Hello, new member here with a REALLY vague question, don’t you hate when the newbies do that? I joined a few months ago because I’m in the market for an F150. I’m looking at 2 right now that are uniquely different but both are appealing. I would like some opinions.

1) 2010 single owner truck with 63k miles. Looks to have been well treated.

2) 2014 single owner with 182k miles, also taken care of.

Here is the kicker. The 2010 is 3k more expensive than the 2014. Both trucks look like they are maybe a year or 2 old, so again... we’ll taken care of.

Which one would be the better choice? Does the low mileage make the 4 year older truck worth 3k more?

Thanks!

 

One way is to figure ownership cost. Pick an end of ownership mileage say, 200,000 miles. Estimate your total ownership cost (including repairs, tax & license fees, insurance, maintenance, fuel, tires, shocks, batteries, depreciation, etc) for each vehicle to reach 200,000 miles. Then divide each one’s total costs by the total miles it would be driven for an ownership cents/mile cost comparison to help with the decision.

Too variable? Run a high and a low cost estimate for each one and compare those. Can even pick two different end of ownership mileages.

IMO the key is to evaluate the cents/mile ownership costs and differences between the vehicles to make a more informed decision.

 

3k for 120,000 miles is pretty cheap.

 

That $3k could easily disappear due to a major system repair on the higher mileage truck.... then you'd essentially have a truck with 182k miles on it for the same price as the truck with only 63k miles, with other system failures eminent.

My assessment of vehicles centers around what I'm using it for, and what interior amenities I require. Assuming each vehicle meets your mechanical requirements (for off road, towing, etc,) then it boils down to what creature comforts do you want every time you turn the key, and how long do you plan to keep the truck. If you're looking to keep it 5+ years, the higher mileage one makes little sense depending on how many miles per year you're tacking on to the odometer. If you settle for the cloth seats when you really wanted the heated/cooled leather, will that gnaw at you?

One other consideration is to go to Edmunds-dot-com and compare what upgrades/revisions/changes can be found from the 2010 to the 2014 models, and are they significant enough to factor in.

Keep us posted on your decision!

 

Engines also makes a difference in price and longevity.

2010 can have the 4.6L 2v V8 (anemic, but durable), 4.6L 3v V8 (mid range power, pretty reliable), 5.4L 3v V8 (Most power, most issues)
2014 can have the 3.7L 4V V6 (lotta noise, little power, good MPG), 5.0L 4V V8 (Great noise, good power, ok MPG), 3.5L 4V Twin Turbo V6 (Most power, still a V6, ok MPG)

A low mileage 4.6 2V or 4.6 3V can cost more in an older truck than a high mileage 3.5 EB or 5.0. Cab style and trim level also play a part, I need more info before I can say one way or another.

However if I HAD to choose I would probably go with the 2014 if it had the 5.0 in it even if it is a lower trim level than the 2010, but I would pass on the 2014 if it had the 3.7 (its a v6, poor resale value) or 3.5 EB (timing chain issues) and I would pass on the 2010 if it had the 4.6 2V, it's just too underpowered in the larger cab sizes.

 

100% depends on the engine. I'd buy a high mileage Coyote over literally any other older F150 (I mean, I actually did that). The old 4.6/5.4 is iron block technology from 1991. For all of the weight and complexity, you don't get great power or gas mileage and regardless of the miles on it, an older engine is more likely to have degraded rubber and brittle plastic components - there's not much upside.

The 2014 is late enough that you're outside the early Coyote problems, and if it was well-maintained, another 100,000 is absolutely zero sweat.

If the 2014 was an EcoBoost, I'd be a bit more hesitant. If the PO can show the timing stuff has already been replaced professionally, that'd ease my mind, otherwise I'd want to have a grand or two set aside for that job when the day comes.

 

Wow, you guys have some great feedback.

So the 2010 has the 5.4 V8 but I thought by 2010 all the issues were worked out? No?

The 2014 does in fact have the 5.0 coyote engine. So 120k miles is a big difference it seems regardless of which engine, but I'm new to these vehicles.

 

I bought a high mileage 5.0 from my company with 215k miles on the clock (I put 3k on it as the shop truck and another 3k after I bought it 4 months ago), mostly highway. It runs well, sounds amazing, and if I have to work on it I am more confident in a good ol' rumbly American v8. I have a 2010 here at the shop that has a 5.4 with only a little more mileage and it's got bottom end noise. Pound for pound, the 5.0 will outrun, out-tow, and out-mpg a 5.4 and it will sound amazing doing it, plus no unreliable hydraulic cam phasers.

 

I was planning to go "maybe" buy the 2010 today but now I think I'm going to wait. Maybe I'll go test drive that 182k miles 2014 instead. What I want is a supercab/extended cab pickup with a v8, 6 1/2 ft bed and 4wd. I plan to drive it for about 10 years, maybe more. I do NOT want to finance anything (Dave Ramsey) which means I have to find something for 14k or less. If you guys have advice on what to look for to fill that order I'm all ears. I had prefer, no matter what I buy, that it be under 130k miles....but, that may be the area I'll have to be flexible.

The 2010 is an XLT and the 2014 is an STX but as I understand it the STX package is only cosmetic so it probably doesn't change the value.

Oh yeah, I have a question.....what would it cost to put a new 5.0 coyote engine in the 2014, if something happened down the road?

 

If you plan to do any Forscan mods, add remote start, brake controller, auto lights, etc. You can't on the 2010, unless it was built late enough to have 2011 parts.

I'd personally be looking at a 2013-2014 5.0.