Hello everyone!

I have to say while I'm not a first time Ford owner (had a previous `93 4 door Explorer), I'm looking to be a first time F150 owner in the coming months.

As part of my research into possibly getting an F150 over other full sized same in class trucks, I wanted to check with folks here on the forums to get some input.

First off I have to buy used. My finances dictate that. A brand new $40,000 truck is out of budget and even negotiating it down to $30,000 is just impractical for me right now. Thus I'm looking around the $20,000 range, give or take a few thousand depending on the truck.

Secondly I'm looking to get a 2009 model or higher. Preferably 4 door SuperCrew cab with either a 5.5' or 6.5' bed. I'm not locked in on either the 4.6 or 5.4l engines. Based on my budget it seems that 2009 and 2010 are the two years that my finances qualify me for which is great for those two model year trucks.

However, as I've been checking AutoTrader lately, I'm finding ALOT of trucks in my price range or even lower, but they have 70,000-150,000 miles on them. My question is, just how reliable are these model year F150's for higher mileage? What potential issues do I need to be aware of for such high mileage on these trucks? Is it even recommended to get a truck that is only a few years old right around the 100k mileage mark?

I'm not a stranger to high mileage. I have an `01 Subaru Outback wagon that I purchased in `05 at 78k miles and is now at 283k miles on orig engine and transmission. Of course that comes with regular maint and staying on top of issues. But it's been darn reliable.

Should I/can I expect the same from a newer F150?

I appreciate all input, thoughts, comments, etc! Thanks!!

 

Can you find a 2011 with the 5.0?

 

I've seen a few 2011's with a 5.0. Whats the difference between the 5.4l or if I got a 4.8l?

 

This^^^. The 5.0, compared to the 5.4 and 4.6, is the way to go. Also, the 4.8 is a Chevy motor, I think you meant 4.6.

Basically, the 4.6 wins the reliability and longevity battle, while the 5.4 wins in power. The 5.0 seems to be a healthy balance of both (with even more power than the 5.4).

If you don't tow anything, look for a 2011 with the 3.7. Another viable option. Basically if you can swing a 2011, you've got better engine options across the board. If you still have to go with a 2009 or 2010, I suppose your engine choice depends on what you use it for. The last 5.4 I owned was a 2000, and I'm sure it's come a long way since then, so maybe someone with a newer one will chime in. If you buy one with 100k+, I'd go with the 4.6.

 

Does it need to be 4x4, or is 2WD okay? XLTs okay? Cause new XLT 2WD supercrews are in the $30k range, some are had for as low as about $28k. So trucks like this are only $23-24k ish. Which is the high end of your budget, but that's less mileage than you mentioned. In my opinion, a 2011 would be worth the money cause they tend to get 2-4 MPG better than 2004-10s, which helps with the higher payment if you drive 12-15k a year. And I'm the last one to try and use fuel economy as reasoning for one truck over the other, but between that and 40-60 extra HP over the 5.4, I'd say it was worth it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F-150-WE-FINANCE-2011-FORD-F150-TEXAS-EDITION-CREW-XLT-5-0-6PASS-TOW-55K-TEXAS-DIRECT-AUTO-/400730045621?forcerrptr=true&hash=item5d4d5f3cb5&item=400730045621&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

Very good point. Some dealers even have leftover '13s I'm sure they're eager to get rid of.

 

Thanks for the info on the 5.0s. Yeah I mistyped 4.8 instead of 4.6.

4x4 is a requirement for where I live in the Appalachian mountains with wintry weather and general conditions that a 2wd isn't optimized for.

As for all the trucks I've seen for sale, they by far are the 4.6's for sale. Only a 5.4's for sale at the moment on autotrader in my area.

 

to bad you need a 4x4.. Found a new 14 supercrew with the 3.7 for 25k. If im not mistaken the little 3.7 has the same or more hp than the 4.6

http://www.machaikfl.com/inventory-d...1-6f6612fa0a4a

 

That would be an excellent deal if I lived in the paved road flat areas of FL or the south. However my driveway is eroding 9% grade that makes for a mess in winter. Just as most places are here in WV.

 

Know what you mean with those steep grades. We have a farm in Virginia and its just a little different terrain then good ol texas

 

I remember seeing a thread about higher mileage reliability.....oh...here it is:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...liability.html

Just took a glance through - the thread is a few years old and most posts are in the 50k-75k range. I thought there was another thread will folks talking about over 100k but can't find it right now.

Edit to add: here's another one:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...miles-yet.html

 

Okay, yeah 4x4 costs about $4k and never depreciates. Even on 10 year old F150s, the 4WDs are about 4 grand more.

Coy, I'd love a 5.0 STX for about that much haha

 

There are some pretty good hills here in middle TN and all I have had has been 2 4x2 f150's and a few Mustangs. Never had a real problem getting around when it snows around here. One of my F150's had a open rear diff so you might as well as say one wheel drive with that one. Only got stuck briefly a couple times in all those years once in my 94 GT with 30k on the original tires that were almost worn out. The other time with my current 05 which has the limited slip rear when it had the crappy Continental tires on it with about 25k on them. A lot of it comes down to how good your tires are in winter when driving a 4x2 truck.

 

I have a 2009 STX with the 4.6 2V and my Father in Law has an '09 SCAB XLT with the 4.6 3V. I have 85,000 trouble free miles on mine and he is in the 70,000's on his with no worries.

The 4.6's aren't loaded down with power but they are indestructible. I'd by one with 100,000 on it if I knew it had been well maintained.