Benwood

I test drove two 2011 F150s today. An FX2, Screw, black premium cloth seats, powered rear window, backup sensor, pretty much all standard options with the V8 5.0L with 60k miles. Price OTD is $25,500

Other is an XLT V6 (not ecoboost) 3.7L, leather, Screw, heated mirrors and 40/20/40 front seat with 22k miles (certified pre owned, bought and sold back to the same dealer with a history of all service records every 3k miles etc. and warranty carries over). Price OTD is $27,400

I like the look of the interior of the FX2, more storage with the center console, shifter in the center (instead of on the tree), and I like the torque it gives so I can accelerate at more varied speeds with the V8 5.0L

The XLT obviously has a big benefit with the low miles and CPO. Slightly better mpg, and leather. I would add

I don't plan to tow anything heavy. No more than 3k lbs. It'd be my daily driver (average 1200 miles a month) and used to carry kayaks and paddle boards on weekends.

My only concern with the V6 is the power. When I test drove it, I did a U-turn on a 55mph road and felt like it struggled to get up to speed even compared to my girlfriends Chevy cruze (though I had just finished test driving the V8 5.0L). If I went the V6 route, is there any suggested upgrades to increase performance that wouldn't require a second loan (less than 2k)?

any suggestions or stories of experience is welcomed. Hoping to decide tomorrow...

Thanks

kulak

It's really a toss up. I have the 3.7 but have also rented the 5.0. I didn't think the power difference was that significant (seat of the pants feels). Mileage was 2-3mpg less for me in 5.0 similar driving and loads.

That said my 3.7 MPGs have been slowly getting worse. I'm at 19mpg when I used to when I tried get 22-23.5.

If I were to do it again I'd probably still get the 3.7. It tends to have better payload than the uber optioned trims (except HD payload option). I tend to haul stuff rather than tow.

I came from a 4cyl Frontier and find the 3.7 acceleration fine.

Bigbirt

Obviously this is all my opinion based on your stated needs...

Buy the v6 and forget about trying to finesse more power out of it. The bolt-on stuff like intake/exhaust won't get you much, if anything. A tuner will void your warranty if something fails...then you have to be prepared for a large out of pocket repair. A supercharger falls into the same category as the tuner as far as voiding warranty...and it costs far more than $2k..

With the v6, you'll get better gas mileage than the v8, and you'll have piece of mind with a warranty. The 3.7l v6 has enough to get the truck moving...if your not towing anything heavy.

redfred

Ben, I would not have anything but the 5.0 engine, I never even drove the V6 when i bought my truck, I have heard that the V6 engines are pretty good engines but I have also heard that the gas mileage was not much if any better than the V8. I have the loaded FX2 and I am very happy with it. My mileage depends ENTIRELY on how and where I drive, hiway at 70-75 i usually get 20 to 20.5 mpg, at 60 i get around 21.5 to 22 mpg ( 3.31 gears), In town i get around 19 to 19.5 mpg. Maybe someone will chime in here with more info for you. BTW check here in the forum, there is plenty of info to read up on. here. It's your wallet and your payment to make and I wish you luck on your decision.

zx12-iowa

3.7 needs to rev to get any power. But for a v8 so does the small 5.0. So you need to decide if you are ok with a little less power and more mpg. The fx2 tilts it in favor of the 5.0 to me. The fx2 plus 5.0 will greatly help resale value. I think the xlt truck is priced too high because it's a low optioned truck with just an xlt and 3.7. Ie less desirable.

kulak

Everyone says that but shows you haven't looked at the published torque and go curve. Most torque is there in low 2000s. The 3.7 has the flattest curve of all the engines. Of course overall it makes less than the others but don't perpetuate the high rev fallacy.

kulak

I still half to laugh as some F150s have less payload than cars like the VW Passat. Too many options weigh them down. For other reasons the Raptor has a terrible payload. Can even hold 4 250lb guys plus gear gas and tongue weight.

Bigbirt

That may be true, but that 250lb guy will have a lot more room in the back of a f150 crew cab.

I've lived in Europe. I've seen diesel Mercedes sedans towing RVs. I guess you could put a trailer hitch on your passat and buy a trailer for oversized things... It all depends on your wants and needs!

RLXXI

Are you willing to shell out that much for a used truck? I paid 29.9k out the door for my 13 xlt brand new 12 miles on the clock and nicely equipped.


.

fordtruckman2003

Looks and interior design matter more than MPG to many.
No experience with the 5.0 but I think you would be happy with either option.
Get what you will be happy to look at everyday.

Keep in mind though a brand new truck isn't much more.