hi all, new user. potential new 250SD buyer.

i know that autos have a higher resale and are easier for initial sale but damn, i have looked thru around 200 dealer inventories online in IL and only came across 1 6 speed. are they junk or is it solely the sale factor of the autos?

i've been playing around on Fords website building and pricing a new '06 XL 250 RC 4x4 with 5.4, 4.10's, 6 speed, FX4 and a slew of towing options. other then that, its bare bones interior. nothing fancy

i currently own an '84 150 4x4 RC with 300 I6 and 4 speed manual with 290,000 miles and going strong (body is just a little ruff LOL)

nice website

Steve

 

Dealers stock what sells. That's why the trucks are red, black, etc and not D.O.T. orange. Automatic penetration is 95% so the odds that the dealer is going to get "stuck with it" are greatly reduced.
YOUR best bet is to order it since the 5.4L is the least popular motor, the 6 speed the least popular tranny, and the regular cab the least popular cab choice.

 

I did the same thing a couple of years ago and had to settle for an auto. trans.
Now I'm glad I have an auto.trans. since it makes drinking and driving that much easier, coffee that is. OK the occasional beer now an then too.
I think you'll be happy with your new truck whatever you get. I went 20yrs with I6's. 80 CJ5, 83 F150, 94 F150. So after all those years with the I6 to finally have a V8 w/ Dana 60s front and back, 4.10LS,and the snow plow package for the little extra lift. I was giddy as a schoolgirl. :-)
Dave

 

...Welcome , to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

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…..See you on the boards.

 

I had to order mine as a 6spd (live around Chicago) and they wanted a large deposit..and would only do it after I sat down with the manager..who proceeded to try and tell me I would lose alot later on resale, because no one wants a manual.

Im so glad I ordered it...I love my truck

 

I don't know about yours but my 6 speed truck has 4 cup holders

 

VetteHauler - Ha! I did the same thing. They wanted a thousand dollar deposit when I ordered mine, saying that if I didn't come through they could never sell it in Minnesota and would be stuck with the loss. Actually, I didn't mind the deposit one bit...

 

I ordered mine, I didn't have to give a deposit , the bad part was the wait, 4 weeks seemed like forever but was well worth it, I got exactly what I wanted

 

ok, thanks for the info so far...keep it coming on whatever you want too share!

i found one more 6 speed but its in IN and its the funky beige color with chrome bumpers :eww guess i'll search IA, WI, MO and TN next lol

i want the toreader red (but might settle on another color (but not that beige and chrome LOL i think the dealer is really gonna eat that one) 5.4 M6 XL 4x4 RC with vinyl bench, FX4 pack, plow pack, camper pack, 265/70/17 all terrain BFG's, sliding rear window, tow mirrors, upfitter switches, trailer brake, 12.5k hitch, black cab steps....i guess its not a popularly optioned vehicle LOL. oh well, maybe i'll have a "one of a kind" :shrugs.

what kind of gas mileage are you guys getting with the manuals?
how does the clutch hold up too heavier loads?

 

12 to work rural driving 15 empty on the interstate highway

 

Mullet Man, Where did you find one in Illinois and Indiana? I'm serious, just for a test drive, I'd drive a fair bit. I live in Illinois (near the Wisconsin border) and I have been to dealers that claim that there is not a single unit within the 3 sate area. I suspected that they didn't search or wouldn't tell me if they did find one out of fear that they would lose the sale.

 

I was lucky to find one 50 miles from home. Took her for a test drive. Fell in love. Then went to my fleet dealer and ordered one. Well worth the 5 1/2 month wait. The 6 speed is awsome. It also keeps my wife from wanting to drive it. Seems there are very few drivers out there that actually know how to drive a stick. Probably the reason they are so hard to find.

 

<!-- renderCurrentDealer("Eddie Gilstrap Motors, Inc.","","207 South Main Street, Salem, IN 47167"); //--></SCRIPT>Eddie Gilstrap Motors, Inc.
207 South Main Street, Salem, IN 47167
http://www.eddiegilstrapmotorsinc.com/pages/present/flm/notlocalized/searchinventory/dosearch.asp?model=F-250&vehicletype=Truck&year=2006&qs=1
thats where the beige one is. they've got quite a few diesel 6 speeds
i cant remember where the on in IL was. i think not 100% that it was northern IL thats all i remember

 

the funny part is, the ZF 6 spd by most accounts is the best transmission they make - bulletproof - and while it may "hurt" resale as they say, it also allowed me to dicker quite well as it was in stock and the dealer wanted to move it. Go with the 6 - you won't regret the choice, nice tranny

Mike

 

Oh one other thing - pay the 500.00 and step up to the V-10 if your going to do this - thats the price difference between the 5.4 and 6.8. I've owned a 5.4, 6.8 and now a 6.0 and while the gravel crusher is my favorite, I realize diesel isnt for everyone. The mileage difference between the gassers is minimal, the upgrade is minimal, but the power output is not - just my two cents I guess