the pickup dilemma

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 5 year old truck that has 50,000 miles and is less than half the price of a new one. Some poor sap has already taken the raw bone on depreciation, and the truck still has a good 15 years, and 100,000 miles left.

I would buy a few year old F150 with the 5.0 or ecoboost.....unbeatable value.

The aforementioned F150 that I tow with is a 2013 Ecoboost with 85k. Really nice reliable truck. Buying a new one really wouldn't get me any more capability.

Originally Posted by fintstone

Not for everyone, but I got rid of my F150 (worst vehicle I ever owned except a used Chevy wagon in the 80s). The F150 was a dog and the engine on the very low mileage pig died. Replaced it with a used Cayenne Turbo and a trailer about the size of a pickup bed (about $2K). It is incredibly versatile, has a huge back seat, all wheel drive and can tow 7716 lbs. Have used it for everything from pulling up fence posts/tree stumps to hauling all sorts of equipment. Towed large trailers and cars cross country in comfort. Works especially well with my Trailex aluminum trailer to drag a 911 around. You can fold down the back seat and haul most stuff in the climate controlled back cargo area and not need the trailer...and not have to worry about rain...or theft if you have to stop somewhere. Everything is locked in an alarmed, relatively secured, weatherproof area. It doubles as a great, luxurious, family vehicle. It is easy to drive, easy to park and brakes and accelerates like a Porsche. I like mine so much that it has become my daily driver.

Year makes a big difference on this conversation. The 2010 and older F150 with the 4.6 and 5.4 is a total dog. 2011+ has either the 5.0 or Ecoboost, neither of which lacks for power. Cayenne TT is a great vehicle, but there's a lot you can do with a truck that it can't.

[70SWT]

Thanks for the lively discussion!

While I would prefer to buy new, I bet some good deals can be had in the used market. But new or used, a new-to-me truck would have to be markedly more capable than the Titan, and also super-reliable out of warranty.

At 50k or so, with all the gadgets and tech on vehicles today, I'm not sure what would fit that total bill. I'm thinking maybe a very late Toyota Tundra with the top engine. The turbo Fords seem good, but I need to read up on their long-term reliability.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 70SWT

At 50k or so, with all the gadgets and tech on vehicles today, I'm not sure what would fit that total bill. I'm thinking maybe a very late Toyota Tundra with the top engine. The turbo Fords seem good, but I need to read up on their long-term reliability.

I have a 2015 Tundra TRD that just turned 92k...no issues and it scoots if required.

The only option is that I had the cloth seats replaced with leather for the seat heat.

I bought it strictly on price. The Ford and Cheavy dealerships wouldn’t meaningfully move on price but the Toyota folks made it worth my business...I have a long relationship with them.

Good luck with your search.

[CalPersFatCat]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Year makes a big difference on this conversation. The 2010 and older F150 with the 4.6 and 5.4 is a total dog.

This is a great thread because so many people here have a long history of pu truck ownership with varying uses.

Matt, I really respect your opinion on these topics.

When you say that the 4.6 and 5.4 are dogs, I'm guessing that you mean that the power level sucks vs. displacement/fuel usage.

As far as reliability, the 4.6 does not have a horrible reputation, correct? That motor had a long run (crown vic police cars).

I am aware that they are fuel hogs, and have no low end grunt.

A buddy of mine in socal is going to look at a 2004 f150 with a 4.6 for me late this afternoon. 130k miles. If it checks out, I am going to Allegiant out there, get it serviced, and drive it home (cincinnati) later this week.

If there is some mechanical problem with the 4.6 in the F150 application, I will scratch those trucks off of my list.

thanks
DL

[onewhippedpuppy]

Correct, you don't get much power and the MPG is terrible. Even the 5.4, which is more powerful, is pretty slow in a crew cab 4x4 configuration. I'm not aware of any major issues with the 4.6. The 5.4 is well known for the spark plugs breaking off in the head when you change them at 100k, which in a lot of cases requires pulling the head. There are also issues with the cam phasers on the 4.6 and 5.4 that control the cam variable timing making noise and eventually failing, which leads to a loss of power and rough running. That's not a huge or expensive fix though, and should be obvious with any good inspection.

Overall they are solid trucks, I just can't stand the lack of power. It makes passing on a two lane "interesting".

