Ok, I posted a while back about me getting a Super Duty truck. Well I called around to the popular dealerships that I always hear on the radio, see on tv, or on the road, etc. Asked about an F-250 with the PSD, crew cab, preferably Lariat, but I could live with XLT. Ended up with even a 2000 F-250 XLT C/C with the PSD was going to be $550 a month. So, I figured if I am going to end up with that kind of payment, might as well look into a NEW F-250. $650/month...

That's a lot of cash a month. One rep even told me that's pretty much what I would find everywhere else. Most of these trucks are like $28k+. All I want is a damn diesel F-250 with the post-1998 body, i.e. the new looking body style.

Well, then I found a Truck Trader. I found a ton of great deals. Even found an F-250 Lariat C/C 4x4 with the PSD, 2000, usual Lariat goodies. $16,950. 158k miles. Here is a link:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/id...&result_car_id=

Just wondering what you guys think. Should I jump on this? I found a few other deals, but really not anything as close as this. Mostly XLT S/C's, and I really want the 4 doors. Let me know. I'm figuring that the payments would be about $350 +/- a month, which is what I'm paying on my F-150 Lariat right now, I got it used three years ago at $16,700, had the same monthly payment ever since. I have excellent credit, and I plan on trading in my F-150 or selling it. Give me some serious advice here guys. Latah.

~FG18

 

BAH! The link is messed up. It's the 2000 F-250 Lariat, gold, for $16k, I think it's on the 2nd page. There are pictures and stuff on the detailed page for that vehicle. Yeah. Latah.

~FG18

 

Will a bank even loan on something that used?? I'd be really worried about problems(tranny, t-case, brakes, a/c etc) with that kind of mileage. I think I'd be looking at 60,000 mile or less vehicles.

 

did a check on kelley blue book and it retails for 23k... trade in value is 16k
it looks like a sharp looking truck...but inspected it with a fine tooth comb

 

If you know what you're doing (or have a good mechanic friend that can help), buying used is a great way to save money. I've bought and driven used cars & trucks all my life and will probably do so again, eventually. My '04 F250 is the first new truck I've owned since 1980, and I even kept my 1990 F150 with 170k miles on it because it still runs great and I like the looks of it.

That said, I sure am enjoying my brand new Super Duty, despite the high monthly payment.

 

Yeah, see I didn't expect such high monthly payments, even on some of the $26k F-250s that I have found at the big dealers. I was like...whoah. I talked to my uncle, and he said that diesel engines really don't break in totally until 100k miles anyway, and that 158k miles is like getting a gas truck with 30k miles on it. All he's ever driven were diesel trucks, owned RoadMasters trucking, of course those were big rigs, but then he went to hauling trailers and cars using an F-350, so it's kind of like his word is the gospel when it comes to diesel trucks. I talked to the guy at the dealership, I asked him what he honestly thought about the truck, and he said it just needs new tires, other than that it's a nice truck. I'm going to check it out this weekend. Latah.

~FG18

 

I'm not sure how much my post is going to help you but....Before buying my new PSD in 2002 and while saving more money for my down payment, I searched here for advice and bought the "Trader" magazines all the time. I didn't really like the price tags or the payment outcome on a new truck, and did not like the looks of most of the "reasonably" priced used ones that I looked at either. I do not trade my trucks very often, especially the good running ones (still have my last one). In my opinion, you should base this foremost: "How long am I going to own this truck"? If you get in on a new one, the sooner that you trade it, the more you loose on it. Then on the other hand, most of the good looking used ones that I would have been satisfied in buying were already priced somewhat close to a new one. So...considering how long that I keep my trucks and the price of a nice looking used one, I bought a new one. Also, the truck will be paid for by the time it has the miles of the used ones that I liked. I was brought up believing that you always called the previous owner on a used vehicle also. It may be much harder now a days to do this, but it would be worth the effort. Especially if you find out the used beauty that you have your eyes on, is really a lemon in disguise. I hope that this post helps you.

 

Another thing to consider, although your uncle is right about the motor, is that the running gear on that 2000 truck has 158K on it. The motor can easily handle it, but the other stuff wears out like any other truck. Brakes have probably already been done once or maybe even twice, but how about the calipers, brake lines, rotors, bearings. Tie rods and ends, ball joints, diffs all have high mileage.

 

You have the old iron horse I6 don't you?? That engine will outlast several trucks that it will be put in. What an engine that was....
Corey

 

Mine has the 5.0L. Has a little blow-by and doesn't have the power it used to, but it still runs smooth as silk.