Hey Scotty. I've been watching your videos for awhile now and wanted to ask you some advice. I found a Ford F150 year 1985 4x2 automatic pickup. It from a private party for $3,500 in cash. It has just over 100,000 miles on it and is in perfect condition (no rust and starts right up). But this is my first vehicle purchase and while everything I have researched about the vehicle is good, I'm wondering if this is a good idea. I am 19 and in college (online), and would need to commute to and from work (5 miles), as well as just around my area, radius of about 20 miles. I live up in Minnesota and everyone loves their four wheel drive in the winter. Is this a good idea?
-J.W.
How good are you at doing your own repair work? Those F150s were made way better back then but 40 years takes its toll. Even if basically solid it will likely need a lot of TLC that can nickel and dime you to death if you have to rely on a mechanic. (Also many mechanics today will not even work on pre-OBD2 vehicles.) Rust could be a major issue after 40 years on salted winter roads.
Be sure to have a good mechanic inspect the truck before purchase if you decide to proceed.
I had a mechanic look over it and he said it was in amazing condition. I don't mind the repair work, though I'm not super knowledgable about it right now. I'm really interested in learning about mechanics and using the vehicle as a passion project to do so.
@joshuaw You would need a second car if you do the work yourself, or even if not, when it will brake if you rely on it to go to work and have no other alternative.