jgcable

I know this is subjective but "generally speaking"
I just picked up a 1995 Ford F150XL with a 5.0 auto in it. Its an automatic with AC. 2WD. I have known the truck since it was new. It has 185K on it.
It runs great, it drives great.
Here is my question... because I have 5 drivers in my house but currently only 4 cars my youngest kid is considered a part time driver. This significantly reduces our insurance cost. I have a 22 year old boy and a 19 year old girl that are also on our policy. As you can guess, even with no collision on any of our old cars I still pay over $5000 a year for car insurance. Adding the truck makes my daughter a full time driver and my insurance goes up another $1000.00 a year. My wife is complaining that paying $1000.00 a year extra for car insurance so that I can put on a 17 year old truck with 185K on it is crazy. She thinks that 185K means nothing but problems. I have to admit, 185K sounds like alot of miles even if all of them are highway.
How long do these motors last? I know that on some cars (especially Fords) they "hit the wall" at certain amount of miles. For instance, the Ford Taurus seems to hit the wall around 80K. If you pick up one with 100K on it you are usually ok for at least another 60K. What should I suspect with my 5.0L V8? I searched the threads on this form and it seems that 185K isn't that much. There are many trucks running around with 285K on them! My buddy who owns a paving company and has many trucks told me high mileage doesn't mean that much when you are talking about an F150. As long as it runs good and it was maintained I shouldn't have to worry about high mileage. What do you guys think?

liftededdiebauer

What your buddy said goes for every vehicle. You maintain them, and be good to them, it's gonna be good. Unless its a 6.2 diesel.... Those suck

joshtowal

My two cents...

I have a 96 f150 with a straight 6 and the wife drives a 96 windstar with a V6 3.8. Both have over 180k on them and are running beautifully. I'm never scared off by high mileage. As you said, as long as it's maintained well, the engines will last a long time. You should be more worried about the suspension and fuel pumps than anything else! lol.

andrewskid56

My 95 f150 has 253,000 miles on it and she runs like a top

rikard

My 83 302 went 218k and was still running decent but couldn't hold her oil. It was taken care of but "Old Red" did her fair share of hauling a 4500 TT between Maine and Florida, hauling a horse trailer around New England, and ended up as a DD back and forth to school by the original owners grandson. My current 95 has 234k with the 300 and 5 speed manual and its running very well. High mileage scares me more because of the auto tranny rather than the engine. Most major engine failures give ample notice of impending doom and most of my 302s outlasted the rest of the vehicles that they powered.
BTW when I was faced with the same dilema with my tenns I bought them their own car that they had to share and care for. My insurance company had the kids sign that they would not be driving my or my wifes car. Not all companies offer this option and I had worked for the insurance company at one time. I also helped my kids get their first car by paying half of the cost and first year insurance which got me involved with the selection of both.
Being a Dad-Priceless
HAPPY NEW YEAR
rikard

wde3477

IMO, once the vehicle rolls over 100K, much of its remaining longevity is due to maintenance practices and the type of service/usage.

That being said - the general chatter I've heard is that a well-maintained 302 V8 is good for about 250K, the 300 I6 for about 300K.

Agree with others - if the tranny hasn't been taken care of, it would be the bigger concern over the motor with your miles.

wjones8511

I had a 88 pontiac lemans that rolled over 501000 when I sold it...origional engine and tranny...3rd clutch...when I got the car it had 148000 on it n the owner said it was just too old with too many mikes to keep around...lol I sold it to the origional dealership that sold it new in 88 for $6500 pretty much what it was sold for new...car is still running like a top

ford_tough_5L

like everyone else said. keep it well maintained and you shouldn't have anything to worry about. there's a foxbody with a 5.0 in it over here in WNC with over 700,000 on the clock. it's all in how you maintain it and how the previous owners maintained it.

BLS

"I searched the threads on this form and it seems that 185K isn't that much. There are many trucks running around with 285K on them! My buddy who owns a paving company and has many trucks told me high mileage doesn't mean that much when you are talking about an F150. As long as it runs good and it was maintained I shouldn't have to worry about high mileage. What do you guys think?"

You got it. No worries on ones like that. Oh, mines got 161k on it and runs like a top.

Eight

My dad bought a 93 5.0 that had 180K and he sold it with over 220K a couple years later. Never had a lick of trouble out of it. My buddy has over 400K on his 300 I6 and all she does is burn a quart in between oil changes.