New truck or not...

[Macsimus]

Cal, the tab fees on 1 ton trucks is only $120 a year

Well now...time for me to start shopping!

[OBT]

Do a top to bottom restoration on it. It will be like brand new and it'll probably cost a little over a quarter of what you'd pay for a new truck!

[apenland01]

Have a 2015 F150 with 189k on the clock. The thing runs very well, has a 5.0 and the only thing it has ever needed was a cheap sensor and a water pump, spark plugs, plus routine oil changes. Its starting to get a little bit of a lifter tic on cold starts and I can definitely tell it doesn't have quite as much power as it did in the past. Need to service the trans, transfer case, and differentials soon. Putting new shocks on the back tonight and waiting for a restock of the Rough Country M1 front struts, the shocks are pretty much gone and she rides like a lumber wagon right now. Body is in great shape, everything works fine. I figure with the new shocks/struts, and the service on the driveline, I will be in for about $1,000, maybe a month and a half of payments on a new one. Thinking I am going to maybe try to save up a little over the winter and buy an engine, do a full tear down and rebuild with a few upgrades. Then I will have it at the ready in the event the engine goes, or plan on swapping them on a weekend I can get my brother to help me before it goes. If I am in for another 5k for the engine, I am still looking at less than 9 months payments on a new truck. Cheaper insurance, cheaper registration.... Might need some new suspension bushings at some point too.

Truck has been paid off for many years and does everything I need it to do. Hard to justify the price of a new truck when this one has been so good to me. The only problem with it really is that it doesn't match the boat. If I get a new one it will likely be the run of the mill silver you see so many of, but I like the Blue Flame color of the current truck. If I don't get a new truck, I will be able to afford a new boat sooner.

What say all the wise minds here? Keep it and put a little money into repairs or ditch it before the value sinks much more and get something new. I would get tore up on a trade, so if I was to sell it it would be a private party sale.

I have a 2014 F150 with the 5.0 I bought used in 2018 with 45k and it is now nearly the same as yours, including noises, with 183k on the odometer. About 6 months ago, I put a water pump, replaced all the tensioners and pulleys, belts and hoses and replaced the coolant reservoir because it had a small leak. About a week later, I did all the spark plugs, front and rear diffs and transfer case. I bled and replaced all the brake fluid.

I bought most of the parts from Rockauto and did the work myself, which saves a lot of cash.

It has been paid off for 3 years and I intend to keep it up, so I can get as many miles as possible, but more importantly time. Time for all these crazy prices to settle, or my income to increase to match. When I had my mechanic listen to the engine with his stethoscope, he recommended banking a few bucks every month for the next year and just getting a Jasper or similar engine when this one gives up the ghost.

Cost for a new engine installed would be about $8k, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a new truck. The interior, electrical and suspension are all in good working order, so another 3 years isn't unreasonable to me....

[dean c]

You only live once, get a new one.

yep…189k gas motor…dump that thing. It’s just a truck.

[Lil Mo]

I’m considering a new one as well. I have an ‘07 F-150 with the Triton 5.4. It only has 106K on it but it’s starting to give me a few problems. Besides the periodic chasing of a bad coil, my heater hasn’t worked in about 2 years, most of my dash doesn’t light up, my rear diff. seal is leaking, and she is due for some new tires. Body and interior wise, she’s sound. I hate to dump too much money into it but at the same time I hate to take on too high of a note. Just need a daily driver and something to pull the boat once a month if I’m lucky.

[MoBob]

That detuned 5.0 engine should easily last 500k with proper maintenance. The Aluminum 2015 vs a steel 2014 is in your favor. Devil you know or the devil you don’t know. Maintain it if you want to spend the least.

“Don’t be the richest guy in the cemetery” also applies once you have taken care of life’s priorities. Really depends where you are in your journey.

[Cajun Skeeter]

I pull the boat with a 2005 Expedition with 150K miles on it. I am in the camp of not having to constantly buy new vehicles to keep me happy but that is a personal choice. I have had this truck since 2010, paid cash (the BBC way!), and haven't really spent anything on the vehicle until I rebuilt the transmission last winter for $3k.

