My son is looking at a 97 F-150 super cab with the third door. we found it at the local corner used car dealer after hours. The paper in the window says it's a XLT, but I don't remember a badge claiming it. I'll have to look later today. Does the VIN show if it's a XLT? CarFax says it's a clean truck and qualifies for the buyback guarantee. So fat it looks like it has the 4.6 liter with 121,000, auto trans, 2 wheel drive, power windows/brakes, multi compact disk/cassette. Would the CD changer be hidden in the console? the only thing we saw wrong last night was bunch of scratches all over. No rust or drips under it. Is there anything to look out for? Asking price is $4,800.

Thanks,

 

Sounds like a good deal. Check the bottom of the doors for rust and also the infamous crack in the door skin by the window. Be sure to test drive it and if possible to have it checked over by an independent mechanic. If it is in good shape mechanically and runs and drives good, go for it. It should be a good dependable truck with lots more miles in it, 121K is just getting broken in. My CD changer is in the console. Good luck!

 

XLT is usually on the fender emblem under the F150

 

my cd changer is behind the passenger seat in my '97 flareside. Check the rear shackles mine were rusted pretty bad.

 

$4800 is a little steep for a 2wd that is 10 years old around here, not sure about where you are though. It would be interesting to know the build date, there were a good half a dozen recalls on the '97s before 1/97 anything built after that had them all addressed at the factory.

 

Well heck 4000 aint bad with 121000 on it man most 97 and up F150s the lowest they go are like 5000 maybe 6000 and they are still miled out so yeah take it for a drive get it inspected if it runs and drives good go for it

Like kingranch said 121000 is barely getting broken sounds like a good buy

 

I probably have almost the same truck [Manu. date is 7-96, listed as a 97'] except I got mine with 220,000 on it and no I haven't regretted it. I serviced it and have put about 5000 miles on it and they have been city and Hi-way miles, I've had it WOT and it still isn't using any oil. The two things that I've had to change as for as mechanical is upper and lower balljoints [with front end alignment] new plugs wires and coilpacks. Other than that just complete service including Tranny. Oh and I did have to pull the IAC and TB and clean them. I feel like this truck will easlily go 300,000 or more. My truck also had a lot of scratchs that with a little time an OB some elbo greese I have gotten out about 75%-80%. I payed $3500 for mine but I searched for almost 6 months hunting a truck. This just urned out to be a good deal.[ I found it just out riding around on a Sunday afternoon] $4500 in OK doesn't sound like such a bad price. If you think it's a little high make a low offer then try to get the seller to meet in the middle, I would think on a lot on a 10yr old truck they would come down at least $500. CD changer probably under back seat, the only real clear room in the cab to put a multi disc changer other than maybe the console or glove box.

 

Thanks for the replies. After giving it another test drive, talked to the insurance agent, and took it to a independent mechanic, it now sits in our driveway.

 

If it already has not cracked yet get ready to replace both of the exhaust manifolds. Both of mine went a year apart. Same year truck as you.

 

Thanks for he heads up. I will keep an eye on them.

 

Congrats on the truck or i guess tell your son that...

 

some may have trouble with the exhaust manifolds but mine are still fine, '97 F-150 4.6 4x4 with about 160k on them, exhaust manifolds are still fine

 

Agree with you on that. I have 204k on my 97 F150 4.6 4x4.

 

thats a good deal. look right under the cab for rust i found in the center of mine there is a halow tube rusting fast.

 

Congrats to your son on his new [old] truck. Know he's gonna luv it. I luv mine.