Buying a truck in this crazy market?

[LBsporting7]

Unfortunately I've found myself needing a truck. After looking at all sorts of used trucks over the last month, I still don't have anything and no clear direction on what I even want anymore. The prices on used are just insane. 6 or 7 year old F150 with 80k miles is still $35000 OTD. Maybe I'm a cheap asshole, but I just don't see the value in a truck that old with no warranty and already starting to rust.

My needs in a truck are;
Crew cab
No little turbo gas engines
No cylinder deactivation
Capable of towing 7-8000lbs (fairly rarely but still needs to be capable, 4000 often)

Do I just pay cash for an older truck that's in excellent shape and rust free and just know I'm probably going to have to wrench on it from time to time? And probably over pay slightly.

Start looking into new trucks? It would be my only vehicle payment.

I will add, the truck won't be my daily driver. Just for hunting and fishing on the weekends. 1 cross country trip a year is typical.

If you were in my shoes, which direction do you think you'd go?

I bought a 2011 F350 6.7 power stroke for 35k, I think it was a little too much but I needed a truck and couldn't find anything else. Now that I have it I think it was a absolute great purchase because right now the market for trucks is insane. My uncle just bought brand new F350 for 90k and they told him 3 months but it's already been 8 months with no updates. Best bet is look around for a decent used truck in good condition

 

[CorbLand]

I bought the truck with 113k miles 6 years ago. At 155kish miles I lost a cylinder. I think I’m on motor 4 or 5 in the last 13 months. Very thankful I got a warranty on the replacement. In the original motor I had coil issues about every 8k miles. The last coil issue is what done the cylinder in. I’m sure the motor is fine for crown vics and the explorers. For the f150, I don’t feel it’s big enough. Outside of the motor being severely underpowered, the truck itself has been a good truck.

If you have been through 4 to 5 motors in 13 months, I would be finding a new mechanic.

 

[Burnsie]

I was in your same situation a month ago, tranny went out of the old beater and getting a new one installed was more than the vehicle is worth. I looked at all the crazy used prices online and was totally frustrated
at what was out there. As has been mentioned already, 35-40K for trucks 6-8 years old with 100-150k miles - yikes!
I ultimately ended finding and buying a 2016 Tacoma TDR Off Road with 48K for $31,000. Given where the market is at, I didn't think I did too bad, but I still feel like I got bent over pretty good.

 

[DAOutfitters208]

Try to find a new Tundra with the 5.7. I agree with staying away from the little motors with turbos. I was disappointed the new Tundra has gone away with that motor. I have an ecoboost and I will never buy another truck with turbos, they are expensive to replace.

 

[gbflyer]

Unless you have an “in” on a good used one that isn’t on the market, if you really need the truck for work, etc.,…new is the way to go. Look for fairly trouble free models, parts and service are a nightmare on everything.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

You've gone through 5 ENGINES in 13 months???

I had the original motor and it lost a cylinder. Got with a mechanic and he had a place that he buys thru that comes with a year warranty for parts and labor. First motor they sent never got put in, second motor did. It ran about 100 miles and it sounded like it was about to fly apart. Took it back, said the valve train was bad. Third motor was put in. Said it had an exhaust leak and would go away when it warmed up. Thought just freaking great, but at this point I’m still out $4500. My truck had been down for 2.5-3 months at this point. I had some side gigs that needed done. Drove it with the supposed exhaust leak and knew right away it wasn’t an exhaust leak. It was more of a peck than a leak. Got somewhat caught up and took it back. 4th motor was installed shortly after. This motor that’s currently in it has been decent, but I’ve only put about 5k miles on it.

And no, unless it’s warranty work on this motor, he’ll not touch another vehicle of mine.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

If you have been through 4 to 5 motors in 13 months, I would be finding a new mechanic.

Outside of the warranty work, he won’t touch a bicycle of mine.

