my birthday is may 31st and I'm going to be 16. i was looking at a 99 f-150. would that be a good first vehicle for someone. i saw one at a used car dealership. i didnt get to get an up close look at it becuase the place was closed.

 

its okay i guess.

there are other variables. what will your insurance be on this truck versus a Corolla or Civic?

Can you afford the gas?

As far as quality, you should have no problems with a 99. Trucks are built solid and can generally take all the abuse a 16 yo can throw at them (first hand experience here). Try to stay away from the 4.2L V6. The 4.6 is pretty darn solid motor and should give years of trouble free life.

Let us know how you make out!

Good luck!

 

well i got bad news. i live in huntsville,al and my cousin lives in muscle shoals. thats about an hour away from here. he went to go look at the truck up close today for me becuase they place was closed when i went so i didnt get a good view. the guy there said it hadnt been wrecked but he could tell becuase for one the bumper was not stock and it was black primer so it hadnt been painted black like the rest of the truck. 2) he said that rear bumber was off center and look liked it had been hit with the end of trailer when someone was trying to put it on the hitch. 3) he said they grill was from a 95 or 96 it wasnt a 99. and last but not least he said it had a lot of gashes in the paint and it looked like someone had just gotten some cheap fingernail polish and filled it in. so that made me pretty pissed. the gas isnt really a problem because my parents said they would pay for that if i payed for the payments and insurance. and i really dont want a carolla or civic just becuase of too many dang ricers. thats my main reason for a truck. my other choice would be a mustang. i kinda want a ford just incase you couldnt tell.

 

trucks do get beat up because they are work vehicles. doesn't mean it was in an accident.

as far the the appearance... this drives down the price.

The body style was effective 97 model year so its not possible for a 95 grill to be on it.

If it is that banged up, you can get it much cheaper which is why you are looking at used in the first place,right?

 

well i dont know what it looks like or anything up close im just telling you what he told me. I want a used but not one that has been banged up alot. i mean yeah i know its a truck and they are work trucks but i mean it should look some what nice. i want my vehicle reguardless if it is a truck or not too look nice even if it is used. but ill just keep my eye out for one.

 

lucky for you this is the best selling vehicle in the world! You should have no problems finding a used one to meet your needs.

Let us know how you make out.

 

OK, I have a 2004 F-150. BUT, I also have a 99 F-150 XLT SuperCab Flairside with a 5.4. I like this 99 as much as my 04. I bought it new in August 1999 and I have 75,000 miles on her. I am on my third set of tires, one set of new brakes and one new A/C compressor (under warranty). Those are the only repairs. I change the oil every 3,000 miles, rotate the tires.

I added numerous toys to her.

In her old age, she mostly stays in the neighborhood, the mall and an ocassional trip to the Med Center.

I will keep her for another 3-4 years. I am not sure what the going price is, but she is paid for and in good condition. Wish I could say that about my wife.

 

well im still keepin an eye out for a f-150. i just really like the 99's. i think that my last alternative would be a mustang. the only bad thing is that like any f-150 everyone has one. so i just gotta do my best to make it unique but still cool. thanks for the help.
-Drew

 

My oldest son's first truck was an 85 F150 4wd. It couldn't take his 16 yo abuse. Six months after getting his license he rolled it and landed up against a large pine tree. It bent every piece of sheet metal but the hood and tailgate. That's when I learned to say "it's only a vehicle, it can be replaced". What ever you end up with, be careful out there.

 

My first car was an 86 Bronco. I thrashed on it pretty hard and minus the few dent and dings I gave it I also managed to blow out the front and rear main seals. I sold it still running strong and leaking oil with 180K on it.

I moved to a 83 F250 4x4 and have sence sold it. In the intrum I purchased a 72 F250 2x4(still own and in peices for restoration), 01 Focus and 00 Focus (still own both).

One thing to remember with a truck is it's not a car. I realized that with the Bronco and never had it to the point of almost roll over. I also learned the car quickly also and knew its limits.

Personaly, I say if you are paying for the truck and insurance get an older truck that you could possibly pay cash for or get a small loan you can pay off in short time. Or maybe go for a Ranger unless you need full size. Just remember to check the truck out really good and do not buy it the day you see it. Get all the info and look interested but not to interested. Got home and run the vin and get values on it. go back a few days later and talk them down on price. Do not play the finance rate changing trick(I did that and got hosed - still paying for the car I no longer have). Maybe even buy from a owner and not a used lot. I bought my 83 and 72 that way. The 72 was great and fan flawlessly for 2 years before I put it up for restore. The 83 got a low end knock within 3 months and I had the engine rebuilt. Bought the 01 focus new and have no troubles except a few small sensors go under warranty and the 00 was bought used(talked down from 8500 to 7200) at ford and with 85K got no problems except for cheap tires going bad.

Remember that most used car lots get there cars at auction and will have some room on the price even if they say they don't. For example I got a trade in cost for the 00 of $2000. they will recon it and do little things thy say need to be done and have about $300-$500 into it. It will than go on the lot for $5000 or more.