Thanks. He's still in treatment for another year and few months, but He's beating it!

I was looking at the 2015+ F150's that have a higher payload than the older ones. I think the lowest I saw on a Crew Cab is 1750 lbs. I did the math with the boys weight in about 8 years and we were still good on payload with that number. Even with a few bikes in the bed.

I definitely won't buy new...that's way out of my price range. But I've seen some 2015's and a few 2016's in my range. I plan on keeping it for a minimum of 10 years. Longer if possible. I'm still driving my '02 Camry that I bought in 07. I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off. It may even be my oldest boys first car.

So, at least I'm not alone in my thinking that this rust is an issue, especially if I'm taking this thing on a 2 week road trip out west...I really don't want to throw money at it to fix the rust, I've done some oil spraying to try to hinder it, but It's just too far gone now. With the springs, shocks, mounts, and other issues affected by rust...I think you all may be right to get rid of it. Now, getting another Ex or a truck? I'll probably go with a truck, my wife likes them better anyway.

 

I mostly buy cars/Suv's that are used. Last car I purchased was just under 3 years old had 10k miles on it and paid $73,000.00 less than the same car new MSRP $253,000.00. The car is a CPO and the warranty was about the same as a new one. The yearly cost after the initial 2 years is about $5,000 per year to re certify. However, I plan to sell it this year and find a different replacement. If a new style catches my attention than no, I would buy New but I have to be in love with it to do that.

In the last 15 years or so I usually don't keep a car for more than a couple years. I agree with the mouse if your going to keep it for years than a new one would be in order. My first Ford excursion was the longest I have ever kept a vehicle.

I guess what I'm trying to say, although I can afford pretty much anything I can't justify buying a vehicle that I will take a big loss on if I decide to sell it within first year or two of ownership.

It wouldn't be my first time that I purchased a car or SUV that I've regretted my decision. I can recall at least 2 brand new cars that I sold while still on temporary tags. Just a couple years ago I THOUGHT I wanted an H2, went out and found a very nice one. I don't remember exactly but I think I had that one for about 40 days, I lost nothing but time.

 

That amount of rust is hard for me to look at, I don't think I've seen anything with that much rust other then when I've traveled to the rust belt. It makes me sick to see trucks ruined like that.

I hate to say i'd let it go at this point, would be too far gone to make last another 5+ years IMO.

I've never bought new although at one point I would like to. I tend to keep my vehicles for a long period. Right now with truck prices you can nearly get a new one for the price of a 2-3 year old one...the used market is strong.

 

I like to keep my vehicles for as long as possible as well. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I bought it.

 

Used prices are due to the branded dealers keeping everything traded now regardless of age or miles when they used to sell them at auction. They know the real money is in used cars. They drive up the prices while driving down the quality you used to see at the big dealerships. Now they sell the junk and push a warranty sale. I have also seen new trucks leave the lot for the price of the one or two year old used. Our Expedition would be one of those.