I need a truck for farm purposes...to tow 10k lbs weekly. On occasion some loads in the bed.

I am going to buy one of these two trucks..

01 F250 XLT LB V10 100k miles for $9k Clean florida truck, one owner clean carfax from small dealer. Won't budge on price. Mirrors don't work correctly and power windows catch going down and locks stick when using remote key.

02 F350 Lariat SB V10 60k miles for $11.5k. One owner...haven't seen it yet.
New brakes and tires all around. Looking at it today.

I know the differences on the 250/350 are negligible. The LB is desirable but I like 40k less miles. Money is really tight...

Which one would you buy? Pros/Cons?

Thx.

 

The 02' is newer with less miles for a little more $$$ which is a strong point. With the economy in the crapper both prices should be negotiable. $$$ talks and if you let the dealer know your willing to walk even over $500 difference so be it. Give him your contact info and tell him to contact you if he changes his mind. A couple weeks down the road I bet you'll hear from him.

If you can't decide between the two go for the one with the steepest gears. For best performance they should have 4.30s. If both trucks have 3.73s I would either find another truck or do a gear swap. For towing 3.73s are bad gears to have. 4.10s are better than 3.73s obviosly but not as good as 4.30s.

 

What cab design do these trucks have? The 2002 is a short bed so it has to be either an extended cab or crew cab. What about the 2001 truck?

 

Any chance you can move up a few years to a 2005? The added HP and TorqShift tranny really improve performance.....

 

i love one owners but prefer not to buy from dealers, they tend to charge more and dont know much detail about the rigs they sell when it comes to history and maint.

i like buying from original owners, going to there house, see how they live, look over all the records they have kept since new. see there other cars, and know where they live and look them in the eye when i ask why selling it, if ever been in a wreck, what does it need and what is our best price

dont let the blue book fool you these trucks are soft, usually back of book
and no used car gets rated excellent when pricing, good is tops even if the used rig is perfect. and no need to look at retail price. private party good is even to hi now, use trade in figure i say it is closer to the number.

do factor in for one owner, no accidents, paper history (and i like having original window sticker too), color and adds on you like. most of us have lots spent on mods and would like to get some of it back when we sell though wont be much

 

Go with the 350 if your choosing out of the two trucks so far, more rated capacity, but if your going to tow 10,000Lbs a week you want 4:30 gears, 4:10 at the min, your truck and transmission won't like 373's. Mind you it will tow it but the v10 likes to work up in it's torque range and the big gears do that.

 

AT 100k, you may be looking at transmission work soon if the previous owner didn't take care of it. The more expensive truck may be cheaper in the long run.

 

... and from the number of things wrong that you found at first sight it doesn't appear the owner took care of it. Always expect to find more things wrong after taking it home.

 

I would probably stick with the 02. Dealing with the owner will give you a comprehensive history, 40,000 miles less. See if you like it and see if he's willing to negociate. gl

 

ok here's a few other points..

The 01 is a supercab...they both are. The issue (visible) with the 01 are minor. Mirror doesn't move in one direction I have read is attributable to the control switch. Windows slow/sticking may be due to the tinting, but the dealer is going to pop the panel and try to fix. The 01 is super clean underneath...FL truck. And I just checked out the manifold studs today and they are all in intact.

The 02 I looked at is in mint shape inside and out, but...was plowed with and the plow hitch is coming off before I would get it. It has three broken studs on one side and at least 2 on the other side before I stopped inspecting them. Drives great though. He added a leaf pack to the front and rear to lift it a couple of inches. He's trading it in on Wednesday for a new one. claims he needs $11.5 to match the trade value. Don't think I can get him down on this one.

I already walked on the dealer for the 01 when he wouldn't budge before. $9k is the price. I can't afford to wait for him to come down. I don't have the time. Got other things to get done and want the truck/trailer purchase behind me.


They both are 3.73 gears and they are the only viable options in decent shape nearby. I am only going 20 minutes down the road maybe once a week with my tractor.

How big a deal are the manifold bolts? If they where all intact I might spend the extra cash, but the expense to repair has me concerned.

From what I read the towing capacities on the 250 and 350 are nearly identical for the purposes I am looking at. Bumper pull.

Leaning towards the 01 for lower cost as it seems like it will do what I want fine and the thinking that replacing the manifolds bolts may be expensive.

Thoughts?

 

go to the dealer with the 02

tell him youre buying a truck for 9 k today, and its his decision whether your walking out with his truck, or his compitions....

 

01($9k) is from a small dealer. 02($11.5k) is a private party original owner.

Let's not debate tactics to get a lower price. Both prices are within reason. Is there some room on both deals...sure.

At the given price/conditions which would you buy and why. Would the fact that the 02 has been used as a plow truck and the 01 not and the broken manifold bolts on the 02 and none broken on the 01 sway you?

Is a 40k miles difference on the 02 for $2500 more worth it?

The 01 looks really clean, clearly not plowed with (from FL) and I can save $2500 ($3000-$3500 if the studs need to replaced on the 02 by a mechanic). But can I expect another 100k miles out of a 100k mile v10 engine without major repairs?

We are vegetable farmers and need to be frugal, but at the end of the day need a reliable ride.

 

Tell the dealer with the '02 truck that you'll give him the $11,500 but he has for fix the broken manifold bolts. Its mostly labor and he can absorb that easier than parts... Otherwise, get the '01 truck for $9,000.

 

My dad got all the studs replaced (6 broken) on his 03' 6.8l for under $500. Got the headers installed on my 04' for $400. Replacing manifold studs can be a real PITA if many are broken off flush with the head but it shure isn't a job that should cost more than a grand either.

I'd go for the 02' and tell the guy the studs need to be replaced. Either he knocks $$$ off or gets the studs replaced himself.

 

The guy with the 02 was originally asking almost $13k. I got him down to $11.5k He is trading it in to a dealer this week for what he tells me is $11500. (I bet it's around $10.5-$11 and he's taking into account the additional sales tax he would need to pay if he does not trade it in).

In any case he's won't be doing any work to repair the studs...If I decide I want the truck I will try to angle for $500 off for the stud work but assume the price is fixed on both vehicles.

I am surprised at the number of responses in such a short time. This is a great forum!!