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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 12:53 PM
  #1  
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Downsizing from F350

Hello,

I will be downsizing from my 2003 F350 Superduty Crew, Longbox 4x4 7.3L diesel....

reasons - size, fuel consumption, reduced towing requirement...

Now that I sold the travel trailer I don't need all that grunt. My new work will have me commuting downtown regularly and my new condo has tight underground parking spots...

So, I need a truck that is way more maneuverable, much easier on fuel and will still tow a 3500lb boat occasionally.

I am starting to look at F150 models. Either a supercab or crew with a short box... but I am a bit out of touch with engine options... A current model with ecoboost would work, but i am reluctant to pay a premium for new.

Which of the past few year's models have new tech that gives great mileage? (similar to GM Active Engine Management or Dodge's Cylinder drop out...)

Ideally trying to find something in the $20K price range...

Thanks!
YP
 
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 12:58 PM
  #2  
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LSchicago2
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Any of the current engines should suit your needs, 3.7 V6, 5.0 V8, or 3.5 Ecoboost. 6.2 is a bit thirsty. You can probably find a nice 2011-12 for what you want to spend, providing you stay with a XLT or STX. I just bought a new STX with a 5.0 (regular cab though) for $24K.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 03:35 PM
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I would mention that the current F150s are very LARGE for a 'half ton' pickup. I have a (2009) current body style crew cab with short (5.5') bed. It is a PITA in an urban environment. I fold the large TT mirrors in every time I park and must fold at least one in to get in the garage. Take a look or test drive to your condo prior to buying.
Having said that, it is a premier freeway ride with the boat hooked up.
Good luck.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Yellow Peril
Hello,

I will be downsizing from my 2003 F350 Superduty Crew, Longbox 4x4 7.3L diesel....

reasons - size, fuel consumption, reduced towing requirement...

Now that I sold the travel trailer I don't need all that grunt. My new work will have me commuting downtown regularly and my new condo has tight underground parking spots...

So, I need a truck that is way more maneuverable, much easier on fuel and will still tow a 3500lb boat occasionally.

I am starting to look at F150 models. Either a supercab or crew with a short box... but I am a bit out of touch with engine options... A current model with ecoboost would work, but i am reluctant to pay a premium for new.

Which of the past few year's models have new tech that gives great mileage? (similar to GM Active Engine Management or Dodge's Cylinder drop out...)

Ideally trying to find something in the $20K price range...

Thanks!
YP
You're not going to find any newer truck with the new technology and new engines for $20K unless you're talking $20K after trade-in and down payment.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2012 | 12:47 AM
  #5  
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Check out fords lease to own program right now, it's called preferred financing... Yes I kno it's a lease but u can get a 40k truck on a lease for the same monthly payment you would pay on buying a 20k truck. Some people like leases some don't but I saw the option when I bought my truck and it would have dropped my payment like $200/mo to do the lease vs purchase, but I keep my trucks for a long time normally so just a thought.. Have a good Xmas !
 
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Old Dec 10, 2012 | 04:53 PM
  #6  
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was in the same boat as you,had a 03 7.3. ended up with a 2010 supercrew,short box, 5.4,3.55 ratio. pulls great with the 6 speed trans and gets descent mileage (16-20).and easy to start up here in MN ha. no regrets.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2012 | 06:37 PM
  #7  
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I just traded to a 2011 Super Crew Lariat from a 2010 F350 SuperDuty 6.4 liter. I figure I am saving about $1300/year with this change due to fuel, insurance, maintenance etc.

I really liked the looks of my last truck, and my new to me truck is rather plain, but I only towed once a year, and the truck was a definate grocery getter. Bottom line I was getting really worried about future maintenance costs related to only putting 4000 miles/year on with many of them at 4 miles round trip to work. My engine was never warming up.

So with this new truck, I am planning some upgrades, and I am excited to have this "blank slate" to work with.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2012 | 07:08 PM
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while waiting for my new 150 to be built, i have been put into a rental 2012 150 xlt, 5.0 4x4.to use while another truck has a hit and run fixed. the lieometer in the dash has been reading 16.8 to 18,9 city. a 40 mile drive it read 22.3 .the 5.0 power wise feels more then strong enough to pull our big block powered sea ray 230 over nighter on it's dualie trailer. thats a 4.000 pound load.
guessing again the fte guys have steered me in the right direction just as when i ordered my 05 f250 v10er. can't wait for the new to arrive.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2012 | 07:16 PM
  #9  
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I sold a 2000 7.3L Superduty to get my F150 Ecoboost. Don't miss the loud clatter box one bit, except it did get better mileage than my F150. As far as towing goes, the Ecoboost has enough power to leave a stock 7.3L in the dust, but the mileage is going to be bad in comparison.

