The truck is a 2005 F-150 crew cab xlt with the 5.4 engine with 67k mileage. What are some things I should look for when test driving and looking at truck? Does this particular year have any known problems? The truck is from a Chrysler dealer they said the lowest they can go is $18,600 out the door. Is this price ball park for New York. Thanks for the help

 

Asking & getting are two different things. It would be more in line if it were in the 12-13 range, the darn truck is 7 years old.



John

 

These trucks hold their value surprisingly well. I traded in my 2006 Lariat 4x4 this last weekend and was able to get $16.5 (took some negotiating thou), which means the dealer will attempt to get ~$20K for it. Offer $17.5 and walk away. If they can do it they'll call you.

Make sure they can provided OFFCIAL DOCUMENTATION that the plugs have been changed. Poor plug design has resulted in a problem with removing/replacing them. They tend to break leaving the electrode stuck in the head (see this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-insanity.html)

Some dealers have taken advantage of this problem and charge a premium to replace them (which is BS because you can buy a special tool for $50 which gets the stuck plugs out). If they can't provide documentation work that into the deal to reduce cost or have their service department do the work.

 

Looked at the truck today it drove nice and looked good. On the car fax it showed that at 58,287 miles the Suspension was serviced. MY question is what type of service can be done to suspension. Also how much does a normal ford dealer charge to replace the plugs? Thanks

 

Front suspension could be a wide variety of things...control arms, shocks, ball joints (especially if lifted at all), etc. Try and find someone who is willing to run an OASIS report for you. That's Ford's repair database of all repairs done at a Ford dealer. You might be able to get your local dealer service manager to do one if you promise to bring your rig in for service there.

A "normal" spark plug job should only cost around $200-$300 depending on your location. I've heard of dealers trying to charge upwards of $1500 on these trucks. They claim its an extra hour of shop labor for everyone that breaks. Which is BS. Its an extra 5 minutes. However, I think the problem is well known enough that most of the shysters are gone. Call a dealership and ask them about their experience with the plug problem. If they say they've never heard of the issue run like hell because they're either complete idiots or getting ready to gouge you for something "that's just your bad luck".

 

Thanks bridge for the help, I am gonna go back with a scanner because the check engine light is on. It came on shortly after I started it today. I think it's the gas cap issue because the previous owner put a locking cap, but it is all busted up. It does not lock properly. Hope that's all it is. Just wanna see the code before they clear it.

 

I bought a used 05 150 XLT 4WD 5 yrs ago. paid $19,500 with 3500 miles on it. Practically a new truck then. Last week I saw the exact same model/yr truck in the newspaper for $17,500, with 67,000m on it. $2000 depreciation in 5 yrs? Thats what I call resale value! I have put a battery in it, (it didnt die, but was getting old I thought) and a recall for a brake vacuum hose. That's it. Love the truck.