If you were looking for a used, reliable F150, would you go newer with high mileage (150,000-200,000 mile on odometer) or older with around 100,000 miles or less but 25 or so years old?

I'm looking at getting another F150. My preference would be 1973-83 due to having a carb and no computer. My next option is 1984-91--they can be had cheaper than newer models, and tend to be in better shape. I'm also thinking if the motor goes bad I could convert over to a simpler engine with no computer.

I've looked at the newer trucks, and for $5,000 or so they still often have around 200,000 miles on them. I can find the 1987-91 F150s for a lot cheaper with the same or fewer miles.

I'm wondering if age trumps miles. I bought a '86 with EFI 302 and only 61,000 miles from original owner about 7 years ago. It seemed to have needed several repairs for that low mileage. After a year of seeming to always working on it, it has been pretty reliable.

So I would like to hear opinions on which is better: low miles and old, or newer and high miles?

 

I think age and less usage are tougher on a vehicle than less age and more use. Then there's parts availability. I was finding on my old '88 that some parts that control the heat and a/c from in the cab were becoming difficult at best to find.

 

For me it's all about location. Older, less run vehicles usually mean that it hasn't been maintained as well. Also, factor in smog tests like Ca or vehicle inspections in the eastern states and you could have headaches. Since I live in Ca, I opted to have a pre-76 to avoid smog, but have also run into the non-existent part as the previous poster mentioned.

 

Generally it's verboten to install an older engine in a newer rig, at least with regard to sniffers and smog inspection.

While low mileage trucks exist, for the most part it just never happened. Trucks were purchased for and by working people and used hard until it was no longer economical to repair. So with few exceptions 53,000 miles is actually 153k or 253k regardless of what anyone claims 50 years later.

 

Neither. I check CONDITION. A low mileage truck may have been badly maintained or driven by a lunatic.

Caveat Emptor, inspect before you spend. If it's real money I bring a BRIGHT tactical light and coveralls then crawl over my prospective purchase like a dung beetle rolling up his food stash.

 

Current daily driver has 318k on it, the engine I put in my truck had 188k at the time.
Miles mean very little, how it was treated is more important. As has been stated, low miles/little use can mean dried out seals and other failed components.

 

The parts of the truck that wear out with mileage are generally parts that can be replaced or repaired. Once things start letting go from age, maintaining that truck will be tough without a true restoration.

I don't mind high mileage at all.