Modern day minitrucks is what we need again. I've had countless fullsizes and custom vehicles but mintrucks are something special in my opinion. Rob is 1,000% right. It's a niche market that has zero contenders. I wanna see a new s10 or Sonoma if gm will make it.
There’s something about watching rob talk about cars. It doesn’t even matter what car it is he just glued you to the screen with his amazing charisma and story telling abilities
Perfect for towing a little fishing boat up to the lakes. Fits easy in the garage, good gas mileage. I'm shocked more manufacturers aren't trying to hit the true middle class. Most of us know we shouldn't buy truck that has a sticker equal to our annual salary.
Did you know honda has been making the Ridgeline since 2006 and its actually more American build than all of the other puck up trucks sold in the US...
@@paulshannon4576 Seems kinda short sighted though. They don't get any of my money if I never buy a new car. If they made something in a reasonable price range I would think about it. I'll just keep buying 2 year old used cars with super low miles and let other people eat the depreciation.
Rob is spot on, yet again. I worked for a survey company while I was in college. It was 1990 and I ran around in a 1982 Chevy S10. All I needed to do my job was a few hand tools and such so it was a perfect ride. One person, a few tools, and got me there and back with decent gas mileage. That need never goes away, just folks lose track of needs versus wants.
Rob, coming from a guy who owns a Ford Expedition and a F350 and drives a Nissan Sentra to work every day you are spot on with this truck, for 90% of my vehicle usage the Maverick would fit what I need
I’m also a loyal Chevy guy with a Full Size Chevy 4wd truck and a C4 convertible. I’ve felt guilty about buying a Ford but have a hybrid Maverick on order. It was nice to hear there is someone out there like me with similar thoughts. I upgraded to XLT just to get cruise but otherwise would have gone XL.
Rabbit let me give you some back story on the mini-van that I heard. Iacocca was under pressure to produce a follow on success to the Mustang. He went all in on the mini-van, had Ford spend millions in engineering, market research and customer interviews to be certain they would be able to sell them. So when Henry Ford II fired him customarily that's when the negotiations would begin. Maybe he wanted an office or use of a company plane for a few years and in return he'd sign an agreement not to bad mouth the company. Ford was stunned when all Iacocca asked for was all the reports for the mini-van. Afterwards Ford laughed about it, telling other execs that all he wanted were reports that were going to sit on a shelf gathering dust. How would those reports help him in retirement? But then Chrysler hired Iacocca and in little more than a year thanks to said research they introduced the mini-van to much success. It took Ford two and a half years to introduce their mini-van and decades later it's still an also ran to Chrysler's. Lee Iacocca really did have the last laugh.
I have said for years that someone needs to come out with a cheap mini-truck again. They were all over the place back in the 80s because they were inexpensive and dependable. I was hoping for a new reincarnation of the Nissan Hardbody, but when I saw Ford was building these a few months back, I told my dad that they would sell like hotcakes. Well, dad just bought a Maverick XLT with the Fx4 package and it is a really nice truck, especially for the money. The interior is a little quirky, but I like it. It is also faster than my Shelby GLHS, which kinda hurts my feelings.
I'd say it was actually the k car that saved Chrysler, with the caravan being a variation of the k chassis. Every car in the full line up was a variation of the k car, from the dodge omni ecobox to the Chrysler imperial, all the same chassis with a 2.2l or 2.5l engine (which used the same internals minus rods and crank). They went from 90hp to 230 depending on if it was turbo or not, and single or dual cam. Dead reliable engine with a simple chassis platform and different sheet metal to denote the different manufacturers ethos. Kept costs down and they sold a bazillion of them. Hell, they had a deal with Shelby and made some Shelby cars out of them, from the first American hot hatch (GLH and GLHT) to the Shelby Daytona Iroc, which had 230 factory horses and a simple boost controller turned that into 350 on factory parts. Mopar performance sold kits to supe any 2.2l turbo car into a monster that held its own with anything from that Era, with a simple ecu, injector and turbo swap. The ecu's even had a race gas mode. All the SRT stuff today is directly related to those cars.
