Trying to decide on daily beater/boat puller....
 

Both will pull my boat no problem (4300 on trailer). Truck would be a little more versatile, while the navi would be a bit more cush (I drive about 20~30 miles a year for work). I want something that walks the line between new and dependable vs Throwing money away driving it into the ground....

http://www.northpointeautosales.com/...-Toledo-OH-293

http://riteoncars.com/2004-Lincoln-N...reDetails.aspx

truck link was slow to come up. Decent looking but I hate those years F150s as the drivers door is too short, newer ones have bigger doors........Navi looks clean for 12 yrs old! You must live about a block from where you work if you only drive 20-30 miles a year! :D

I would guess you can write off some of your mileage for work. I do 30k+ a year for work. I would go with Navi or which ever is more comfortable. You don't need much to pull the Avanti and will spend more time commuting.
Another way to look at it. What kinda women you got in your area. Are they truck Chicks. Most like cush. I'm 49 not 29 but not dead! I'm fixin to do something stupid an buy a C6 vette as my DD. Keep us posted Rob.

Between the two, I'd have to go for the truck due to lower mileage and leaf springs. I'm only assuming the Navi has air ride. I put over 20k on my Silverado last year, it's not that bad doing that kind of mileage in a truck.

They pay me .57 a mile so I think that kills writing it off....

I'd go with the F-150 as well.
If you want to "plush it out"; look into a set of leather seat skins from http://katzkin.com/ or other.

GM:coolcowboy:

Buy the truck...

ok...truck now has me scared, I have found a bunch of cam phaser threads on the 3 valve truck motor, the navigator has the 4 valve motor,,, anybody familiar with the problems??

I can tell you we have had some major rust issues on the 2004-2006 F-150s we have owned in our companies. We had two rust through their frames, two with bed and fuel tank rust issues, and two with engine & trans issues. Everything started after warranty. Not happy at all with them right now.

Check for severly corroded brake lines

If the truck has you worried, maybe it's time to keep hunting....

Or take this guy's opinion:

[IMG]http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...siefqzocm.jpeg

"Buy the Navi, not the truck, thilly! It will look so much better at brunch, the wine mixer, and the sailboat regatta, thweetheart!"

Where can you find pleasure
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea
Where can you learn to fly
Play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography
Sign up for the big band
Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the mother land
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
Bout don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

Who me?

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

But, but, but, I'm afraid of water.
Hey, hey look
Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on the TV!

They want you, they want you in the navy

Oh my goodness.
What am I gonna do in a submarine?

They want you, they want you in the navy

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand

I had a 2000 navigator with air suspension and the 32v v8. It was one of the best vehicles I have ever had. Pulled awesome and the only problem I had in 175,000 miles was a spark plug blowing out of the head and a front seal in a transmission. The 2004 has independent rear suspension where mine had a solid axle. I am pretty sure in 2004 the engine is the 3 valve just like the f150.

One has the room and luxury for you and all the Village People, the other doesn't. I think you know what the right choice is, Rob.

I'd let my wife drive a Navigator, they're nice. But, I wouldn't let my wife tow the boat! If you're worried about the safety of little Randolph on his way to cello practice in the winter, the Navi is the way to go. If you want to haul sh!t, be the envy of all your friends driving Mazdas, wear some camoflauge, and have work gloves and a tow strap at the ready, you buy a TRUCK! 'MERICA!

Great thread advice and it turned into a musical!

I'm a Ford guy through and through but I'm not a fan of the older F-150s or Expedition platform. My dad has a '06 F-150 with roughly 40k on it and the "tick" from the valves is annoying, at best. It seems to be an issue across the platform as you have read. Then you get into the head issue and blowing plugs. Their Expedition is a '02 and I believe he has blown a total of 5 plugs and it has 102k miles. They're great vehicles but have their caveats to ownership.

After owning a 5.3 '04 Tahoe that is the direction I would be looking based on your towing requirements. The Tahoes have a better fit and finish and ride better. Granted, if you're looking at the older body style Tahoe you're going to have to replace the brake lines, steering shaft, and likely the stepper motors for the dashboard display. Again, caveats of ownership due to known issues... I wish I would have never sold the Tahoe. Now trying to find a low mileage one is next to impossible (>50k miles).

Let me make this as simple as I can....
When I Google search "hot chick F150", I come up with stuff like this-
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...pspsb9pb83.jpg

When I Google search "hot chick Lincoln Navigator", I come up with stuff like this-

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...pswy0fcym3.jpg

So, in summary, hot chicks vs. Frank the balding mechanic. Tough, tough choice.

Not trying to hijack the thread but have been looking at a 2nd truck to leave in mtl while the f-350 is in florida for the winter.
anyone here have experience with 2005 excursion with ford 6.0 diesel.
140,000 miles asking $9,000
Good deal ? Good engine ? or stay awaaaay ?

