i have thought way too much about this....so im looking for some advice.

What I have now is a 98 f150 4x4 off-road with 130k. I want to move up to something with fewer miles...and I always wanted an FX4 but didnt want to spend quite that much a few years ago when I got a great deal on my '98.

So what I WANT, is a black or red, with or without the dark grey 2-tone, 02-03 f150 FX4 with a moonroof, rear slider, switch on dash for 4x4 not shifter on floor, fewer than 75-80k miles....for 14k or less

What i FOUND is a local individual selling an 03 F150 FX4 that I could get for like 14k
It only has 50k miles, and is totally loaded, lariat, 5.4, moonroof, power rear slider, leather...all kinds of crap.

I have searched automart.com, autotrader.com, carmax.com ford.com's pre-owned section, cars.com nationwide for the truck I am looking for and found very few examples that are exactly what I want in the whole country the following link being one of the very few:
http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/fact...spx?id=4410006
But as you can see it is more than 3,000 more than I want to spend (once you add in the transfer fee).

I dont know if I like the adjustable pedals or the posh leather lariat seats in the FX4 i found locally as they both seem to contribute to a little less legroom (and im really tall). I dont need the power rear slider, the heated seats, the 6 disc changer etc....and the maroon with tan trim (2-tone) color is really nice but its not quite the black or red I would prefer (kind of a more grown-up look).

BUT...based on how scarce the exact truck I am looking for seems to be, the fact that the few i do find are selling for a premium, and what a great deal this fx4 is I am thinking maybe I should jump on it....i mean i dont dislike all the creature comforts but i dont NEED them in a truck...though they do help with resale value right?

so what do i do? should I hold out? is this fx4 that I found locally really that great of a deal?

help!

 

not too bad of a price if you ask me

 

Go for the local one with less miles and its cheaper. You won't regret it.

 

why buy for the most part the same truck you have. buy a 04+ or keep what you have.

 

i say... if its the exact truck you want... with the exact options... for a price your willing to pay... buy it. Plus being local... its easier to find out how the truck has been treated. And even though you dont NEED the comfort features.. once you have them... you'll never go back.

 

If you can foot the bill, find a seller for your truck (if needed), and the new 150 checks out ok, then go for it. It's a killer price imho. Then again, it's more of a buyer's market, so haggle that price!

 

That link shows an XLT, not an FX4, at least according to the title. So, you're looking at a 3 grand premium on an XLT, not an FX4.

Am I mistaken?

EDIT.. I saw the rear pics with the FX4 stickers, but is it an FX4?

 

I remember reading somewhere a while back that FX4 was really just what they called "4x4 off-road" in 2002-2003. With that in mind and making note of the wheels, nerf bars, and trim around the wheel wells I believe that is a genuine fx4. I think as an FX4 you can have an XLT or lariat, most being XLTs.

I have found a lot of variations in the ways people list the trucks they are selling. Some dont mention FX4 in the listing at all even though the truck clearly is one.


with regards to the buyer's market question, do you say that because im buying a 5.4L truck as gas prices continue to rise with no end in sight, or because its the middle of winter? If you say that because it is the middle of winter do you think there will be a much larger selection of trucks for sale come march/april?

thanks for all the advice! keep it comin

 

That Carmax truck is a ripoff. You should be able to get a Supercrew Lariat for that $17k. $14k sounds about right for a 2003 Supercab Lariat with most options. I have no problems with a 35" inseam and the Lariat leather and adjustable pedals. I actually wish I did not have the FX4 package, but my compromise was to get the other options I wanted.

For you 2004+ newbies, the FX4 was indeed an off-road equipment package in 2002-2003, not a trim level. Really amounted to some stickers and unique wheels as everything else included can be had without the package as individual options.

 

why do you wish you did not have the FX4 package?

 

I think I have the exact truck your describing with all the options on it. My 2 cents, I say go for it for these reasons...

1. With the 03s, Ford has worked out all the kinks on the OBS (old body style)... I was looking at 04s but I am always hesitant on buying a vehicle when it is the first year that they came out with it for that reason.

2. I'm 6' even and have the adjustable pedals, plently or room with much to spare, but mine is also a Screw. The pedals are nice for the wife who is 5'2"..

3. I have leather, moon roof, sliding rear window, heated seats, FX4 package lariat and after driving it, this is by far the best truck I have ever owned. Very comfortable too. I carpooled in an 06 F150 for about a year and they just don't seem to be as comfortable.

4. That seems like a really good price IMO with that many miles on it.

5. No problems whatsoever, and I have about 95K miles on mine.

6. If you decide to add any mods, they seem to be much more compatable with the 03s (I am always reading about problems with the EDGE and CAIs on the newer models). I have a good share of mods on my 03 and everything seems to work great.

The leather is great also for the kids, easy to clean and maintain... There is nothing about the truck that I dislike... I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

so since the FX4 simple means 4x4 Off-Road does that mean this truck has a skid plate? (i forgot to look last night when I checked it out) That was standard on 4x4Off-Road models right?

 

Yes, it will have a skid plate, along with 3.55LS or 3.73LS gears. It will also include Rancho shocks and most importantly, STEEECKERS!

 

I prefer the 5-spoke chrome standard Lariat wheels over the FX4 wheels (looks) as they are the same size. I hate the shocks (gives Rancho a bad reputation), and the stickers that I ended up removing on day 1. The only thing I required in thepackage was 3.73 LS and skid plates would have been nice. Both were availible as independent options, if I had found the perfect truck. Oh, and obviously no one like paying for things they don't use.

Yes, the FX4 package includes skid plates for fuel tank, transfer case, and front frame crossmember.