It's finally time to get rid of my trusty ole one owner 2004 F150 with the 5.4 V8, yea I know it only has 65K trouble free miles but I'm wanting to update my truck and 50k for a new one just isn't going to happen. I drove a friend of mine F150 with the eco boost and immediately fell in love with the smoothness and incredible power and decided then that's what was going to be in my next truck.

I have my eye on a really nice looking 2015 XLT with the 2.7 eco boost and 20K miles, I really was wanting the 3.5 but I'm not going to do any heavy towing so that's not a deal breaker. Can someone with knowledge give me a heads up on things to look for as far as potential problems. What about the first year for the aluminum body, any issues with them or basically anything else I should be looking for.

Thanks ahead of time for any and all that takes the time to respond.

 

My 15 was flawless, 3.5 eco. I sold it to my cousin and he loves it. The transmission flash for harsh downshift was all I had done, but my cousin noticed very little heat coming out of back seeat console, may or may not be an issue. I never had anyone sit in the back so I would not notice that. The aluminum body I had no issues with. I have and 18 same body. Make sure to look at 3.55 or 3.73 gears.

 

Not gonna tow, no need to get low gears like 3.55 or 3.73.

 

Do you have an 18 or any experience with the new 10 speed and gearing. I have had 2010 to 2018 and various gears. Towing is only one aspect of a 4x4!

 

Well ya don't need low gears for being a 4x4 or for not towing much. Yes, I have owned trucks for all my life. Got my DL in 1978. OP says he does not tow much. 3.31:1 axles will be fine for him. 4wd has nothing to do with it. Yes, I have a fleet of trucks from a Ranger to an F350.

 

Pis*ing contest all day. 3.31 gears are fine if you just want a truck BUT! if you want to do anything a true truck wants to do regardless of what you originally thought you needed go for better gears. So if you EVER think you will need it for more that your initial intent prep for it ahead or hand so you do not regret your purchase.

 

Better gears ? Lower ratio does not mean better. Know why HDPP comes with 3.73's and max tow ? Because that is what you do with those low gears, Heavy Duty Towing ! What else ? Snow plowing ? OK. Heavy payload ? Yes ! My point exactly. I work my trucks, so I need 3.55's and sometimes 3.73's and sometimes 4.10's and 4.30's in a Superduty. OP does not say he is HD towing or hauling.

 

The 6 speed and 3.55s are a great combination with the 2.7 babyboost. Great gas mileage and acceleration. From what I have read the only ones that get an appreciable increase in MPGs with 3.31 gears are the RCSB guys. I don't baby my truck and I easily get 20+ MPG.

 

If you're looking at 2015+ XLTs, consider a new one instead.
There's $6300 in rebates right now (in my area), plus $1000 private offer if you're lucky, plus dealer discounts of 7-10% of MSRP (area and dealer dependant).
You should be able to get AT LEAST $10.5k off MSRP on a XLT 302a 4x4, or $11.5k off with the private offer.

This thread has all the info you could want on how to get a great deal.
My 2018 was $46,440 MSRP. I paid $36k with only $5750 in rebates a few months ago.

I took a pretty aggressive approach. I found a number of trucks that fit my criteria on my own. I took the list of VINs to my local dealer and literally told them "Get me one of these. I don't care which one. I will give you $1000 below invoice, including doc fee, and BEFORE any Ford incentives." And that's exactly what I got. It's not the greatest deal, but it was easy for me and the dealer, and over $10k off.

 

Thanks that's some good information, I have looked at a few 2018s but the ones with the equipment I'm wanting are 52K, I figured the best I can do is get that down to around 42K plus that pesky sales tax adds another 2.400 dollars.

Here is the window sticker on the one I'm looking to buy, they're asking 29K so I'm hoping to knock that down another 1,500 or more on a no trade deal.

http://www.windowsticker.forddirect....SqWGAV4YQoU%3D