Do not buy a 6.0 ford diesel unless you keep 5 grand in the glove box at all times for random topend/turbo jobs. I have a friend with one parked until he can fix it. And a b-n-l who has had one done twice...... Its not a matter of if your going to get the turbo/topend done, but when

Phasers, guides, chaines themselves. Pretty much anything to do with timing. Electric solenoids... Then there is the issue of the plugs not coming out of the heads. I would still take a 3v truck over a Navigator any day of the week. Even though the timing side of the motor is plagued with problems the Navigator has more issues. The air ride is the kiss of death in them things. I could go on and on with the other issues they have but it's much easier to buy a Toyota and just put gas in it and go.

Make that $8K.
2003/2004 6.0L were the worst
2005-2007 were much better, but by no means immune. It all depends on how they were driven and cared for.


----------------------------------

Back to the original topic for phragle:

Do you have to have a truck for a DD? Unless you really like driving a truck all the time, I still think that the GM B-body platform w 3.8L V6 is one of the best DD cars in the last 20 years or so. I've had a Grand Prix and a Buick Regal. I just sold the Buick with 200K miles on it, and worst thing was a transmission at 165K. I just ran across my old Grand Prix the other day and the paint was faded and looked a little worse for wear, but it was still running fine. I sold it with 130K-ish miles on it probably 7 years ago.

Keep a truck for boat pulling and bad weather, but have a $3000-4000 reliable car (like aforementioned) to put the wear on. The parts are cheaper when it's needed, and of course mileage makes a difference.

yes a lot of issues with cam phasers in the 5.4 3valve engines, the truck during a cold start up will have a loud ticking noise very similar to a lifter tick. Or they can cause random cylinder misfires as well.

Just found an H2... how are those?? bulletproof or just fancy hype?

i dont knoiw much about diesel stuff but wasnt its predecessor, the 7.3 pretty much indestructible? . . . . . once again marketing trumps engineering





i heard they are pretty good but you will have to endure relentless ridicule . . . . which you pretty much do now anyway . . . . .go for it :D

I had a 6.9 I could not kill, the 7.3 was good

The 7.3L PSD isn't perfect, but it's close. I have 136K miles on my 2000, and my buddy Jay has 201K on his 2000.
2000 is considered the best year for them as they had forged rods vs. cast in the other years; as I understand it.

The 6.0L is THE worst mistake Ford ever made.
Except for maybe the Mustang II. :D

Think of a poor riding Tahoe with a thirsty 6.0 and a transmission that never seems to be in the right gear!:party-smiley-004:

I will take that as a firm resounding NO.....

How are the dodges?? personally I think the interiors are rather plain and plastic and the body rust issues, but how is the dependability?

Pass, unless it's a Cummins diesel.

Go big or go home! 2000 lifted 7.3 PSD, looks pretty clean, 217k is just getting broken in according to the Internet. The elderly won't hear the diesel unless their Beltones are set to stun. Sure it'll ride about like the H2 but who cares when you're wheeling the glory that is Powerstroke!
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/5345924111.html

Drove an 04 Navi home from Fort Lauderdale for a friend. 16 hour drive and I swear I did it in record time. Popped the hood when I hit home in Illinois to drop it off and I was a little shocked to see that it was a 32 valve 5.4. He was plagued with air ride issues the whole time he had it but never had an issue with the motor. They are somewhat unique engines and for that reason I would keep looking. Good luck

If you want "fancy" go for the 10 year old sub $10k Range Rover. You will never find yourself looking for a project as they break every time you look at them wrong! But hey, solid axles and a pushrod V8, what could go wrong?

I am a Ford guy but don't keep them long enough to have issues. Spoke to someone who had bought my 05 z71 Chevy with 40k 10 years ago. Tires,brakes, oil changes. 295k no issues. Know of a lot more stories like that one. I'd take a peak at those. The 5.3 has been a dependable engine for a lot of years.

Just saw this.....

http://www.edschmidtusedcars.com/aut...51-oh/6595415/

I have a 2005 1500 w/5.3.....94K miles and sole repair has been a/c switch (it shorted out). Bought it new, it gets driven by an employee 5 days a week and it is on its 3rd set of tires, 2nd battery and it just got brakes for the first time about 10k ago. I like GM trucks, I tried a new 2010 F150 and just sold it in November. I will get another GM shortly.

6.0 is thirsty.......as a daily driver

Nor would I want AWD in such a large/heavy vehicle as a DD. (Big money parts and maintenance.) For a tow vehicle, and such a heavy one at that, a traditional 2-speed transfer case (4-HI & 4-LO) is preferred.

Hard to beat a good ole push rod V-8