I am considering buying a new truck. A local dealer is offering base F150s for $9995 after all incentives. Yeah I know it sounds crazy but hes always advertising things like this. How are these engines holding up these days? I know there have been some issues in the past. Also what kind of MPG could I expect with the 5-speed? The ford website claims 18/21 in this configuration but some real world numbers would be great. Any other input on this truck would be great. Thanks!

 

they are heavy!

 

Fords 6's are actually very reliable. Of course theres the occasional vacuum leak, but overall, I have had no problem with the engine. I actually had a car shop tell me that the v6 (excluding 97/98) was one of fords most reliable engines.

As for gas milage, you will get 18mpg city if the city is all down hill with no stop lights. You'll probably end up getting around 13-15mpg city depending on how you drive. On the highway, you'll probably get around 20-23mpg.

 

I dont know about brand new ones. But my brothers 97 engine didnt go until over 280k miles and trans and alternator shortly after

 

id find a used one, the older body style. ive heard the new body styles are heavy as ****. My buddy has one and hes getting as he claims around 15 mpg. Hes a teenager so he keeps his foot in it. When I dont try to look cool (trust me it doesnt work with the 6) i get around 21 if i drive like an old man. When I drive like you'd expect, i get around 16 - 17. I dont know how much the new one would get if you drove very reserved, but however you drive this engine is pretty reliable and hard working. some other guys will tell you the same.


head over to v6f150.com and search through some posts you'll find what you need there for sure.

 

if your planning on a v6 for gas mileage i suggest u go for the v8.

i have a v6 and its awesome yah, and its turbocharged but im not going to be biased and say that u should get a v6...

i wish i had gone with the v8...

 

I just bought a 2008 V6 XL model reg. cab SB 5-speed and at my first fill up I calculated around 19mpg..and I have been driving it very easy with most of those miles being highway. Hope this helps, granted the V6 is no speed demon but it does a capable job. BTW 9,995 is a great deal...mine was $13k after incentives but it also has AC, CD/MP3 player, and cruise.

 

I've got the v6 with the 5 speed. I had a '99 with the v6 and the 5 speed. Overall minimal problems. It's an engine that takes a lot to bust it up. I'd say the new ones are technically bullet proof in some regard.

I've just needed to replace the A/C clutch... but that's got nothing to do with the engine itself.

 

Heck I get 20 MPG's on the highway at 60-65MPH with a 5.4 3v..........

 

I highly Doubt that...

but still id say go with the V8 They are dependable and have alot more power to push these heavy trucks aroun.

My V6 gets 15-16 mixed driving. If i keep my foot out of it and accel. nice and slow and stay between 55-60 i can get up to 19mpg.

I also have 33" tires With my stock tires i got 23-24mpg

 

You are not going to get a new F-150 with a V-8 for anywhere NEAR $9995. If you are looking for basic transportation in something that is a LOT more comfortable than a 4 banger crackerbox - you cannot beat that deal. It will even be capable of working as a TRUCK. It is FAR from being a speed demon, but it will be a workhorse. With the 5 speed, you can tow 3500#. Gas mileage is NOT its strong suit but the purchase price makes up a LOT for that. It should essentially run forever. I believe the V-6 F-150 is documented as being one of the most reliable trucks on the planet.

Real world gas mileage should be in the 16 range in town and 20 on the highway. Worst I've seen in mine is 13, best is 23. For comparison, EPA on mine is 16/20.

If you aren't a kid and/or a leadfoot, you will be happy with it.

 

Unless you need the truck for anything heavy duty, it does fine. I am very pleased with mine. I don't use a V6 for towing horse trailers, but I've had no problems what-so-ever with my motorcycles & little bass boat. With the bench seat, 3 people sit very comfortably. Of course, since it's brand new, no maintenance issues yet - but only time will tell with anything like that. Nonetheless, you hear the guys with the V8s talking about spark plugs shooting out or breaking during a plug change - but I haven't heard that about the V6. Sure, everyone says to get a V8 for the power. But do you need all that power? For me; I did not.

 

There is something to be said for old school coil packs and plug wires and OHV engines. You can actually see the plugs to change them, they don't self-eject or stick in the heads as already noted.

If you are looking for a daily driver that's up for Home Depot and dump runs and towing up to 3500#, go for it. I made several round trips from Chicago to Joplin last summer with a full bed and a fully loaded 5x8 enclosed single axle trailer and it handled it like a champ - *AND* got 15 to 17 mpg doing it with the A/C on. Worst hills had me down to 55 in 4th. It will easily tow 5000# but that's pushing the tranny - it doesn't have the strongest input shaft around.

 

I greatly appreciate everyones input here. It helps tremendously in my decision. Seems there is a pretty broad range in the mpg but I guess there are many variables that play a role. I may go take one for a drive this weekend. Still not sure how bad I want a new truck yet. My Ranger is getting up there in the miles but I owe nothing on it and Im getting about 24 mpg. Kinda hard to walk away from that. I may hold off....then again I may pull the trigger on one tomorrow. Thanks again guys!

 

There is a world of difference between a Ranger and a F-150. Yes, go drive one. Even a standard cab makes an extended cab Ranger feel like a cramped toy.

This is your last shot at a V-6 F-150 with a manual trans - both are going away for 2009. The 4.6 and auto will be standard in the base truck.

The likelihood of a F-150 getting 24 mpg is just about nil. It's been known to happen but it's very rare.