Jhendo

Bro don't get that truck at the dealership that has 80k miles on it with 2 past owners that just sketches me out. I'm gonna be the voice of reason and say no. With how much money you have saved up to put down, buy new or at least a used 2013 with under 30k miles on it. I have a 2013 XLT I bought new, MSRP was $35k but I got it for $26k I feel I maybe could've gotten a better deal if I looked more, but it was my first time buying new, and I've already learned so much about dealers and how they are since then. There will always be an awesome truck out there don't ever think you NEED one u see right now. I have the 5.0 engine and I love it, I only have 3.31 gears but for me and my situation right now it's fine. You will definitely be able to find an awesome deal, especially getting so close to the 2014 models being released, they are gonna want to get those new 2013's off the lot fast. And the 5.0 is a solid engine where if you ever wanted to mod it for more power there are plenty of relatively "safe" options for you out there. Good luck bro

frgf150

I like trying new technology despite the bad press and some bugs. I have a BMW with the N54 engine that is also twin turbo charged and became famous because some folks had high pressure fuel pump problems. Lawsuits. The engine is simply incredible in terms of torque and power at low rpm. So I decided to go with the ECO Boost because I expect to be equally pleased in the long run. I've already experienced the incredible low rpm torque when pulling my camper. Because its more complex, it will have more things that go wrong but I like the reward it will bring. I have had the normally aspirated 4.6 and 5.4 liter Triton V8 engines and didn't find either of them to be satsifying for getting a load moving.

IowaSTX

I understand that you said you're looking at used, but for the time you're going to be buying, I think you could score a killer deal on a 2013, right as the 2014s hit the lot.

I've got the 5.0 with the 3.55 gears. I don't tow with it all that much, but the few times I have, it's performed just fine. I towed a trailer that was probably right about 5000 LBS loaded out, and the truck accelerated to interstate speed with no issue, and really didn't seem to be working all that hard. Honestly, I felt it a lot more in the braking, and that will be the same no matter which motor you decide on.

poskwally

This brings up a good point since you'll be doing some towing. If you decide to go for a new '13 with the deals they'll have around the time you're wanting to buy, a trailer brake controller would be a good option to get. Now of course the trailer needs its own brakes for this to work, obviously. I don't know if your trailer has them or not. Just a little extra advice for you to think about.

teauxIT

@ Jhendo and IowaSTX
If it is indeed possible to find a 2013 in the 24-26K neighborhood then I agree it would be worth getting. Right now they are very much above that range at the dealers in my area. However, If I do find a 2013 within the ballpark price I'm hoping for I won't hesitate to get a 2013 instead.

@poskwally

The current trailer I use doesn't have brakes. However, I've been toying around a few months now with the idea of getting a 10-12ft tandem axle that does have brakes. So, if I do buy new trailer, a brake controller is something I will definitely look into.

@ anyone who want to respond:
it looks like the 2013 standard gears are:
5.0 ext cab 4x4 6.5bed 3.55 limited slip
5.0 screw 4x4 5.5 or 6.5bed 3.55 limited slip
EB ext cab 4x4 6.5bed 3.31 limited slip
EB screw 4x4 5.5 or 6.5bed 3.31 limited slip

my question is: Do I have to order the truck with different gears or can the dealer switch them at cost?

thanks in advance to all who reply you have all been very helpful so far.

Jhendo

You have to order your truck with the years you want unless you find one already on the lot. 3.55 heard are perfect, and limited slip is good, but e-locker is better, just keep searching. U still have a lot of time too. And if u don't kind me asking, where are u located? Autotrader has an awesome phone app/website where u can do advanced search and narrow it down to NEW 2013 F-150's with 4 doors in a 25-500 mile range and it searches every dealer

teauxIT

South Louisiana. I've been using autotrader and searching individual dealer inventories. That's how I found that sketchy EB. I wish I could narrow the searches by gear ratio as well. I can't seem to find any way besides an actual trip to a dealer to determine the gears of the vehicles for sale.

texasmonteo

I'm really happy with my 5.0L

poskwally

Don't know what part of south Louisiana you are from but, if you can wait until around October or so you can check out Robinson Brothers Ford in Baton Rouge. I went to look in October last year and they were taking off $10,000 on 2 wheel drives and $12,000 off 4x4 to make room for the new model year. They have tons of trucks on the lot. If you're not too picky about the package, you just might be able to find a SuperCab with the mechanical configuration you want for the right price. If I'm not mistaken they have the largest selection of trucks in the state. At least that's what they claim and I have no reason to believe otherwise after walking the lot one night. No, I didn't buy from them because I'm too picky and they didn't have exactly what I wanted in the lot. Seems the 3.55 is very common. I had to order a truck to get the model and package I wanted with the 3.73 rear end. I think its worth it to wait a while and check them out a little later in the year if you're close enough to Baton Rouge.