The first K-cars had VW supplied engines in them. Chryslet bad licensed the basic design of the engine but didn't have the engine plant up and running at capacity when the car was ready for release. My mother had a black 2 door that had VW-Audi casting stamps all over the motor.
@@michaelreynolds1904 the early omni and horizons did, and some later k car derivatives also had Mitsubishi 3 litre v6s. I've owned a few L body cars and they were often mistaken for a vw rabbit, and vw rabbit bumpers actually bolt on if you prefer a bumper that sits closer to the body.
Congrats on the new truck Rob! I can’t wait for mine to come in and get going on my mini-truck dreams. Looking forward to the content and the aftermarket support!
Having owned multiple rolls Royces a Cadillac to McLarens too many F250s and 350s To count I have to say Rob is definitely right sometimes it doesn’t hurt to go back to bare-bones
You're spot on with this. For what most people actually need for a truck, this or other small trucks will do 95% of the work for half the price or more.
You are right, Rob. I'm seriously considering one for my next vehicle. It certainly isn't my Mustang GT, but it is a nice, all around, good vehicle for most people that occasionally need to haul something or tow a small trailer. Now I won't have to get my wife's SUV dirty picking up stuff. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
I’m a loyal Chevy fan myself but interested in trading the Colorado for a maverick. I’m secure enough that I don’t need a F550 to pull my Jon boat around.
And Just like that Rabbit Single Handedly sold ever Ford Maverick in the Country. It’s funny this video dropped I’ve been considering Selling my F-250 OBS and getting a Maverick wish it came in a Manual Trans. Available.
Definitely a slick looking little ride! I think you hit the nail on the head, mini truck market will be in full swing momentarily. As always love the videos man!
You hit the nail on the head on this one. My fleet mechanic is Blue Oval Factory Trained, he said wait for this to hit the street. He's right. And I'm a orange motor friend, Elephant and Hugger. When a Pretty Blue guy says something probably got some knowledge. Keep the goods coming. I'm sure a 5000 update will hit before we know it.
I loved the way you put it rob. most people with trucks do not actually use them . and I try to preach it with only owning SUVs . my Isuzu trooper when ever I actually needed something that would not fit in the back . I could get my 6x12 trailer I might use once a year . it hauls groceries , mulch , bags of wood chips for the garden cinder blocks . but that's all I really need
I scoffed when I saw that Ford was going to reuse the Maverick nameplate. The more and more i see these trucks on the road makes me want one. Props to you Rob on such a sweet truck!
I had a 2003 Chevy S10 pickup work truck (manual) as my everyday commuter 80 miles a day, and loved it. I wish I still had it. I’ll be buying a Maverick once the chip shortage ends and dealers stop adding $5k + to the MSRP. If they don’t have the base model on the lot I’ll order one.
Hell a $5k markup is tiny compared to most and it's still bs. The c8 used has a $60k markup and the trex has a what $50k markup. American car companies have been fucking us for decades on quality and value. Import trucks last longer and cost about the same if not less.
When I was a senior in highschool in 1984 I bought my first car, a 1976 Triumph TR6 and I really didn't know how to drive a manual 4 speed. I worked at a place that serviced heavy equipment at the time chasing parts and my local chase truck was a 1st gen Chevy Luv and it had a 4 speed and that is what I learned to drive a 4 speed in and I loved that little truck!!! It was red and I had a blast driving that truck. I never understood why the auto makers went away from building the smaller trucks. I don't need a big ol stump puller honcho truck, I just need a small utility truck to pull a 16 ft Hobie Cat that weighs 320 pounds wet, add the trailer, it's about 500 pounds all in. Yep, small truck fits my needs fer sure!!! I think you are right Rob, the Mav fills a need and will rebirth a niche!!! Oh and I pull my H16 with a Nisaan Quest minivan and a Lexus RX300!!! Lol. Well you gave me a heart but I edited my comment. Dang!!!
