The 2008 Ford F-150 Flareside is an uncommon truck in this world of plainly styled pickups. Flareside refers to a bed design that harkens back to old-school truck fabrications. The box walls are located between the wheels. This allows for people to stand on the wall steps for uncomplicated loading and unloading from the bed. No matter whether you pick the Flareside or Styleside (modern truck bed) version, both include a rearview camera and a tailgate with a locking mechanism. The wheel well in the Flareside is more prominent as well. It gives the truck a more defined rear end, rather than just focusing on the front. However, Ford certainly didn't forget the front end. The nostril grille looks as if it should have dragon steam emitting from it. Also, the STX trim features a body kit and lowered frame. The F-150 STX Flareside is a truck that could easily win the top award for appearance at any truck show.

Three engine options are available: a 4.2L OHV 12-valve V6, a 4.6L Triton SOHC 16-valve V8, or a 5.4L Triton SOHC 24-valve V8. The 12-valve produces 202 horsepower, while the 16-valve produces 248 horsepower. However, the horsepower winner is the 24-valve engine with a massive 300 horsepower. The 5.4L engine can tow up to 15,300-lb. Also, the Flareside can handle a payload of 1,810-lb. And with all this power, a buyer is bound to expect poor fuel economy. In that assumption they would be correct. The F-150 Flareside only gets around 14 city MPG and 19 highway MPG. This is a pretty weak forecast when considered alongside the hybrid options that other maker's provide.

Ford has also taken into account the noise level that a truck of this magnitude can produce. While other truck makers are concentrating on sound systems, Ford has developed a quiet cabin that blocks out all exterior noise. Just because you are a truck driver doesn't mean that you should have to scream over the sound of the engine. Drivers will be pleased to hear that the F-150 has also been awarded the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's highest score in the frontal crash test group.

With an introductory MSRP of $16,274, the 2008 Ford F-150 Flareside is hard to beat. Other trucks on the market have much higher list prices and simply cannot compare in the styling department. The Flareside's design is reminiscent of times gone by, and so is its price. Buyers that want to turn heads on the road and save money on the sales lot should try their hand at Ford's latest version of the F-150.