Hey guys,

I've been looking for a used truck for a while now, with about 100k on it. I've boiled down my search to 2 trucks:

2010 Lariat 5.4L screw, 125,000 km, they're asking $25,000. The truck is in great shape, very clean. I'm certain I can beat the guy down.

2011 XTR 3.5 ecoboost screw, 96,000 km, asking $32,000. Again, truck is in immaculate shape.

Neither of these trucks look to have ever towed, the hitch receivers are unmarked inside.

I'm leaning towards the 2010 Lariat, mainly because I'm nervous about that 1st generation ecoboost developing issues that will leave me holding the bag in 25k from now... There's a ton of forums out there warning people to trade them in before the warranty runs out. The 5.4 is the final year of production, so theoretically most of the bugs are worked out, and a lot of mechanics would be familiar with it. My heart loved the power of the ecobost, but my brain is telling me to go with the 2010 (and leather and sunroof and stereo....)

Any advice? Thanks!

 

I wouldn't fear a 2011 EB at all. The people crowing the loudest have never even owned one. My 2011 has 93,xxx and hasn't had any problems. A friend traded in his 2012 with 230,000 on it.

 

If you are nervous about the EcoBoost, you might try a 2011 with the 5.0. Huge improvement over the 5.4.

 

I would not be afraid of either one really, though I would lean toward the 5.4. I had great luck with the 5.4 I had, and liked the engine, plus, I prefer V8s. Just my preference. The advice to look for a 5.0 is good too. I am on my second one and they have been excellent to me.

 

As a previous owner of two 5.4's they are truly great motors just not a great powerhouse. However they will get the job done just a bit slower. The 5.4 does make its torque down low just not as much as the Ecoboost. Being a 2010 the bugs are worked out. For every person I know who loves their Ecoboost I know of two who have had numerous issues. I work around construction workers who use these trucks daily so I'm not just flappin my gums. Good luck in your choice.

 

Yeah, when Ford puts the ecoboost in commercial vehicles, you will know they are ready.

 

You mean something like the Transit van...

 

I'm with Bluejay. I have a 2010 5.4 FX-4 and no problems what so ever with it. I've heard too many horror stories about EBs! Plus the Lariat is a nicer truck IMO. And they want $7,000 more for the one year newer truck? Nope!

The 2010 5.4 would get my vote.

My 2 cents worth.

 

Well, that is kind of a toy work truck.

 

You do realize the Transit replaced the E-150, E-250 and E-350 don't you? So I'd say vans most plumbers, electricians and HVAC guys drive around certainly qualities as a commercial vehicle.

The Transit Connect is the little car based one.

 

There in no way in hell i would even consider a 5.4 3 valve compared to a EB. Matter of fact i will never go back to a N/A engine after having my Eb. They all feel like slugs compared to the Eb.

I have 51k on my Eb and its been a great truck. It went into the shop at 50k for a timing cover leak ( fixed under warranty) Other than that it's been a solid truck.

 

I traded a 5.4 in on a Ecoboost and there is absolutely no comparison. I wouldn't go back for any amount of money. The 5.4 had a cat back exhaust, cold air intake, Evolution Edge programmer and a specially rebuilt transmission with an oversize valve body, shift kit and heavy duty clutch packs and it still would not hold a candle to the Ecoboost. The 5.4 only had 49,000 easy one owner miles on it but it had to go and I ordered it special and waited on its delivery.

 

The 5.4 is a pig, plain and simple. It gets horrible mileage, the coyote 5.0 in my 13 outperforms the 5.4 I had in my 07. And the 13 is a bigger heavier truck. Get the ecoboost, you won't be sorry.

 

After I over reacted in 2005 when gas went to $4/gallon and sold my 2000 5.4 2 valve Supercab 4x4, I got the bug for a truck again. I test drove a used 2005 SWB 4x4 with the 5.4 3V and also a new 2006 supercab 4x4 with the 5.4 3v. Both of those 3V engines felt much slower than my 02 2V. Maybe it was partly because the trucks were heavier.

Maybe I should stop by the dealer and drive a new ecoboost! Maybe not! I might have to have it!!

 

The 1997-2003 body was a lot lighter than the 2004-2008 body. That would explain the difference in performance. But I do agree, the trucks with the 2V did feel snappier.

The EB is in a whole different league than the 5.4. I've pulled the same hills with the same load on the same trailer in a 2005 Supercrew with 3.73s as my 2011 Supercrew with 3.55s. The 2005 would be in 3rd gear and working hard to hold 60ish. The 2011 stays in 6th loafing along at 70. While the trans was different between the two the 6 speed's gears work out to a granny low and a middle OD gear. 4th gear on the 6 speed is about what 3rd is on the 4 speed. 4th and 6th gear are equal on the two. That's at central Arkansas altitudes, go to the Rockies and it's like comparing a Powerstroke to a 2.3L Ranger.