i bet if you let the "old time truck buyers" test drive someing that makes 340 tq before 2000 rpm instead of the 3750 rpm it takes for the 5.4L 3v to reach 365 tq

it might change their minds.....although i would like a V8 that produces 425 hp and more importantly about 450 lb tq over a V6 TT

 

True, the flat torque curve will really be nice.

I agree though, a TT v8 would be AWESOME. Probably would still get 18 mpg too.

 

That's what I'm worried about too. I'm really considering keeping my '04 until the next remodel this time around. In '97 and '04 the changes were so radical that there was no choice - I WAS going to buy one the minute I could order one, and that was that. But the '09 isn't that major a change on the outside, and hasn't grabbed hold of me like the other remodels. Take that and combine it with the trade value of an '04 Lariat, and things get sad. Especially since I paid this one off about 2 years ago. If the economy/stock market were doing well, it would be one thing. But with stocks down so much, might not be the best thing to do right now. I have a feeling we'll see another full redesign in 2014 at the latest anyways. I drove my '97 for 7 years, no reason this '04 can't go 10 (even with the horrid engine whine).

I dunno, haven't fully decided yet. Just want to make the smart financial move. Right now, no debt at all, and putting 60% into 401k every payday. Have been that way for 2 years now, don't want to screw that up just for a new piece of metal to get me to and from work and my gf's house. We'll see. Maybe if they got much better MPG... but nope. Ah well.

 

Considering that the maximum legal annual limit on 401k contributions is $15,500, it doesn't seem likely that you are contributing 60% to your 401k, and if $15,500 is 60% of your annual income, then you should definitely not consider buying a new truck. You must still live with your parents if all of this is true.

 

True, except that I put in 60% as soon as the year begins until I hit the limit, after that I'm good for the rest of the year until the following January. Otherwise I agree with your math, if it was like you described then yeah it'd be crazy to even think about it, but I do my 60% until I hit the min, and then take the full pay until the following year.

 

Not trying to be a financial adviser, but don't you lose your company's matching portion after you reach your max?

For instance, if your company will match 50 cents on the dollar for your first 4%, for a total of 2% (as my company does). So, say you reach your max on June 30th and you can't put any more in. Your company won't have anything to match the rest of the year so you'll lose that 2%. That's the way it is where I work, but of course yours may be different.

 

Think thats a twin turbo V6. Not sure I heard it will be expensive to build so not sure if it will make it in the F150. Most want a REAL V8 anyways.

 

Fordman, absolutely right. What I do is put in 60% until I get near the allowable by law, and then I go down to 5% for the remainder of the calendar year. That way I never lose my match, but I get the large bulk of my contributions in during the first half of the year. This gets the money in faster so it has more time to grow, and it also has an added effect of feeling as if you are making more money during the latter half of the year, especially near Xmas when you need a little extra on-hand.

I should have explained better in my first post, because both of you guys are right on with your responses; but that's how I do it (above).

Was worried about getting off-topic, some people really hate it when that happens. Not me, one topic of conversation naturally leads to another. It's more interesting than just hearing "Ford did this right, this wrong, should have done this, glad they did that, yada yada" in every single post. I like the posts that have a little more 'life' to them.

 

What a great idea...now if I could live on only 40% of my salary!

Exactly...I agree. You never know when you may learn something.

 

It's not easy, but I truly believe that the saying "The more you earn, the more you spend" is absolutely true. I think a good chunk of people could live on less and save more. Not everyone for sure, but I do think there's a lot of people out there who spend everything they make and think "I can't save, I barely make enough" but in actuality if they cut out a lot of extraneous stuff they could save a lot and retire much better off. I have very few things; which I could have if I didn't save so much, but I live very frugally so that someday I can get out of the rat race instead of working until 72 and then retiring with no money and no time to enjoy anything being too old.

Of course, I do have one weakness. I do love my Ford trucks (even this '04 with the engine whine). I really REALLY want to buy an '09 even though financially I shouldn't and don't need a new vehicle. My biggest concern is buying an '09 and then Ford doing an actual remodel within a few years rather than 5-7 years later.

