Opinions about this truck

[11 footer]

I'm looking into bidding on this truck on ebay, it would be my first car(truck) If I bid I won't be until the end.<br /><br />'96 Ford F-250<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39415&item=2488437446&rd=1 <br /><br />Any opinions? What would you be looking to pay if buying a rig like this?

 

[ndemge]

Re: Opinions about this truck

That is a Nice looking truck, 3/4 ton <br /><br />BIG ARSE MOTOR! <br /><br />FORD but that's not what this thread is for <br /><br />This user is New to ebay, Zero Feedback, this is good, and this is bad.<br /><br />Good, because a lot of peopl won't buy, and might bring a lower amount for the truck.<br /><br />Bad, obvious reasons, no history.<br /><br />He mentions a plow, 105,000 Miles Drivin on an empty truck is not much milage. If he has been plowing snow with this add 50% Milage, it's hard on a truck. And it's also been explosed to a LOT of salt. If it hasn't been used for plowing, then sweet. For Towing and plowing, this truck does have the right suspension and powertrain.<br /><br /><br />Questions I would ask this person:<br /><br /><br />1. Has it been used for Plowing<br />2. What major/minor repairs have been done.<br />3. What frequency of oil changes, who changed it?<br />4. How often was it used to tow, and what did it tow?<br />5. How long have you been owner, does he know the history of the truck from day one.<br />6. Do All of the Power Options work? Radio?<br /><br /><br />As a new poster to ebay, he obviously doesn't realize that a Vehicle Ad should be MANY PAGES, disclosing EVERY tiny feature/defect. This is not a 3 line newspaper ad, this is an unlimited forum that he is not taking advantage of.<br /><br />Also, I would not send a deposit. Usually terms are Deposit within 3 days. If you win the Auction, make a point to be ready to pick it up or go visually inspect. Don't send a site unseen deposit to a new ebay user. EVER!<br /><br />If you go check it out, and it's a good deal, give him a deposit and fill out some type of bill of sale showing the deposit that you both sign.

 

[11 footer]

Re: Opinions about this truck

Thanks, ndemge.<br /><br />Any idea of value?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Opinions about this truck

I would first look into the cost of insurance for someone your age with that big of engine. Might want to look for one with the straight 6.

 

[11 footer]

Re: Opinions about this truck

I don't think engine size has anything to do with it, they just look at what it is and assume.<br /><br />An older pickup with a big motor should be cheaper then a Mustang of the same age with a V6, right?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Opinions about this truck

Yes, they do look at the engine size. Anything with a V8 will cost more than anything with a V6. If we were talking 5.0 V8 vs 7.5 V8, I don't think there is much of a difference, but 6 vs 8 there is. I'm 18 myself, and insurance is the main reason my truck has an I6, not a V8. (even though the 6 is bigger than many 8's, they don't care) Also keep in mind that thing will be lucky to get 10mpg.

 

[11 footer]

Re: Opinions about this truck

Well, no matter what I end up with it will have a V8.<br /><br />What do you guys think its worth?

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Opinions about this truck

That is a mighty pretty truck!!!<br />I wish I had a truck like that when I was in high school.<br />Of course now you will have to upgrade to a bigger whaler also. <br />Go check it out, If it is in good shape I say go for it. Who cares about insurance costs. I paid 100 a month for a crappy little 1981 honda when I was 17.I worked and learned the value of a buck. It was a good lesson.<br />Good luck

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Opinions about this truck

As a person who uses a 95 Ford F350 to plow snow with, I can tell you it gets it done well. I can also tell you that every spring after a plow season a lot of stuff has to be repaired. Brakes, front axel, etc. Bear in mind that this is commercial plowing I do, the truck you are looking at probably has only plowed the owners driveway, but you won't really know. Plus, a bad operator can kill a plow rig quickly, a good operator can get through the season with no problems. The other issue is if this truck has been plowing with 35 inch tires, has the gearing been changed, braked upgraded? I can only hope the winter tires are not 35s, that would be a lot to ask the drivetrain to withstand, plowing AND bigger tires. Its hard to say what it is worth, my personal 95 F150 4x4 books out at around $6900, that f250, with the blade included, could maybe fetch $7500-7800. Thats a lot of engine. If you are not going to tow of plow commercially, I do not recommend that engine. My work f350 with 7.5 has about 250 horses, about 400 lbft of torque. My 351 has 220 horses, and 300 lb feet of torque, and my rig feels more powerful. The big block, unless it is towing a huge load or plowing, is nothing but an enormous waste of fuel. I would look for something with a bit less engine unless you will be working the truck regularly....

