Yo guys, I have a Mustang and im just looking for sumthin that I can get that would be a little more well suited for winter and I would like to keep the mustang in good condition. I was looking at different late 80s early 90s F150s and I think that would be perfect. I only have 2-3 grand to spend on a truck so the mileage is pretty high, around 120-150k. Im just wondering how long these trucks usually last and if this would be something worth while or just a money pit that I'll probably have to be continually fixing. Just looking for some opinions from people who know these trucks, cuz i know pretty much nothing and am just looking for something i don't have to worry about beating up like I worry about the Bullitt.

 

Well, the F150 isn't the best selling vehicle in the country, and the world, for nothing. I think they are very reliable. I purchased my 1996 F150 on eBay for just over $5000 and it passed inspection with only 1 bushing on the torsion bar needing replacement.

However you decide to purchase your truck, just be careful, there are plenty of people out there looking to rip others off. Take time to look over the truck carefully, looking for obvious signs of abuse or repair. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how the truck was used and if it has been in any accidents. If you find a truck you are seriously considering purchasing, a carfax report could be worth the money. It will let you know the repair history of the vehicle.

There are lemons out there, that can't be helped. But, if you are careful about what you buy, you should be able to find a great truck for yourself.

Good luck!

 

If you dont mind me asking, how did that work getting it on eBay? How can u be sure that the truck didnt have any little stuff wrong without looking at it in person

 

If I were you , get somethihg with the six cylinder in it, and from the south so there wont be as many rust issues.

 

Good question.
The seller had tons of pics of the truck in the item description. Any/every angle you could think of, both sides of the truck, interior and under the hood. It was obvious from the pics that the truck had been well maintained. The mileage was a little over 123k when I bought it. For a 12 year old truck, that isn't bad at all. And, I paid a deposit of $200 and took a cashier's check to pay for the balance. I did a test-drive of the truck before I signed anything. If the truck wasn't all it seemed to be, I would have come back home with my check and kept looking for another truck.

eBay can be a great place to find a good vehicle, but it can also be tricky.
See my reply to another member's post here:
https://www.f150forum.com/showthread...0055#post30055

and that should explain much of what you want to know.

I found that the local paper and the local used car lots were not giving me the selection I wanted. I wasn't finding anything in the price range I wanted, with the options I wanted. eBay worked out great for me.

 

I live in Maryland, I bought my F150 from a small dealer in Pennsylvania, just a little northwest of Philly. The truck is virtually rust-free. Paintjob is in excellent condition too.

It is not advisable to purchase a vehicle that is too far away from where you live. If you have to travel too far, you may not want to leave without the truck, even if it's not perfect for you. If you have to have it shipped, the added expense and the lack of personal contact with the truck may leave you with a lemon.

 

yea...id would defiantly like to find something I can go check out in person and not have to drive hours to do so.

----So you guys would say that these trucks, for the most part, are good for at least 200k miles?

 

Yep, I think that 200K is very safe to say - if the maintenance has been and continues to be done. I also find that the more I stay on top of the nickel and dime problems, the less I am lured toward looking for something newer.

For my two cents, I would like to add that you are buying someone else's problem - whether it's something as simple as the vehicle doesn't suit their needs any more, or the old joke about how the ash trays got full - all the way to some upcoming repair that they know is coming but aren't fully divulging when you talk with them.

Basically, whichever you buy, even if you do your homework and do proper diligence in checking it out, don't be too disheartened by a repair or two - after all the truck is getting older.

Like was said earlier, Ford didn't get to be #1 by selling junk that doesn't last or stand up.