The other day I came upon what I thought was an awesome deal, until I have been looking around, and I am not quite sure. I have always owned older trucks so I thought I would ask you guys what you thought. Here is the Deal I came across a 2000 F-150 Ext-Cab SB 4x4 Off-Road 4.6 with 5 spd its loaded xlt power everything. 120000 Miles I can get it for $6500, the bad thing is I think it needs a motor due to a spun bearing. The truck was on a dealers lot and out on a test drive when the oil light came on and the truck shut down and hasnt been able to start since. From some research it sounds like a rebuild is due. I originall looked at it and saw the book was like $12000 on it so I figured at the worst I would do was with a Jasper motor for $3k plus some other work $10k invested. I figured that was a great deal. Well I fell across another possible deal a 2001 F-150 4x4 off-road ext-cab sb 5.4l auto. with all the goodies and only 78000 mi I think I can get that for $9000 So I guess I am asking whats the better deal here. While I would prefer to have a stick shift truck i keep telling myself is this other deal too good to pass up. I am not sure what these go for in the real market the book on the 2001 is close to $15000 it is still under warantee. let me know what you guys think.
Thanks

 

I would not walk away from the first truck you described. I would RUN away from that truck. If you're going to lay out your hard earned money for a truck, find a well cared for unit and pay extra if necessary for it. You will be MUCH farther ahead in the long run.

There are three major criteria to consider when purchasing any used vehicle. These criteria are: CONDITION, Condition and condition!

Don't worry about color or interior type when purchasing a used vehicle. Those are things you can choose when you are buying a new vehicle.

Be prepared to do lots of searching and drive a lot to see trucks that people tell you over the phone are pristine that are in reality JUNK.

Be smart and be careful when purchasing ANY used vehicle.

Best of luck,

 

I think looking at the first truck might not be that bad. IF you can get it for cheaper of course. If you look at it this way, you buy the truck with no motor, put your own in, you know you have a good motor! There is alot of other things to look at though, tranny, transfer case diffs, you name it. All depends on price I would say.

 

The secound one without a doult. It's has by far the better motor. Automatics are not only worth more, they hold up better than the mazda manual tranny's and are rated for towing a heavier load. Plus thease things are a huge pain to pull a motor out of. Do the math, truck one is $6500 + $3000 + many hours or $9000 even and drive away.

 

I agree with met-helm

 

The cheapskate in me says to haggle the first one down to $5000 and buy a Motorcraft Crate motor to drop in. Then you have a truck that should last a loooong time.

 

Ok well I was thinking many of the same things that you guys have mentioned. Now that second truck has already been sold. So basically is that first truck worth it if I can get it lower. The truck has a clean title history. I am leiry of it being a real junk heap that needs a lot of work. The seller was pretty straight forward and mentioned every little ding and dent. As far as automatic vs stick I prefer to have the stick but I hate that it has a mazada tranny. He was originally asking $6950 he dropped it to $6500 since I was coming from out of town. I was thinking that I could get him to go $6000. Maybe try for five and if not let it go? Let me know what you guys think

 

Regardless of the price, run a carfax on it.

 

I don't think that it's that great a price. My brother in law just paid $8700 for a 2002 Supercab XLT with 5spd, power everything and new tires/alloys with 70k miles. It was a 4.2 though.

 

Go for the 2001. It has less mileage, MORE power and probably cost you less to keep than the other. You never know what other probs might be there if it is dead at 120K. These trucks are known to go past 200k.

 

Forget the first truck. The second one sounds good, but don't be in a hurry and look around a lot. There are a lot of these trucks for sale and you ought to be able to find the perfect fit for you for a good price. For sure, go with the 5.4L - I have a 4.6L, and while it gets me where I need to go, it doesn't have any kick.

 

Oh yeah, do some searches on this site, too, so you'll have a heads up on ghost odometers, leaking heads, and stress cracks in doors. Maybe you can avoid these problems.

 

I was thinking about it today, and the first truck would really be worth it for the right price! But I wouldnt pay a ton for it, I bought my 97 4x4 sc sb f150 with an auto and a 4.5 for 6500 and theres nothing mechanical wrong with it. I did have to replace the rear and front bumpers, but those were cheap from a wrecker. So If your thinking of getting it still, I would go for like 4, maybe 5 grand. In the end keep in mind you are buying a truck that doesnt work.

 

Just to clarify the deal on the 2001 is gone. I have not talked to the guy with the broken 2000 so I dont know what his bottom line on it is. I am not looking for this to be my be all end all truck. I am looking for something to be a daily driver, I got a 97 F-150 ext cab long bed 2wd that has almost 154000 miles on it now, I love it but it is so darn long and I miss my 4x4. Eventually I want to upgrade to a F-250 Diesel for all of my towing and hauling needs. This is just to run around to and from work and maybe haul some plywood or 2x4s with. And to take my jet skis to the lake. I was thinking it was a deal to pick up a 2000 with the 4 drs and the 4x4 for less than half the book value on it.

 

well.... Ford trucks are so popular, and lots of it are on road. You shouldn't have any trouble finding better ones. With the high gas price nowdays, they (trucks) are getting cheaper as it's piling up on dealer lots. Take your time and you'll find nicer one somewhere, or even from private parties as they might be pissed at dealers for being offered way below the book. I would go for 5.4L (4.6L would be fine) Auto 4x4, you'll be driving grinning the whole time.