Purchasing Advice Needed!
10-09-2012, 11:48 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Purchasing Advice Needed!
Ok, so as the title states I need some advice. I am considering the purchase of a 2003 Lariat FX4. The truck has 59k on it it and is listed for right at 16k. I have not seen the truck in person (it looks immaculate), it has not been wrecked and was owned by an older gentleman the entirety of it's life. I have a 99 model 150 that is currently sitting at 195k (I've had it for about 30k) and other than plugs and an egr valve have had no problems out of it. This is why I am considering trading my rather problematic 05 4x4 lariat in for the 03.(plus the 2v 5.4 will far outlast the 3v) I know a little bit about the 97-03's (not alot) but am just curious if there are any major complaints or common problems you have with the trucks? Any advice is appreciated.
10-09-2012, 11:51 PM
#2
Meaner than ymeski56
Had an identical pickup to that but with more miles and my brother now drives it after I bought my 09. Only problem we had with it was the ABS light kept coming on and the fuel pump went out a month or 2 ago. Currently has about 117k IIRC. Pretty bad on gas mileage though
10-10-2012, 10:18 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yeah neither is my 99 but I'm running larger tires on it and the torsion bars are turned. I really like the truck, it's just always a gamble buying a used vehicles. I just don't want to buy it and end up with a lemon but hopefully since it's an 03 it will have very few problems. I'm going to look at it on Saturday.
10-10-2012, 11:07 AM
#4
59k. It will be a slug compared to the your 05. Especially with that low of mileage. It hardly gets driven. I would go for it, but look up the NADA value. Because 16k is quite high. I have seen 2011 4x4's screws go for around 18k-20k.
Also it really value is determined by stylle. Is it a Supercab or a Super crew?
Also it really value is determined by stylle. Is it a Supercab or a Super crew?
10-10-2012, 11:20 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It's a super crew 5.5 bed. Honestly it being a slug isn't a big deal because I'm accustomed to my 99 to some degree. My only concern is the aluminum head spark plug blow out issue. Any advice on that issue?
10-10-2012, 11:38 AM
#6
Its a 03. 03 there is not a problem. They had 8 threads. Unlike 4 threads of previous years. You should be fine. Being its a screw its worth 15-16k. I would go for it to be honest.
Last edited by Carcrazygts2; 10-10-2012 at 11:43 AM.
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05 4x4 Triton (10-10-2012)
10-10-2012, 11:44 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ok, I appreciate the help, as you can probably tell I'm not too knowledgeable about these year models. I do, however know that the 2v is far superior to the 3v (for the longevity aspect). I am concerned that I will encounter phaser problems with mine because I'm currently at 71k. I have already had a transmission bearing go out as well as a brake booster, master cylinder and two front hubs replaced.
Last edited by 05 4x4 Triton; 10-10-2012 at 11:46 AM.
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10-10-2012, 11:55 AM
#9
Meaner than ymeski56
I will say that my 09 blows away both the 04-08s and 97-03s power wise. Now this is mostly because of the 6 speed transmission but I also get a consistent 5-6 mpg better than my 03. My 09 has LT tires versus P rated tires on the 03. My dad's 05 gets about in the middle. Just trying to give you an idea of mpg differences as well.