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Buy the best truck you can afford. Miles are only one consideration. Higher miles are acceptable with one owner who took great care of it and has the records to show. On the other hand, a lower mile truck that was in a rental fleet or that has changed hands a couple of times is one I would pass on. Sounds funny, but I always look at the condition of the driver's seat and steering wheel, then tires ,asking sure they all match and have good tread. Then I look to see how dirty or damaged it is underneath and in the engine bay. Dried mud, dented skid plates and leaking fluids are things to look for. On a test drive pay attention to rattles and squeaks, don't even turn the radio on when driving. You'll quickly learn how to spot a well cared for truck over a polished turd.
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From: Heart of the Finger Lakes
2018 5.0 was the first year of the third generation Coyote and has had many oil consumption issues, also the new 10speed transmissions had hard shift issue's. I did my research and ended up with a 2017 with a 5.0. Solid 2nd generation coyote, near bullet proof 6 speed transmission.
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If I looked at older models from 2011-2014 would that be another option for decently nice trucks? I guess my question is what model year F-150 is the better model year or years? Is the aluminum bodies safe or just as safe at the steel bodies in the previous generations??
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Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
They are just as safe. The steel bodied ones may be showing or starting to show rust in Ohio, especially in the rear door jambs and cab corners. If you want an older one, buy a southern truck.
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I'm just weighing all my options honestly 2.7, 3.5, 5.0 V8 all the options all of the newer model years and so on.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
Don't get hung up on trim levels or options. Just find the truck in the best overall condition. Honestly, I think the King Ranch and Platinum trucks age poorly. As the fancy stuff wears, it looks worse than a worn plain truck and is a lot more expensive to fix.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Winnipeg
I too, am looking to upgrade from my 02. I'm looking at 13 to 17's model years, probably 5.0L . I'll throw out another question for the "salt belt" drivers. How are the aluminum bodies holding out to corrosion? They may not rust but are they showing signs of galvanic corrosion perforation after a few years in the cab corners, door bottoms, etc?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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If I looked at older models from 2011-2014 would that be another option for decently nice trucks? I guess my question is what model year F-150 is the better model year or years? Is the aluminum bodies safe or just as safe at the steel bodies in the previous generations??
Newer versions of the same model are almost always safer. That is for nearly every vehicle no after who makes it. There have been very few exceptions to this rule, but they do exist.
To verify this, go to www.nhtsa.gov and put in the year and make of the truck to compare 2013 vs 2017...or whatever years/generations you want to compare. Note, by generation, safety is similar, so 2015-2020 would all be similar...and 2009-2014 will all be similar.
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Yes, new vehicles today are more advanced and safer then older models, but would the aluminum body panels hold up good enough to actually keep the driver safe/passengers safe during an impact. I noticed a few months ago I saw a 2016-2018 Ford F-250 super duty with a huge hole puncher through the aluminum door skin on the outside... I will check out the site above to look at different safety measures, but I just found that strange...sure a steel body panel could do the same thing possibly with a very sharp object of some kind but It looked like on the F250 with the hole puncher it looked to be scraped or something maybe another automobile backed into it or some kind of utility trailer not really sure tbh.......
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
2018 5.0 was the first year of the third generation Coyote and has had many oil consumption issues, also the new 10speed transmissions had hard shift issue's. I did my research and ended up with a 2017 with a 5.0. Solid 2nd generation coyote, near bullet proof 6 speed transmission.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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As far as aluminum vs steel...it’s not an issue. I’ve seen torn steel too. Overall it’s rare to see torn panels of any material. It’s not something I’d worry about.
I don't understand the question "but would the aluminum body panels hold up good enough to actually keep the driver safe/passengers safe during an impact"
If you read the link, that is where you get the safety ratings for crashworthiness ....it doesn't matter if your truck is made of steel, aluminum, plastic, donuts, unicorn horns, or bubble gum.
Use any quality oil that meets the standard required by Ford.
I don't understand the question "but would the aluminum body panels hold up good enough to actually keep the driver safe/passengers safe during an impact"
If you read the link, that is where you get the safety ratings for crashworthiness ....it doesn't matter if your truck is made of steel, aluminum, plastic, donuts, unicorn horns, or bubble gum.
Use any quality oil that meets the standard required by Ford.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
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From: Abilene TX.
I am one of the few that has a 2018 5.0 that isn't an oil burner. Does it use a little yes, is it more than my 5.4's, 305's that I have owned in the past, (check my signature) Yes, However I have failed to use more than a quart between oil changes, i change my oil every 6 months or 6,000 miles. My 10 speed has been problem free as well.
TJ
TJ
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