Multi-Car

'97 Ford F-150 Lariat SupercabEditor-at-Large John Pearley Huffman "borrowed" the long-term F-150 for the Truck Trends tire test in our March issue, and we've been trying to pry away the keys ever since. Long-distance hauler Huffman has packed nearly 7000 miles on the F-150, running all over Southern California in the pursuit of modified vehicles for his columns. He reports he's content to keep the F-150 forever, but the remaining editors are planning to use the Jaws of Life to remove him from the award-winning truck. Huffman's size-11 lead foot has dropped fuel mileage from 17.3 to 15.6 mpg-not unexpected and still reasonable. As the odometer has been spinning like slot-machine cylinders, the extended-cab pickup has gone through scheduled 5000- and 10,000-mile services at Santa Barbara's courteous Mel Clayton Ford. Except for a squealing air-conditioning compressor belt (likely due to mud splashed on it during our Truck of the Year photo shoots) and some Chee*tos lost between the seats, the three-door truck has been problem-free and infinitely useful.