New truck time???

[redgtxdi]

long story short....got notified today my truck is being totaled. I have options....

'98 f150 scab. I cud probably buy it back and repair it. Front right damage and I recently had new front end stuff done so probably $5k worth of repairs if I had to guess. (Mech and bodywork/paint)

But it's old I'm older, my kids are bigger. And be nice crew cab would be nice.

New??

Few years old?!

Dealer?

Car max?


TIA

 

[Evilviking]

Couple years old. Let someone else eat the depreciation. Really depends on your monthly budget. Need to figure out what you can afford.

2014 f150s (before the 2015 body change) can be had at decent prices.

 

[redgtxdi]

Monthly budget's honestly wide open. At this point in my life I could honestly afford to drive about anything, but I'm also cheap, frugal and cheap.



Before I hit up the F150 forums, any suggestions about particular model years if I do shop? I vaguely recall a coworker's husband had an issue with wheel bearings, but Ford fixed it. I think his truck was around 2008-ish (give or take)

Thx

 

[Demo24]

Definitely wouldn't fix the 98, nor would I drive my kids in it regardless of shape (horrendous crash rating).

Question now is are you sticking Ford and used or new?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I'd buy a Silverado with a v8. 5 to 7 years old. They seem to have less issues than ford. I'm an owner of a new 16 f150 btw.
Buying new trucks are nice till you decide to pay it off. That money could be doing much more for me than paying for a vehicle.

 

[redgtxdi]

I was gonna stick with Ford just because the '98 had treated me well. It was a good truck to me and it had nary a problem. Also, compared to other trucks it drove nicely, handled briskly and that turning radius....(ahhh).....made other trucks feel like boats.

I'm not totally opposed to Chevy, just not a fan.

 

[WackyDan]

I would say 5 to 7 years old would be a good target. When I bought my 2012 new in 2012 a new truck was only $4k more than a 2 year old used truck. If you can find a smoking deal on a two year old truck then go for it, but you might find that the used truck market is still very much inflated. The bump in price for new might not be a whole lot than a two year old truck and you will get more truck/options for the money.

 

[96Firebird]

I would say 5 to 7 years old would be a good target. When I bought my 2012 new in 2012 a new truck was only $4k more than a 2 year old used truck. If you can find a smoking deal on a two year old truck then go for it, but you might find that the used truck market is still very much inflated. The bump in price for new might not be a whole lot than a two year old truck and you will get more truck/options for the money.

This is the truth. The used truck market is crazy. Brand new 2016 trucks (at least Sierras/Silverados) have some pretty good rebates so the dealer can clear inventory for new 2017 models. I was browsing a truck forum, and some people were complaining they weren't getting any offers on their overpriced used trucks. That was because new trucks weren't going for much more (this was last month during GM's "Black Friday for all of November sale), so people were saying to wait until the rebates go away and then they'll get a better offer. I was amazed at some of the crazy prices people were expecting to get for their used trucks.

 

[A5]

Yeah, especially end-of-year they throw tons of money on the hood of new trucks still on the lot. I dunno why you'd ever buy a late-model (2-3 year old) used one.

Edit: Quick glance at 2016 2nd-level trim RWD crew-cabs on a no-negotiation service -
F-150 XLT: $8600 off MSRP
Silverado 1500 LT: $7800 off MSRP
Ram 1500 SLT: $10800 off MSRP

These all end up around or a touch above $30k, though I have no idea how they compare IRL.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Friend of mine just bought a brand new F250 Crew Cab. The thing is a behemoth. He tows a camper though and doesn't drive it regularly. He paid $47k for it IIRC.

He had a 2001 F250 prior to this one but it was stolen recently. His old truck has less than 40k miles on it.

 

[redgtxdi]

Friend of mine just bought a brand new F250 Crew Cab. The thing is a behemoth. He tows a camper though and doesn't drive it regularly. He paid $47k for it IIRC.

He had a 2001 F250 prior to this one but it was stolen recently. His old truck has less than 40k miles on it.

