All right guys. I need advice from some of you with 03's... If I go '04, I miss rebates, have an inflated price (and will have to rent a car from Sept. 04 on). even being X Plan, is all adds up.

So is it worth it? Time AND money? Stiffer frame, less noise, new interior? Anyone out there with a 2003 let me know how happy you are! Would you have waited if you could have?

Looking at: F 150 FX4 5.4L, 18' wheels, Audiphile, leather seats, tow group, power window.

Thanks!

 

I went through the same issue a couple of months ago. Had a King Ranch on my mind and the dealer (also a friend of mine) told me to be patient. He knows that I'm very particular about what I drive and told me the 04 would be worth the wait so I am waiting (not so patiently) for my 04 FX4 Super-Crew that's on order. Delivery date unknown. Ordered it with the bright steps which had a late availability as well...

 

I own an '03 Lariat Screw, it has been a great vehicle, I have an '04 Lariat S/Cab on order, only because I don't need all the room of my Screw, and I like the looks of the '04, and the refinements

 

The reason I'm waiting for the '04s to go on sale is that I can't justify spending $20-25 thousand on a truck with a seven year old body style. I'm 30 years old, single and believe image is everything.

 

Just FYI...

It's basically been established that the KR and the HD will not be manufactured in 04 and, if they are, it'll be VERY late in the model year.

Thus, if you're holding out for an aforementioned model, it might be wise to either jump on board with the EXCELLENT incentives with the 03 or quietly sit in the corner and watch. LOL!

RP

 

Sweet truck- I just can't justify $40,000 to get it though.

 

look like a Lariat.

 

I chose to buy a 2003 model. I am in a position to afford either one, but I was expecting the 04 to cost me about $4000-5000 more which looks about right based on pricing I have seen and lack of incentives thus far. I don't expect there to be any incentives on the 04, at least on the Supercrew. I was very pleased and comfortable with my old truck and liked everything about it. I just wanted a few more options that were not availible in 99, including the Supercrew style. There are some new things on the 04, but I can live without them for the price savings. I effectively paid about $10k less that sticker price for my $38k truck which is not something I could do with and 04.

As mentioned, if you want a KR , HD, Lightning, you'll be waiting a long while for the new body style.

 

I have a 03 heritage and its great but I love the new style and have ordered a '04 supercab xlt with 4x4 and 5.4 in dark toredor. It will cost a little more but its going to come with many goodies the old ones don't have. And with the new ones driving around you might get board with the old style. Plus 5.4+300hp

 

With the 04s weighing 500-600lbs more than the 03s and only having 10 more lbs of torque I would venture the 03 5.4s may out perform the 5.4 3V

Now if they would put that 5.4 3V in the So Called HERITAGE model well then look out HEMI

But I haven't seen any plans for doing such and doubt it will happen

 

The power will just get overwhelmed by the extra weight. 15 more foot pounds of torque for 500 more pounds. The gear choices that look impressive at first get eat up by the large tires. I expect performance to be on par with the cuurent body style.

If I were really interested in a new style F-150, I'd wait for the 6-speed auto in a year or two.

 

I have a possible buyer right now, for my '01 2WD Supercrew. I really need a 4WD. I have always liked the King Ranch Edition. My problem right now is also, do I go ahead and buy an '03 KR at a great price or wait and pick up a '04 FX4 this fall. I've heard that it may be a year before there is a new style KR. If I bought a '03 right now and drove it for a year and then traded it for a '04 or '05, would the '03 hold its value fairly well or be destroyed by the new style being on the road? Remember I bought it at a great price to begin with.

 

ANY car or truck you buy for a year you will lose money on. Not a wise idea my friend. This is do to the huge initial depreciation the second you drive it off the lot. It would take a while for what you owe to be less than what it is worth.

PS I e-mailed all my dealers here, I'll let you guys know if they offer my ANY options besides telling me to go rent a car.

 

It usually takes 20+ months for your balance to START going down as fast as the vehicle depreciates- and usually, most people break even around the 34th month of a 60 month finance.

There's only four ways to combat depreciation.

1.) Lease- (In which you don't lose on depreciation- but you gain no equity either.) **If you keep it until term- if you break your lease- depending on the vehicle you MAY not get hurt too bad. ($2,000 - $3,000).

2.) Pay off your vehicle (Sound advice, that I've never taken- still good advice, but I love new cars...)

3.) Make a huge down payment. 20% or better if possible, AFTER you negotiate to get the best 'Total Cost' on the vehicle.

4.) Purchase a vehcile that has historically held it's value well after 3-4 years... (Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Nissan Altima, Acura). Pick-ups usually hold their value better than regular cars.

Now-a-days, with the incentives putting more people in new cars- the used car segment is very soft- so unless the dealer puts a bug in the Used-Car manager's ear- don't expect too much on your trade- especially if it's only 1-2 years old- expect to be $4,000 - $7,000 upside down....

 

I don't know about where you guys are, but around here, they're practically giving '03s away. I'd say that unless you NEED something the '04 offers, or just want the latest "thing", you should be able to get one hell of a deal on an '03 that will do just fine, and hey, they're still nice trucks.

Magnum