I am a gramma helping Grandson buy his first truck. We are going to match his dollars, maybe 2:1. I sm thinking 15-20k. I have seen so many ford trucks go to 200K and above. I have sometimes tried to talk him into an expedition or similar. Do trucks really last that much longer? Any trouble spots I should avoid, or years/models I should avoid. It sure will be nicde to have someone in the family with a pick up truck! Thanks sincerely, Linda


BTW I do not mind receiving listings of really good trucks. I am thinking below 100K miles, and grandson loves the electronics, audio and stuff. I do not want a 4x4. We live in Florida

 

I'm not sure if you're asking if trucks last longer than they used to or if you're asking if they last longer than SUVs . . . so I'll answer both:

Vehicles generally do last a lot more miles and time than they used to, say 20+ years ago. Many new technologies and procedures have come out that has helped with this.

Expedition versus F150: They are about the same underneath:

A 4.6 Expedition and a 4.6 F150 have mostly the same parts as each other inside and out except for the obvious stuff.

A 5.4 Expedition and a 5.4 F150 have mostly the same parts as each other inside and out except for the obvious stuff.

A 3.5 Expedition and a 3.5 Ecoboost F150 have mostly the same parts as each other inside and out except for the obvious stuff.

Big difference with a F150 is that you can get a few other engine choices (smaller and bigger) and could get a manual transmission in some combinations. An F150 will often get used harder than an Expedition. Expeditions are very often used as cars most of the time where F150's can haul gravel and big stacks of boxes and 5th-wheel trailers and refrigerators and snowmobiles and motorcycles and stuff. Depends on the individual vehicle's luck.

Regarding what to look out for, it depends on the year mostly. I'd say get 2007+ if an Expedition and 2009+ if an F150 . Then you at least get the 6-speed automatic. Manual transmission F150's are rare, and usually in the basic stripped-down no-frills models.

 

Thanks for the thorough answer. I misspoke in my first post. The small truck Ford made for a while was an explorer, not expedition. I agree that cars last longer than they used to and hooray for that. Good to know about the 6 speed. Much appreciated