Is this truck worth bothering with- it's a 1985 Ford F150?

by **barclay76** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:22 pm

It's basically an old farm truck. I believe it has a V8 and auto tranny. It has 90K miles. The timing chain has never been replaced. It's a stepside body style. Other than these things, I don't know anything about it. It has been driven a little bit around a farm like property, but right now, it isn't running. We have been told that they think it's a fuel filter. The truck has been sitting for more than a year, so what else will it need to get running? I mean the basic things: fluids, filters, and ? Will it also need a tune up? What else will it need?

It's a family member who has it. They want $1500. What's the truck worth, and is it worth bothering with at all? We don't have much money, and I am NOT a mechanic. We would need to pay for the maintenance to get it roadworthy. My wife just needs a vehicle to go fishing in. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

by **vaiveatoish** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:28 pm

I just looked up some values on the net, and the price seems within range. That's not the issue. My first concern is that you are not a mechanic and will need to pay others money you don't have to keep the thing running on top of the price you pay for it. You'd also have to get it into running shape.

It seems like you would be purchasing it for a want and not a need, since it's only for recreational activity. Personally, I would seriously consider not buying the thing because of all the negatives. It's like buying aggravation.

We've seen many older vehicles locally that have remained in non-running condition for years that we would never consider buying. And that's from those that supposedly do have the skills to fix the things and get them operational!

by **dacy17** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:30 pm

MG, I went to Kelly Blue Book and selected a 1992 long bed, regular cab, fully tripped out and in excellent condition. I chose this because the model year only went back to 1992, so I just threw all caution to the wind...

For the nicest possible vehicle in excellent condition, the going rate is $2670...

http://www.kbb.com/ford/f150-regular-cab/1992-ford-f150-regular-cab/long-bed/?vehicleid=11992&intent=buy-used&mileage=90000&category=pickup&condition=excellent&pricetype=retail

That doesn't help you one bit, so here's the Kelly home page. Just follow the prompts and play around yourself. It doesn't appear that you're going to get full accuracy, but it's a start...

http://www.kbb.com/

Knowing nothing at all about cars, I can't say whether you're getting a good deal. However, $1500 seems a little high, considering that it's not running. If the cost to bring it up to snuff falls on you, start out at $500, but give them $800 after some haggling.

If the owners will get the truck in working order and have it inspected before purchase, then, and only then, would I part with $1500. Best of luck to you on this one. Don't go into it blind, my friend... Blood may be thicker than water, but that just makes it easier for vampires to feed.

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