Hi, I just bought a black 2008 F-150 Supercrew w/ moonroof this past weekend.

I am in the process of moving to another state and was driving my husbands 2001 F-350 SD. It's wore out (250k miles). I just about broke down twice losing the brake line (stopping for repair) and then the clutch gave out all in the same trip. I stressed myself out trying to get it home and then I resolved to buy a new truck.

I paid 21k (before taxes) including a trade-in of a 2004 Grand Marquis. My husband was with me and helped me haggle with the dealership to get the price down. The sticker price was 38k. Do you think I did alright on the price?

Should I upgrade the basic maintenance package? Most times we don't but I am concerned with issues later down the line.

We are financing through FMC to get the $1500 discount. I want to pay it off ASAP so I dont get hit with interest. Is anyone familliar with FMC terms of contract, specifically, how long I have to wait to pay off the loan?

Background: Ford family. `

My first vehicle was a Ford Ranger, but that's long gone now. My husband has two Fords (1995 & 2001 F-350's). I love Ford trucks, Mustangs & Shelby's, however, I have a brazen orange 2006 Pontiac GTO M6 that is my hearts desire.

My husband wanted to steer me towards the Chevy or the Toyota for reliablity and milage, but I didn't care for them very much and (not to offend anyone) but I definately do not like the Dodge trucks at all.

This F-150 will be my winter vehicle. I would like to know how she will handle in the rain and snow. I will undercoat the vehicle as soon as possible, but I wanted to know if the stock 18's will be sufficient, or should I upgrade them? If so, what size/brand do you recommend? Should I add weight to the back during heavy snow?

 

welcome to FTE... i know nothing about the financial side of things, but i think you got a great price. is it a 2 or 4wd?? my '02 s'crew was a 2wd, limited slip rear end and it did well in up to 8 inches of wet snow...anything more and it was useless even with weight in the back. if those tires have full tread and are more than a high speed highway tire you should be ok. if you live in a icy area, studs might be in your future... hope you enjoy your new truck, its leaps and bounds above anything the competition could offer, no matter what your hubby says!!

 

Thanks for the reply and the warm welcome.

Yeah, my husband had to admit it is a nice truck. I test drove everything from Chevrolet to the Hummer, except for Dodge. The F150 was just my style and I'm accustomed to driving them, so naturally I chose the Ford.

The profile of the 2008 just looks so good and the factory moonroof & Sirrus radio just makes the driving experience that much more fun.

My F150 is a 4x4 and it has BF Goodrich TA's with lots of tread. The 4x4 should help alot, sending power to all four wheels when & where it's needed in bad conditions. Being a midwesterner, having the right tires makes such a difference in bad weather. I want to be well prepared for another rough season of snow & ice.

 

sorry, couldn't help myself. Welcome, and yes, it sounds like you got an amazing deal. XLT right?

the stock 18" rims are just fine. They will just cost you more when you buy rubber since the 18" rim isn't a standard size. 17" and 20" are the standard sizes right now. I would ditch those crappy tires you have. IMO, Michelin makes the best. Their LTX M/S tire is awesome in the crappy weather.

as for the financing, I have FMC with the 0%/5yr. There is no penalty for early payoff with mine. I'm pretty sure you won't either. Not alot of people have that kind of cash, so most places aren't too worried about it.
, your husband should look into the Toyota's...that's funny, a Tundra that's reliable...or has a tailgate you can sit on, or a motor that can run long enough to be driven

you could have added about $10k to the F-150's price to buy a decent Chevy. I'm biased, but for good reason. These trucks rock

rain is a joke with these things. snow isn't exactly fun, but if you have the Limited Slip axle, you'll be just fine. be very careful in the corners and on the highway onramps when it is slippery. You can end up going the wrong way very easily in the slick stuff...(I really don't recommend flooring the truck in the snow, especially when you have a LS axle...been there, done that...more times than the wife liked )

 

pics...we need pics...SHOW US YOUR trucks...

 

I'm in the middle of a move, so I guess I'll have to keep you in suspense for now (lol) my camera is in another state.

The dealer told me that per FMC contract, they wanted two months before payoff, or maybe Woodfield Ford may just be a lying POS. IDK (lol) thats why I'm asking here on the forum.

My husband thought the Tacoma would be a good truck for < me >. He didn't like the Tundra either. He actually wanted me to get a Chevy. We could have gotten a good deal at our GM dealership (Brennigan Sparta WI) but I think I made a good decision on the FORD on my own.

As for milage I drove from IL to WI on half a tank of gas, so that's not too bad.

Re the loan. Lets just say that I'm not rich, but my house and my vehicles are paid for, and I hold the clear titles and not the bank.

The tires seemed pretty good on the dry road. Well see how they do in the rain pretty soon. It's been raining cats and dogs here all summer. You can depend on that.

BTW I don't speed onto the onramps, not to worry. I'm a pretty good driver. There is so much going on (on) the road, traffic, deer, etc. you really have to pay attention to what you're doing, that's all.

 

lol i havent tried my ford in the snow yet, but my old chebby was pretty fun in the snow, it had a 5sp man in it, i could hold a drift for a while in the snow. You got to have a little fun in the snow... i mean you have to be smart about it but...

 

Welcome to FTE and congrats on your new truck.

Just a thought on the loan - the dealer wanted you to wait 3 months before you pay it off so they get credit for the loan. You can pay it off today if you want to, there is no period of time that I'm aware of that you have to wait.

Best of luck with the move and the truck and keep us posted.

Eric

 

Thanks for that info, Eric.

I thought that comment about waiting 2 to 3 months for payoff seemed a little off, especially since they claimed it was in FMC's loan contract. It figures the dealership would want to get something out of it, too.

I've never heard of a penalty for paying off a loan too soon. In my experience, anytime I called a bank for payoff, they gave me a figure and a certain number of days to pay it off before interest is accrued.

 

My brother in law bought a escort way back when and took a loan to get discounts and then paid it off a month later.. He told me that he pissed off the dealership..

Pay it off..

 

I agree with air1jpg...call FMC and ask. They are the true experts. F' the dealership


btw, you got to cut loose with the F-150 in the snow...fun fun fun

 

Congrats.
You can pay off any time you want. Just call FMC to get the amount-so that you don't pay any advance interest. The dealer will tell you whatever to make you wait so that they get their money for the financing. (A Toy dealer once told a relative to wait a year because Toyota only reported to the credit bureau once a year!)
I second the Michelin suggestion, I have always liked their wet traction.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am liking my 150.

 

I recently paid the balance on my '05. They gave me a 10 day payoff number, and I saved about $500 in interest. No penalty for early pay.

 

Congrats on your new truck and welcome to the FTE board, lots of good info and nice people. I've financed several trucks and a mustang throught FMC and never had a problem making an early payoff or even sending a separate check for Principal only. I've saved quite a bit on interest that way. As for driving in snow, I have an 06 F150KR Screw with Goodyear LT all season tires. The truck handles very well, have only needed 4x4 in deeper snow (4") or pulling my boat up a slippery launching ramp. Good luck and welcome.

 

Why are we worried about snow in the middle of july?


BTW the best tires for snow are TSL Boggers. Preferibly in the 38 to 40 inch range. Can your truck do 65 in 8" of snow? Mine can. And stay in my own lane and outrun the cops trying to stop me. (j/k about the cop part).

Just had to add that, for no reason.