Guys I got the green light from my wife to trade the explorer for an f150. I have found two 2004's and am having a hard time deciding. One has 72k is an xlt super cab, the other is an xlt crew cab with 90k. I have talked both sellers and I have them talked down to $13,300. I have 2 little ones (3 and 5) and not sure which direction to go. Higher miles bigger cab, or lower miles smaller back end? Also I think $13,300 is a pretty good price considering the truck market has taken off again. Thoughts?

 

is that the top price you are willing to pay for any truck? if not, i would wait it out. you can find another one with less miles for under 16K

 

miles are higher if it's taken care of it shouldn't matter but with the little rug rats the crew cab would be my choice good luck....any one you pick you will enjoy...

 

+1

 

Do both trucks have the same sized engine? Consider the current and FUTURE use of the truck before settling on one cab design (size) and engine size. Which will best suit your needs for the next 4-5 years? The difference in mileage isn't that great, so look over (and under) both to determine how well each has been maintained. Check body seams and panel joints (even gas filler door) for paint overspray as an indicator of body work from a wreck, etc. Uneven tire wear will also show that it may have been neglected when service was needed.
Just my thoughts. Hope it helps.

 

second thought, tell the wife you want both, it's still cheaper then buying a new one...

 

Thanks for comments so far. To answer a few questions, 13,300 is as high as I can go. Long story short I got rid of my old truck so we could have a "Family car" ie explorer. Another child later, we have a mini van that is our "Family car" and I am driving the explorer. I miss not having a truck, so I convinced my wife if I could get into a truck for the same money (we just paid off the explorer and still paying on the van) I would do it. So here I am. That is why I can't go higher than 13,300, because that is what I can get for the explorer. (We need to get the van paid off so I am rolling the money I normally spend on the explorer into the van).

I thought about getting an 03 crew cab, they seem to be much cheaper, but I really like the new body styles. I could still go that way though.

The difficult thing for me to decide is that the super cab is at a dealer here in town, but the crew cab is about 5 hours away, and listed by a private seller so I haven't been able to look at it other than pictures. I have a good relationship with the dealer too.

One thing I have noticed is that trucks tend to run higher here in the midwest than they do on either coast. Especially crew cabs, but I have never bought a vehicle over the internet and don't feel comfortable buying something I have not driven.

 

Oh yeah, and both trucks have 5.4 triton v8

 

Does the dealers truck come with a warranty? I would stay 04+ I like new style better also. I have a 5 year old who fits fine in the rear of the supercab. Crews are nice also and will probably hold its value a little better. Take the drive and see which you like driving better. They both same trim packages? (xlt, stx, lariat, fx4)

 

So are you financing or buying outright? If you are getting a loan it may have a cheaper rate from a dealer. When I was looking for a used loan the banks gave me two different rates. Dealer loan (5.5%) and private seller (8.8%). Not sure why but that was 3 different baks (#'s above being best rates)