Sorry, I could talk all day about financial stuff. That's how I keep my interest in saving, I read and watch stuff about it all the time, and keep a daily eye on my 401k and stock options and living expenses (no debt of any kind, if you have debt pay it off ASAP instead of paying others in interest so they can go out and buy porche's and live in huge homes). I want MY money to be MINE, not going to pay interest. ANYways, I love talking about that stuff - but by no means do I judge anyone else on how they handle their own money, everyone is in their own unique situation which doesn't mean they can or should do what I do.In fact I still worry things could change and want to put as much away early with time to grow as possible. Did so the last 2 years, and 1/3 of the way there this year. So far so good. I may have to live vicariously through those of you who buy a 2009, hope that's ok!

But a Platinum in my driveway...

 

I agree with you 100%. I feel there is a fine line between not saving enough and saving too much. I try to save as much as possible, but I still try to enjoy things in life. I really enjoy my Ford trucks too. I tend to buy new and keep for quite a while. I had 136k on my '99 before I sold it and got an '05. I went from a regular cab to a SCrew because we had a second child. The '05 was bought on 12/31/05 for one heck of a deal. I really wanted a Lariat, but decided on an XLT to save some bucks. My next one (maybe a 2012?? ) will most likely be a Lariat. I want a Platinum, but then again, will most likely trade a few luxuries to save a few $$.

My goal is to retire fairly well off (not rich, just enough to where I don't have to work if I don't want to) in my early 50's. At the rate we are going, that should be possible. We save 20-25% of our income, but we are still able to do some nice things. Could we cut back? Sure we could, but I really enjoy having cell phones, plus satellite TV, but I don't have 300 channels or HD, and I don't have all the text messaging, song downloads, and other crap on my cell phone. I try to sacrifice stuff I don't need (but would be neat to have) for stuff I really really want.

Another thing we did was to put our home on a 10 year mortgage. Our payment is very high, but it will be nice when we are 37 years old and know that we will not have any more house payments. Sometimes it is painful writing that check every month, but like you said, if we didn't spend it there, it would probably be spent somewhere else. So, by going with a 10 year mortgage instead of a 15, we are saving $25,000 in interest...and that is on a < $100k mortgage!!

I'm not knocking anyone either, but it is nice to discuss these things and get other people's point of view. No, you can't take it with you, but you just might happen to live to be 90, and then what do you do if you haven't saved?

So, to sort of keep this on topic...yes, I agree...a Platinum in MY (not your ) driveway...

 

My King Ranch listed at 44k, I paid 33k in Sept of 07. What is odd, Is that I may have gotten an 08 in Feb for less than 33k. It looks like the rebate are even better now...Go figure with gas prices.

As far as trading every year...it might be feasible if ya sold it privately. The dealer is never gonna give ya what someone off the street might.

 

[QUOTE=fordmantpw]Another thing we did was to put our home on a 10 year mortgage. Our payment is very high, but it will be nice when we are 37 years old and know that we will not have any more house payments. Sometimes it is painful writing that check every month, but like you said, if we didn't spend it there, it would probably be spent somewhere else. So, by going with a 10 year mortgage instead of a 15, we are saving $25,000 in interest...and that is on a < $100k mortgage!!

That's awesome! The only major item I will need to buy is a house, and I intend to do the same thing, pay it off as soon as possible. That's the only reason I debate buying an '09 or not, because I also want to buy a house sometime within the next 1-4 years. A lot of it has to do with the stock market, as the money I have earmarked for a home is there at the moment. That's why this down market is killing me, I want to buy a home and truck very soon, but at the same time it's good for my 401k buying all these stocks super cheap now to grow for years. I may just buy a truck this year (by selling some of my stocks and just buy it outright [with my '04 trade also]) and wait a few more years for a home, that's what I'm leaning towards since the market is down and I'd like it to get better before selling the rest of my stocks.

Who knows, we'll see. But that's great about your mortgage, I really hope I can do something similiar when the time comes.

 

I already own one home flat out. and right now we are building our second. we are building it out of pocket.( and have been for 4 years now lol). we are planning on being in it by june. I have done almost all the work my self. as I am an electrician and pumber by trade, the only things I have hired out for is concrete finishing and to roll the trusses.( and thank god for friends and a wife willing to help.) we will rent the other house out after we are donw with this one.. so that is my morgage.
also the house is insulated concrete forms, demand hot water heater and all should make for better utility bills..

 

Nice!