dhop08

Hey, I need you guys honest opinion. I've been looking for a truck. Is this a deal or is it dumb? I've found a running 2004 F150 Lariat with 291,000 miles on it for $3000. The owners says nothing major is wrong with it. From the pictures, the bed of the truck looks pretty beat up. The Cab looks decent from the outside. The interior looks rough but I've seen worse. I haven't seen the truck in person yet though.

Even though its running, I know something is gonna fail soon. I thinking if I do buy the truck, in the spring, I'm gonna put a new motor in it. My plan is once I put a motor in it, The truck will last another 100k - 150k before I get rid of it. Once it hits 400+ I will probably just sale it dirt cheap or trade it in. Is this possible. Should I pass and jump on the deal?

I already have an Honda Accord so if the truck fails I'll still have transportation. I just don't want to make a dumb decision.








The bed looks beat up








Cab looks ok though

brw384

IMO. I would just see what else is out there. Compare a few trucks. You might find one in a little bit better shape for a little bit more.

redeye3745

That is a lot of miles on her, and that engine is probably nearing the end of it's life span, especially if it wasn't taken care of properly. I wouldn't make a definite decision until you can look over the engine and listen to it. Plus test drive. If you're pretty mechanically inclined, might not be a bad deal. But honestly if your gonna put a brand new engine in it I would look around more for a less dented up one with less miles and spend a little bit more.

dhop08

I appreciate you guys opinion. I'm gonna go look at it for sure Friday, but its no guarantee that I will buy. I'm not hurting to buy a new truck immediately, I don't mind walking away. The only thing that caught my attention with this truck is that its running so, I probably could drive till it dies before I put another motor it. However, it could die on the way home, or next year. Honestly, in this price range, it'll be hard to find something that decent even if I'm look at a 97-03 model. So at the end of the day, I'll probably just keep saving up.

redeye3745

Biggest mistake is buying on impulse. Bout a boat on impulse, spent more on repairs than I did on the boat.. Lol lesson learned

dhop08

Lol, admittedly this is kind an impulse buy because the deal came out of no where. Decisions Decision lol. I'm thinking maybe if they can knock the price down to 2500 or 2600, it will keep me from being too deep in the hole. I could break even if I run into too many problems.

coborn35

$3,000 seems very expensive for almost 300,000 miles.

bobkyle2

If you don't care about the dents and being alitle rough, I don't think you find a better truck for 3k really. It would part out for way more than that. Miles and dents don't ever bother me.

screw05

Well said. If the interior is in fairly decent shape,the a/c still works, motor sounds fair and drives ok. I don't see how you could go that wrong. Even if you did have to put $2500-3000 into it you would still be head of the game.

Maybe you should look at it on a Sunday so no notaries are open and you at least have an extra day to think about it.

screamineagle

I agree. 3 grand is a drop in the bucket these days and if that truck is drivable with no obvious major issues then it's a good buy. I have spent more on salvage title vehicles and made out pretty damn good.