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Correct, you don't get much power and the MPG is terrible. Even the 5.4, which is more powerful, is pretty slow in a crew cab 4x4 configuration. I'm not aware of any major issues with the 4.6. The 5.4 is well known for the spark plugs breaking off in the head when you change them at 100k, which in a lot of cases requires pulling the head. There are also issues with the cam phasers on the 4.6 and 5.4 that control the cam variable timing making noise and eventually failing, which leads to a loss of power and rough running. That's not a huge or expensive fix though, and should be obvious with any good inspection.

Overall they are solid trucks, I just can't stand the lack of power. It makes passing on a two lane "interesting".

The cam phaser problem is one that can be diagnosed by just listening to the motor run, Most times it a series of ticking sounds that get louder the worse they are. I have heard an F150 or two going down the road that must have been really close to breaking some internal parts (really loud ticking) but still going down the road with an obviously oblivious happy driver.

My 2004 Mustang GT DD 4.6L currently has 165,000 miles with no ticking, and has given me no problems.....I will buy another one.

I have driven Ford pickups for 35 years now, and other than brake issues, they just seem to keep running faithfully for me.

[BK911]

My story is very similar to yours.
I had an 08 Titan 2wd with 90k used for towing and to supplement driving duties for the old Porsches.
Now I have a 17 Titan 4wd.
Totally different truck.
It did sticker near $60k but I paid around $50k because I kept walking away.
Dealer finally called when they needed to Sell a couple more units to get their quarterly bonus.
If you keep your next truck as long as you kept your first, spend a little more and get exactly what you want.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by BK911

It did sticker near $60k but I paid around $50k because I kept walking away.

Holy Guacamole, Batman!

I need to maintain the Tundra!

I like the Titan, btw, there just wasn't a dealer near four years ago.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Also wanted to add that the old Titans were really great trucks. I had a 2005 Armada that we put about 70k on, sold at 120k, all I did was fluid changes and front brakes. The Armada is basically a Titan with a trunk, exactly the same underneath and from the back seats forward. The 5.6L V8 in the Titan is so much better than anything domestic offered during the same timeframe, lots of super smooth power with a really great NASCAR V8 roar at wide open throttle. Very intuitive transmission too. I also recall it having surprisingly good steering for a truck. So I guess I'm saying, make sure you really NEED the capability of a newer truck, because that's a pretty good starting point.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The aforementioned F150 that I tow with is a 2013 Ecoboost with 85k. Really nice reliable truck. Buying a new one really wouldn't get me any more capability.


Year makes a big difference on this conversation. The 2010 and older F150 with the 4.6 and 5.4 is a total dog. 2011+ has either the 5.0 or Ecoboost, neither of which lacks for power. Cayenne TT is a great vehicle, but there's a lot you can do with a truck that it can't.

Yes, mine was the 4.6 ('98 I think) and it got terrible mileage and died quite young. It was not even wort fixing. It did nothing well. It ruined me for similar.

While there may be lots of things you can do with a truck that you cannot do better with my TT with an open trailer the size of a PU bed, I can't think of any. At least not any I do. Maybe if i needed to pull something heavier than 8K lbs. Obviously, I I hauled stuff in the back all day, every day...things would be different.

[VincentVega]

Its funny how these things work. I have an 'old' Silverado 5.3. Yep, down on power to the newer stuff. Yep, the new stuff gets better mgp. Yep, I have to tow a few mph slower. I'm ok with that if the alternative is 35k+.

Really wish I had a longbed though so I'm always looking for a good deal.

[vash]

i just went out and hugged my 2006 Tacoma 4x4.

i KNOW a new truck is out there for me..but i am thankful that i have mine and it is dead reliable. i havent had a truck payment since hell..going on 12-13 years. i dont think i can stomach one now.

i will buy a used truck for sure. my tacoma was two years old when i bought it...i'll try to stick that that formula.

[chapo]

2012 f150 crew cab 4x4 with 6.5 bed. 160,000 miles, only have replaced upper radiator hose and brake pads. Tows my 20 ft enclosed and race car with ease. 5.0 liter plenty of power. 10-11 mpg towing to Laguna Seca, downsized from an f250 diesel and haven’t looked back. Don’t see any reason it can’t go over 200k. Not spending 60-80k on a 3/4 ton , no reason.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Its funny how these things work. I have an 'old' Silverado 5.3. Yep, down on power to the newer stuff. Yep, the new stuff gets better mgp. Yep, I have to tow a few mph slower. I'm ok with that if the alternative is 35k+.

