I've owned 5 vehicles in my life.

87 Olds Delta 88 (used)
86 Pontiac TA (used)
98 Mustang GT (new)
01 Camaro Z28 (new)
04 F150 FX4 (new)

I had nothing but problems with both the Delta and the TA and did everything I could to come up with enough money to keep them going. Maybe I made some poor vehicle choices maybe not. The point is buying new cars gives me a feeling of security knowing the vehicle is new and will probably be less likely to have problems and has a warranty if it does have problems. My Mustang GT was OK, my Camaro was an absolute rock (no warranty work in 34,000 miles) and my F150 has been good so far. IMHO it's better to know that I have to pay say $250 a month for a car payment than get a $500 - $1000 surprise for engine or tranny work. After my first 2 cars were nightmares this is the mindset I've had and it has worked out well.

 

bugs:

Ok this is my 16th NEW car and I am only 35. My experience has proven that all model years have bugs. In today's automotive market with such an emphasis being placed on quality and profit let me assert that "the first model year bugs" are pretty much a thing of the past. Whatever changes that are made to the 2004 will surely have to intertwine with what is already there and that too can cause different problems, especially when we talk about how one component has to mesh with another. To keep it simple think about what is needed for electronics and computers to cooperate with another similar component. Besides, in my mind it is only a bug when it effects every production unit. Otherwise it is more likely a supplier mfg'ed defect. This is how I feel about the outside temp controls on these 2004's; not a bug but rather a defect on some units as mine and others works fine.

Whoa, slow down:
As for the original post - please slow down yourself as you are applying your circumstance to the mass and you are flat wrong. For example, as a resourceful buyer, I purchased my Lariat for nearly $6,300 under list price and with 2.9 financing. These factors will more than make up for what I will lose in the first 12-18 months. After that, full depreciation will apply as with all vehicles

 

Original post,

Who are you to tell people how to spend their hard earned money? I personally buy whatever I want. I work hard for my money and spend it on whatever makes me happy. You never know when your time is up and you can't take it with you.

Don't be so judgemental, Or amybe your a little jealous 'cause you can't get an '04.


https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3599

 

Bugs?!? EEK
I haven't seen any bugs!

 

BTW.... I had an 03 and now I am a proud owner of the 04.....
I cant even compare the two

 

Do you guys mean to tell me i have to wait till
2005 to trade my 2004.Darn,i dont think i can wait.

Mike

 

I have two young boys. The huge safety upgrade is enough to warrant the new 2004. How do you put a price on safety? I drive the late models all the time with the government and there is just no comparison to the new 2004. The prices of these rigs keeps going up every year and the incentives won't be getting any better than they are now. I believe my truck was built the first month of production in Virginia, which I heard was June. There has not been any problems in three weeks and 750 miles I have had it.

 

BigSky, you are right on. I have 2 small kids in carseats and after seeing the dateline show on the 04 f150 safety, my wife turned to me and said "good thing you got rid of your old f150". Now, how often do you spend 40k on a new truck and still end up in your wife's good graces!

 

if you can afford to buy a new vehicle every year then go ahead and do it... but if you get new vehicles every 1-3 years anyway u might save money in just leasing... especially if you are doing a 60-72 month term on a new vehicle...

but with most ford's it's probably better you lease or trade in within 1-3 years anyway since after about 3 they hold virtually no resale power unless you have an F250... F150's have no resale value whatsoever unless you mod the hell out of it...even then you're pushing your luck on it :\

 

skiultr,congrats on your purchase,well done,and congrats to all of you that have a 2004 F-150. I apologize for starting an inflammatory thread.

 

It was a good post, it was truthful and your opinion. I think it’s great that some people bought a new 2004 F150. It seems to be a nice truck. It is a better ride and can tow more but another important aspect for me is the cosmetics of the truck itself. For me the 2004 just does not do it, to straight and plain, no character to it like the 97 – 03.

However, any of you claiming to have bought it for safety are a bit ahead of yourself. You did not buy it for any more safety then the 97 – 03 F150’s since the Dateline was just recently on with the new safety rating for the 2004. Some of you may have went out and bought one after the show, but for those of you who bought before the crash test had no idea how well or how bad it would do.

Ford did an outstanding job on making it even safer then the past. Hopefully sales will pick up and there will be more on the road. I have not yet seen one on the road here in New Hampshire. Now that the economy is picking up they may sale better or another round of incentives.

 

Now this is the first thread I am gonna flame on this site.

1) You NEVER get the money out of mods you do, and frequently the mods will lower the value. Fact.

2) Back up your statement that F150's have lower resale value than F250's at any point. You can't.

Moral? Research your facts before you post.

 

Well, I agree that mods don't always increase your resale value, unless it's a very specific mod to the area that you are trying to sell the truck in, but I disagree with the second part of your post. Here's how I back that up, I can afford a 99 F-150, and I can't afford a 99 F-250. A diesel truck holds resale value considerably longer than a gasoline truck, primarily due to the fact that the diesel is good for longer (a broad generalization, but usually true). I am seeing SuperDuties on eBay.com selling for up to 90% of the original purchase price, and they are 4 year old trucks. Now that, my friends, is resale value.

 

Pickup Man:

Well DUH ! You are comparing 2 different trucks and features. Next time try to at least compare trucks in the same sales category then you will realize just how wrong you are. When I looked at a SD 250 Crew it listed new for near $46,000.00. As for your claim of 90% resale value of original invoice for a 4 year old SD, please provide proof. Otherwise try to be believable in the future.

Oh by the way, there is a bridge in NY City named Brooklyn, if you ever visit this place, do not let someone sell it to you.

 

I live my life "one day at a time". Like someone else already said, "I work hard for my money. I'll spend it how I want!" Life is too short some times....my Mother-in-Law just passed away 4 months ago, unexpectedly. She always said; "Have you ever seen a Hurst pulling a U-Haul trailer?"

Live how you want to live, buy what you can afford, etc...