This is the very first episode of your show I have ever seen God bless you sir for telling it like it is keep up the good work and you now have a loyal follower even if you don’t bleed Ford blue
I ordered mine two weeks ago. Everytime I see videos like these, i get so excited and can't wait. I got the awd and I've already seen people lift them and bigger tires, looks so clean.
As a piece of history, my great grandfather did something very similar with a 66 El Camino, a 61 Studebaker, and a 71 Dodge truck, all because they were lightly damaged in transit. The funniest one was the Dodge though. It was a factory ordered Dodge Dude, custom ordered for a ranch in Wyoming, 360, 727, limited slip, premium interior, white on tan. He got it for less than half of wholesale because it had been fogged with rattlecans while it sat in the train car in Denver. The dealer simply ordered another truck for the rancher instead of having it repainted.
Part of the reason I bought a '18 Canyon just the right size gets 25 mpg with the diesel and 4x4. You buy for what you need and what works. Nice truck Rob, love the videos. Definitely have taken to heart on your messages in your vids.
I currently own a 2018 Civic Si and the Maverick is the only vehicle I would trade for it. A brand new pickup with a warranty for under 25 after taxes and tags. Hard to beat that price with the practicality of it.
I grew up in Southern California and lived in the mini truck explosion had Toyotas friends had luvs and couriers. Went back to a 2000’s tacoma after I didn’t need the expedition or the f150 any more. I was excited to see these coming as I love my mini truck and your spot on about the maverick. I would have loved it if the called it the courier though
I cannot agree more. The S10, Ranger and Dakota were the trucks of my youth. I owned a 92 for ranger XTL and that was my favorite car I have ever owned. It was fun to ride around in, was small enough to fit anywhere and when I needed to haul a small to medium sized load it did it no question. I even put a truck cap on it and slept in the back by the lake. It was a sad day when I saw the mini truck disappear and hope that the other makers get in line and make even smaller ones like the good old days.
Awesome story teller, enjoyed that so much! I own a Ford F150 with a tiny Ecoboost 2.7, absolutely love it, usually get about 20.4 driving easy, but even just as a stock F150 it’s sometimes hard to park, getting in and out of the bed is tough for a fat short legged old man, I’m thinking maybe about 5 or 6 years from now a Maverick might be in my future😎
Happy New Year Rob! Really liked this video! Coming from the LowRider minitruckin era, I’m itching to see what you’re plannin on transforming! I love when you said “altitude adjustment “ lol That could mean up ⬆️ or down ⬇️ If you need an air suspension person, iceboxx customs would be a wonderful idea 💡 Keep up the great work man, looking forward to seeing the new maverick soon!
I've ordered a Maverick Hybrid as a new daily driver. I see the great potential of this small truck for doing a bunch of DIY work and getting the fuel economy of a Honda Civic is compelling.
I think this is the best new vehicle, and that's saying a lot considering the renaissance of the Japanese sport car is in full swing, BUT (and there's always a but), this mini truck not only has A LOT of potential, but it also covers all the bases for a lot of people. If it only had the manual of the Bronco, it would be the cherry on top, but the automatic is excellent in its own right. Hope to your magic touch on this truck uncle Rabbit! Happy Monday!
Yup….chevy dood too……had 1965 chevy nova SS two door hard top, 283 with m21…10 bolt with 3.08 that swapped out to a 1966 nova 12 bolt with 3.73 posi………blue with chrome that burnt the inside of your left arm.❤️❤️😁😁
I'm also a pretty dyed in he wool GM guy, but a Maverick is on my list- but I can wait, since my local dealer wants 42,500 for XLTs and 50k for Lariats.
Can't argue with that logic. With $4.50+ gas prices here on the west coast, everytime that I turn the key on my big-block powered Silverado 2500, it makes wonder what in the hell I'm doing.
