Why shouldn't I? 2000 F150

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3457385167.html

2000 F150, 5.4L, 165k miles, $1,600

I've been in the market for a cheap truck for a while now. This thing won't see much action besides towing an E30 around and random trips to home depot when needed. So what say ye GRM, should I gamble on a cheap truck like this? Or keep saving for a $7k 1988 diesel?

Note I've had F150's in the past and don't mind the maintenance associated with it.

If the damage is not to bad I'd say go for it.

Chris

could be a lot of truck for the money

is it so hard for a seller to include a picture?

Depending on the damage, that might be a great truck for not a lot of money

Sounds like he clipped a deer, if so, as long as nothing's bent, get a new windshield and go for it.

I'm shocked that the truck is this cheap. It seems as if not that long ago, trucks bottomed out at $3500, regardless of year, make or condition.

I spoke with the guy, and I agree, sounds like he hit a deer. Told me it definitely needs a new fender and the windshield is cracked pretty bad where the inspection sticker is. The door might be able to be salvaged. I think if I hit up a junk yard I might be able to get away cheap.

I think I'll be taking a trip to see this.

Hold_Fast wrote: I spoke with the guy, and I agree, sounds like he hit a deer. Told me it definitely needs a new fender and the windshield is cracked pretty bad where the inspection sticker is. The door might be able to be salvaged. I think if I hit up a junk yard I might be able to get away cheap. I think I'll be taking a trip to see this.

One of the nice things about F-150s is that they've been the bestselling vehicle in America since the Carter administration. Boneyards are full of them. I say go for it.

because it's worth $1600 with no damage?

Woody wrote: I'm shocked that the truck is this cheap. It seems as if not that long ago, trucks bottomed out at $3500, regardless of year, make or condition.

thats how it was when I was in FL...

now that i'm in TX (or maybe it's just Houston)... I can find a powerstroke any day of the week for that sort of money... even cheaper for IDI or a gasser

it will spit out its plugs

Just bought a ranger for 650. Sounds like a similar deal. Just don't expect it to be perfect, but it sounds like it could be nice.

Agree with the plug issue, be ready for some "fun" times.

donalson wrote:

Woody wrote: I'm shocked that the truck is this cheap. It seems as if not that long ago, trucks bottomed out at $3500, regardless of year, make or condition.

thats how it was when I was in FL... now that i'm in TX (or maybe it's just Houston)... I can find a powerstroke any day of the week for that sort of money... even cheaper for IDI or a gasser

might have you find me a truck then in a few months hah. ill fly down / ply back if the prices are that cheap

How much fun could I expect to have with the spark plug issue? I've heard thing ranging from "torque em' down, they'll be fine" to "good luck".

donalson wrote:

Woody wrote: I'm shocked that the truck is this cheap. It seems as if not that long ago, trucks bottomed out at $3500, regardless of year, make or condition.

thats how it was when I was in FL... now that i'm in TX (or maybe it's just Houston)... I can find a powerstroke any day of the week for that sort of money... even cheaper for IDI or a gasser

Whoa, I do have a business trip to Alabama next week. Maybe I should take a look at craigslist, cancel my flight back, and drive something home...

Carro Atrezzi wrote: it will spit out its plugs

Yep, because literally every one of these trucks ever made does that. Never mind that I personally put about 200k miles on two of them with no problem, or that I personally know enough people with enough PN96 experience to convince me that this is yet another instance of the internet exaggerating a problem way beyond it's actual significance. Not saying it doesn't happen, but saying it "will" happen is a bit alarmist, IMO.

Think about it. When something breaks, people go on the net to complain or look for solutions. When a vehicle just soldiers on for 150-200k miles, why talk about it?

where the hell do you guys live???????? $3500 for any truck?

Ok, go to eastern west virginia craigslist and just browse the ads. You can find a late 90's F150, especially if you are willing to go 2wd, for under $2000, just about all day long. I've seen many running/driving examples around $1000. Right now there is actually a 4 door crew cab 2wd diesel for $1000. I think its a 1990. So not sure why you think the old 7.3 non turbo IDI's woudl be $7k. $7k will get you a 4wd '99 F250 base mdoel with a 7.3 powerstroke with higher miles, around here. Or a pretty nice 99-02 gas engine superduty.

I've even seen a few 4wd work truck 99 and 00 superduty gas trucks with fenderwell rust and etc (worked hard) and 200k in the $1200-1500 range...

I don't know what you want the truck for or what you want to tow, but an F250 is just a much better tow vehicle than a half ton if your trailer is gonna weigh much more than 3500-4000 lbs. Just right from the factory it has a stronger frame, bigger, higher capacity tires and wheels, 8 lugs, much stronger rear end, better transmission (well, not for all of the years mentioned, but for many), much better cooling system, etc.