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: Opinions about this truck

RyanT.........<br /><br />There are several more things to consider when buying the type of truck you found on e-bay.<br /><br />Questions:<br /><br />1. What is the gear ratio in the rear axel of the truck? Ford has several ratio's to choose from, for their trucks with the "tow Package." The ratio's can go up to 4.10 to 1.0. <br />The gear ratio should be considered for a couple of reasons. 1.a. Your gas mileage will be lower at freeway speeds, as with the aformentioned gear rario, your engine will be turning higher rpm's, than a similar vehicle, with a different gear ratio. I have a Ford Econoline XLT Club Wagon, a van, with the 7.5 lt. (460 cu.in.), engine. Mine does not have fuel injection as your's does. Mine also has the tow package, but with the 3.54 gear ratio and is 2 wheel drive.<br /><br />When I am going down the freeway at 70 MPH, my tach reads 2800 RPM. This affected my gas milage, especially when I tow one of my boats. I bought and installed an after market overdrive/gear splitter. Now at 70 MPH, I use the overdrive and my engine drop's to 2150 RPM's.<br /><br />2. You must take into considerion the actual milage, 105,000, which isn't really much for the 460 engine. Butttt.....How much of it's life, depending on the gear ratio, did it spend on the freeway running at 4000 RPM's. If in fact it does have the 4:10 rear end, you can reduce the engine life by the the probability of 10 to 15% or more.<br /><br />3. What are your state smog laws using the "hot chip" you said it has? Does it have a functioning catalitic converter(s) installed?<br /><br />4. Has the speedometer gear been changed, or has the computer been reprogramed to compensate for the over size'd tires?<br /><br />5. Has there ever been bodywork to the truck? Has the truck been repainted? Why are you selling it?<br /><br />If I were you, I would make a list of the questions posted by the responders on your subject<br />and e-mail the the seller, to let him know you will be a serious bidder and it will be your first vehicle and that you want to do everything right.<br />Looking at the truck picture, it doesn't seem to have a lift kit. In my opinion, that is in your favor.<br /><br />One last thing.....You will enjoy the gas milage of, just guessing now, about 9-13 MPG, subject to different driving conditions.<br /><br />Second last thing....The F250...4 wheel drive really holds it's value here in Calipornia. That truck would probably bring $7,000 to $10,000, depending on condition, mabe more where I live, for a stock one. Rember.... just because a seller stick's a bunch of money's worth of after market product's on his truck, that doesn't mean he will re-coop his expenditures.<br /><br />....I hope you aren't discouraged from bidding on the truck from reading these postings, but ask lots of questions BEFORE you bid, it's your money. <br /><br />PS:...Ask your dad to explain to you the meaning of "Buyers Remorse" and "Supply and Demand"<br /><br />Good Luck Ryan..... ...Bob in Calif...

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Opinions about this truck

This is where I have to disagree with ya Jason. Anyone interested in a Ford 250/350 shouldn't waste there time with a 351. If I had it to do over again I would go with a 7.3 or 7.5. The 7.5 gets the same milage as a 351 but pulls so much better. I love my 89 250 351 5 spd but sure wish it would have had the 460.

 

[11 footer]

Re: Opinions about this truck

I got some more info from the seller.<br /><br />He only plowed his own driveway, and pulled his 16'tin boat and a small car trailer a few times, but he's only owned it two years and dosn't seem to know the history, so who knows what the last owner did.<br /><br />It's got a new front end, so that makes me think the last one for F'ed up from plowing. Its also got new breaks and he has the orignal rims and for new studed tires. The truck was re-painted two years ago, I kind of figured that by the conditon of the body in the pictures.<br /><br />He's asking $11,200 but will take a "resonable offer" I'm not paying (nor do I have ) no 11k. The blue book on the rig is only 8k<br /><br />I'll watch the aucton, but this email wasn't that hopefull.

 

[JB]

Re: Opinions about this truck

I like that it is a Ef Zero Are Dee.<br /><br />I had a F150 with the 460 engine. It would pull the world if you could get it hitched up, but it was super thirsty.<br /><br />Seven or eight K sounds rasonable.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Opinions about this truck

what are you going to use it for?

