I have had my 99 XLT Off Road since September 03. Since then I've pumped over $2,000 in to ball joints, airbag switch, cruise switch, cylinder coil, rear brakes, and more.

Took it in on Wednesday when my front brakes, that supposedly had "more than a year left" (according to the Ford service guy in July 04), were grinding. The news was bad ... front brakes incl rotors, adjust rear brakes that were just put on in July, tie rods, and oh yeh ... head gaskets. The $4,500 price tag was enough to make me utter the words trade-in.

The Ford service guy asked if I was going for another F150. I told him of my less than enjoyable ownership of a 97 Expedition and 99 F150 and my buddy who has a laundry list of problems with his 4 month old 04 F150. He gave me a look as if to say "I don't blame you" and immediately wrote the name of a sales guy at the foreign car dealer across the street. The sales guy said it was pretty common that he would get referrals from the Ford service people.

I will say that aside from the cash I had to pump into it every 6 months, the F was an enjoyable vehicle. If Ford ever pulls its head out of the sand and addresses its pathetic quality, I would consider owning another F. Until then, I will drive my rice-burner and spend my extra cash on things like vacations rather than rebuilding my truck a part at a time.

So Long!

 

Take care man, sorry you had a poor experience, I don't blame you really, but know the grass isnt always greener on the other side.

Good luck!

 

The Honda dealer gave me a loaded 2005 Accord Coupe with 240 hp V6 and 6-speed trans. Fun car that is plenty quick for me and easy on the wallet especially at the gas pump.

 

Sorry to see you go, but those are fun and cheap cars to zip around in!

 

Thats a shame to have traded the truck in, but your right, it was costing you money though. Did you beat on that truck or something or take it off roading a lot? Maybe the owner before you beat on the truck to have so much problems (thats just my guess)

Those Honda Accords are nice, I have a freind just brought a 04 accord last summer. Those AC systems in those cars are the best AC I have ever felt in any car or truck, you will freeze your butt off in the summer with it on! I'm sure you will be able to keep that car long enough to save again for maybe another f150 later in the future, plus now if anythign goes wrong in this car you have, theres always the warrenty again so you don't have to pay for anything for a while on it.

Goodluck with the car and sorry to hear about the problems your f150 had!

 

I was easy on it for the 1 1/2 years I had it ... my bet is the previous owner wasn't as nice to it.

As far as going back to an F150 its more about the hassle than the cash. I prefer to drive something that spends more time in my garage than the dealer's. I would have bought another F150 if I knew for sure that the car payment was all I'd have to pay for over the next 3 years, then enjoy another 2-3 years of general maintenance, and have some trade-in value.

 

I drive about 1k milles a month. With gas over $2 a gallon here, I'll save about $65 dollars amonth over what it cost to operate my truck. That's not much money for me, but if I were still in college that would have been the difference between eating raman noodles and something more substantial.