Well, I just went out to crank up the ol' F250 for a quick trip to the Mickey Ds and - urrrr - no start. It sounds worse than when I ran down the battery (which I couldn't have done...) And I just came back from another 12,000 mile trip around New York State.

Oh, we'll take her into the mechanic and maybe it's just nuthing, but '99 diesel with 290,000 miles... the mechanice said that the Intl engine could go on forever, but these electrical/computer systems could go in an instant and would not be worth fixing.

So - theoretically - if I was in the market for my next truck (and it would only be a FORD outta respect for being the only American automaker who isn't chewing thru our tax dollars...) how might I go about this???

I definitely want something very close to what I got... Crew Cab, 8 foot bed (got a Rampage Motorcycle rack to switch over and a cool Sportz Truck Tent and ari bed for camping....) I believe that diesel last longer but the cost of diesel vs gas and wondering how long "I" am gonna last gives me pause. Also heard some terrible things about the Diesel Gas Mileage, something about fuel injectors. Don't need 4 wheel (just something else to break) and I'd prefer an automatic (though I've had to learn how to cluthc and shift a bit with the bike...)

I guess my big question is - like my BMW Bike - I saved a bunch of money buying one year back and broken in 4K by a more experienced rider...

I wonder if I should be going a year back and saving the 1st year's depreciation... or just eat the extra dollars and know that I am gonna take care of it starting New...

And like most people these days looking to only put a little down and spread out those payments...

Thing I do better going thru Ford Financing or BofA with which I already have a personal loan...

Ideas?

Thanx!

g

 

Oh yes, I really wouldl my "black" (like my womens...)

No, really, I did a quick search and they all seemed to be "white?" What's up wit' Dat??? There's something "wrong" with a "white" truck... and I'm not wild about other colours.

g

 

Point of reference -
I bought an '08 F250 Crew Lariat 4x4 last week with about 24K miles on it. Even though I am not a happy camper right now (my truck threw a code 24 hours after bringing it home) I feel as though I got a good deal.

4.79% for 60 months through Chase. I personally like to put down more than a little money.....I just hate the idea of having a rolling house note.

and yeah it was "white" ha!

 

Yeah, what's wit' the "white???"

I really can't justify the "truck" - I work in a office. I don't haul things (other then my bike when I don't wanna ride long distances) and I just started using it as a "tent" plateform... which works out quite well!!! I plan to head out every other weekend or so, seeing as a camp costs ony $20 and the air bed is quite comfortable....

I just LOVE driving that truck. I loved it from the 1st moment I got it on the highway back in '04 and drove it from Texas to California and from California back East... twice.

I was thinking of downscaling to an SUV. But, at the last Auto show I climbed into the Ford F350 and felt "Aaaah" - don't need no stinkin' little SUV.

Oh, there is ONE practical application. I work in IT and - while I am currently employed - that bank could go belly up any day. With the truck I could move myself around the country... and take consulting jobs anywhere... so long as they would let me camp on the corporate campus...

 

Okay, I guess I could be talked out of this IF I could find a comparable vehicle that still got it all done... but I really think the 8' foot bed is key, for camping and my motorbike.

g

 

Well all I can say is the 250 I brought home felt as big as a limo.

 

Actually, when I had to take a loaner F150 back home after dropping off my truck at the dealership, I felt like I was in a ranger...

 

If I were in the market to replace my F350, I would buy an 08 or used 09 if I could find one. I like to have new vehicles too but in this economy, I just can't justify the cash.

I'm not going to touch the "to diesel, or not to diesel" question. That horse has been beaten into a delicious protein shake.

As for financing, go with whoever gives you the better rate.

Good luck.

 

Okay, I'll just go with the better rate (so long as you guys don't mind if I use your tax dollars to guarantee me truck thru BofA... I'm good for it!)

I was thinking that the 1/2 Ton F150 might do... but I think they have to actually start building 'em... and then it takes at least a couple of years for the technology to shake out... actually, all I need is the 8' bed.

So what was the shake out on Diesel vs Gas? Lower upfront cost and better acceleration vs Lower long term maintence and better torque?

Thanx

g

 

If you do not tow a lot a diesel is not worth the extra cost these days. I have a 2wd. 5.4 gasser with the 373 rear end and it does fine, good mpg's too.

 

The only possibility of "towing" is the occasion where I would have to become moobile to keep working i.e. getting consulting assignments from Maine to Oregon... and I am currently employed in the NE with (some) job security.

I would think of doing the 5th wheel thing down the road a bit... but I am content withe Truck Tent for now. The length of the bed is dictated by the bike... alone, at this point and the F150 doesn't have an 8' bed.

 

UPDATE in terms of $$$

I found that a "new" truck... comparable to the one I got... would run me $40K to $45K, give and take a few features. My comfort zone is more like $20K at $400 to $500 a month payments... so we are gonna have to be content with Use... er "Pre-Owned"

I did have a gambit, though.

My 290K beheamoth is not trade-in-able under anything but the Obama Socialized Green Plan. So I suggested that I take the $4K for my truck, by an Obama-mobile for $20K, drive it around the lot - once - and then trade it in for a nice new TRUCK!!!

Dang, I under estimated the cleverness of the latest batch of Socialists... they mandate you have to keep the Obama-mobile one year (or find some sucker to buy it from you) by which time it depreciates to nothing.

Oh well, back to the drawing board... I wonder if they give six year loans???

g

 

If you are a good shopper or X plan customer you can buy new reasonably. I ordered my new 09 F 250 CC to my specs. The selling price after rebates was 27.9k Throw in some decent financing from a Credit Union and I am driving new instead of used and it is exactly what I wanted.

 

What do you mean they don't make an F150 with an 8 foot bed? IF you have good credit you can shop for a car loan just like shopping for a truck decide what payment you want and how long you want the loan to be and get online and look. When I bought mine I was looking at rates of 3.8 to 4.5% and 4-8 year loans.

Talk to the dealer they often have contacts with local banks and not just ford financing for when they have customers that take the rebates and not the low interest rates

 

Maybe there isn't a F150 with an 8 foot bed... diesel? Don't really want a gasoline engine because this would be my last truck and I wanna keep it for 8 to 10 years with lotsa corss country driving... maybe add a 5th wheel...

It's moot at the moment. Turned out to be a bum alternator, belts and wizzy wicks around that device. $800 bucks i.e. two truck payments for a used one...

The only question is - IS it worth trading a No-Payments, 290K miles truck for a $400 plus $100 insurance for a truck with, say, 50K miles???

I've driven this truck across the country two and half times, Up to Canada, down to Arkansas and just completed 'Round New York State...

How do I know that 50K miles truck wasn't run into the ground... or the aluminium engine is crap compared to my steel engine... I can't.

One loses BIG on depreciation on a new vehicle... but if you buy quality and take care of it - for ten years - that suits my sense of a good deal.

Hopefully I can save $20K for a 1/3 down payment on a $40K new truck before my classic makes its last start.

g