Very subjective. If this truck is in your price range and you’re comfortable with the condition, why not buy it?
“Why nots” could be from discrepancy in the service records, prior accidents, lack of service history, maybe it’s “too clean” for the age and mileage or anything else which raises a red flag in your mind.
Get a thorough pre-purchase inspection done and see if they’ll also let you go on a much longer than normal test ride; maybe even overnight.
And check for any codes (this should be part of the pre-purchase inspection).
Good luck!

ps I’m sure others will opine too!

 

These guys have years of data on fluid testing gen 1 ecoboost engines and transmissions. About Us | Blackstone Laboratories

 

I have a 2011 with 223000 on the clock. Your question is tough to answer directly.

Given the miles, I recommend you be prepared for some expenses related to maintenance and repairs.

I have known my truck since it drove off the lot. It was originally my father’s and i took it over around 70k several years ago.

I had a torque converter failing at 206k and elected to drop in a ford reman transmission ($5k.) To be fair, I suspect a mistake by the dealer starving the trans of 2qts fluid following a routine flush back at 150k led to the problem.
I also just completed a timing chain service, new manifolds and new turbos. My turbos we’re probably fine, but i had a warped passenger exhaust manifold with two broken studs and the occasional startup rattle of the timing chain. This was about $5k in parts alone but included everything plus radiator, oil pump, valve covers… i chose to do the work myself to ensure it was done right and spent some of the savings on additional preventive replacements.

Given the miles, i chose to replace just about everything i touched in an effort to extend this ol gals life.

How well and often it has been serviced over its lifetime is really the best indicator as to what kind of luck you will have.

I recommend you peruse this forum and educate yourself on the quirks of the gen1 ecoboost. This may help you avoid a later panicked post about misfiring etc.

they are great trucks and i don’t intend to get rid of mine anytime soon. That said, i would be weary of a high mileage ecoboost with unknown history.

the price sounds appropriate

 

Snydmax, I'll buy your 223,000 mile truck for $10,000 today. 😁

 

I bet you would! Price is slightly above that… bet you’ve got something i might be interested in trading 😎

 

My turbos we’re probably fine, but i had a warped passenger exhaust manifold with two broken studs...

Yikes! How long did it take to remove them?

 

How did you miss the soon to be legendary DYI thread? 😉

GEN 1 timing, turbos and manifolds

Got started in the big job this afternoon… first step coolant flush. this cheapo amazon vacuum filler seems to work pretty good! Got to work pulling the fender liner while i waited. Should add this to the maintenance routine periodically to remove the crud buildup beetween the sheet metal… 12...

www.f150ecoboost.net

 

Guess i scared off the OP?

 

They must be digesting the information shared.

 

To take the thread back from the hijackers, I have (2013 3.5) 282K miles with no significant repairs. I fully expect >300K and hope for 350K. We can all daydream right?

 

Rooting for you! (And the OP)

 

Guy's probably gone/never come back but just to throw in my $.02.

If it's it's in good condition, I'd be all over that. Even worst case scenario, new trans and new engine - assuming the rest of the truck is pristine - you're now in a truck with 0 miles on engine/trans for ~25k worst case. And of course the current engine won't blow up tomorrow either, so you might not even have to explore that option.

Where's this thing at.. if it's close and you're not buying it.. I think I might LOL.

 

Honestly with the way the vehicle market is vehicles with a good affordable price are gonna have high miles nowadays. Its a chance your gonna have to take every vehicle is gonna have its issues even brand new ones. You can pay 50k plus or you can pay 10k at the end of the day they will both have issues

 

I just bought a 2011 Lariat with 214000 runs very good. I just remind myself that I paid a cheaper price due to high mileage, but I may have to do some repairs that come along with it.

 

At this rate, I would rather pay to replace the engine in my 2011 than to buy another F150. Still runs flawlessly at 214,000.

Then again I did just add a bronco raptor to the fleet….Work purposes of course…

 

I'm looking at a 2014 3.5 with 170k on it "In need of a new engine" for $3800.

Seller states it starts and runs and he was told the timing chain failed.

This would be in addition to my 18' 2.7. I'm honestly a little afraid of the 3.5 and its reputation for timing issues. With a rebuilt engine at the worst case, This thing would be good to go for another 50K.. right?

 

I'm looking at a 2014 3.5 with 170k on it "In need of a new engine" for $3800.

Seller states it starts and runs and he was told the timing chain failed.

This would be in addition to my 18' 2.7. I'm honestly a little afraid of the 3.5 and its reputation for timing issues. With a rebuilt engine at the worst case, This thing would be good to go for another 50K.. right?

By my experience, new engine should give you another 200k before you need to worry about timing

 

Mine just developed a very clear, repeatable chain rattle. Been consistently doing it on every "cold" start for the last 3 weeks, unless I do the Snake Start. By "cold" start I mean it's been no less than 50 degrees overnight, and sitting less than 24 hours. OCI is currently about 3,200 miles but I will change anyway and see if it goes away.

It's a 2015 with a bit under 70k miles with OCIs around 5k miles pretty much its whole life.

Just when I committed to keeping her and dumping mod money into it, she reveals her true colors. Still probably makes most financial sense to do the chain, but yikes!