My first post..need advice.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17
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From: Missouri
My first post..need advice.
Hey guys!
This is my first post here on the ford forums. This forum looks like a great resource to any ford owner. I am needing your advice on a truck I am looking at.
So, I have the opportunity to buy a 1973 Ford F-250 Camper Special from a lady I go to church with. So here are the details on it. It has a 390, 2 wheel drive, factory air condition, no rust on the cab corners, fenders, wheel wells, or anywhere except for some small spots of surface rust on the the hood. It has been kept under a shelter for the life of the truck. It has 61k original miles, no cracks in the dash, the interior is in excellent shape. It has the standard C6 transmission. I had a ford guy I know check out the engine and he said besides a tune up the engine is great. It doesn't knock, smoke, or studder. So here is the deal, she wants $1000 for it. Now to me this sounds like a great deal, but I really do not have a clue how much these trucks are worth. I tried looking up NADA values, but they seemed way to high to be realistic.
Thanks for any help or advice you all can give me!
-Jake
This is my first post here on the ford forums. This forum looks like a great resource to any ford owner. I am needing your advice on a truck I am looking at.
So, I have the opportunity to buy a 1973 Ford F-250 Camper Special from a lady I go to church with. So here are the details on it. It has a 390, 2 wheel drive, factory air condition, no rust on the cab corners, fenders, wheel wells, or anywhere except for some small spots of surface rust on the the hood. It has been kept under a shelter for the life of the truck. It has 61k original miles, no cracks in the dash, the interior is in excellent shape. It has the standard C6 transmission. I had a ford guy I know check out the engine and he said besides a tune up the engine is great. It doesn't knock, smoke, or studder. So here is the deal, she wants $1000 for it. Now to me this sounds like a great deal, but I really do not have a clue how much these trucks are worth. I tried looking up NADA values, but they seemed way to high to be realistic.
Thanks for any help or advice you all can give me!
-Jake
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
IMO, that's a good deal. There are alot of other trucks out there that will sell for the same or higher price with more mileage. If the 61K miles is true, I'd be okay to pay more because there is likely more useful life in its components.
Oh, welcome to FTE. We're here to help.
Oh, welcome to FTE. We're here to help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I completely agree. $1000 is a decent price for a good clean truck as you have described. If it's a true 1 owner truck, and has that low of actual miles, it's well worth the money. Many folks would ask 2-5 times that much based soley on the 1 owner/low miles, regardless of overall condition.
Personally, I wouldn't sell my 74 F100 for 10K, but it's a 1 owner truck, with that 1 owner being my dad....
An F250 CS will handle nearly anything you would ever want to haul/tow, as that's exactly what it was built to do.
Personally, I wouldn't sell my 74 F100 for 10K, but it's a 1 owner truck, with that 1 owner being my dad....
An F250 CS will handle nearly anything you would ever want to haul/tow, as that's exactly what it was built to do.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 126
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From: Phoenix AZ.
wow seems like a great deal I would have already picked it up. I guess you really need to understand what your buying it gonna be one of the most durable trucks you will ever own. Up keep will be inexpensive given the condition you said it was in. Cheap insurance. Awesome feeling driving an older Ford around, but remember it will haul almost anything you throw at it, be as reliable if not more than anything else you own, but it will probably be the most thirsty thing you own. I saw in one other thread stating it as aerodynamic as a garage door. To me its worth it but to each there own. Hope I haven't steered you away because there is nothing likt owning a older Ford.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Missouri
Thanks guys! I do know for certain that It has only had one owner. It was the lady I go to church with husband's truck. He died many years ago, and she has no use for it. She knows all about it and told me he always took great care of it. I am definitely not worried about it chuggin gas, I know that is just part of the deal. I just wanted a truck that would pull if I wanted, and something that would be inexpensive to work on. Also I wanted it because I really want to learn mechanics and how to work on engines, and my dad can help me learn all this on this truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
Yeah, these old trucks don't get great MPG. But, new trucks are struggling to top 20 MPG in real world use.
It costs a lot less to drive 100K miles in a truck that cost $1000 and gets 10 MPG than it does to do the same in a truck that cost $40,000 and gets 20 MPG. Not to mention, it looks a lot cooler too.
Old trucks also don't need $500K worth of tools and equipment to keep running........ $100 worth of tools, and a little skill, they'll run forever.
It costs a lot less to drive 100K miles in a truck that cost $1000 and gets 10 MPG than it does to do the same in a truck that cost $40,000 and gets 20 MPG. Not to mention, it looks a lot cooler too.
Old trucks also don't need $500K worth of tools and equipment to keep running........ $100 worth of tools, and a little skill, they'll run forever.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
Yeah, these old trucks don't get great MPG. But, new trucks are struggling to top 20 MPG in real world use.
It costs a lot less to drive 100K miles in a truck that cost $1000 and gets 10 MPG than it does to do the same in a truck that cost $40,000 and gets 20 MPG. Not to mention, it looks a lot cooler too.
Old trucks also don't need $500K worth of tools and equipment to keep running........ $100 worth of tools, and a little skill, they'll run forever.
It costs a lot less to drive 100K miles in a truck that cost $1000 and gets 10 MPG than it does to do the same in a truck that cost $40,000 and gets 20 MPG. Not to mention, it looks a lot cooler too.
Old trucks also don't need $500K worth of tools and equipment to keep running........ $100 worth of tools, and a little skill, they'll run forever.
With the $3.15 a gallon price it is here now it figures as follows.
((100k/20mpg) x $3.15) + 40k=$55750. And that's giving it a constant 20mpg.
((100k/10mpg) x $3.15) + 1k=$32500. FTW! lol
Around here that's a GREAT deal. Commonly a good bit more for one with more miles, rust, and an unknown history. If you're looking to learn this is a great starting point as well. No computer crap to worry about. You actually learn what it is the computer is controlling in the new vehicles.
Welcome aboard!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Montgomery, IL
I wouldn't buy it if I were you. Too much of a learning curve for a newbie. You should just give me her address and I will buy it and save you the headaches of owning this old truck.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Missouri
POR I am sure you would :-P
And that is a good point on the gas millage, I never really thought about it too much, I just don't see the point of spending all that money on a new truck. I don't know that I ever would buy a new one.
And that is a good point on the gas millage, I never really thought about it too much, I just don't see the point of spending all that money on a new truck. I don't know that I ever would buy a new one.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,808
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From: Meigs County Ohio
Lucky! Theres a older lady that has her husbands crew cab F250 and she wont sell it to anyone, once my 75 gets done gonna drive it there and see if she will sell it to me once she see's, what I do with a truck like it (Cleaning up/restoring) Get it, no doubt you will love it, that FE engine will be a fun one to learn on. Its nothing amazing, but its a start. Also don't plan on souping it up much, cause Hi-Po parts for a FE cost you a arm, a leg, your first born, and your wife (When you get one). But I will promise you will love it. Just something about cruising around in one makes you feel good,a nd if you drive it to church so she can see it being taken care of, you will make her the happiest little old lady on earth, and she will appreciate it more and more that you got it. =)
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Northern and Southern Cal
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17
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From: Missouri
Well looks like I am going to go ahead and get it, thanks for the advice everyone. One other thing, I think my dad was saying that something in the engine (I can't remember) should be swapped at some point because back when the truck was made, gas was more leaded and the unleaded gas we have now can wear out rings and gaskets faster. I don't remember exactly what he said, but is the difference in gas from then and now a big deal at all?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
He's probably talking about hardened seats in the heads. You won't have to worry about it though. All the 73-79 trucks have them and are made to run unleaded.
Look forward to seeing some pics!
Look forward to seeing some pics!