The FX4 is tricky, some years it's a trim level and some it's an option package. The big question is do you want leather seats? If so you're looking at a up optioned FX4 or Lariat. The XLT gets cloth seats. The leather also adds in the possibility of heated and cooled seats. The 250 sits a lot higher but really doesn't add much cab room over the 150. The width is the same and the floorpans are very close. I took the weather tech floor mats from my 2011 F150 and put them into the 250. The fronts are extremely close. The back needs a little bit of trimming around the console and under the seat.

 

Great! Something else to confuse me! (I do thank you for the heads-up.)

No.

I want heated seats, but I don't really care about cooled seats. (Ten days of the year they may be nice.)

Are you telling me the XLT does NOT have heated seats??? Sacrilege!!!

I am no longer thinking "250".

 

I realized a lot of the used trucks I’m seeing online are 5.5ft beds. (Yuck!)

I think a long bed is overkill for my needs. 6.5ft is just right. (Finally figured out how to ID them at a glance....)

My searches in Salina KS get a lot more hits than the local searches. I’m willing to travel for a good truck. And Coloradans really seem to like Black/Black (exterior/interior). If I have to get Black, I want a Grey or Tan interior.... Maybe they're selling them because they figured out how hot black interiors are...?

This is quite an education!

 

So you want a Supercrew, 6.5' bed F150 with cloth seats. That narrows it down quite a bit. Focus on the XLT and FX4 trims but make sure the FX4 doesn't have the luxury package. I don't think you can get heated seats and cloth. Maybe it's available in the northern areas but I know you can't get one like that in the south.

As for the truck you want, look in Texas. The 6.5' bed seems to be a lot more common there than in other places. A friend of mine wanted that bed to haul his 4 wheeler, that's where he was able to get one that was what he wanted.

 

Supercrews with 6.5' beds are not all that common unless you get a F250.

 

I really appreciate all the tips, folks!

Several of you have recommended I stick to the 2011-2015 versions of the 150. I *like* by-passing the depreciation, but what's wrong with a 2016 or 2017 truck?

 

2016/2017 is fine. 2015 was the first year for the aluminum body.

 

2009-2010 new body, old motors
2011-2014 new motors, 3.5EB, 5.0, 6.2 etc
2015-2016 was the drive line from 2011-2014 in an aluminum body.
In 2017 they switched to the Gen 2 3.5 EB and the 10 speed trans. If you're willing to pay that's what I would be looking for. Also, if you search enough there's a few new 2017s on the lot still. If you find one close enough to what you want you can really save some cash that way.

 

Very helpful, Wookie. Thanks!

 

Hmm. The 6.5 bed is pretty rare in my searches. I checked with some buddies, most of whom do NOT have 6.5ft beds, but the 5.5ft. They don't have any problems.

Do I really need to quibble about one foot?

 

No, if necessary you can always get a bed extender. However, if you want to tow a 5th wheel or a gooseneck, a 5.5' bed is not recommended at all.

 

Great!

No. Not towing big trailers like that. (Again, if I need that kind of towing ... I'll borrow my son's beast!)

 

I have had 2 5.5' SuperCrew trucks and never really had a problem with the short bed because of the bed extender. They can hold a full 4x8 sheet with the tailgate down. 10' pieces will stick out a little bit but not bad if you put them at an angle on top of the extender. The only thing the 6.5' bed is really useful for is hauling a big 4 wheeler in the bed. The short one puts too much weight on the tailgate.

As a plus, going with the 5.5 gives you a whole lot more choices.

 

My son's father-in-law bought a 150 Lariat (with the 6.5 foot bed) in December. I asked him one of my favorite questions, "What would you do differently?"

"Camel Tan leather is hard to keep clean. I'd probably have gone with the Black interior -- because the Lariat has A/C in the seats, you know."

I'm really encouraged...!

 

I use an auto broker to buy my cars. Years ago I was talking with one and said, "But I actually ENJOY negotiating -- and I'm good at it."

"It doesn't matter. I buy cars at the Fleet Rate. No matter how good a negotiator you are, you're negotiating in the Retail Rate. You cannot beat me." That was persuasive....

So -- not being comfortable with going to a dealership and test driving the 150, when I KNOW I won't buy from the dealer -- I called HM Brown & Associates (My broker). He had a 2014 FX4 driven down from Denver for me to try it out. (Really? He had a vehicle driven 55 miles just for me to test drive it???)

WEDNESDAY'S TEST DRIVE:
I really like the 150! This may seem odd but, GREAT mirrors! I used to drive a Cab-Over delivery truck. I gained a big appreciation for the safety of having really good mirrors. The FX4 is kind of "plain" inside, but the location of the needed adjustment buttons and ***** is well laid-out. The back seats are surprisingly roomy. The FX4 suspension is a touch on the stiff side, so I'm fairly confident the XLT is what I'm after. (My son's F-I-L, mentioned above, has the 2018 Lariat and commented on how plush the ride is. I'm not seeking "plush".)

No wonder you guys like talking about your trucks so much. I'm a FAN!