[OH_Ranger]

In the same situation. 2012 F150 with 110,000. I have a work beater so I don't drive it much besides towing.

[Fireball]

I absolutely want a new one. I would like something with a little more low end torque for those long highway pulls with the boat or the fish house. If I was to go new, I would do either the 3.5 Ford or go with the BabyMax in a Silverado. I could afford the new truck, that's not an issue either. The new truck would come with a whole lot less miles on it than what I have on my current F150. Its getting to be decision time as I approach the 200k mark, and with how much I drive that will for sure be hear ahead of the new year.

Shop around for new rear end gears for that low end torque.

For me, I'm still running a 2007 Tundra and it would take $55,500.00 plus sales tax to replace her. CRAZY IMHO so I'm fully maintaining the beast. I have done everything I can possible do but after 17 years I'm a little concerned about the rust on the frame. I just had it undercoated with Krown last week. However, at 68 years old I figure I only need the truck/boat another 5 years and I'm pretty sure I will get that out of both. My truck has new tires, new brakes, part new exhaust, front, rear and transfer case fluids replaced. New timing belt, new water pump, new serpentine belt, new plugs etc..............of course these things were done slowly over the last 3 years so it was never a huge financial burden. $55,500 would be a huge financial burden.

[bob o]

what castforcash said

The only thing I see wrong with your scenario is using anything from rough country for suspension parts. Lots of better options out there for struts. Bilstine and Fox to name 2.....

[bcreek]

I have 16 chevy w/180 k miles. decided last week that I "needed" a new one. Prices are high, but I don't see them coming down especially with a possible shortage caused by the strike. At 67 years old , how many more might I be buying? I found what I wanted and it's sitting in the driveway.(I bought my first new truck in 1979 and could have bought 10 of them and had money left over for what it costs now)

[Grizzly]

Nothing beats the smell of a new truck.

Not even twins on Tuesday.

[BigFishSteve]

The only problem with it really is that it doesn't match the boat.

Really?

I would like something with a little more low end torque for those long highway pulls with the boat

Really? Why do you need low end for long highway runs?

Dude, if you want a new one, get a new one. Do you have a wife? If so, why are you even asking here. You know who makes the decisions for you.

[Gsmith223]

Its hard to get a blue truck around here. I couldnt go to a silver one. Having the truck and boat match looks great as well.

boat.jpg

[Big Al]

Your post indicates you are talking yourself out of buying a new truck. Here in New England our vehicles rust out before they wear out unless they are garaged. It makes a huge difference. I wouldn't buy new just to match the boat but I wouldn't put off buying a new one to purchase a new boat in the future because you use your truck everyday and it has become a necessity. A boat you use a lot less and not in the winter time. My advice is, if you can afford the new truck, buy it. Used vehicles values really drop with high mileage regardless of the condition and any improvements doesn't get you any more value.

[DaveBrabec]

Nothing like a new truck. If you can afford one. If not drive the Ford and repair as needed.

[apenland01]

Your post indicates you are talking yourself out of buying a new truck. Here in New England our vehicles rust out before they wear out unless they are garaged. It makes a huge difference. I wouldn't buy new just to match the boat but I wouldn't put off buying a new one to purchase a new boat in the future because you use your truck everyday and it has become a necessity. A boat you use a lot less and not in the winter time. My advice is, if you can afford the new truck, buy it. Used vehicles values really drop with high mileage regardless of the condition and any improvements doesn't get you any more value.

This is a huge deal I hadn't considered living in Arizona. Nothing rusts here. We get minimal rain, no snow, no salt on the roads. Our trucks wear out from sun damage and old age before we would ever see a speck of rust....

[JTN]

Minn has raised Vehicle registration tax changes will go into effect for the period starting on Jan. 1, 2024, increasing the rate from 1.25% to 1.54% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price and destination charge for cars registered in Minnesota before Nov.16, 2020, and from 1.285% to 1.575% for those registered on or after Nov. Yearly licensing on new vehicle's really bite now days....

[FrancoCialone]

You will be way ahead by spending some money on her and keep her going, sounds like a good truck. Later on you could always trade her in for a new truck if you really want one !

[TroyBoy30]

man 189k miles? my 2017 has 39k