Really wish I had a longbed though so I'm always looking for a good deal.

It's where these threads always get silly. OP is asking about new or nearly new trucks, and getting feedback about trucks that are 20 years old.

[70SWT]

+1...The first-gen Titans have been really underrated. This is my third Titan. I've never had problems with any of them, and have used all of them like trucks should be. I hear some people have had issues because the rear diff is a bit undersized for brutal towing, but I have maintained each truck well and never have had such issues despite a lot of towing.

The transmission is perhaps the highest technical point of these trucks. It's hands-down the smoothest transmission of any auto trans vehicle I've had, and that's including a variety of premium cars that should have been smoother. The current Mercedes crossover SUV I have isn't this smooth. And yep, steering and even handling are pretty awesome for a big truck.

The 5.6L engine is just great too, if a bit thirsty. I did notice this 2011 example and the 2007 model I owned seem a bit slower and even sound a little less aggressive than the very early 2004 model I had (one of the first examples out in NC in 2003, where I lived then).

I probably wouldn't consider one of the new Titans. They seem sort of bulbous in the front, too techy, and are about twice the price vs what I paid for my 2011. I think the originals look much better. No offense to anyone with one of the new ones.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Also wanted to add that the old Titans were really great trucks. I had a 2005 Armada that we put about 70k on, sold at 120k, all I did was fluid changes and front brakes. The Armada is basically a Titan with a trunk, exactly the same underneath and from the back seats forward. The 5.6L V8 in the Titan is so much better than anything domestic offered during the same timeframe, lots of super smooth power with a really great NASCAR V8 roar at wide open throttle. Very intuitive transmission too. I also recall it having surprisingly good steering for a truck. So I guess I'm saying, make sure you really NEED the capability of a newer truck, because that's a pretty good starting point.

[70SWT]

My dad is like you. He has had a Ford pickup my whole life. He currently has (what is I believe) an '05 4WD with the 5.4L engine that he bought new, and that has been bulletproof so far. Like me, he can't justify getting rid of it to get a new truck he will probably like no more, but will pay a HELLUVA lot more for....

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

The cam phaser problem is one that can be diagnosed by just listening to the motor run, Most times it a series of ticking sounds that get louder the worse they are. I have heard an F150 or two going down the road that must have been really close to breaking some internal parts (really loud ticking) but still going down the road with an obviously oblivious happy driver.

My 2004 Mustang GT DD 4.6L currently has 165,000 miles with no ticking, and has given me no problems.....I will buy another one.

I have driven Ford pickups for 35 years now, and other than brake issues, they just seem to keep running faithfully for me.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by 70SWT

My dad is like you. He has had a Ford pickup my whole life. He currently has (what is I believe) an '05 4WD with the 5.4L engine that he bought new, and that has been bulletproof so far. Like me, he can't justify getting rid of it to get a new truck he will probably like no more, but will pay a HELLUVA lot more for....

Even though I knock the 5.4L equipped F150, my father in law has a 2009 that he bought new and has since passed down to his son to use as a hunting truck. It has something like 160k and has needed nothing. Now it spends most of its time pulling a trailer and bouncing across fields, still a tank.

I bought a Titan brand new in 2006 for $28,000, something like $6K off sticker. It was fantastic--towed my Featherlite race car trailer and 944 all over the Eastern US, then cross country to Seattle. At 90 mph through South Dakota, it felt like it was driving itself. Also took it around VIR once and hit 105 on the straight. Never had a problem with it, and with the Harmon Kardon stereo, it had fantastic tunes. I wish I still had it. Which is a long way of saying--keep yours, unless you simply must have a 4x4.

[Oracle]

Yep. I just can't justify sinking $$$$ on a new truck when my 08-F150 does the job fine.

Sure I would like the "Ego-boost" engine and newer gadgets but the price differential is abysmal and at the end of the day a new truck is the same with arguably better gas mileage and nothing else.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Oracle

Yep. I just can't justify sinking $$$$ on a new truck when my 08-F150 does the job fine.

Sure I would like the "Ego-boost" engine and newer gadgets but the price differential is abysmal and at the end of the day a new truck is the same with arguably better gas mileage and nothing else.

That's sorta true, depends on how you use it. I wouldn't want to pull my boat with your truck, but my "Ego-boost" does just fine.