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Should I buy an Ecoboost F150 w/ over 100k miles??!

71K views 43 replies 18 participants last post by  mwemaxxowner  
#1 ·
What's up people, thought I'd come here and ask around. I visit this forum all the time to read and learn about F150s, since I've been looking into getting one. I'm definitely a Ford guy, as I've had a couple that have both been bulletproof, and my parents have had a couple of Expeditions that are both great! Not to mention my local dealership is extremely helpful, friendly, and fair. Anyways, I've wanted to get behind the wheel of a sweet sweet Ecoboost for a while now, and I think the time to buy one for me is nearing, as I commute for work through a pretty gnarly canyon, and it really sucks in the wintertime, so the 4X4 would be great before this winter hits.

Anyhoo, I'm also currently trying to finish up school, so I'm not super loaded, meaning I'm looking at getting something between $17K and around $25K. In this price range, most of the Ecoboost F150s that I can find are fairly high-mileage, with the exception of the boring bare-bone ones. I'd prefer something a little cheaper so that I can use the extra money to do an intake, exhaust, lift, and wheels and tires. This means that I'd be limited to trucks with right around 100K miles, and to be honest I'm scared, which I why I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Cars don't scare me as much, cause they are used for cruising, but trucks might have been seriously abused and worked hard in those 100K miles.

So here's the enlightenment I seek... Would anyone here recommend buying such a truck with 100K or close to it? Or has anyone here already done it, and if so, what's your experience been like? I trust the engine, and if I did buy it I would probably flush all fluids (transmission, differential, brake, maybe power steering), and install a catch can, even though here in Utah it's pretty dry. My biggest concern with the high mileage is the tranny, as I doubt most owners flush their fluid before 100K miles. Has anyone here gone a full 100,000 miles without flushing the tranny fluid?

Really any info from high mileage owners would be much appreciated! Hopefully I can soon be posting as a proud F150 owner! Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Welcome. You are right, most people (the average owner) will not flush tranny till. Least 100k and a lot of those same people probably go with or close to the "ford recommend" 7-10k oil change.

I personally would never buy an ecoboost with close to 100k on it, If money was an issue I'd get the "bare bones" truck with lower miles.
To be fair I most likely wouldn't buy a 5.0 f150 with close to 100k mile either, but absolutely not the ecoboost.
Also might as well skip the catch can, at 100k miles what you run a can to avoid has already happened.

(Disclaimer)
Just my opinion
 
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#3 ·
In your price range you could get a nicer 5.0 with fewer miles than that. I'd certainly go that route myself. You could have a nice truck. Although I think you should be able to find a 'boost with fewer miles for 25k. If you don't know it's owner and its history, you are potentially buying a bag of foul smelling worms.
 
#4 ·
I got an XLT 4X4 with 68K for $23K (boring bare bones model I guess). If you do some shopping around you should be able to find one with less miles under your budget. Personally I am good with an XLT, I spent $700 on a Pioneer touchscreen and if you want leather you can have the seats done for way less than what you are going to pay for a Lariat or higher. Just depends on what you want and if higher miles is worth the extra features.


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#10 ·
Thanks for the input guys, I'll probably look at something a little more simple with less miles, or maybe contemplate the 5.0. Overall I've heard pretty good things about that engine. The Ecoboost is obviously superior, but it's also more complicated. Originally I wanted the Ecoboost in part for the MPGs, but if I do lift it and put some tires on it, MPGs go out the window anyways.

I got an XLT 4X4 with 68K for $23K (boring bare bones model I guess). If you do some shopping around you should be able to find one with less miles under your budget. Personally I am good with an XLT, I spent $700 on a Pioneer touchscreen and if you want leather you can have the seats done for way less than what you are going to pay for a Lariat or higher. Just depends on what you want and if higher miles is worth the extra features.
I certainly don't mind an XLT, but I'd like some added options. Going from the Taurus with the Bluetooth, keypad entry, backup sensors, etc. to a steering wheel and pedals would be somewhat saddening. I guess I like my creature comforts. I don't really care about leather though. I like the heated seats, but it ages badly, makes my butt sweat, I slide all over, and it gets uber hot in the summer.

Or you could read for yourself. 30 something pages. I think the highest was 307K IIRC.

http://www.f150ecoboost.net/forum/1...um/13-f150-ecoboost-performance/3594-who-s-ecoboost-has-most-miles-mileage.html
I actually have come across that thread in the past. There's an Ecoboost F150 at a dealership nearby where I live that has 305K miles with original engine (I don't know about the tranny). I know they last long, you just gotta treat them right, and I worry that most owners don't do that.
 
