I am contemplating trading in my fully loaded 2004 FX4 screw for a fully loaded Lincoln Mark LT 4X4. The Lincoln Mark LT 4X4 that I am interested in is on sale for about $8,000 off MSRP.

I’m just trying to decide if its worth it. If I trade in my fully loaded FX4 Screw for a fully loaded Lincoln Mark LT 4X4, the monthly payment will rise about $60 from what it is in now and I will be losing $4,000 on my trade in because they will only give me $19,500 for my trade in and I still owe $23,500 on the FX4. I’m financing the truck for 48 months, so I would have the FX4 paid off by 2008.

I have close to 70,000 miles on my truck. I went to several other car dealerships (Car Max, etc) to see what they would give me for my truck and $19,500 is the best trade in offer I have received so far from all the dealerships that I visited. I suppose I could sell it to a private party, but I don’t want to go through the all hassle considering I might just get slightly more than $19,500 through a private party.

I took a drive to the local Lincoln dealer last night and I test drove the Lincoln Mark LT that I was interested in. It had 2 miles on the odometer when I took her out for a test drive. The Lincoln Mark LT just felt different (in a good way) than my current FX4. Not drastically different, but just different. I wasn’t blown away by the LT, but I was impressed and happy while test driving it.

It just looks and feels overall more nicer than my FX4. I’m just trying to decide if it’s worth losing $4,000 on my trade in and paying $60 more a month for the Lincoln Mark LT. Do I want the Lincoln Mark LT that I am interested in? Yes. But do I want it that bad that I will be losing that much $$$ on my trade in and paying $60 more per month to get it? I’m not sure

 

The smart thing would be to hang on to it, get her paid off, drive it a copule of years, and by 2010 Ford will be into a new model.

 

Thanks for the reply. That would probably be the smartest thing to do. Because if I do purchase the Lincoln Mark LT, I will be financing for 48 months, so I will have financial obligations on the LT until 2010. And by 2010, the new, more powerful, redesigned F-150’s would already be out.

However, if I stay with the FX4, I would have her paid off by 2008 and be free and clear of any financial obligations for the FX4 when the new model F-150’s come out. Also, I’m a college student and most of my college friends that I have talked to so far about the situation have told me that I already have a very nice truck and that I should be satisfied with what I presently got because my FX4 has pretty much everything that the Lincoln Mark LT has (leather seats, power moonroof, power sliding rear window, power adjustable pedals, audiophile, etc).

They tell me that although the Lincoln Mark LT does look nicer than my FX4, that in the end, it’s not worth the money I’m going to be losing and be paying more a month until 2010 to buy the Lincoln Mark LT since they are very similar in features and good looks. I’m going to go to sleep for a couple of hours to further think about it…

 

I'd say keep your FX4, mostly 'cause I just think Mark LTs are goofy. And paid for trucks are the best trucks.

 

I would keep the FX4. As stated before... paid-for trucks are the BEST trucks!

With high mileage on a newer vehicle, you're not going to get a lot for the truck on trade-in. Over the years, I've found dealers are more likely to give you top dollar for a paid-off truck (especially one that is loaded). Don't be afraid to DEMAND full retail price when you do trade it in. Most dealers will eventually agree to give you full retail (or more) for your trade-in when buying a new truck... you just have to be patient and willing to walk away if they won't deal. Go to another dealer. You can ask for a deal on the same truck you looked at. Dealers swap vehicles all the time.

 

BINGO!

 

Keep the FX4. Pay it off and enjoy a couple years debt free until the redesigned models are out in 2010. Everything that's available in the Mark LT is available in the F150 Lariat for thousands less. The Mark LT is marketed towards the person that wants a truck but doesn't want to lower himself to having a Ford logo on the grill.

 

I agree...keep what you have, in my opinion the Mark LT's are retarted. The only parts from them that are worth snaking are the handles. The rest..the Chrome mirrors, pillar posts etc. Its too much. Around Dallas the only guys you see driving those are dudes in suits who went to UT, and want a "luxury" pickup. They have never turned a wrench or done anything for themselves. All they know how to do is talk about the strength of their stock portfolios, and regurgitate the lastest headlines from EPSN.com. Dont succum to dorkness. Not worth much, but my two cents.

 

Keep your FX4....IMO the LT is pretty ugly.

 

While I do like the LT, I think it'd be a mistake -- but trust me, I understand the temptation.

Hang on the FX4, get her paid off, enjoy a 2010 or so...

 

Personally i would keep what you have.
I don't like the additional taillight reflectors on the tail gate of the LT.

 

Isn't there a minimum age limit on the purchase of one of those? IE they only sell them to old fogeys?

 

This old fogey does not like them!

 

Good one!

 

keep the fx4