Thanks for your insight on this truck. My mother (who lives in Greenville), drives a Dodge minivan...but wants a pickup truck. I told her this is where she needs to look. Ford Maverick. Have to go XLT for cruise control. Amazing that the lower trim doesn't offer cruise...even as an option.
There's actually an aftermarket company out there that makes a kit to add CC to the Maverick. Don't remember their name or the price tag, but the fact that a brand new model is getting all of this attention for add-ons and customization is just damn impressive.
I have an F150 XL with 8 ft bed. Used it many times to haul things. Bed completely full. Truck is what I need. Don't have F250 because I don't have a big trailer to pull. The Maverick would be a great 2nd vehicle but no 8ft bed makes it a smaller version of the Explorer sport trac. As you said Rob, the Maverick works for basic use but won't replace a truck.
I’ve been driving minivans for years for many of the reasons he likes the Maverick. 3,500 lbs towing capacity and the back end can hold almost anything.
It’s funny, we have a 86 K3500 4wd with the L6. Built like a shit brick house, have enough spring in the back to hold up a locomotive (trucks much lighter then our f450 so when ground is soft we use that truck to put vaults in the ground) . It is damn near the same size as a modern ranger/ Colorado. Awesome Video man!
My first vehicle was a 1980 Ford Courier. I loved that truck. It had a little 1 liter mazda engine. Like a 10 or 12 gallon tank. Ran all week on $10. I miss it. Have had my eye on the Maverick.
I haven't come around to liking the Maverick trucks just yet. I have an old 2002 Ranger that I do love though. It's a 4 cylinder auto trans and it has plenty of power, unlike the older ones. I was hoping they would make another small truck of that size and not one that's basically the same size as pickups used to be before they supersized them. I'll get around to liking the new Maverick eventually I suppose, but for now, it's not what I was really looking forward to them making... I mean it's a "Fruck" (FWD Truck) and it's still larger than what I really wanted. I'm really interested in seeing what Rob does with his, that will likely win me over.
The only brand I've ever bought, with the exception of an '83 New Yorker I bought for my parents to use, have had bow ties. But, the unapologetic cheapness of the Maverick for what you're getting, I absolutely appreciate. A few months ago, when I had to give up my '99 obs Tahoe, I still would have chosen the '18 Silverado Z71 at twice the price, thrice the price with financing, warranty, and all that. That being said, the first one I saw was south of their Louisville plant, on the shoulder, with the hood open. So, yeah, it's definitely a Ford.
I’ve told several people this is all the truck they need! I have a F150 cause my wife will not let me tow the boat with the JKU, and a Puris. I’m older now and selling my boat this year, but I like knowing I can go to the store and pick up whatever I’m buying.
I'm the kind of person that works on my own car whenever I get a chance so I don't need to shop for a new car, I'm often pleased with something used and nice to improve my image and drive something I like for a cheaper price. So right now I drive a 355hp 2010 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost. Love the piss outta that thing! However, I plan on getting a house hopefully as soon as this year. I like to take on house projects and would love to have something I can run back and forth to Home Depot or Lowes in and have an additional reliable vehicle to drive if I need to get around when my other car is broken. Ford Maverick is answering my prayers! Better believe, after I get my house, my next purchase is gonna be one of these. Probably used if enough are available at the time, but I'm not opposed to getting a new one optioned how I want it. Ford really did something with this little truck. They brought back the void the previous generation Ranger filled with the Maverick.
Rob I can relate to the feeling of driving something that belongs to a pest control company I've owned a 2006 Chevy Colorado and over the last 6 years I've been adding personal touches to it. When I first got it it felt very spartan and lacking. Funny enough it's previous owner was a company that ordered it as a fleet vehicle. But now it feels upscale, has more features than how it came standard, and overall a great truck to own. I'd wager the Colorado is the last great minitruck
Perfect around town park anywhere and park ANYWHERE,and the stopping at the gas station isn't your cup of tea,put your own bowser set up in your warehouse,200 gallon tank,tap and go cards for yourself,and often 5 to 8 cents per gallon cheaper,and no waiting for fuel,been doing it for years in australia bud,just a thought,cheers from australia
I'm a Ford guy and I appreciate your openess to try this Maverick but my biggest concern is it's assembled in Mexico and history shows the QC is low when assembled there, so keep us posted on any possible issues in the future.
