First, great forums....mucho good info!

So I've been on the hunt for the past several days and I've narrowed it down to 2 trucks. They're both 4X4, superclean with no real dings / scratches etc., both have new tires, spray-in liners, foglights, and tow packages. Some of what I may list below is probably standard for the trim level but I'm not clear on the details so bear with me.

Which one would you buy??

'01 XLT 4.6 Gold over blue, cloth / power driver's, cd changer, sunroof, manual rear slider, 78k miles. He's asking $15.9 which is about book on it

(now the bling )
'02 Lariat FX4 5.4 White over gold, leather / power / heated captain's chairs, cd changer, auto climate control, sunroof, power rear slider, auto dimming mirror....all the bells and whistles but, 108k miles. He's asking $14.9 which seems to be way under book value.

The Lariat is probably the cleanest and definitely the best looking truck I've looked at (maybe 20 total) and the price is right. I'll probably keep the truck for a couple years but it will only be driven occaisionally, pulling the boat, etc. I doubt I'll put more than 10,000 miles on it while I have it so factor that into the mileage issue.

Would you let the miles scare you and go with the XLT, or get the purty white one with all the doo-dads??

 

The mileage wouldn't bother me a bit.

The 78k might be all city driving and the 108k might be all easy highway miles.

I would buy the nicest truck I could afford. In my eyes the Lariat wins, hands down.

 

Since you're not going to drive it much, I wouldn't worry about the high mileage on either of them. So, it really comes down to 4.6L vs 5.4L. If you plan on pulling anything, you will want the 5.4L.

 

I would go with the 5.4 as well, since you will be towing.

Mike

 

Unless you need something really soon, just keep searching. Plenty of these trucks around and you'll get more familiar with options, etc., that were available back then.

Back to the OP, I'd opt for the 5.4. Only because you never know if you'll have a need for more power (hauling, towing, etc.). Just be sure if the truck is a 1 owner vehicle. If not, try to get your hands on any maintenance documentation that was performed. Maintenance records tend to get lost between multiple owners of the same vehicle - at least in my experience.

Gas mileage and MPG is a non-issue with these trucks...

 

Thanks for all the feedback! I went back over to the dealer yesterday and took a few pics which are here:

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=8683

The Lariat is one clean machine for sure.....hell it's almost too nice. I'm going to head back first thing this moring to take it for a longer spin. Assuming carfax comes back ok and everything checks out, I think I'll jump on it. I was telling the wife last night that every other truck I've looked at, I've just felt lukewarm about. Like "There's a million out there like it so if this one doesn't work out then no biggie." This one has really spoke to me for some reason though.

Woohoo! Shiny New(to me) Toys!!!

 

I would say take the white '02 5.4L!

 

No reason not to get the Lariat unelss this particular ones has some issues. 108k miles is nothing for these trucks. Good to know my 03 Lariat Screw w/ 40k miles is still worth at least $15k.

 

The 02 screw is very similar to mine. Although mine only has 45000 miles, I have had no trouble with it. Don't hesitate to buy either one of these trucks, although I would recommend the 5.4 engine.

 

My vote is on the white 02

 

Done deal....she's sitting in the driveway now! Thanks again for all the input!

 

Nice looking truck, good luck with it.

 

Nice looking truck! Good luck with it and have fun modding it!

Mike

 

very nice,,enjoy
i wonder how that gold trim would look on a red 03?

 

Not a fan of the rounder body style (pre 04). But !DAMN! that is nice!