Buy New or Revive Old? Place your vote and reasoning

[Thumperbird]

This + ~$2K + ~100 hours of my labor

Versus

This + ~$35K plus higher tabs and insurance

[BattlestarGalactic]

Guess it boils down to what YOU want?  Why not try to find a nice southern version of your truck? 

I paid premium for my latest '95 F150, but it was local, stored winters(rust free), 60K miles and well taken care of.  Still way cheaper then a late model truck.  I can still work on it too.  My only real gripe is the squeaky plastic in these trucks.  They weren't bad 20+ yrs ago(I had a new '96 F350), but now it really gets annoying sometimes.   I've lost track of the amount of compliments I get driving this around.  People are amazed it is laser straight, rust free and shiny.

I had to ditch the window visors and tail light covers.  I'm not into that crap.

[Lenz]

Nice looking truck.  I had a 5.0 '95 4 x 2 from new, only real problem I had was the rear spring perches rotted out after about 90,000 miles.  Thought it weird until I found my local dealership had them on the shelf, meaning it was a common problem.  Other than that I got rid of it around 150k, was a good truck.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Common issue with these vintage of trucks.  Whatever piss poor coating Ford put on these frames was HORRIBLE.  It rusted from under it and those hanger brackets held dirt, moisture and then rotted to nothing.  The '95 F250 at work has had both rear mounts and front radius arms replaced and it isn't really that rusty because it sits inside for the most part.

My '89 I sold off when I found this '95 was perfect underneath when I bought it.  Came from NC and it was still shiny black underneath.  I oil sprayed it twice a year for the 7? years I owned it.  Messy, but never rusted, anywhere.  I've oil sprayed the '95 too, every nook and cranny.  It will be around for a long time.

[shady]

I wouldn't do either. What I have been doing for years is buy a late model vehicle from insurance salvage auctions. If you can do body & paint work, it's a cheap way to move into a late model. Most of the time it takes me over a year to find what I want with the right damage, price & mileage. I usually go & look at the vehicle b4 I bid. It's not ez-peazy, there are broker fees, buyer fees, towing fees and a reconstructed title to deal with. The thing is that wreck trucked was going down the road right up until the accident, while that used truck sitting on the lot could have a host of issues.

[Drew Pojedinec]

Sell both of them and buy a 67-76 F-series.

[My427stang]

I would buy new and shop around extensively.  Consider last years model and not worry about it. 

[TimeWarpF100]

Just for fun, looking for others perspective on whether to buy a new F150 or revive my 2000 F150.

I know most folks here are doers so I suspect maybe the votes will slant that way but just wondering how crazy it is to redo an old truck versus buy new.  Money is not particularly an issue though it isn't falling off trees either, just hard to part with a truck only because it looks like crap but the wife does not want to ride in it.  She has a nice new SUV.

Old = 2000 F150 Lariet with 130K miles, all lower body panels have the usual rot, reviving would mean spending ~$2K for materials (includes paint) and I do all the work including full paint job.  Not a 4wd truck so that is a negative overall but I only need 4wd about twice a year.  Interior is nice and all metal other than lower body panels is in good shape.  Runs well but looks like hell.

New = 2018 F150 XL with a few options, including 4x4, would be ~$35k.  Would be stuck with a payment but interest rates are low.

I only put ~10k miles on a vehicle a year.

What would you guys do?

Thanks.

Without question the 2018 over the 2001.  It will have the new 10 spd trans. You did not say what engine? 2.7 or 5.0 or the small 6 cyl. Keep the 2001 as a when the need arises.

[Thumperbird]

Had not decided on an engine.
Not a fan of "Ecoboost" so either the V6 or 5.4.
The V6 comes with a 6 speed, the 10 speed scares me.
If a test drive shows the V6 has enough power I may go that route.
Normally I buy the biggest engine I can get in everything but this is a commuter truck that may occasionally see a trailer or a bed full of rock.

Still not sure, need to inspect the underside of the old truck and see if the frame is good, that may be an instant decision maker.

[Joe-JDC]

I know we all are die-hard Ford folks, but this week, I had an opportunity to go to lunch with a friend who also is a dyed in the wool Ford man, but he recently jumped off the bandwagon and bought a new Honda Ridgeline.  It gets 28.5 mpg mixed driving, and over 30mpg on the road.  Has all kinds of innovative options, and rides great with the IRS, carries a half ton, and has a hidden compartment in under the bed of the truck.  Has a frame, so not unibody if I understand correctly for 2018.  Never owned a Honda, but I was impressed, especially with fuel mileage and comfort for a commuter type half-ton hauler.  Joe-JDC

[Thumperbird]

Hey, glad you mentioned the Ridgeline, will need to go take a look at one.
I know they redesigned it, was not a fan at all of the old model.
I've had a couple Acura's, their V6 is a bullet proof plenty powerful sewing machine engine.   

[shady]

I'd rather walk.

[cammerfe]

There are some 'foreign vehicles I'd consider (I've owned an Austin-Healey--long ago-- and, more recently, a Jaguar) but none of the Jap or other Oriental offerings, and certainly no other 'American' vehicle. I try to look at where the profit ultimately goes.

KS

[shady]

The only foreign car I ever wanted was a Sunbeam Tiger. Even back in the '70s they were already out of my price range, but what a cool car. I get it, Jap cars are good cars & I am sure I am of the last generation to give a shit about trying to keep jobs here and all of that, but that's the way my narrow mind works.

[Thumperbird]

Honda/Acura has about a dozen US manufacturing plants, maybe parts, cars, trucks, motorcycles, and jets.  Toyota is the same way I believe.  I go for best deal all the way around between quality, performance, looks, and cost.  Many many Fords are made in Mexico, and their european and asian markets are all manufactured overseas.