First things first, I'm new here and looking for a new to me f-150. I'm a long time ford fan having owned an '88 F 150 and currently an 02 Mustang GT and a 1964.5 Mustang. What I am looking for is an F-150 under $5000 preferably a Super Crew. My dillema of course is its hardto find a nice SCREW for 5000 or under so here is my question.

I went to look at an '01 Super Crew XLT w/ the 5.4 that I could get for under $5000 but I'm not sure that its worth it. Here is the link to the truck for an over view.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3571205843.html

After checking it out I have a few concerns:
1) The coolant in the overflow was very dirty/muddy looking
2)Secondly I received a check engine light on the test drive and swung by autozone to check it out. I had two p3050 codes indicating Cylinder 5 misfire. This was quite noticable as at low RPMS the truck would shake and under acceleration it stuttered and every other symptom of a misfire. Also on the interstate the Check engine light started flashing. When I asked him about it he said the guy that had been driving it (he owns a company and his project manager drove the truck) mentioned it started shaking in the fall which makes me think this has been happening for almost 6 months. Wouldnt this possibly create some major internal issues?
3) The rocker panel rust on the drivers side is bad. I'll add some pics in a few. Basically there is almost not bottom panel on the rocker the entire length of the truck








He called tonight and said he is replacing 2 COP's tomorrow. So in summary, Should I be concerned about the engine since its possible that its been driven for 6 months with a misfiring cylinder?
Also, I know I'm in ohio so rust is almost inevitable but this is bad. How long do you think I would have before this rocker started causing some big issues? And bottom line would you buy it? And if so for how much? Thanks for your time.

 

I personally would pass on this much rust. You'll be into the floor pan soon. I think I would look a bit farther away from your area. Hell, you can always take a Greyhound to someplace and get a truck that would be better in shape. Just a thought. Can we say Autotrader.com? lol

 

Thanks for the tip, I will look in other areas or at least wait to find one that was under coated or at least in much better shape. Rust aside the potential engine wear is also very UN-nerving.

 

Yeah, especially with that much rust, it could turn into a money pit. You fix that rust, you find more. You fix that one, and the rust keeps on coming.

 

Talk about false advertising. Runs great fantastic shape. Misleading ad there. Personally I would stay clear. He lied on the ad who knows what other probs it has he is hiding. I would as stated earlier look in other states fly or take bus to get it. Only draw back there ya can't test it before ya buy it.

 

pass, rust does not look good also that cylinder 5 misfire could be really easy to fic or a pain in the ***, you just never know until you get into it.

 

Yea this guy is out to lunch, that's way to much money for a 2 whl with that much rust

 

I certainly would not call that truck "Fantastic" shape. Kind of a shame he left the rust out of the pictures. Haha. Also, why does it always seem miles are always mostly "Highway" miles?

 

I would keep looking as this seems like an expensive truck that was not maintained given what you are seeing in the cooling system. You can do better.

 

Thanks for all of the input, I agree that I'm Going to pass. I have one more truck I'm looking at tomorrow in state and according to him The only Rust is slight surface rust on the bottom of the drivers door but the rockers are fine. We will see about that. If that is the truth however, I think $5000 should be a fair price. What do you guys think. The ad is below.

http://mansfield.craigslist.org/cto/3576311201.html