2007 Saleen S331 - Supercharged
(Dearborn, MI) CarsAndTrucksForWomen.com - I was compelled to buy one of those bumper stickers that says, “No, this is not my boyfriend’s truck.” I decided against it not only because I have a husband, but also because the truck wasn’t actually mine. I made it mine for the days that I had it, though. This is a female review but there is nothing feminine about this truck. In fact, the exact reason a woman would love this truck is because it’s all man.
As stated on www.saleen.com in regards to the supercharged beauty, “Steve Saleen has taken the iconic F-150 to new heights in the 21st Century. The new Saleen Sport Trucks will give consumers the extreme performance, expressive styling, exceptional value, and the exclusivity that comes from the experience of driving and owning a Saleen.”
There is quite a reputation behind Steve Saleen’s name that stands for itself. Because of this, I had no problem test-driving this truck. The second my family found out I had “the Saleen supercharged truck,” every male member within 20 miles wanted me to pick him up for a ride. Their faces would light up as I came around the corner and when they hoisted themselves into the vehicle, it was always the same crazed glow “maaaaaan…this is sweeeeeet…”. As Saleen’s website states, the experience unites “functionality with radical performance.”
So what makes this truck so impressive? Here’s the breakdown: it’s a four speed transmission with overdrive capability but most importantly it has 450 bhp, 500 lb-ft. torque, and a 27 gallon tank. For all the power involved, it handled surprisingly well and drove pretty smoothly. The truck can fit five adults and has a decent stereo system as well. The tires measure in at an awesome 23 in. x 10 in.; you can actually see the print on the High Performance BF Goodrich tires without reading glasses.
All the attention I got riding around didn’t make my husband jealous. He knew the guys really weren’t breaking their necks going 80 mph on the highway to gawk at me. It was the beast barreling by that they thought was hot. And oh, is it ever hot. With a supercharged Ford V8 coming through stainless duel side exhausts below me, you could hear me coming from down the road. Consider the gorgeous body holding it all together, and the Saleen S331 can back up all the trash talking its engine did.
The sleek exterior of the F-150 was marvelous – appealing to those interested in design and appearance yet satisfying the hunger of the down home country boy where trucks like this are worshipped. I am a truck girl. My first vehicle was a beat up 1988 pickup and if I could have “pimped my ride,” I’d still be driving that thing. The Saleen S331 is a beauty and a beast all in one; a perfect combination of elegant speed and brawn that makes it a truck lover’s truck. I felt like a transformer high atop the leather seats; like the vehicle would come alive during traffic jams and easily pummel over others in my path. As a mother, the truck was definitely not suitable for car seats, but I didn’t mind. I wanted this bad boy all to myself. The fantasy of buying it and making it my own was shattered by the $53,999 price tag that escalated to a fully optioned example coming in at $62,939. If I had the money though…it’d be worth every penny.
