OK let me start it off. I sold my mint 02 250 EXT cab LB 2wd with 32k miles. I am looking for a vigin 7.3 4x4 crew auto with under 85k miles or so. By Virgin, I mean no chip, or 5th/gooseneck hitch. I am getting very tired of looking. It used to be fun, but now its a chore. I have driven all over the world and taken a 1000 mile flight to a dealership only to fly home empty handed.

Anyway, I have had to use my dads 04 SC 2wd 5.4 truck quite a few times for light errands and I like it. The local dealer has a 05 xlt 4x4 with 11k miles. The truck looks clean with the exception of some srapes on the drivers side rear well. I didnt check over what options it has, but it does have the chrome rims that I dont care for.

They list the truck for 25.9k. Is this a good enough price for this truck?
Anything to worry about or look out for?

Can anyone tell me if I will be happy with this truck over a sweet 7.3. Which BTW they dont sell anymore since mid 03. Just kidding, I know no one can answer this. I dont trust the new 6.0 and I want to stay away from them.

I have a race car that I tow with an open tag trailer. I am thinking of giving up the racing because of lack of garage and other resources that I cant readily fix (space and garage).

I towed my car about 12 miles today to move it from home with pop's truck and the truck felt great. I kept it out of OD due to the 45 mph highways that I would have been traveling. I also took it easy because its pop's pride and joy and I had not trailer brake controller.

 

RECAP: 25.9k seems in line with KBB for an 05 with 11k miles. Anything that I should look out for when buying? Any inherent problems with the 05's?

This is my dad's second 04. The first one had the 3rd brake light leak and the front end shimmy. He brought the first one back after 3 days and they swapped him for another truck.

 

run a OASIS with the vin on that truck to make sure your not getting a lemon. www.flatratetech.com

 

I would suggest you talk with the prior owner. If it was a trade-in, the dealership will have the name, phone number and address and if they bought it for resale, the title will have the prior owner's name and address so you can contact them. You can then inquire about it's history and why it was sold. If there is no problem, then the dealership should be willing to provide you the information.

My 04 4X4 XLT with 5.4 and 3.73 gears makes an excellent tow vehicle. I lock it out of OD, set the cruise at 60 or 65 and the speed never varies. It will downshift on upgrades but the speed remains the same (towing about 4,500 lbs)

 

Is OASIS better than a carfax? I need to RE-UP my carfax.

 

Is it necessary to lock out the OD on a straight grade? My 98 150 didnt say and my 02 SD didnt care. I only towed one time with my 98. It stayed in od at about 80 mph. It would drop out on the hills with the cruise on.

I do more light hauling these days than tow anyway.

 

25.9k seems pretty steep for that. I bought my '05 Super Crew 4x4, 5.4, XLT, 3.73 LS for $24k brand spanking new on 12/31/05. I say you need to get them down closer to $20k.

You should love the truck. Mine is great!

 

I used kbb and it looked decent. However, I agree with you. One of my employee's bought a 2006 GMC loaded during the red tag event. He said that he came around 26k for his brand new and loaded.

 

Yes. An Oasis report comes directly from the national FORD database. It will print out a record of everything done to that truck by a FORD dealer - anywhere. If the report shows that the truck was brought back for the same thing over and over, that's a red flag.

Have the salesman get one for you. If they balk at that - walk. It's VERY easy for them to get this report. If they won't do it, find a different salesman who will.

Good luck!

CMOS

 

My 04 does fine with OD on level roads but there is little difference in the fuel mileage and I figure that I would rather pay the little penalty in fuel mileage and not take any chances that I would hurt anything (some of us would wear a belt with our suspenders).