What to do?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: West End NC
What to do?
My current truck is an 03 F-350, 7.3, longbed, srw, crew cab, FX4, Lariat. Mods are 4' exhaust, gauges, Supertuner, AIE?(AEI?) ford intake, zoodad and ccv mod. I have 97,000 miles on it. It needs new rubber and will need a transmission in less than a year.
My dilema is this: The local dealer will give me $20,000 on a trade on a an 08 Lariat that is almost exactly like my current truck. The truck lists for around $49,900. With the $9000 off of list that they are advertising around here, that puts the difference at $20,900. I ended up giving $37,500 for the 03. Is this a good deal? Or should I put Anew tranny in the 03 and try to make the truck bullet proof? Thanks, Jonathan
My dilema is this: The local dealer will give me $20,000 on a trade on a an 08 Lariat that is almost exactly like my current truck. The truck lists for around $49,900. With the $9000 off of list that they are advertising around here, that puts the difference at $20,900. I ended up giving $37,500 for the 03. Is this a good deal? Or should I put Anew tranny in the 03 and try to make the truck bullet proof? Thanks, Jonathan
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Hard to say. A lot of people seem to be having that problem. I just traded my 03' V-10 not too long ago for my 08' and I have no regrets. But that truck was a gas guzzler. Honestly if I would have had the 7.3 in it I probably would have kept it. Most people think the 7.3 has been the best diesel motor hands down that Ford has put in their trucks. But there is also some things about the 08' that make it hard not to buy. The interior is amazing, the motor is so quiet I've had people ask me if it was even a diesel, and the new auto trannys are improved over previous years.
I'd say go test drive one if you haven't already. It sounds like the dealer is offering you a pretty good deal.
I'd say go test drive one if you haven't already. It sounds like the dealer is offering you a pretty good deal.
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From: None of your business
Tires are around 1000 dollars, a completely bulletproof tranny is 4000 dollars but a new tranny can be had for less.
That's a lot less than 20,900+ interist. Not to mention that the 03 is paid off as far as I can tell in your post.
Plus with the mods you have, you're easily putting down the power that the 6.4 is without all the emission garbage.
Basicly you have argueably the best truck Ford ever produced-The 03 7.3 Superduty. If I was in your shoes, it's a no brainer. A new interior, facelift, and coil springs in the front isn't worth 20900+ interist in payements.
Mike
That's a lot less than 20,900+ interist. Not to mention that the 03 is paid off as far as I can tell in your post.
Plus with the mods you have, you're easily putting down the power that the 6.4 is without all the emission garbage.
Basicly you have argueably the best truck Ford ever produced-The 03 7.3 Superduty. If I was in your shoes, it's a no brainer. A new interior, facelift, and coil springs in the front isn't worth 20900+ interist in payements.
Mike
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yes but u have think that ur truck is getting up there in miles which means ur gunna have some problems and things to replaced, that arent gunna be covered by warranty, if u get an 08 ull have a warrenty and hopefully no problems..
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From: None of your business
Originally Posted by bigblock_drock
yes but u have think that ur truck is getting up there in miles which means ur gunna have some problems and things to replaced, that arent gunna be covered by warranty, if u get an 08 ull have a warrenty and hopefully no problems..
You shouldn't be having that many problems with a 97K old truck. Even the tranny is inexcusable, but it's a fairly common problem. Other than that, you should be golden, especially if you bought it new and have taken care of it.
Mike
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Tucson, AZ
It is not just the motor that starts to go south. First if the 03 does everything you need it to do and you are completely satisfied with it, get it fixed and keep it.
However after fixing the 03 you will be into the new one about 15k +interest. The new truck being 5 years newer will be worth the 15k in value. Not to mention that with the new truck he will not have to worry about any of the myriad of other problems that MIGHT start to go wrong with the 03. And he will get all of the nice features of the new truck.
It is hard for anyone to tell you what you should do. Every situation is different and it boils down to personal preference or ability. If you are asking about the deal, it seems as if the dealer is giving you a fair deal.
However after fixing the 03 you will be into the new one about 15k +interest. The new truck being 5 years newer will be worth the 15k in value. Not to mention that with the new truck he will not have to worry about any of the myriad of other problems that MIGHT start to go wrong with the 03. And he will get all of the nice features of the new truck.
It is hard for anyone to tell you what you should do. Every situation is different and it boils down to personal preference or ability. If you are asking about the deal, it seems as if the dealer is giving you a fair deal.
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From: None of your business
Originally Posted by kimminau2
It is not just the motor that starts to go south. .
But we could what if all day. He might get the 08 that falls apart after the 3year/36000 mile warranty. You never know.
You all have heard what I'd do. The 08s are nice, but it's mostly just because they are new and have some new gagets. The 7.3 he's running is probably putting down more power than the stock 6.4s depending on the tune he's running. Yeah, the 6.4 is quieter. The 05 and ups ride a little better thanks to the coils in the front and the brakes are bigger on the newer trucks.
The only clear cut major advantage with the newer trucks is the Torqshift and it is an awesome tranny.
Plus that brand new 08 will cost a lot less if bought used in a year if you can do used.
Nothing is better than paid off though IMO.
Mike
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: West End NC
Wow, thanks for all of the replies. Right now I am still sitting on the fence. A few other things that are going south on my truck. The hpop is weak. I cannot Jody tunes in it. lots of back smoke and not as much power as the microtuner. Jody mentioned that I would most likely need a new one. Also the ball joints are starting to go. Not bad enough to replace yet, but it won't be long. I did buy the truck new and I have been lucky enough to not have a payment in over a year. My biggest concern is putting $4000-6000 into a truck that has 100,00 miles on it and then still having something major bad happen.
I really appreciate all of the replies. Later Jonathan
I really appreciate all of the replies. Later Jonathan
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