Ecoboost is ultra quiet. 5.0L V8 has some rumble. Both get similar mileage. Ecoboost is the only engine that comes with Max Tow package, although I can't figure out why.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 02:49 AM
  #10  
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Thanks for the replies. I may have a look at lease options on new... Just struck a hell of a deal on a BMW for the wife... $10K discounts and 1.9%... could be the Ford dealer will be open to negotiations. With my trade it might be a small enough payment.

I haven't driven a 150 yet, but as an earlier post pointed out, they are still a big vehicle... which i like, but will have to shoe horn into a tight spot beside the wife... it may not be possible. We shall see shortly...

I don't think a Ranger/Tacoma/Canyon will give me the confidence while towing... I have become a bit of a Ford loyalist though and i am not impressed with a Ranger.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 06:41 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Yellow Peril
Thanks for the replies. I may have a look at lease options on new... Just struck a hell of a deal on a BMW for the wife... $10K discounts and 1.9%... could be the Ford dealer will be open to negotiations. With my trade it might be a small enough payment.

I haven't driven a 150 yet, but as an earlier post pointed out, they are still a big vehicle... which i like, but will have to shoe horn into a tight spot beside the wife... it may not be possible. We shall see shortly...

I don't think a Ranger/Tacoma/Canyon will give me the confidence while towing... I have become a bit of a Ford loyalist though and i am not impressed with a Ranger.
your right about confidenece of the toyota, the truck i traded for what i have in the body shop for a new $1.000.00 bumper cover and that will be my trade for the f150 is a 2011 toyota tacoma trd off road sc. v6 auto, was a 05 f250 lariat sc 4x4 v10,the toyo's man they are not what they are cracked up to be. one needs to be small in body to be comfie.the seats are narrow even with the trd recaro's. at 9.000 mile it started have auto trans issues,dealer said normal. sure a chattering convertor and slipping 2nd in the trans is normal. it couldn't tow our 18 foot bayliner up the hill i live on never mind our 23 foot searay, the f150 can, we also traded in a 2011 rav 4 for a 2013 escape. the rav 4 is another over priced hard riding car with a worthless 5k option nav system that is dvd based and needs a 400 dollar yearly update thats not covered by the warrenty. no wonder when we shopped the dealer showed us that the 5 auto auctions near by had 742 of them up for auction that week.
i think if you can find and rent a f150 with a 5.0 to try for a few days it will sell it self
 
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 08:31 AM
  #12  
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Don't lease. After several years of payments you have nothing to your name except a hole in your pocket where you used to have money. If you can't afford a newer truck then wait until you can, or buy less truck, or keep driving what you have.

10 years ago I was young and stupid and upside down in cars. Like, really upside down. I gritted my teeth and paid off the vehicle, and then changed my buying habits forever. I made a rule to spend half what I think I can afford and then make double payments to own in 2 years. Then drive for free and save money. The strategy exceeded my expectations and worked so well that I paid cash for my 2012 F150. I will avoid roughly $10K of interest payments so the perks just keep adding up. It's amazing how one simple buying choice a few years ago has paid off so big. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 08:42 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by QwkTrip
Don't lease. After several years of payments you have nothing to your name except a hole in your pocket where you used to have money. If you can't afford a newer truck then wait until you can, or buy less truck, or keep driving what you have.

10 years ago I was young and stupid and upside down in cars. Like, really upside down. I gritted my teeth and paid off the vehicle, and then changed my buying habits forever. I made a rule to spend half what I think I can afford and then make double payments to own in 2 years. Then drive for free and save money. The strategy exceeded my expectations and worked so well that I paid cash for my 2012 F150. I will avoid roughly $10K of interest payments so the perks just keep adding up. It's amazing how one simple buying choice a few years ago has paid off so big. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
People that change vehicles every couple of years would be the ones that would benefit from a lease. You pay less and if you keep below the miles allowed you can choose a different vehicle each time. We purchased a lease return Infiniti G37 from the dealer that still had the warranty and it was well taken care of! What a fast car that thing is!

We are the same with regards to payments...we always pay more than required to pay it off sooner.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 09:02 AM
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Just to clarify, none of this has anything to do with the OP because I get the feeling he's making sensible decisions.

Back to topic of leasing, I understand what you're saying, but I view leasing as the better of two bad choices. Leasing is an endless hole of spending money. Buying and holding on to a vehicle for a while gives a person more opportunity to build up wealth.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2012 | 11:15 AM
  #15  
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I'll do the math carefully. Even after factoring in depreciation you still usually do pay a premium for leasing. The trick is to make that premium small enough that the convenience is worth it.

Damn, it is a tight fit. I squeezed it in, but if the lady across from me comes home first... no way. I need to talk to the strata council and get my spot changed to one with a more manageable approach. That will challenge my negotiating skills... (just had a vision of Woody Harrelson working things out with the landlady in Kingpin.... not good)
 
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