#6 ·
Any used vehicle is a crap shoot. That is particularly true over 100K, but there is also no "golden" mileage limit. 70k, 80k, 90k, 140k makes no real difference. Someone already said knowing how the vehicle was treated is likely your best bet. I know people who buy new and sell at 45-60k without doing anything but a few oil changes. There is also NO guarantee that a 5.slow would be any better than an eco.

As for the tranny, I would just have the fluid changed when you buy whatever you buy. They trans fluid change is only recommended at 150K IIRC. Anything before that is up to you and the previous owner and would seem VERY unlikely. I only change mine because I tow. If I only drove to work and the grocery store I certainly wouldn't bother.
 
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#9 · (Edited)
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#11 ·
The thing is, the ecoboosts are EXTREMELY sensitive to poor oil quality or having oil change intervals that were too long. Some have some oil dilution issues. Couple that with poor oil or longer oil changes, and it's a disaster. If you don't know the history, I'd assume it wasn't cared for properly and move on.


This coming from a fella who loves his boost.
 
#14 ·
And frankly, that is no different than any vehicle. If the owner didn't care to change the oil you could have a problem. Lots of owners pay every penny they have to own the right ride. That doesn't mean they take care of them. Lots of other owners are barely capable of caring to put gas in on a regular basis, much less oil and services.

Good point on the service history, but even a person that is diligent doesn't necessarily keep receipts for a long time. I do, but it really doesn't do me any good at trade/resale time anyway.

There are a couple handfuls of known blown ecos on here. Most of those were tuned. There have been about 3/4 of a million ecos sold. That is a pretty small percentage. If yours blew, it blows. No question about that no matter the situation tuned or not. But, that doesn't mean they all have issues beyond any other vehicle.
 
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#17 ·
I was just throwing out trucks that I've gas personal experience with. I was very hard on them. Due somewhat to ignorance and somewhat to tight finances.

I'm not really disagreeing with you. Any used vehicle is of course a crap shoot. I just think some more than others.

I'm sure it's getting continually worse with new technology.
 
#19 ·
Here's my thoughts. Skip the after purchase mods, save the money or buy a truck with fewer miles, more content. Only you know how important the mods are to you. Exhaust and CAI on an EcoBoost are not an upgrade in my opinion, just noise and in the case of the exhaust mostly not pleasant noise. Lift and bigger tires and wheels add more long term costs in the replacement cost of tires and decreased fuel economy.

Since I sit in the the cab looking out more than looking at the outside my priority is what I see and perceive from that perspective.
 
#21 ·
If I was on a budget and found a Boost that I could afford, I would get as much information on that particular truck via original dealership; owners, service records etc.
Than test drive the hell out of it.
Have a mechanic look it over, than deside.
I bought a 90` SHO with over 125k on the clock.
I put another 50k trouble free miles on it.
Obviously it wasn't a twin turbo either, but it sure drove like one!
Good luck with your search.

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#23 ·
Bought my new to me 12 ecoboost with 137k. Like mentioned, also on a budget looking for a cash truck. My rule on high mileage trucks is no payments or pay off as quickly as possible. I picked up a one owner, one small dent garage kept ecoboost. He was an older guy and I felt after driving was pretty honest. You can put the puzzle together by asking the right questions and looking/driving the truck. After talking to him for several days, test driving multiple times and a prayer... I paid cash, 19k 12 ecoboost lariat loaded with 137k. No payments will keep the unknown issue from haunting you. The interior and exterior otherwise are in perfect shape so at worst, new motor would be worth the cost if needed.

Due diligence and patience have made my last two cash trucks a positive experience. Sold for what I paid. Keep rolling money into the newer version, without payments. This one has been performing perfect so far. Hard to mod a perfectly running truck.

I say, stick to your plan, and get a solid ecoboost. I love it. Any used vehicle is a crap shoot, but don't get in a hurry, and buy with cash, screw payments on high milage vehicles. Buy, cash, sell, roll into newer every two years and eventually you'll be back in a newer, low mileage loaded truck with no payments. My 2 cents.

