseat - when travelling with more than 2 people, I don't worry about rear seat comfort
• Pretty luxurious interior - maybe not by todays standards, but I like leather heated and cooled seats, power running boards, LED headlights, etc. Anything I buy next will probably be the top trim level
• Technology - I like that I have Android Auto, lots of cameras, and power everything. I love adaptive cruise and some sort of hands free driving in my next vehicle would be great, or at least improved adaptive cruise.
• Being able to work on it - I have a decent amount of work on it: new front bumper cover, hardwire dashcam install, plugs and wires, replaced a throttle body, etc. I love that there is a vast aftermarket and tons of resources to learn how to do things via forums and YouTube

What I don't love about it:

• If I want to bring my dog with me, I am limited to basically 2 passengers + me, and someone has to sit with the dog (he's 75 lbs so he takes up a decent amount of space)
• It's not special - F150s are a dime a dozen, the performance is middling, it isn't particularly engaging to be in it.
• The screen is small and fairly slow
• Having a bed is great when using it, but sometimes I would rather put my stuff somewhere climate controlled, like luggage or things I want to keep dry. I do have a bedcover but it is only "OK", and not actually water tight.
• I don't think it is really an "enthusiasts" vehicle. It doesn't spark conversations with other car guys. The only thing notable is I have a rack mounted above my bed (I have a Retrax cover with T slots so I can easily mount crossbars and then whatever on top of that)

I don't have a particular budget in mind, I think I could make just about anything up to $150k work if I really loved the vehicle, but spending less is always optimal. I have put about 180k miles on this truck and automotive stuff is important to me so I have no problem spending more to get something I like more.

What would you recommend I buy this year or next?

Some more info:

• Unmarried but live with my girlfriend
• No kids
• Short commute, no highways
• Not a ton of extra space for multiple vehicles, but I could probably make a two car system work (a fun car and a utilitarian car)
• Have a Datsun 240z that is being restored, but it has been with the guy restoring it for multiple years and I'm not sure when it will be done. This could provide the "enthusiast" experience I'm looking for when it's finished, but that will probably be another year or two if I had to guess.

Here are some cars I've thought about:

• New Ramcharger with a SmartCap (weathertight modular bedcap)
• F-150 Raptor or Raptor R
• Escalade-V
• LX
• GLS AMG (not sure if this is in budget?)
• RS6 Avant
• Navigator/Expedition with the HO engine

Anyone have a better idea?

Porsche Cayenne GTS big enough?

coolerguy12 said:

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Excursion

I can't fill up without someone making a comment about it. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

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I would love a modern excursion. One thing I forgot to add is I would like it to be new.

Schall 02 said:

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Porsche Cayenne GTS big enough?

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I have considered that. I'm not totally sure if it's big enough though. I should check one out in person.

Ideally I'd be able to have 4 adults + some luggage and my dog, but the times I'd need to do that are rare so I could probably sacrifice that.

Excursion was my first thought as well. Can get the 7.3 engine and plenty of room for a dog or luggage

Depends on what you consider to be fun. If your F150 is a v8, you just need a blower and fuel system, to scare the **** out of yourself and others. RaptorR is wack as they're not tunable IIRC

Rousch F-150 or F-250

https://www.sunsetfordwaterloo.com/roush/

My buddy has one of these and it is freaking awesome.

Maybe an Expedition Timberline? Raptor R is the most interesting of what you listed, but you will be in the same boat with your dog situation. Also, hit me up when you want to sell that platinum.

Durango Hellcat

Since no budget is listed, this 1000 horsepower monster should get er done! Edit to say i just saw the budget. See choice two.

https://www.soflocustom.com/inventory/apocalypse-hellfire-6x6-28/

https://www.soflocustom.com/inventory/jeep-gladiator-333/

The most fun SUV I've driven is a 2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography. Endlessly entertaining, luxurious, beautiful, and the best of the recent Jaguar supercharged V8s with 550hp and 500ftlbs. Easily pulls sub 4 second 0-60 and 12 second quarters stock. But you can't get that engine in new Velars and the SVAutobiography is exceedingly rare. Cargo capacity is no better than the RS6, either. So I'm not sure it would meet your hauling capacity needs. It would definitely fit your performance wishes, though.

G63

End of thread

Corps_Ag12 said:

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GarlandAg2012 said:

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coolerguy12 said:

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Excursion

I can't fill up without someone making a comment about it. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

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I would love a modern excursion. One thing I forgot to add is I would like it to be new.

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Let me introduce you to CABT and Duramax Specialties

http://www.customautosbytim.com/

https://duramaxsuv.com/

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Duramax SUV… mother of god. My dad drove 3 diesel 2500 suburbans and was pissed when they discontinued the 2500 for non government applications.

Hauled many loads and trailers and RVs with that 6.5L diesel in the '95 burb.

FIDO*98* said:

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You already have it on your list: Escalade-V

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A rode in a friend's the other day . . . The listed horsepower has to be low. I couldn't believe how fast it was. And the loudest vehicle I've ever been in. I thought we were going to break windows rolling through north dallas

GarlandAg2012 said:

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New Ramcharger with a SmartCap (weathertight modular bedcap)

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do this and make sure you let me come review it.

Choward4 said:

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G63

End of thread

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I don't think these can be had close to $150, can they?

ChoppinDs40 said:

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G wagons don't turn heads and being able to work on all these German cars?

You're wanting something utilitarian but also cool and hip?

Hmm. Excursion restored and upfitted with some technology would be nice.

Have you seen the INEOS Grenadiers? Man those thing turn heads. Basically looks like an old school Land Rover that had secks with an old school Land Cruiser that then cheated and had a mutant baby with a jeep.

I've seen a few in person and it makes my loins warm up and tingle.

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Not so much cool and hip, more of an "if you know you know" type vibe would be my preference. I love the look of the grenadiers but I don't think they are very comfortable on road, and I don't think they have much tech.

I realize what I want is impossible. Working on a modern Mercedes is a lot more complicated than an F150. I obviously am going to have to compromise somewhere.

Thanks for all the ideas!

sts7049 said:

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E63 AMG wagon

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Definitely adding this to the list.

I have a Navigator with the twin turbos. It makes me happy every time I get in it. I'll probably upgrade in 3-4 with another year old version of what I've currently got.

I saw one of these on the road last night and was extremely envious.

https://www.mccombsfordwest.com/new-San+Antonio-2024-Ford-Super+Duty+F+250+SRW-LARIAT+ROUSH+PERFORMANCE-1FT8W2BM4REE45984

You can CPO. You should really look at them and drive one. Mostly hand built and the way the doors sound…so good and solid. It's a luxury tank that can go 150mph.

If you want something unique, new and Excursion like then check out these guys in OK. They convert Super Duty trucks into all types of vehicles. I'm sure others do this, but from what I've read CABT does high end work. And they are close.

http://www.customautosbytim.com/

You can still get a new TRX final edition for about $115k. I have no idea what Raptor Rs are priced at now. People were paying $150k at one point.

Cybertruck

i thought of another one. trackhawk

GarlandAg2012 said:

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The new Escalade V in Aegean Stone is extremely tempting. MSRP is up about 10k from before and it would be hard/impossible to buy for under $160k unfortunately.

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Get a 2025 Yukon Denali, add a Supercharger for about 8-10K and get it wrapped in Aegean Stone. All in for about $110,000