Thanks to those of you who have seen and replied to my other posts - after 13 yrs with my last F150, I'm having a surprisingly hard time deciding what to replace it with.

I was originally going to go with a 2008, but thanks to some responses here I realized that there were some significant changes in 2009 - like the spark plug/head design. Thanks to those responses, I've been looking at 2010's. I've had to up the budget a bit, and get tougher in negotiating, but so far, I've found a few nice prospects.

Here's my latest question - I've found a very nice 2011 XLT - has a few options I like and is at a price 2K above my max budget for a 2010. Like most folks, I'm not made of money but I also plan to have this truck for a while. Question is, are these differences worth blowing my budget over:

- 2011 vs. 2010 (same mileage) - I read somewhere that there were some design changes between these two years . . . but can't find exactly what the differences were. . .
- Synch - all of the trucks I'm looking at have the Synch system, but this truck has the fancy little animated screen in the gauges - not the touch, but looks pretty cool - can't find much information about it. Seems like the 2010 versions don't have this, they have the "dot matrix" type of display, but the 2011 do. Is it a bells and whistles difference, or is there functionalitty that the 2010 doesn't have?
- Hard Tonneu cover, but no bed liner. Really struggling w/ this one. I definitely like the cover, but was going to go w/ a soft vs. hard version because it seemed more flexible to different uses. Would I be better off going w/ a truck w/o a cover, but with a spray in bed liner, then adding the soft cover myself?

Anyway - thanks as always to anyone who can provide some thoughts. If it helps, this truck will be my primary vehicle, but won't get a lot of mileage/year. Primary uses are to drag the fishing boat around, take the mountain bikes out to the trail, and keep the local home improvement stores stock prices nice and high. . . .

One other question - I've been looking only at super crews, got a few rug rats . . . Am I crazy not to look at supercabs?

 

the significant change in the 2011 was the motors....the 5.0, 6.2, and the ecotooter were introduced.

the sync system was also changed....same concept but different mfgr....

2009+2010 shared motors from the previous generation but the transmission was changed to a 6 speed....

 

Assuming it is a 5.0L V8 on the 2011, you will see a slight fuel economy increase(19 hwy instead of 18 in 4wd trim) and a large power increase(360hp/380lb-ft instead of 310hp/365ft-lbs). The new screen you see in the instrument cluster has a lot more features and usability as compared to the 2010's. If it were me, and the 2011 fit in my finances, I would get the 2011 as compared to the 2010. With regards to the tonneau, I would just sell it when you buy the truck. Even used, assuming its the painted to match variety, those things will get ya several hundred dollars. You can then use that money to get a soft tonneau if thats what you would like. Finally-I wouldnt even consider a supercab. Those rear doors are a pain when you use them all the time, and your kids are only gonna get bigger-get the crew. Good luck on your purchase!

 

Definitely get the 2011 for the new engines.

 

2011 for the powertrain. I chose to go new with the '11 for the sole purpose of the 5.0 over the old 5.4.

The information display between the gauges is exactly how you put it. It's bells and whistles. Sure its nice to know the exact angle of the pickup offroad, or have a little mpg chart. But the 2010 will still show the mpg, trip a/b, etc. The 2011's information screen does have a pretty nice window for setting up trailers, naming them, tracking miles, and I believe setting braking levels for each trailer, but with just a bass boat it doesn't do much good.

If the hard cover is a reputable brand and in good condition, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. You can take it off, sell it, and have a nice chunk of change for a spray in, softtop, or gas.

If you ever use that backseat, for your kiddos, or any reason you have to swing open the back door, get the supercrew. In a parking lot the suicide door is a PITA. On more than one occasion I have had to open the rear window and load crap in that way.

 

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I know you're looking used, but you might be able to snag a left over 12 or even a 13 with big rebates and competitve markets

 

Pros for the 2011:
motors
select shift tranny
the lcd productivity screen
more payload
better fuel economy
e power steering
off-road package
auto up/down windows
tele wheel
updated dash
110v inverter

 

I was gonna say this, but Gerrard beat me to it.

 

As stated earlier by others, I wouldn't consider the super cab especially with kids. No kids here but the rear space in the crew is amazing and nice to have. I just got back from an 800 mile trip alone and I filled the back up with gear and what I bought while on the trip and still had room. The cost difference is minimal but the convenience of rear doors over the clamshell doors is worth it. Yes, parking is a pain with the crew (and 6.5' bed) but other wise I don't notice the length.
As far as engine, I would first select the size you want then drive some trucks with the various motors to see what works best in you local situation. I averaged 18.8 lie-o-meter for first 400 miles of my trip (5.0) mixed freeway/highway but crazy wind on way home dropped it to 17.4 total. My observations with my truck with only 3k on odometer. Happy truck hunting

 

This is another good point. Which is a better deal: a '13 with $10k off with tall of the discounts? Or a '11 with a $10k off sticker price for being used?

 

Thanks folks. As always, learned a few things I didn't know - and couldn't seem to find elsewhere.

I have to laugh, though. You guys are costing me a LOT of money. I started out happy with an '08, maybe super cab, maybe super crew, then I post a question and you all help me to realize that I need a 2009 or later. I upped the budget, find a 2010, post a question and you all help me to realize that I really need a 2011. I upped the budget, found a 2011, and now I'm finding out I need a 2013. At this rate, I'm going to be pre-ordering a 2015 by the end of the week!

All teasing aside, thanks for all the great replies - I really appreciate the info. I actuallys started to look at new, but unless I can get a 2013 Blue/silver XLT supercrew w/ Synch and the Tonneu cover for less than 30k out the door (and if I can, tell me where), I think I might FINALLY get a pickup this weekend.

If it's still there. . .

 

If you could come up a little more, maybe another $500 to a $1000, I bet you could get a brand new 2013 out the door for that price.

This is just one example:

2013 Ford F-150 XLT TEXAS EDITION 2WD SUPERCREW
Exterior: Blue Flame Metallic
Interior: Pale Adobe
Drivetrain: 8 cylinder Automatic
Stock: DKD80502
Retail $38,655
Internet Price
$28,637
You Save:
$10,018

http://www.fentonforddumas.net/web/i.../All_vehicles/

http://www.fentonforddumas.net/web/n...Texas/5897587/

 

Do you need 4wd? What area of the country do you live in? Are there any options other than sync that you absolutely must have? Do you have a sales tax where you live? I bet we can find the truck you are looking for new in the range you are talking about. Something you should do right now is go onto Ford's website and request a brochure(a physical, mailed borchure-not the e-mailed one). For most people, there is a $750 coupon inside-basically another $750 manufacturer incentive. You dont have to have the coupon in hand-the dealer can look it up in VINCENT(their network). It does take a few days to get processed though, which is why I suggest you do it asap (and, if you dont use it, no harm no foul). Then there are some of the lesser known incentives like the college rebate or the military rebate. Let us know and we can help you out !

 

You guys are going to break me. Okay, so here's the skinny - here's EXACTLY what I am looking for - I'm in VA but willing to drive:

- 5.0 L V8 or Ecoboost
- 4WD (must)
- Supercrew
- Synch
- <45K miles
- Two Tone Dark Blue Pearl/Silver (I keep trying not to care about color, but I keep finding it creep up on the priority list.
- Sales tax in VA is 3%
- Front seat needs to be bench
- Running boards/bed liner/tonneu cover (the one I'm looking at has the matching hard cover, but not married to that style)

If you all think I can get something newer than the above on a 2011 at $28K out the door, let me know!