I think the truck you posted is a fair deal, but not an exceptional one. If its not right for you I wouldn't worry about jumping on it... deals like that come up all the time.

I went looking for a $1000-ish truck here in Michigan about 4 years ago and all I found was accident damage, major mechanical problems, and rust, rust, rust. Bad rust. Structural rust, like spring mounts about to fail, holes in frames, etc. Around here you do need to spend at least $3k to get anything decent, or at least you did then. I can't imagine it's gotten better.

edit, ok, the 1990 diesel looks like its gone (big surprise), but here is another in your price range: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/3412132276.html

andrave wrote: where the hell do you guys live???????? $3500 for any truck? Ok, go to eastern west virginia craigslist and just browse the ads. You can find a late 90's F150, especially if you are willing to go 2wd, for under $2000, just about all day long. I've seen many running/driving examples around $1000. Right now there is actually a 4 door crew cab 2wd diesel for $1000. I think its a 1990. So not sure why you think the old 7.3 non turbo IDI's woudl be $7k. $7k will get you a 4wd '99 F250 base mdoel with a 7.3 powerstroke with higher miles, around here. Or a pretty nice 99-02 gas engine superduty. I've even seen a few 4wd work truck 99 and 00 superduty gas trucks with fenderwell rust and etc (worked hard) and 200k in the $1200-1500 range... I don't know what you want the truck for or what you want to tow, but an F250 is just a much better tow vehicle than a half ton if your trailer is gonna weigh much more than 3500-4000 lbs. Just right from the factory it has a stronger frame, bigger, higher capacity tires and wheels, 8 lugs, much stronger rear end, better transmission (well, not for all of the years mentioned, but for many), much better cooling system, etc. I think the truck you posted is a fair deal, but not an exceptional one. If its not right for you I wouldn't worry about jumping on it... deals like that come up all the time.

Trucks in southeast Pennsylvania don't come cheap. I'm hard pressed to find anything diesel for less than $6k, and finding a truck that's v8 and in decent running shape for less than $2k is a chore. Last diesel I saw for $5k was a suburban w/ 500k miles on the clock. Friends of mine have only gotten deals ($4k) for a 2002 F250 gasser from auction with salvage title.

Maybe I should expand my search a bit, it just sucks driving a distance to go and see a truck that turns out to be a POS.

My ownly issue would be salt. I've got a truck from that area and even though the body was in great shape the frame looked like a iron oxide mine.

southeast pa??? I live in eastern panhandle of WV. We are in the same region. You are not looking hard enough. Between craigslist and ebay you should not be having any problem finding stuff if you check regularly. The good deals go fast. Also consider checking something like "the valley trader" or whatever you have near you, free classified ads that you buy for $1.00 or $1.50 at the local 7-11. Looking for a car means you go look at a few before you buy one. The cheap ones will always have small problems, if they are perfect they wouldn't be going cheap. Just keep looking. I checked craigslist and at the moment didn't see any scorching deals, but I do see some on there every week.

don't want to dereail your thread but if I see stuff I'll post it here. 1990 F250 with utilitycap, needs clutch, $1000 : http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/3457582271.html 94 chevy van, v6, runs well, few issues, $700 http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/3455482349.html 80's f250, needs brake lines and exhaust work, $800 http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/3445152504.html 94 4x4 suburban, needs radiator, has blown headgasket, still runs, $1000 http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/3431250780.html

andrave wrote: southeast pa??? I live in eastern panhandle of WV. We are in the same region. You are not looking hard enough. Between craigslist and ebay you should not be having any problem finding stuff if you check regularly. The good deals go fast. Also consider checking something like "the valley trader" or whatever you have near you, free classified ads that you buy for $1.00 or $1.50 at the local 7-11. Looking for a car means you go look at a few before you buy one. The cheap ones will always have small problems, if they are perfect they wouldn't be going cheap. Just keep looking. I checked craigslist and at the moment didn't see any scorching deals, but I do see some on there every week.

Trust me, I've been checking CL and ads in my area (~100 mile radius) on a every other day basis. I understand your point, but it's hard for me to drive down to WV to check out a truck that may end up needing to be towed back, which I have no way of doing. The not being able to tow it back part actually rules out a crap ton of trucks for me.

I would appreciate any finds that look like they could make a 250 mile trip back though, that wouldn't be derailing at all.

I've been watching CL almost daily now, and stumbled upon this on my ride into to work (I carpool, don't worry):

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3455479208.html

Going to see it tonight, see if I can get him down a little bit. Wish me luck!