*Feel free to skip to summary at bottom*

I frequent a few forums so can understand what kind of mentality my thread topic will give, but not the most generalized question/help so hopefully, i'm not to annoying.

Very heavy ford family as my grandpa retired very high in ford good few years ago now, 2 new leases every year, and A plan for all the family. Mom drives an 03 explorer and step dad drives a f250 XLT for work. With that, I'm not really oblivious to ford.

What I'm looking for is input. Right now we've had our 05 Audi A4 for a year and it's showing signs of being a maintenance hog with some of the dumber things. Air bag light on, a loud wheel humming sound that has started, all 4 igntion coil packs needed replacing, and tought time starting cold mornings all with less than 50k miles. Every month something new pops up. Technically it's the Fiance's car. I myself drive a 99 contour svt, hate to get rid of it, but I work as an electrician with my step dad and I keep having to load tools to get to the job sites. Taking a SVT contour down 2 miles of dirt road with a ladder, tools, and drills, is not the most pleasing thing.

NOW with some history, I plan on selling the Contour (if someone wants it let me know!) to get a late 90's/early '00s 150. Anything but a regular cab and I'm happy. Local dealer and some other places have some nice ones for under 10k. But the local dealer has a 2005 5.4L extended cab I'm liking. 70k miles for just under 15k. The sells rep knows me through my family so may help on deal. Not to mention I see quite a few within a self willing driving distance of same general truck, mid 00's for 13-20k.

What I'm looking for is what are thoughts? I've looked at few 150's online so got a general price idea. I'm just wondering if I'll be happy getting rid of my car, and picking up a say 8k '99 f150 xlt with 5.4 with 110k miles and finding fiance a AWD Fusion for 15k. Or this 15k truck and hope I can talk her into a cheap car lol (she wont drive mine since it's a manual and want's me to have a truck but doesn't want it as HER DD)

*Summary*

Between a late 90's 5.4 XLT and a mid to late '00s 5.4L XLT, what would I really be gaining going newer besides updated body style and interior. Mileage doesn't really scare me on these trucks. My step dad's 03 already has 120k hard miles on it (full on work truck), let alone even my buddy who isn't a ford fan says the 5.4L goes for longer than it ever needs to. Also see a lot of high mileage 160k+ trucks still going with nothing more than maybe a wheel hub change or whatever, more or less minor things.

Like this: 1999 85k miles for 8k.


Verse this: 2005 for 15k and 70k miles. XLT maybe, doesn't have model line or interior pics. Going to look at it later today.


Obviously newer would be real nice but it's at rade off what kind of car to get her then verse a new Fusion/Milan.

 

1st off I gotta say...damn I loved driving those contour SVT's. ALOT of fun....

2nd....get what you want...I had an 01 and the only reason I traded up was cause I could get a monster deal on it at the time. The 99 you have pictured looks real nice..if the rest of it matches engine wise...go for it.


On a side note....the Audi was really that much of a hassle???

 

It's turning out to be, and the closest dealer is 4 hours away. No one but them can get rid of the air bag light. Not to mention we're not the richest ppl (22 and 23). We can afford the vehicles and general maintenance, but anything with the audi is $$ just because of our location.

The red 99 has a ugly tan interior haha, but over all not bad looking. Theres a few more like the 99 I like.

The contour is very fun car with 25mpg average easy. Really don't want to get rid of it but a truck is needed. Got a snowmobile and a 800 sportsman I get around on a 3 place trailer behind mother-in-law's jeep, which is getting old taking that large trailer every time I need to move around 1 toy.

*edit*
The dealer the audi came from does have a 2001 XLT 5.4L with just over 57k miles. But last I checked he wanted 16,000 for it but this was before gas ever went over 4 dollars in the first place. Idea how much this would be worth or a bargaining chip that I might as well go buy a 2005 for that? Could do a very easy trade in for it (he gave us full price what we padi on a 1999 Jeep a couple years ago a year after owning it. Very good guy), but I don't plan on straight trading, or him giving US money for the 05 audi to get a 01 truck with few more miles.

 

I traded out my '98 due to undercarriage rust. My gas tank straps and brake lines were close to rusting through. Don't know if that's an F150 issue, just a problem in New England, or just my specific truck. But I'd get a good look underneath.

 

Probably will. I looked at a Crew cab lariat awhile back for 11k. Lots of rust under the car. I live in U.P. Michigan so rust will exist unfortunately. Just long as nothing is rusting through though.

 

That's a super clean 99!!! Like Sin said, get what you like. Both models have their advantages. I personally have a spot in my heart for the 97-03's. Not just because I own one, to me they were the coolest looking trucks made in their time. I hate to admit it, but I feel the same way about the 89-96 Chevy 1500's. Those 1500's are still damn good looking pickups when done right!

I like the 04-to current 150's. I've thought of trading at times and just decided not to. I like not having a new truck payment is the MAIN reason.

All in all they're all still Fords and regardless of what body style they are, they're damn tough trucks!

Those Contour SVT's were sweet rides! Still a good looking car for it's time. Why no SVT Fusions???? Oh well, back on topic.

 

Atleast they brought Taurus SHO back, and made it right.

That 15k 05 wasn't there anymore, they haven't updated the site. But he said he might be able to give me about 4.5k for the 'tour and gave him some info and what truck I'd like. So trying to get the ball rolling and be looking at some of these 97-03 styles.

thanks for the info. Just needed to know if they're was any real advantage in going newer which still same brute f150.