In other posts I have mentioned I am close to buying an '02 or '03 Screw. I found an '03 XLT Fx4 4X4 5.4/3.73 with 34Kmis, I really liked but the dealer won't come down below $21K. It books out at $20 on Edmunds which seems close to accurate, I guess they have too much in it. So, I put another iron in the fire. I called another dealer with an '02 XLT 4X4 5.4/3.55 with 36K on it. He came down to $18.5. Now we are getting somewhere. It books out at $17.3 but the dealer put 4 new tires on it, (255's, I know bummer) and new front brakes as well as a couple other things. However, my biggest concern is the spark plug issue with the '02's and in fact spent quite a while reading the whole thread. VERY SCAREY. With my luck, if I buy this truck, all 8 will shoot out at the same time killing the drivers of the cars next to me causing a huge pile up on I-75, if I don't buy it, it will probably be the best truck Ford built and I missed my chance...the old Charlie Brown syndrome. It's a really nice truck, super clean, clearly not run hard but with this issue, why should I buy an '02? Looks like Nov 12, 2002 they cut over to the new heads so almost half of the '03 production has the old heads too. What do you think, should I buy it and role the dice? Knowing this exists, I can torque them down and keep an eye on it. I suppose if it pops I can have 8 sleeves put in it. Or, just pass and wait for a late model '03. I've never been so indecisive in my life!

 

you can get a 2005 for 25k

 

Good Point jcc.....Don't look at just the price of the truck and base it on that. On the 02, a bank may only be willing to finance for 4 years. However, an 05 at slightly more can be financed over a longer period (5-6 years) and may roughly keep the same payment. Yep, you would be financing over a longer period, but you start off with zero miles and no possible hidden issues from the prior owner.

Thanks
Steve

 

I would look at the 05's as well. If not, I would just go with the 02.

 

I appreciate it guys, there is just no way I can spend that kind of money. Believe me, I would love to have an '05 but the best I could do around here is $26 for an XLT 4X4 5.4 3.55. In fact there is a tie in here. One of the trucks I really like was an '03 Lariat. Sweet loaded etc. priced at $24995 in Louisville. So I tried to work with them on that and the used car manager said he really couldn't negotiate that price. He came down a little, but hardly any. He said that truck is worth more to him on his lot at that price to bring buyers up to '05's than it is to sell right now. He said come back after the '05/'06 incentives are over and if it is still there, they may be more flexible. I applaude his honesty...I guess.

 

The spark plugs blowout issue on the 5.4 is overstated. Yes it happens but its really not a common problem. Get the '02 and enjoy it.

Bob

 

I agree. My 99 5.4L (first year of PI heads) is still fine at 90k miles. The problem rate is very low, considering Ford sells 400k of these engines per year.

 

I agree!

 

if 2-3 thousand dollars makes that of a big difference in buy a new or used truck if i were you i would wait until you get a little more money aside to put down on the truck.
and your going to get a higher interest rate on a used truck than you will on a new that could be the key in affording a new one

 

The 02 SCREWS are good trucks... the new F-150's are having some issues according to the local sales manager. Don't everyone who owns one kill me... thats just what he said...

As far as new vs. used... My wife wanted a new taurus... we went and looked and a new one was $21,000 with the "family plan" with 3.9 incentive interest for 4 years. We happened to look on the used lot and they had an 05 with 21k on it with everything the new one had. Bought it for $15,100 at 4.9% for 5 years with 100,000 mile B2B warranty with no deductible.

Back in the days of 0% and such new cars were a better deal... but today you really have to look at the numbers... to pay $5-6,000 more for new with close interest rates is a lot of money to burn....

 

My dealer told me today there aren't many used F-150's on the market (in our area), so he's not inclined to wheel & deal on his used inventory. His inventory of 05 truck models are low, and "loaded" models are all gone. So, he's been able to get top dollar for used trucks, especially if they're well equiped. He got $10.5K for my 4X2 '97 XLT SCAB a few days after I traded it in.

He would suggest waiting until late Dec/early Jan when the remaining 05 models go on clearance. When the 06 trucks hit the lot, he'll be highly motivated to move the used trucks.