Hello, I've searched google extensively for answers and I always end up on this forums so I decided to make an account.

I'm looking at getting a truck tomorrow. I've owned handful of 1/2 tons over the years and usually bounce back and forth between cars. I got that itch to get back into a truck before my lease is up on the car and have found several at a local dealership that specializes in trucks.

Is it "dumb" to buy an 2011 6.2L V8 F-350 Crew Cab Long bed with 110k miles if I don't tow or haul any excessive load amounts. I would just use it as a daily driver. I like big lifted trucks with meaty tires and aftermarket exhausts. This truck is fairly stock but is still HUGE(Which I like). I want it but feel that it's not very practical and don't want to regret my decision down the line. I also feel like I'd be lectured by family/friends saying I don't need such a big truck. I live in Illinois so we get a decent amount of snow. Ideally I want to laugh when it snows knowing I won't have to worry about getting stuck. My brother in law is a chevy mechanic and said I should avoid anything above a 1/2 ton especially diesel because the maintenance costs is a lot higher not to mention I don't need such a big truck.

How much of a maintenance costs difference is there between 1/2 ton 3/4 and 1 ton. There are couple of other options in 1/2 tons but they are all in the same price range some little more with about the same amount of miles. One is an 2011 EcoBoost V6 F150 with pretty much custom everything but has 125k Miles. Should I be worried about that many miles with no service record other then what the dealership did.

Now I assume this dealership gets these trucks from drivers like people on the forums that rack up crazy amount of miles in a year towing and traveling across the country. One of the other trucks I was looking at is 2013 5.0L V8 F-150 with 81k miles thats 40k A YEAR. Which has stock everything besides spray on bed liner and remote start but I've driven about 4k miles this year.

Also, sidebar question what mileage should I be worried about? Idk what years have good motors or better engines. Most of these vehicles don't have an extensive service record so should I be afraid of 150k miles on a 1/2 ton V8 or what about Turbo Diesel? Some of the 1/2 tons and even 3/4 tons have 150k+ miles.

I'm going to head to the dealership in about 12 hours so I'll likely check back to see if there has been any responses before I purchase a truck.

Thanks for reading!

 

I would suggest a 1/2 ton, just because you are hauling A LOT of extra weight around with a 1 ton, when you don't haul anything with it. And diesels do need more maintenance than gassers. You'll save fuel on mileage and the truck itself should be cheaper if you go with a F150 or F250.

 

My thing is it's cheaper then the 2 1/2 tons I am looking about by about 1-2k. There are more expensive F-250s but they are diesel and older models. I guess I just don't want to get in over my head with a big truck but at the same time I like big trucks or at least how they look. I've always had stock 1/2 tons.

 

if you are NOT towing/ hauling... stay with the F-150.... fuel mileage/repair cost...

or a 1/2 ton in general...

I just purchased a 2012 F-250 with 135,000 miles.. in great shape.. a Fleet/Lease truck.

but I will be towing 8k....

 

No matter what kind of truck you get you will ALWAYS take a hit in milage. Even my wife's Tacoma gets horrible milage, this just a fact of truck ownership. The 6.2 V8 is a beast of an engine and is proven to last with very little maintenance. One thing I have noticed is that 150s in most cases are more expensive than the 250s. As for the practicality factor, what does it matter? If you don't tow or haul even a compact mini pickup is unpractical. As far as higher maintenance costs just because the vehicle is bigger....nonsense. The only difference in maintenance cost lays between diesel and gas with the diesel being slightly higher. A lot of opinion here that could sway your decision, just get whatever you want.

 

I'm lucky enough to drive a F-350 TO work and a F-150 AT work. they are both great, reliable vehicles.

 

Buy what you want. Using logic a great many folks driving pickups of any size could not justify their purchase. You like trucks, buy a truck. You like big trucks, buy a big truck. Do you need it? Everyone rationalizes when it comes to needs!

My two cents.

Steve

 

It's your money so buy what you want. The people lecturing you aren't the one making the payment. Just a personal dislike about the 1/2 ton, but when I turn my head to look beside of me before changing lanes all I see is the side of the cab. With my super duty the window goes far enough behind me that I can look out and see the road. I tow a lot and I don't like having blind spots like that.

 

Buy what you like. The 6.2 gasser will last a long time so I wouldn't worry about the miles. One thing about a truck is it will have great resale value so if a year or 2 down the road you don't like it, you should be able to get out at minimal cost. Oil changes cost the same on my F150 and F250.