I definitely don't want to spend $47k on a truck but I'd spend $30k. I may end up having to check out new after all.

And only 40k miles on his old truck! DAYUMMM!!!

 

[Demo24]

Remember the f150 got revised with a new model recently (want to say 2015 model), and if it were me I'd go with that versus the last gen. I can't imagine it would be that hard to find one that meets the 30k target either.

 

[redgtxdi]

I'm noticing that a low mileage '15 or '16 saves around $10K off the cost of brand new. That's enough serious dough to make me consider it!

'17 XLT moderately equipped = around $36-$38K

'15/'16 same = around $26-$28K

I can do a lot with $10K

 

[Bubbleawsome]

I would go for a Chevy or Ford one generation behind. I think Ford changed the way their crew cab was built part way through the generation that started in 2011? Whenever it changed though it increased safety a lot, and it may be worth looking into one that is at least that new. The higher trim F150s are really nice.

The 4wd v8 Chevys are also nice to drive. Not sure how their interiors are though if that is important to you.

 

[Evilviking]

I am looking at 2012, 2013,2014 f150 Lariat and Platinum. Huge mark down from New. Heated/cooled leather seats. Luxury truck. All the bells whistles....Also the Tundra Platinum in the same year.

 

[redgtxdi]

Ya know I can't rule out Toyota either. I have a love/hate relationship with them but they can build motors/drive trains.

Their extracab (not crew) is damn near as roomy in back as most crew cabs....AND....unlike my old scab, you can open back doors without having fronts open.

Hmmmmmm

 

[Evilviking]

I'm eye balling a 2013 f150 platinum at a dealer close by. I would go v8. I don't trust the eco boost long term reliability.

Platinum tho.....man. Extra sound dampening throughout the cab. Thicker windshield for sound dampening. Heated/cooled front leather seats. Heated rear seats. Retractable step bar. Nice sound system. Sorry. I sound like a commercial

 

[WackyDan]

I'm eye balling a 2013 f150 platinum at a dealer close by. I would go v8. I don't trust the eco boost long term reliability.

Platinum tho.....man. Extra sound dampening throughout the cab. Thicker windshield for sound dampening. Heated/cooled front leather seats. Heated rear seats. Retractable step bar. Nice sound system. Sorry. I sound like a commercial

1. Ford had a rash of bad Coyote 5.0 V8 manufactured back in late 2011/early 2012. # 3 and #4 cylinder sleeves were warped somehow. Ford didn't do a recall, but has been replacing some of these motors out of warranty. Guess who's truck has been using oil and has astronomically high iron in the oil analysis. MINE. Luckily I have two more years warranty.

2. My Fx-2 ( which I think is now the Sport) has heated and cooled leather seats and lots of buttons too. If you order your truck and not buy off the lot, you don't need to order the Platinum to get most of the goodies.

 

[redgtxdi]

1. Ford had a rash of bad Coyote 5.0 V8 manufactured back in late 2011/early 2012. # 3 and #4 cylinder sleeves were warped somehow. Ford didn't do a recall, but has been replacing some of these motors out of warranty. Guess who's truck has been using oil and has astronomically high iron in the oil analysis. MINE. Luckily I have two more years warranty.

2. My Fx-2 ( which I think is now the Sport) has heated and cooled leather seats and lots of buttons too. If you order your truck and not buy off the lot, you don't need to order the Platinum to get most of the goodies.

Great info!! Thanks Dan! (kinda' like the piston slap I had in my '98's Triton 4.6L. 5.4's were most noted for it, but 4.6's had their fair share too & mine was no exception. Sometimes it pinged like the valves were gonna come out of the head

And, yes I pretty much nailed down my preference to the "XLT" with the "302A" package which gives me plenty. No need for Platinum/Sport/FX2/FX4/King Ranch......just the XLT/302A and that's perfect for me. (Only variable left open is the bed liner which I'd ultimately get whether the dealer adds it or I do it later. I've had a truck without and with and they're invaluable. Anything else is just bells & whistles. (I saw a line item for "Tire Nitrogen - $125".....I LMAO!!)