Let's not forget, Kei-Trucks (those tiny things running on 660cc engines) out of Japan are getting more popular by the day. They're compact, very useful, versatile, extremely cost effective.
I can't believe you got me thinking about buying a Maverick. I never thought about it until seeing this video. I wonder how well it tow's? I don't need to tow everyday, just every once in a while can it do that when called upon.
The Fast Lane Truck did a tow test with a Maverick, and it towed the maximum capacity just fine. The fuel mileage took a bigger hit than we typically expect from towing with a full sized pickup truck, though.
I think it needs an "Adrenaline Package" like the later year Explorer-Tracs. The styling and size are pretty similar, so the name plate would make sense.
Definitely something to think about, wasn’t really interested at first but you brought a different perspective. But didn’t vw make a fwd mini truck way back in the Day?
Rob, please talk in your next video how or what you were able to negotiate on the price or options. I ordered three 2023 Mavericks XL Hybrid with spray-in bed liner, full spare, & $100 tow hitch receiver but paid sticker price. How were you able to get a deal lower than sticker for a truck sold out in four days for 2023's?
This Maverick is a touch down for Ford. It’s a mini/compact truck done right. Being a unit body pickup is not an issue in a light duty truck. It’s been done before. Remember the VW type II pickup based on the Type II transporter? (VW micro bus), the Chevrolet Corvair 95 load side and ramp side pickups, the VW Rabbit pickup, the Dodge Omni based Rampage pickup, the Subaru BRAT and Baja pickups and the Jeep Comanche pickup? Those All were unit body without frame pickups. And they were all tough little pickups. The Rabbit and Subaru BRAT even sold fairly well. I believe the Maverick will be a hit because it does so many things right right out of the box. And it comes in at an affordable price with good comfort and power. Right now, the Hyundai Santa Cruise is the only direct competition. The Maverick is a size class pickup truck which is offered around the world and has a large number of vendors. We do not see them in the US. But go to Mexico and you see a number of different ones we do not see north of the boarder. I owned a Jeep Comanche and drove it for 288,000 miles. It was one of my lifetime favorite cars I have owned. I have looked at a Maverick XLT front wheel drive EcoBoost pickup. It was a nice truck and was well south of S30,000. All in all, a nice truck. An XLT with the Eco Boost engine, Max tow package and FX4 package with some knobby tires is a great package for under $30,000. In black, it looks sinister and cool, Red really pops, but Cactus Gray is probably the best color because you don’t need to wash it every day.
My wife’s Colorado is about the same size as my 72 GMC short bed. It has a 200hp 4 cylinder and it has more get up and go than my dad’s 87 Silverado did with a 350v8. Modern full size trucks are insane. The Maverick is really the only small truck and really it’s not that small of a truck. I think like you said a fwd small pickup is a great thing. Most tow ratings are theoretical because they don’t get used and I’m sure they aren’t far from needing a commercial license to effectively use a half ton truck.
I've got an old Ranger right now but when the time comes, I'll likely go with the Maverick! He said it in the video, if all you need is something to grab mulch or other small things for the house it's perfect. Plus, you can't bet the price.
I have been saying this for YEARS why did manufacturers upsize our compacts and not offer us another option to fill the gap. It's been decades since we had a small, efficient and cheap pickup. My first vehicle was a 1989 Toyota pickup and since then I owned an S-10 and a Mazda B series. They have a place in the market. I was a pool maintenance tech for years and these were the perfect little trucks to do our pool routes with. They fit everything we needed and were cheap and efficient. Thank you Ford for bringing back the cheap compact truck!
How did you talk your dealer down on price for damage. I just got the message my hybrid is in. And picking up after work. I can see in the pic there is damage. But the salesman doesn’t know that I know yet
