Old Vs New
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 1
From: Hartland, WI
I've been thinking about getting a newer car eventually, since my 21 yr old Mazda is beginning to get worn out. Sure, I could save a bundle and get something a few years newer but still not from the past decade or so. One thing that's moved higher up on my priority list for a newer vehicle is safety. The "all steel battleship" mentality gives a false sense of security, its a proven fact. Fuel economy, power and comfort all come to mind too. I like my F250 for what it does, but today I noticed people were blowing my doors off on the freeway while I was pushing 75 in the right lane. I'll be the first to admit that it's old, outdated technology. We'll see how the Ecoboost, 5.0 and 6.2 hold up over time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
That extra rev range gives the engine the ability to drop down more gears when needing to pass, attack big hills, etc..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
I have mixed feelings on the entire topic. My grandpa always leases his trucks on a 2 year lease I think, so he gets to go through a lot of the new stuff. His last 3 trucks were half tons, 2 with the 5.4 and the most recent with the 5.0. I don't know the power numbers on the 5.4, but it feels like the 5.0 would eat it alive. Of course my old 5.8 wouldn't touch it from the factory, but if I were to buy a brand new truck with a 5.0, or even a 3/4 ton with a 6.2, I'd be too afraid to touch the motor. It all seems far too complicated for me. That's why I like these old trucks, I can maintain it myself. And if I would stick the amount of money into my current truck that I'd spend on a new truck...well I'd have quite the machine. But even if I stuck all that money into it, I'd doubt I could still match the fuel economy numbers they are achieving.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
the newer trucks are not that hard to work on. with even a basic OBD2 code reader you can track down most issues. having the correct tools for the job makes it that much easier.
i love my '91 but theres no way i could daily drive it. the power,interior space,wind noise would get to me very quickly. but i use my '91 for plowing snow in the winter and hauling crap in the summer and shes as reliable as clock work and always does whats asked...even if its not quickly.
all that being said, i had the pleasure of driving a 6.2 f150 over the last few days..wow is all i can say, that would be my pick in a new f-150. the power is crazy and the sound is even better. plus i would be very happy with the 12/16mpg numbers because as of now i'm very used to single digit mpg numbers with my V10...not that it bothers me any.
i love my '91 but theres no way i could daily drive it. the power,interior space,wind noise would get to me very quickly. but i use my '91 for plowing snow in the winter and hauling crap in the summer and shes as reliable as clock work and always does whats asked...even if its not quickly.
all that being said, i had the pleasure of driving a 6.2 f150 over the last few days..wow is all i can say, that would be my pick in a new f-150. the power is crazy and the sound is even better. plus i would be very happy with the 12/16mpg numbers because as of now i'm very used to single digit mpg numbers with my V10...not that it bothers me any.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, RI
Not bad.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
I haven't worked on one, but they're still like most gas engines from the last 50 years--they need fuel, spark and air. Plus there's an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor. They're made from an engine block, crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads, camshafts and valves--just like virtually every other engine. Oh, and they have a computer that tells you what's wrong some or even most of the time--which is similar to the '87-'96 era of Fords.
Jason
Jason
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
I haven't worked on one, but they're still like most gas engines from the last 50 years--they need fuel, spark and air. Plus there's an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor. They're made from an engine block, crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads, camshafts and valves--just like virtually every other engine. Oh, and they have a computer that tells you what's wrong some or even most of the time--which is similar to the '87-'96 era of Fords.
Jason
Jason
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern IL
i had the pleasure of driving a 6.2 f150 over the last few days..wow is all i can say, that would be my pick in a new f-150. the power is crazy and the sound is even better. plus i would be very happy with the 12/16mpg numbers because as of now i'm very used to single digit mpg numbers with my V10...not that it bothers me any.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Put power and economy aside, (which the newer ones own us in) people will tell you that
our old trucks will last longer. I see this as false simply because our trucks are older and
have been tested and tried with mileage and years, and I wouldn't doubt it if these
newer 2011+ models could double our mileage and use. I love everything about the
newer trucks, but there is something you cant pull me away from our old horses. It might
have to do with that old rumble you get from a pushrod V8, and its simplicity, no need
for high tech computers/sensors and dashboards that light up like a tree at Christmas.
our old trucks will last longer. I see this as false simply because our trucks are older and
have been tested and tried with mileage and years, and I wouldn't doubt it if these
newer 2011+ models could double our mileage and use. I love everything about the
newer trucks, but there is something you cant pull me away from our old horses. It might
have to do with that old rumble you get from a pushrod V8, and its simplicity, no need
for high tech computers/sensors and dashboards that light up like a tree at Christmas.
Newer vehicles you need to order the parts from nasa, special tools from ford, and an advanced engineering degree from MIT. Even with all that, you still need the arms of a 4th grader to fit them in to any spot in the engine compartment.
I do agree with what you're saying - the new vehicles could very well prove to last twice as long as the old ones. Technology is a great thing.
But when purchasing, taking pride in self sufficiency is no less a serious consideration than taking pride in owning a flashy new truck.
Just a question of personal priorities.
I like old trucks, and old tractors. The world can go to hell and I'll still be driving them. No question the newer ones are better. But it's very nice not to have to rely on somebody else to fix them when they break down. Just pure simple pride, hard to put a price on that.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 453
Likes: 2
From: Bitterroots of Montana
A lot of the Old VS New is perception.
In 10 or 15 years, people will probably look at the EcoBoost as old antiquated technology compared to what they will be driving then. Then there will be old curmudgeons saying "give me an ecoboost over these complicated new trucks".
I personally would like to have most any of the new trucks, but I can't afford the payments. On the other hand, I would love to have a truck from the 30's or 40's, (or 50's - 70's...), I love their simple functional beauty, but I can't afford them either!
In 10 or 15 years, people will probably look at the EcoBoost as old antiquated technology compared to what they will be driving then. Then there will be old curmudgeons saying "give me an ecoboost over these complicated new trucks".
I personally would like to have most any of the new trucks, but I can't afford the payments. On the other hand, I would love to have a truck from the 30's or 40's, (or 50's - 70's...), I love their simple functional beauty, but I can't afford them either!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
These new engines (well I don't know about the DI ecoboost), but the 5.0/3.7/6.2 are simpler to work on if anything.
There is no EGR, no air injection and no distributor. The only emissions "junk" on most modern ford engines is the canister purge valve. And most sensors can be easily unbolted and replaced without too much hassle.
There is no EGR, no air injection and no distributor. The only emissions "junk" on most modern ford engines is the canister purge valve. And most sensors can be easily unbolted and replaced without too much hassle.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, CO
For me, I'm just not going to ever finance a vehicle again. Maybe if they hold up well I'll end up with one in 20 years but if I can't pay cash for it I'm not going to buy it.
And I don't see the point of being able to haul and tow that much with a "half-ton" truck. The whole point of a truck in that class is for people who don't need to haul that much so they don't have to spend as much. Don't build me an F150 that can haul the whole world, build me a truck I can actually afford to buy and drive every day.
And I don't see the point of being able to haul and tow that much with a "half-ton" truck. The whole point of a truck in that class is for people who don't need to haul that much so they don't have to spend as much. Don't build me an F150 that can haul the whole world, build me a truck I can actually afford to buy and drive every day.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
. And I couldn't believe how clean, uncluttered, and bare looking it was under the hood.. makes our engine bays look like something exploded. So yeah I would love to have one of these new truck.. wouldn't bother me a bit to retire the old girl.. though I'd probably keep the motor for some other project.