I'm considering buying a new F150 Platinum 4X4 short box. I absolutely love the truck.

One thing I found that has me a bit concerned, but haven't been able to validate is the maintenance costs. I went to Edmunds and according to their site the maintenance costs in the first 5 years is over $7500. This is about twice the amount of any other full size pickup on the market. I've asked multiple dealers about it and they say it doesn't make sense.

So...I'm asking those of you who actually own these trucks - is the maintenance cost really that high or is Edmunds just wrong.

I'm new to this forum and will post an intro thread soon. I just hope to have something more interesting to say in a few days.

Thanks for your help!

Eric

 

Unless that estimate includes a new engine, I'd say it's pretty incorrect. I mean, break that down and you're looking at $1500 a year to maintain the vehicle is what Edmunds is saying, which in my mind seems pretty drastic. I'd say a third to half of $1500 is what you're looking at to maintain the truck or any truck meticulously. Keep in mind each year it might require work on something specific, a certain part replaced, or say even new tires (there's close to $1500 right there). General maintenance is just the same as any other vehicle on the road. I mean, I've had a mine 6 months, and I've solely done the rotors, pads and a few other little things myself, there's a couple hundred. Keep in mind I use my truck for work, so I tow with her daily, and I'm pretty hard on her. I guess also does that cost factor in labour fees, or parts alone? Because those Ford dealerships will gauge your little pockets, so then maybe the $7500 would make sense. Haha
I mean, $7500 seems like a lot, but over a 5 year span, especially if you plan on upgrading her, isn't that much. Guys drop $5000 easily on a suspension lift, and a new set of wheels/tires, and that's in a day, not over 5 years.

What did you drive before? Is this your first truck?

 

My last f150 I had for 3 years and it only cost me about $700 in that time. For every little thing.

 

I can see where tires would be some of that 7500 for folks that have a lot of miles between home and work.

 

Eric, welcome to the forum. I have never understood Edmunds, etc. estimates. I have owned many Ford trucks, and none have cost anywhere near what they say. The only thing I can figure is their including the cost of gas at 15K miles per year, which is suppose to be the average miles per year folks drive. And possibly include cost of insurance, and taxes. As far as problems with the truck, nah.

 

Im questioning how they came up with that since the engines have only been out for 2 model years and the bodystyle has only been out for 4 years.

 

Yeah, very true actually. They can't really come up with an accurate quote based on the newer models unless they just multiply the initial couple years or so. But like everyone is saying, it's definitely not precise, unless you're factoring major things like gas, labour costs (which vary), brand new tires annually? Hahaha.

 

makes zero sense, isnt there a 5 year 60,000 mile warranty? you should have no expenses in the first 5 years, haha!

 

That seems a little steep to me. My 02 has cost me $5400 in the 4 years I've had it to keep it running, $15000 in fuel, and $700 in tires (I'm running Load E rated Hankook Dyanapro ATM's). Now I got mine with 67K miles on it and have had nothing but problems and it currently has 137k miles on it...doesn't make sense for a new truck to be nearly that expensive just for basic maintenance. Not even the diesels are that expensive.

 

seems little step... i had put like 20k miles in two years.
im two years, i had spent $3700, but that includes a lot of prevention that i did outside normal maintenance, like new set of tires ($650 good now for 60k miles), edge evolution ($300), transmission flush ($250 good for 30k miles), new radio ($400), new battery ($130 good for 3 years), new coils (not needed really, just in case $130), new sparkplugs ($120 good for another 60k miles), new brake pads ($120 good for another 30k ), new truck mats ($120), .... other expenses were oil changes, rear step, leds, speedbleeders, few adaptors, hayness manual, gear oil....
ill guess from my detailed expenses, that this is more about $500/year once you have the truck stabilized.