 

[CorbLand]

I had the original motor and it lost a cylinder. Got with a mechanic and he had a place that he buys thru that comes with a year warranty for parts and labor. First motor they sent never got put in, second motor did. It ran about 100 miles and it sounded like it was about to fly apart. Took it back, said the valve train was bad. Third motor was put in. Said it had an exhaust leak and would go away when it warmed up. Thought just freaking great, but at this point I’m still out $4500. My truck had been down for 2.5-3 months at this point. I had some side gigs that needed done. Drove it with the supposed exhaust leak and knew right away it wasn’t an exhaust leak. It was more of a peck than a leak. Got somewhat caught up and took it back. 4th motor was installed shortly after. This motor that’s currently in it has been decent, but I’ve only put about 5k miles on it.

And no, unless it’s warranty work on this motor, he’ll not touch another vehicle of mine.

I would sell the ****** and start over.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

I would sell the ****** and start over.

That is the plan. Should have the wife’s vehicle paid for in the next month and will be on the lookout. Warranty runs out in august, but I’d like for it to get me thru to around March next year.

 

[Kevin Dill]

As you work toward a decision keep something in mind. Supply chain interruptions are not getting better when it comes to vehicles. There are huge numbers of used vehicles waiting to be repaired but lacking parts. And of course there are the many thousands of 'built but not complete' vehicles needing chips or other components. I've heard a few stories of people buying a nice used vehicle and then later finding it undriveable when a component for repair is not available. Very unfortunate to find a used vehicle and save cash, only to have it down for months. This is the reality of where we are today.

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

Used vehicle prices are off their peak but still high.

The microchip shortage affecting new vehicles is not expected to clear up for 2 to 3 years.

Inflation is likely to also remain persistent until rates are raised to Volcker type levels, not the 50-75 base point nonsense they are currently toying with.

Prices will keep rising. Eventually they will level out, but I doubt they will go down substantially.

Given that, I decided to buy new. Placed an order for an F-150 hybrid mid December. It has been "in production" since mid March. Microchip hold.

We also decided to upgrade my wife's vehicle a couple years early. Placed an order for an Explorer hybrid in February. It hasn't even been scheduled for production yet. The hybrid motor inventory is depleted.

We got our prices locked in with deposits. If we ordered the exact same vehicles today, they would be about 8% more.

 

[NDGuy]

If you can wait.........I would.

Housing, land, and vehicle markets are like the stock market. Not a good time to buy at all time highs when everyone and their brother are buying. That's when you sell. Then start buying when everyone and their brother is selling.......and can't find buyers.

Yep I am just rocking my 2010 Ford and fixing as needed until things cool off, at least you can have more options and can haggle a bit.

 

[NDGuy]

Any post 2005 5.4l don't wast your time.

Looks at 2010 5.4 with 150k with no issues. Glad to not have a lemon

 

[rclouse79]

I would either buy new, or an absolute piece of crap that will get you by for a while. I imagine when things to come back down it is going to be drastic and not pretty for those that way overpaid for a used truck.

 

[CodeMonkey]

The market is absolutely insane. Make whatever you can work for now.

The dealer I bought my truck from routinely calls me once-twice a week offering $5k over what I paid over two years ago.

Something is going to break soon in terms of the economy and when it does, it's not going to be pretty.

 

[black dawg]

I bought the truck with 113k miles 6 years ago. At 155kish miles I lost a cylinder. I think I’m on motor 4 or 5 in the last 13 months. Very thankful I got a warranty on the replacement. In the original motor I had coil issues about every 8k miles. The last coil issue is what done the cylinder in. I’m sure the motor is fine for crown vics and the explorers. For the f150, I don’t feel it’s big enough. Outside of the motor being severely underpowered, the truck itself has been a good truck.

The 4.6 has seemed to be problematic in the f150s, but I assume you have been running used engines?

 

[NDGuy]

The 4.6 has seemed to be problematic in the f150s, but I assume you have been running used engines?

Yeah I got the 5.4 because my Ford mechanics said that's been their most reliable engine they have seen. Besides spark plugs.

 

[Gutshot007]

When a used truck "appreciates" the longer you drive it there is something seriously wrong with the market

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

If you can forego various luxuries, usually the Work Truck trims are way less expensive.

I hadn't planned on it for my truck I first bought to tow a horse trailer, but am so glad I did. Love the vinyl flooring vs. carpet and that it's simply very functional. With the aftermarket world, if you really wanted to update something I imagine you could do it for much less that the massive premium for the various higher trims.

 

[Gone4Days]

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