Alright, I have been looking for a truck for a while. I found one thats about an hour away that has JUST about everything I want (sans sunroof and parking sensors, really not even a big deal to me). Its a 2004 Ford F150 Screw FX4 with ~57000 miles. They are asking $16000 for it. I went to look at it yesterday and overall the truck is in pretty good condition. It has a few small things wrong. Black running boards are rusting, the "pocket" in the back of the passenger seat is torn (could be easily fixed), and the passenger running board is missing the front cap. It is a truck so it does have some small dings and scratches, but NOTHING major. Only thing that is really worrying me about buying is that the truck has an electronic brake controller installed. This worries me as I have NO IDEA what the original owner would have been towing.

Sorry for the read, but I want to go up tonight to look at it again. I would just like some experts (read, members of F150online.com) thoughts and opinions. How much would you say its worth? and should I really worry about the brake controller?



cell phone picture of truck on the lot

 

nature of the game when you buy a used truck


in that pic, it looks like it has been leveled out...FX4 right?

check the rear-end for extra springs...I personally would steer clear because of the "small" damage you are describing, and the brake controller cements it.
btw, that truck is worth about $12,000-13,000 in GREAT condition...with the stuff you have described, it should be rated "Good at best. The mileage is somewhat low for a 2004 at least


is it a normal FX4 or a Luxury FX4 (Leather, center console with shifter)?

 

Thats exactly what I am thinking. It is a cloth FX4, but does have the center console shifter. The center console shifter is a HUGE selling point for me.TBH, I don't know if its leveled or not, it may very well be. We'll see. I would like a few more people to give their opinions! Thanks for yours, you are thinking about the same as me with the brake controller.

 

I wouldn't touch that truck for $16k. I just bought a 2006 SuperCab Lariat with 57k miles for $14750. I purchased thru a local auto broker and I will never buy from a dealership again. No hassle and I can imagine I would have paid at least $18k from a dealer.

 

10,000 tops for that one

 

16k is NOT a good deal. Dont do what we all are guilty of all the time. "I love it its perfect, ill ignore the things that are kinda wrong with it" there are thousands of used f150s, if you got 16k to spend, you can get alot more (or save alot more if you HAVE to have that truck) i think 11k tops after everything.

 

Yeah. I think I am going to pass on this one. I really want a supercrew F150, relatively low milage and want to spend lower than 15000. I just saw this truck and it is the color and all I want. Think I am going to pass and keep looking. Thanks!

 

That's expensive for what it is.

 

That is on the high side, however in the future trucks you look at I would not let a brake controller sway your opinion too much. I had one in my old F150 and plan on putting one in the new one, even small trailers can come with brakes and once you use them if they are available you will want to. I pull a 14X7.5 enclosed motorcycle trailer with mine and certainly do not think I am abusing the truck.

 

That is all certain and great, but without knowing what the previous owners towed with the truck, the brake controller still adds concern. There are trucks that are 2 hours away that look (from pictures) to be in better condition for about the same or little less pricewise. I am thinking about taking a drive and trying to see a few more trucks tonight instead...

 

My intent was certainly not to convince you to buy this truck, I do think its overpriced. Just that if you find a clean truck that fits your needs and has nothing wrong with it but has a brake controller, I would not pass on a truck just for that reason. Good luck finding a trick.