by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Ford F-150 Raptor does a lot of things well, including big ol’ yumps. More or less, the Raptor is about as “truck” as trucks get, especially the first generation. Big motor, lots of suspension travel, a big bed, and a nice wide stance. However, there’s some ups and downs to the first generation of Ford’s most popular performance truck. Car buying can be an arduous task, and this guide will help you sort out what’s what in Raptorland.

Ford F-150 Raptor known issues and reliability

Because of the F-150’s stellar reliability, there isn’t much to talk about here. Honestly, there’s very few issues to note. It’s a unit of a truck, and as such consumables are going to be consumed at a more rapid rate, especially if you’re using yours as intended (see: big ol’ jumps). They’ll also cost more due to that huge 6.2L V8 powerplant and the brakes needed to stop it. That said, expect your Ford F-150 Raptor to be pretty bulletproof.

Frankly, the past life of your prospective Ford F-150 Raptor should be your biggest concern. Some owners absolutely abused these things, and some will show it. The Raptor can do jumps, but many overestimate the truck’s capabilities and have hurt the frame or the suspension in pursuit of big air. Make sure the shocks aren’t leaking and the frame is solid before buying to be sure your candidate hasn’t been abused too much. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the fuse tied to the fuel pump, as they’ve a tendency to get a little warm to say the least.

Raptor options and pricing

The Raptor’s livability is frankly one of its best perks. As such, you’ll be wanting one that’s highly optioned. If you happen to be a fan of the orange model shown in this article, it’ll be a little harder to find, as the color was dropped at the end of 2010. Additionally, only the extended cab was offered for that year, so if you want four doors, aim for 2011 and up. Another note about 2010 Ford F-150 Raptors: The first year saw a smaller 5.4L V8, which was down about 100 hp on the larger 6.2L V8. A 6.2L Raptor will command a premium for obvious reasons.

About those comfort options we mentioned earlier. Ford had a Luxury Package available, which came with cooled seats, more leather, etcetera. Frankly, it’s a must, as the interior is already somewhat dated. That package also adds Ford’s Sync infotainment. It is a little laggy by today’s standards, but it sure beats the hell out of the lower trim radio. Either get the Sync-equipped models or go for an aftermarket head unit. Trust me, you do not want that old Ford radio.

Big yumps cost big money

As I said earlier, the Ford F-150 Raptor is about as “truck” as trucks get. However, all that truckiness comes at a price. Expect models with north of 100,000 miles to go for around $20,000 with that lower-spec 5.4L motor. Prices go up from there. A clean one with low miles and excellent history can be found for around $45,000. You should expect to find a deal somewhere in between. Raptors are well worth the money, so just be prepared for the upfront cost but a whole lot of fun for your dollars.

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car racing gets flack for being environmentally unfriendly, based solely on the “mpg” that race cars get. They burn more fuel than road cars, so they must be harmful, right? Current racecars burn ethanol, which is a much cleaner gas than typical road cars, and although they burn more fuel, they are more efficient at converting heat into power. In fact, the Mercedes AMG F1 engine burns fuel at 50-percent thermal efficiency, meaning it converts 50-percent of its generated heat into forward motion. Road cars sit at the 30-percent mark, though some manufacturers are catching up. 

How Harmful is NASCAR’s Racing Fuel?

NASCAR was one of the least green sports on the planet, and in fact used leaded gas until 2007, according to Julia Layton at How Stuff Works. Most road cars were using unleaded gas in the 1980s. NASCAR even went so far as to claim 400 million pounds of the Earth’s CO2 per year. Since 2009, however, NASCAR has gone green. 

Current NASCAR stock cars in the premiere Cup championship use a 5.8-liter naturally aspirated V8, outputting between 550-750 horsepower depending on the track. At Speedways and Superspeedways, stock cars push at 200 mph for long stretches of time. These specs may change with the new 2022 regulations.

The official racing fuel they burn is Sunoco Green E15. The fuel is actually green in color and is made up of 15-percent ethanol, and 85-percent 93-octane pump gas. Ethanol, the same alcohol in beverages, is a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials, according to the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC). Though it’s still mostly made of gasoline, NASCAR’s fuel, thanks to its blend, burns cleaner than pump gas.

Is Indycar Safe for the Environment?

Indycar used methanol in the mid-90s but stopped using it in part because its flame is almost invisible during the daytime. Though methanol is renewable like ethanol, the process to renew methanol is more difficult. In the mid-2000s, Indycar started experimenting with various ethanol and gasoline mixtures. By 2007 it had settled on 98-percent ethanol and 2-percent gasoline. 

Current Indycars have twin-turbocharged 2.2-liter V6 engines capable of 700 horsepower depending on the boost pressure. They run on E85, which is 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline. Though the cars don’t get many miles per gallon, they burn cleaner than NASCAR, even at 240 mph.

What Racing Fuel Does Formula 1 Use?

F1, long hailed as the pinnacle of motorsport, is still using high-octane pump gas but is slowly inching its way toward a greener climate. Currently, as mandated by the FIA, F1 cars must burn racing fuel with at least 5.75-percent bio-components. As these regulations develop, the sport will see 10-percent in 2022, with a push for 100-percent sustainable fuel being the endgame. 

Teams rarely release official numbers, but F1 engines are capable of producing 1,000 horsepower. They use 1.5-liter turbocharged hybrid engines and reach 230 mph top speed at certain race tracks. 

Although the fuels are green and getting greener, one of the biggest problems slowing down the sport’s push for a zero carbon footprint is transportation. Teams travel to racetracks via private jets and semi-trucks, which contribute greatly to climate change. However, these sports are cracking down on this aspect and are getting closer to zero emissions.

RELATED: Shell Turns to Its Racing Fuel to Inspire the Next Generation of Gas

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