Looking for opinions for those that have them.... trying to decide to buy now, or ride out my current truck a little longer...

I have a 2005 F150 ext. cab FX4, 5.4 motor... 82,000 miles... all paid off!

I'm trying to decide if I should get a new one this year, or wait... I don't want to get into the time period where I am replacing broken things on my truck.. I'm not there yet, (knock on wood!) ... some people say run it into the ground since it's paid for, but once I do a tranny, I'm married to it.

I would like to find a new FX4, eco-boost, crew cab w/ 6.5' bed (which I'm told by my dealer must be special order for 6.5 bed in crew cab for Fx4)...

Are the bugs worked out on these things yet? Your thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!
THanks in advance!

 

Most dealers won't stock 6.5' beds on crew cab F-150s unless there's a demand for them. Around here, they are pretty much non-existent in any trim level. As for your current truck, 82,000 miles is not all that much, especially if you've kept current with the service schedule. The Ecoboost trucks are fun to drive, in fact so much fun that you could easily end up getting the same mileage as your current 5.4. So, unless you're "on fire" to buy a new Ecoboost, yours ought to hold up a good while longer. Secondly, you have over 70k miles (which I've been told makes a used vehicle most attractive to potential buyers), so what's a couple thousand more miles? Thirdly, if you banked your current payment amount, you'll accumulate money for a down payment. Lastly, your trade won't lose much more in depreciation. However, it's your money and whatever makes you happy, go for it.

 

THanks for the response GGG...
Yea the 6.5 beds on crew cabs are tough to come by here as well... I have seen 1 fx4 and numerous XLT's....
My truck is in great shape and has not given me any major issues. I always worry about doing a tranny since it seems like thats been my experiences w/ fords around the 100k mark....
And I haven't ruled out the 5.0L either... it just seems its a no brainer to fork over the extra $900? for the eco, but then again, some say the 5.0 isn't too far behind it either... and less moving parts.... just dont want to regret not getting the eco down the road when everyone is killing me on the mpg's....

 

REALLY?
I though that's true for any retailer, and any product, no? Even Walmart will not stock something there is no demand for. Sorry, I could not resist.

 

Keep the truck you have. Make payments to yourself that are equivalent to the new truck and invest the money. This is how people become wealthy.

Buy whatever you want with cash some years down the road.

 

If you want a FX4 get it, but I would do the shorter box. You will have all kinds of problems in parking lots with the other. Just me sayen. I have an old truck too and I love it but drive it on weekend work detail and love my new one on the expressway.

 

The 5.4L is just broke in at 80K. I'd do a plug change and load another 100K miles on her. By that time, the new body style will be out.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.....

 

Wendy has had her 2012 Eco SCrew w/6.5 box about 2 months and she loves it. It's got just about 5K on the clock and is up 18MPG and should be getting better.
Her truck has more power then my 2009 5.4 off the line. I don't think you would have a problem falling in love with the Eco. Chris

 

Only a little off topic, but I've been wondering if I'd want the 6.5 or 5.5 bed on my next truck. My current rig, a 2005 SuperCrew w/ 5.5 bed is plenty long already, and i do live in a city. However, I don't drive the truck every day, and I fill up that be pretty fast when I'm going camping or anything like that.

 

Keep the truck as long as it is still not costig you money, after that, kick it to curb! As far as 6.5 foot SCrew FX4 Ecoboost, When I bought mine last month I had 8-10 to choose from at the dealer all with Max tow. Steven

 

Go with the 6.5 bed, the longer wheel base will give you a much better ride. And with an EB engine under the hood, a sweet combo. We tried both before Wendy bought. Chris

 

I have the 6.5 bed. I do notice it being a little longer in the turns of a parking situation and keep in mind to "set up" for the turn.

I also tow a 31' camper and find that wheelbase to be much more stable. I was able to take both a 6.5 bed and a 5.5 bed truck and tow my camper. The difference with out a sway control was nothing short of amazing. I do tow with sway control normally but tested with out it. The 6.5 bed is hands down a much better platform for towing long trailers. Just a little more dog makes the tail less likely to wag it.!

To the OP. If you do not want to spend the money now....DO NOT GO TEST DRIVE ONE!!!!

 

One thing I have noticed and am surprised about is the reverse turning radius. My previouse truck was a 2002 F250 Crew with a 6.5 foot bed so the both are close to the same length, the old F250 would backup much tighter than this new one. Not sure if it has to do with the difference between 2wd (old) and 4wd (new) or what, but it has taken me by surprise a couple of times. Steven

 

I just got a 2012 FX4 CC Ecoboost and love it. Can't really tell you which way to go but I had a 05 FX4 SC and the Eco will blow it out of the water. However if you don't keep your foot out of it with the Ecoboost the mileage is the same or worse.