I just bought an `03 Mach 1 mustang to drive to work. My wife wants the car and suggests that we trade in her `07 F-150 2wd cc for a new 6.4L F-350.
I have read up some on these new engines with mixed reviews. I already have my `00 F-350 for sale, would I be making a mistake for spending 40 k+ on the new PSD?

 

I wouldn't do it. Not until they prove themselves. Also, if you get one, expect a severe drop in mileage. Something like 10-12 *unloaded*, from what I've been reading. Hell, you have a 2000 probably with forged rods. You could take a quarter of that 45k and have one hell of a beast!!

 

Be sure and check out the fuel mileage reports. Far less than I am currently getting. Sure made me think again about a new truck.

 

From what I was told I can't afford the fuel for it. Half the mpg of what the 7.3 get!

 

Well i cant keep the new F-150 and the `00 350 too! I owe more than the 07 is worth, so I will have to trade it in.

 

Why not try selling the 150 for what you owe outright? Never now...

 

How long do you plan on keeping the new truck? How many miles a year will you put on it and can you afford the fuel bill? I have heard encouraging remarks about MPG's from the stick shifts, but you can't get captains chairs or the supplemental heat with the stick.

I went to the auto show yesterday and looked at them. I'd suggest stopping by a dealer and having a look under the hood. If you keep the truck for 100,000 miles can you even change the serpentine belt by yourself? It's not even visible when you look under the hood.

 

This may be a dumb statement....but to me, if you trade in a truck that is upside down...and get another NEW truck....isn't it also going to be worth less than you paid pretty quickly (if not the day you buy it)?

 

I wouldn't buy an 08 6.4L... no way. Your 7.3 is reliable and proven and a good looking truck, the 08 is none of that. If someone gave one to me... I'd probably sell it and pay off both mine and the wife's!

 

Well I have a really good and secure job now and this will be the exact truck Im looking for and wont be buying anything else for quite some time. I jumped into the F 150 to fast cause I was concerned for my wife`s safety, now she drives less than 1/2 round trip to work and back. Not to mention I hate the truck its 2wd and has the 4.6 v-8. It wont pull a greased string out of a cats @$$. So rolling neg. equity into another truck doesnt really concern me, Im just a lil gun shy of this new engine

 

Go look at the 6.4 forum. I roam there quite a bit looking around seeing what is up with them. I have NO intent of getting one but from what I have read, with the fire breathing DPF (diesel particulate filter) yes, the have a soot filter in the exhaust, it goes in to "regen" where it dumps extra fuel in there to "burn off the particulate" and clean the DPF, thus the fuel milage takes a dump. Seems like it happens sometimes as frequently as every 100 miles to every 500 depending on how hard you drive it. It bucks and runs roughly until it gets through the "regen" cycle. Some guys have said they had to hold the brake or knock it out of gear during a regen to keep it from pulling out or ramming someone from behind, and it all happens without warning......Keep the REAL PSD....7.3

 

Sounds like the beast has a mind of it's own, if I want a ride that starts bucking kicking for no reason, I'll saddle up one of the wifes horses. And with fuel at 4-plus a gallon it's not worth it.

 

I would look for a low mileage 03 with a 7.3 personally. Find it at a dealer that will take your f150 in on trade. That 03 is going to depreciate much slower than an 08, therefore greatly reducing the amount of time you spend backwards in it. Then by the time the 6.4 is proven or Ford has a better motor out you will still have a pickup that is easily marketable.

 

If they didn't look so ugly, i'd really want one. But, the only ones ive seen that look good have the non-chrome grille, almost the billet style grille, without all the chrome. And smoked headlights. They are quick and demand respect from any diesel truck driver, they are very fast even in stock and once they get rolling it takes quite a bit done to a 7.3 to stay with one. If you want a new truck and can afford it, like the look, go for it. Its probably going to be the last good engine they put in the fords, that arent 3000% f'ed over by the EPA.

 

The next set of EPA standards are going to require a set of bicycle pedals in the floor board to comply. At least your truck will be lighter not have that noisy hunk up front.