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#29 ·
Bought my new to me 12 ecoboost with 137k. Like mentioned, also on a budget looking for a cash truck. My rule on high mileage trucks is no payments or pay off as quickly as possible. I picked up a one owner, one small dent garage kept ecoboost. He was an older guy and I felt after driving was pretty honest. You can put the puzzle together by asking the right questions and looking/driving the truck. After talking to him for several days, test driving multiple times and a prayer... I paid cash, 19k 12 ecoboost lariat loaded with 137k. No payments will keep the unknown issue from haunting you. The interior and exterior otherwise are in perfect shape so at worst, new motor would be worth the cost if needed.

Due diligence and patience have made my last two cash trucks a positive experience. Sold for what I paid. Keep rolling money into the newer version, without payments. This one has been performing perfect so far. Hard to mod a perfectly running truck.

I say, stick to your plan, and get a solid ecoboost. I love it. Any used vehicle is a crap shoot, but don't get in a hurry, and buy with cash, screw payments on high milage vehicles. Buy, cash, sell, roll into newer every two years and eventually you'll be back in a newer, low mileage loaded truck with no payments. My 2 cents.
Thanks for the info, I agree 100%. I'm sure that there are trucks that are totally fine out there, you just have to know what to look for. And that's why I don't want to get a new truck is because I want to avoid car payments as much as possible. In the past when I've purchased high mileage vehicles I just put a small percent of my income into a separate account each month for possible vehicle repairs. Thankfully I never needed to do any repairs, but it was nice to know that if something did come up I could get it taken care of.

Just curious, how did the tranny perform at that mileage, and do you know if the fluid had been changed?

Don't let some of the negative posts scare you to not buy a ecoboost with higher milage. As long as you have a descent amount of common sense you can tell a well taken care of pickup with easy miles compared to one not so taken care of with hard miles. Do try and get service records though which you should be able to if it has been cared for, fairly easy. You should be able to find a nice lariat with around 80-100k for around $23. Be patient, something I need to learn!
Yup, definitely need to be patient and not make spur of the moment decisions. I'll probably just test drive a bunch until one feels and looks right. I feel I know mostly what the common issues are with these trucks, so I can look for them as I search.

Thanks for all the responses, guys! It has been very helpful, and I hope to get into a nice truck pretty soon. I've got no issues with an XLT, but I've gotta have the Bluetooth. I know you can put in aftermarket stuff with BT, but I like the steering wheel controls.

There's some stuff that's a little more basic within my range with 70K-80K miles, I'll look a little more into those, and see if I can find some private sellers that know about the vehicle. :)
 
#24 ·
Don't let some of the negative posts scare you to not buy a ecoboost with higher milage. As long as you have a descent amount of common sense you can tell a well taken care of pickup with easy miles compared to one not so taken care of with hard miles. Do try and get service records though which you should be able to if it has been cared for, fairly easy. You should be able to find a nice lariat with around 80-100k for around $23. Be patient, something I need to learn!
 
#25 ·
I don't think a "well taken care of truck" has any bearing on the ecoboost stutter, timing chains, or cam phaser problems. It will eventually have these issues and most are not lucky enough to have happen in warranty.... very expensive.
 
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#31 ·
He's looking at buying one with over 100k. And according to your theory not a single ecoboost would still be running. They would all be sitting at the dealership waiting to get a timing chain or something. You need to put some more ointment on your sore butt and get over it. You have accomplished your mission dude. Every ecoboost owner now knows how you feel about what happened to your truck.
 
#26 ·
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^why I'm I not surprised?^^^^^^^^^^^^^

there is a hell of a lot more people with no problems that are with people that do with over 100,000
 
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#36 ·
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106k on mine. I was original owner and traded it in at 72k. Just saw it online for sale again at the same dealer 3 years later. Has 106 on it now. Dealer just replaced all the phasers and timing chain. Runs great. I'm so happy to have it back! Lol. Couldn't believe it when I saw it for sale again. Had to have it. I have no doubts this truck will last me well over 200k


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#38 ·
106k on mine. I was original owner and traded it in at 72k. Just saw it online for sale again at the same dealer 3 years later. Has 106 on it now. Dealer just replaced all the phasers and timing chain. Runs great. I'm so happy to have it back! Lol. Couldn't believe it when I saw it for sale again. Had to have it. I have no doubts this truck will last me well over 200k
That's pretty awesome! Never heard of someone buying the same car/truck twice!

The trans was flushed at 110k by previous owner. I will do it again at 150k with plugs. Trans works and shifts as it should. No worries.
This my friend is good good information!! And a little bit of a weight off my mind, to be honest, thanks!
 
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