After hours of research and test drives, I've narrowed my final choice to two new F-150s. The trucks are very different though. First the truck I want: '04 F-150 XL SCAB 8' 5.4. After rebates and discounts, I will pay about $17,500. Second, the truck I will probably buy: '04 Heritage Regular Cab XL 8' V-6. Price $10,500. Unfortunitely, there are no V-8 Heritages left around here.

If I buy the SCAB, I'll keep it for ten years. The Heritage is enough truck for my current needs, but I'll probably have to replace it in three or four years. My question is this: Is the Scab worth an extra $100/month?

 

Just saw a list on MSN a few weeks ago, with the '04 F150 Heritage listed as being in the "bottom ten" two year projected resale value of all vehicles currently for sale in the USA.

But that's ALL '04 Heritage F150s. Among all '04 F150 Heritage trucks, where do you think V6 Regular Cabs will rank?

It's 2006. You're trying to sell an '04 F150 that is visually indistinguishable from a ten year old truck. How's that going to go?

FYI, your mileage may vary, I'm Sam and I approved this message.

 

I would tend to agree -- not only are you getting a much better and more capable truck (in the F150 SC 5.4 vs the Heritage V6), but if you would be looking to trade in the Heritage in 3-4 years and get a new F150, then over the long run (say 10 years) you would save a bunch of $$ by having bought just one truck instead of two.

Say for example you buy your 04 Heritage for 10500 and in 3 years you can get half that amount in trade. Chances are you're going to be upside down on your loan, which means you'll be adding onto the principal for the loan on the new 07 truck you're buying. Even if you break even, there's almost no chance that you would have any trade-in value at that point. That means that although you saved $100 a month for those three years (vs. buying the 04 F150 SC), you're going back to square one at that point with essentially nothing to show for it. Except that you'll have an 07 truck at that point instead of an 04 -- but you'll have a brand new loan instead of only having 1 or 2 years left on your original loan.

Bottom line is any vehicle depreciates most quickly in the first few years. So if you're planning on having an F150 SC 10 years from now, you may as well buy it now instead of the Heritage.

 

TDN- have you attended one of my car-buying classes? I've been preaching this for years (buy the RIGHT vehicle the first time, you'll save in the long run), and finally someone gets it! Your post said it all.

 

Plus where will the interest rates be in a few years! Buy the SC

 

Thanks Jeff, I've just been reading lots of posts from people who know a lot more than me. FTE is a great resource! I've had my F150 for almost 8 years now, and I'm waiting for the right time to get a new truck. But at least I know I'll get the right truck at the RIGHT price!!

 

I'd say it depends on what you will do with the truck and how you pay for it. Cash price you save 7 grand with the regular cab to begin with. Insurance will be less as well. Fuel milage will be better. For strictly work purposes there is no comparision - the reg cab will come with 8' bed - vs 5 ft or so on the Screw. When it comes time to sell and replace in 3 years, you will still get 6 g's minimum quick sale - if mileage is low - 40,000 or so. So now the truck has only cost you 4500.00 plus operational costs for three years. That means you've had 3 years time to build your credit and save for a diesel - plus you got 6000 more for down payment. You can easily keep a diesel rig 10 years. So your 10 years starts in 07 instead of right now. Thats three years longer than you'd be keeping your Screw. I may be wrong and this was just a scenario, but the point is it all depends. The Screw is not a superior truck - not at all, not for work, not for fuel mileage, and not for price. If you pull less than 5000lbs the V6/auto will be fine. See what you get for a 10 year old screw with miles. Wont be much - half tons seem to hold value more like a car than a truck.

 

OOPS!!!! lmao. Sorry guy - you said SCAB with 8 ft bed. Hmmm. changes considerations a bit doesent it? I guess if a half ton is all you anticipate ever needing and a super cab will be big enough for your any needs you may have, and the body style is the newer F150, then if all this is true, you would be better off with it over the reg cab Heritage model. Still the reg cab would be hard to beat IMO if you just wanted to hold on to the truck to work it a few years and see what your needs may be down the road. IMO its hard to beat a three quarter ton crew cab diesel for room work and value. The SCAB would seem to be one of those trucks that you either commit to or take a big hit on when trade time comes. Over the long term the SCAB gives better value in your scenario, no doubt, but if you arent completely positive that it's all you will ever need, then the reg cab gives more options IMO. Good luck.

 

I don't think he's considering an F150 Screw. He's looking at a Heritage V6 RCab 8' box versus an F150 Scab 5.4L 8' box. So either way he's got the 8' bed for hauling. I also get the impression he's planning on financing, because he mentioned the difference in monthly payment. And regarding the estimate of 6000 trade-in for a 3-year-old Heritage V6 with 40k? I'd be surprised if he got that much in 07. And I do believe an F150 5.4L SC 8' is a much better truck than the Heritage V6 RC 8'. Thte new F150 is roomier (not to mention it's a Scab vs RC), stiffer, quieter, safer, and on and on. You're right about the gas mileage, but I also think the F150 5.4L will hold its value better.

In any case, it sounds like a tough call, especially if the extra $$ for the F150 5.4L puts it outside of his budget. And you make a good point that the V6 diesel coming to the F150 would have better gas mileage than the current 5.4L V8. My only point is, if it were me, I'd opt for the 5.4L F150 SCab LB now, and baby it for the next 10 years.