Nissan Titan PRO-4X Owner Trades His Truck For a Ford F-150 Lariat, He Adds, “It Has 29k Miles On It and I Paid $42,500, I Definitely Stole This From the Ford Dealer”

Did he get a great deal?

Imagine finding the perfect upgrade for your aging pickup, a low-mileage luxury Ford F-150 workhorse in a rare, shifting color that looks black until the sun hits the metallic blue flakes. You walk into the dealership, trade in your old, reliable Nissan Titan, and drive away feeling like you just pulled off the heist of the century, with a price tag thousands below the market average.

Chris J. Cornwell on the Ford F-150 Owners Facebook page says:

“I just traded my 2017 Nissan Titan PRO-4X for this 2022 Ford Lariat beauty. It has 29,000 miles on it, and I paid $42,500. I definitely stole this from the dealership. Have a question because I don’t see many of them being posted. Does anyone with the Chrome package have photos of their leveled-and-lifted truck? Trying to steal your ideas and get an idea of what I’d like to do. Tried to Google antimatter blue leveled and lifted, but don’t see many of them with the Chrome package.”

Did This Owner Really "Steal" His 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat?

With over 30 years in the automotive industry, I have seen dozens of trades. When Chris J. Cornwell posted about swapping his 2017 Nissan Titan PRO-4X for a 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat, the community took notice. At $42,500 for a truck with only 29,000 miles, Chris isn't just bragging; he's highlighting a significant shift in the value of used Ford F-150s that savvy buyers should be watching.

He Bypassed the Depreciation Hit

Did he get a good deal? The short answer is yes, but the context of the trade matters. A 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat originally carried an MSRP starting well north of $55,000, often reaching $60,000 with the Chrome Package and 502A equipment groups. According to current 2025 valuation data, a Lariat with under 30,000 miles typically retails between $45,000 and $49,000. By securing his for $42,500, Chris effectively bypassed the immediate depreciation hit while landing a vehicle still under its original powertrain warranty.

However, the "theft" also depends on what the dealer gave him for the Titan. A 2017 Nissan Titan PRO-4X currently trades in for roughly $11,000 to $15,000, depending on condition. If the dealer gave him top dollar for the Nissan while dropping the price on the Ford, he truly came out ahead. Transitioning from a Titan to an F-150 involves moving from a platform known for mechanical simplicity to one that defines the modern, high-tech pickup. While the Titan is a formidable off-roader, the 2022 Lariat offers a level of interior refinement and towing technology that the aging Nissan platform simply cannot match.

In a recent report, I detailed how one owner defied the odds with a strict maintenance schedule in my story, "They Said I Was Crazy For Changing My Ford F-150's Oil Every 10K Miles Since It Was New, But They Were Wrong. It Has 217K Miles and Still Going Strong." This highlights that while the price is great, the long-term value of Chris’s purchase will depend entirely on his commitment to maintenance.

The Antimatter Blue Dilemma

Chris is looking for a specific look: Antimatter Blue F-150 with a Chrome Package and a leveling kit. This is a "unicorn" configuration. Most buyers who opt for the dark, brooding Antimatter Blue paint tend to go for the Sport Appearance Package (Blackout). Combining the deep, near-black blue with high-polish chrome creates a classic, sophisticated aesthetic that is rarely seen with an aggressive lift.

If you are looking for the best leveling kits for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150, I recommend avoiding cheap "puck" spacers. While they are inexpensive, they can compromise ride quality and increase wear on your CV axles. For a Lariat, you want to maintain that premium feel. Systems like the Bilstein 5100 series or the Eibach PRO-TRUCK lift system allow you to level the front end using adjustable gas-charged struts. This provides the 2-inch clearance needed for 34-inch or 35-inch tires without making the truck feel like a pogo stick on the highway.

I've been tracking a growing sentiment among F-150 owners regarding the "Golden Era" of trucks. Many feel that the 2015-2017 models represented a peak, but as I discussed in my report, I Always Thought Ford Meant "Found On Road Dead" But I Bought An F-150: Ram And GM Have 'Too Many Horror Stories,' I Hope Ford Is the Lesser Headache, the F-150 remains the "lesser headache" compared to its domestic rivals when you look at the total cost of ownership.

Reliability and What to Watch For

While the deal sounds incredible, 2022 was a year of transition for Ford. Many trucks from this era were affected by parts shortages, leading to "deleted" features such as heated steering wheels or bed scales. I always tell my readers to check the window sticker to see what might be missing. Furthermore, the 10-speed automatic transmission (10R80) in these trucks is a marvel of engineering but has been known to show harsh shifts if the software isn't updated.

Even with a great deal, some owners eventually find that the grass isn't always greener. As I detailed in a previous story, I Ditched My 2021 Ford F-150 For This Toyota Tundra. Now, All My F-150 Repair Problems Are Fixed Forever. Goodbye, I'm out. It is vital to know the history of your specific VIN before you sign the paperwork.

Key Takeaways for Used Truck Buyers

• The Sweet Spot: Used 2021-2022 models with 25k to 35k miles currently offer the best balance of modern tech and depreciated pricing.
• Maintenance is Non-Negotiable: With the 5.0L Coyote or 3.5L EcoBoost, stick to 5,000-mile oil changes regardless of what the dashboard says.
• Mod Specially: If you have the Chrome Package, stay with polished or "machined" wheels. Black wheels often clash with chrome bumpers and trim.
• Check the History: Use a VIN decoder to ensure the truck wasn't a "COVID-build" that sat for months waiting for microchips, which can lead to early battery failures.

What F-150 Owners Are Saying

The Reddit community often weighs in on the Antimatter Blue vs. Chrome debate and the realities of leveling these trucks. Here is what real owners have to say:

"I have a 21 Antimatter w/Chrome. I do not like the rims, but they look better to me than these [18s]. I've had several people think it's black, then see it in the sun and be shocked." u/N2wind on Reddit

"Bilstein 6112 and 5100 for a good upgrade shocks and level... I definitely recommend the larger Bilstein coilover for better longevity and comfort." u/ElectronicPeach8046 on Reddit

"Antimatter Blue is such a great color... I have an Antimatter Blue 2022 Lariat, and I love the color. I have gotten more comments and compliments on the color than anything else I’ve ever owned by a wide margin." u/whpjr on Reddit

In The End

Chris likely did get a fantastic deal. In a market where new Lariats are pushing $70,000, finding a low-mileage 2022 for $42,500 is a win. By choosing the Antimatter Blue and Chrome combo, he has a truck that looks upscale and professional. As long as he avoids cheap leveling spacers and sticks to a rigorous maintenance schedule, this Ford should serve him well for another 100,000 miles.

Tell Us What You Think: Do you think $42,500 for a 2022 Lariat with 29k miles is a "steal," or would you have stuck with the Nissan Titan? Click the red link below to write your comment and join the community in sharing experiences.

Next Up: A GMC Sierra AT4 owner is trading in his Duramax for a 2025 Ford F-150 Lariat after repeated "Check Engine" failures. From "seats that suck" to coolant valve nightmares, find out why this high-mileage driver is ditching GM for Ford’s 5.0L V8. Read the complete article here.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Chris J. Cornwell