 

[BQMatt]

Re: Opinions about this truck

I also think 4X4 will raise the insurance rates for a younger driver. Seems the kids like to do a little off-roading! Of course, I was never involved in anything like that!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Opinions about this truck

Okay the Vermont opinion now.... at 105000 miles its value has dropped, repainted drops the value, plowing severely slams the value too.<br /><br />Evaluate what you need a truck for? Towing? At his reserve you can pick up a nicer truck with warranty from a dealer or use your money as a down payment towards a better truck.<br /><br />4 WD have higher maintenance, higher insurance and overall higher ownership costs. The guys reserve is way too high!<br /><br />I am presently in the new/used car business. I am not trying to sell you just protect you.<br /><br />Bob

 

[aspeck]

Re: Opinions about this truck

If it didn't have all the aftermarket stuff, it would be worth mid 8's - low 9's this time of year (Good 4WD season in sales). If you want a plow rig, the plow is a benefit to you, but the wear and tear on the truck reduces the value. The other stuff that is added (the "chip", tires, fender flares, etc) only add value if that is what you are into and in most cases they deduct from the value of the vehicle. Adding the fender flares add a "rust point" to the vehicle. Since it is a reasonably fresh repaint, you gotta figure it was rust (or accident, or both) that precipitated the paint job. How good was the body man? How soon will the rust return? Lots of snow and salt on the roads where you are from, and where the truck hails from. It has to make you wonder.<br /><br />It is a good looking truck (for a Ford - just had to throw that in), but you really need to look under the skin. If you can get to see it before bidding, I would certainly do that. Check out the cab corners, the bed corners, etc. Look for the flaws in the body work to give you the hints you need to rebuild the truck's history. Then, tread carefully. Buying a used car or truck can be a wonderful and rewarding experience, or it can be a nightmare. The nightmare can be avoided with a little research.<br /><br />Also, remember, it is mechanic owned, which can be a very good thing, but it can also mean he knows some tricks to hid oil leaks, stop gear whine temporarily, etc. Best bet is to visit the truck with your own mechanic, or a trusted person who knows a good bit about vehicles - get someone to look at it that will not have an emotional attachment to the vehicle (in other words, doesn't want to buy it) so they can give you an objective opinion.<br /><br />Hope that helps.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Opinions about this truck

Ken, my 351 gets me about 16-18 mpg, the 460 gets 10-13, the mileage is vastly different. Where the 460 really shines is when I have the Boss V blade up front, and the tank in the bed full of diesel, and the Bobcat on its trailer out back. It just pulls and pulls and pulls, but the gas just gets sucked and sucked and sucked. My 351 still gets me my 16 with a boat out back or the bed whith a cord of wood, but I would never even try to pull the Bobcat with it. All I was saying is a 460 is unnecessary and wasteful unless the deal is smokin, or he just has money to burn. A 351 is an acceptible compromise between muscle and economy. Since I use both platforms, I can speak from my own personal experience. Personally, I would like to run a diesel, but the right deal has not come along yet...<br /><br />Also, more of my 2 cents, I tend to avoid vehicles that have been modified from stock. They are modified for the most part because they are not performing to the owners expectation. He knows that because he has more than likely been running the snot out of it, modifying it, and running the snot out of it more. The best truck to buy is the one that has not been modified, and has evidence of minimal abuse. A pickup truck without a reciever hitch, and a good looking bed has less wear and tear than one with a hitch and a beat up bed. If you can find a truck that was basically used as a car with a big trunk, it will give you many years of service, much more than one that has been modded out and had the tar flogged out of it.

 

[NathanY]

Re: Opinions about this truck

Dont know about up there, but since that truck is not deisel, down here it would go for about $6000. I would not touch this truck with a ten foot pole. Anyone who has upgraded the engine on a vehicle like this one has had done, has rodded the sh*t out of it.<br /><br /><br />Also, being from Vermont, what kind of salt damage does it have underneath?

 

[11 footer]

Re: Opinions about this truck

It has 4:10 gear ratio, with a c6 tranny.<br /><br />The seller repainted it himself, but claims he operated a body/mechanical shop for 25 years.<br /><br />I no longer plan on bidding on this truck. His resurve is to high.<br /><br />I think I'm going to buy a '84 Vette (talk about a flip flop, huh) I still want a truck, but the Vette is a smokeing deal. I'll work on it threw the winter, beat the sh!t out of it next summer, unload it, then look for a truck.