Looking for a Used Ford F-150? Here’s What You Should Know

Life is too short for the “what if?” questions. Why should you go with something second, third, or even fourth best when the answer is in front of you? If you agree with this sentiment, visit DePaula Ford to find a used Ford F-150 for sale because there’s nothing like an F-150 and no other dealership like ours. Ford’s F-Series of pickup trucks is the best-selling automobile in America, and Ford is the most popular brand. The F-150 is the perfect truck for most truck drivers, but why is that? Everything.

The F-150 has the type of performance that gets you through the toughest workday but isn’t as costly as a heavy-duty variant like the F-250 or F-350. As the best-selling vehicle in America, there’s more of a chance someone will recommend an aspiring shopper an F-150 than any other pickup truck. Understandably, pickup trucks aren’t for everybody, but that hasn’t stopped the F-Series from becoming one of the most influential vehicles ever.

Today, we’ll give you a rundown on which used F-150 model you should consider, but there’s also something you should know. Although the F-Series of pickup trucks has plenty of performance to offer drivers going back decades, you should start shopping for the 2015 F-150 and work your way upwards. Why is this? Because newer trucks have more features, and the 2015 model year marked the start of the thirteenth generation of the F-Series.

The Perfect Blend of Features

It’s hard not to be drawn to the modern features you have heard about, whether through word of mouth, television ads, and such. With a pickup truck like the F-150, you may be interested in modern-day towing tech, or perhaps you’re looking for more connectivity features to make your work life easier. The thirteenth-generation F-Series trucks were the first to implement many modern-day amenities we know and love. For example, the 2016 F-150 integrated the SYNC 3 infotainment center and brought forth integral features millions of drivers use every day. Features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made their debut with the 2016 F-150, which is sure to intrigue at least some drivers. However, these were optional at first, so make sure the particular used truck you are considering has them.

Having a technologically advanced truck can go a long way. Do you have a job that requires you to grab directions out of town or need to know what time the rainfall will let up? Do people call your phone often because of work or your personal life, and you want an easier way to stay connected while driving? Whatever your reasoning, having a modern infotainment center and features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are essential. If you want even more connectivity features in your used F-150, then look for a 2021 model or later. That year marks the start of the fourteenth generation, which introduced the SYNC 4 system and made touchscreen infotainment standard on all trims.

Performance That Never Upsets

When you purchase an F-150, it’s at least partly because you want a powerful truck capable of hauling and towing. The powertrain options for the F-150 have changed many times, but if you were to compare a 2015 F-150 to a 2020 model, which are the models that bookended the thirteenth generation, the performance is rather similar. If you shop for a 2015 F-150, you’ll have the choice between four powertrains: a 3.5L V6, a 2.7L EcoBoost V6, a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, and a 5.0L V8. The 2020 F-150 has more powertrain options and stronger ones at that. The base engine is a 3.3L V6 engine, and you’ll also have the option for the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the 5.0L V8, and a 3.0L PowerStroke V6 turbo-diesel.

Let’s say you want to save money and opt for the 2015 F-150 with the base engine. With the standard 3.5L V6, the 2015 F-150 still outputs 282 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque with a maximum towing capacity of 7,600 lbs and a maximum payload capacity of 1,910 lbs. Expectedly, stepping up to the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine will give you the highest tow rating the 2015 F-150 can offer––a maximum towing capacity of 12,200 lbs. However, if you opt for the 5.0L V8 engine with its 385 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque, you’ll get the 2015 F-150’s best payload capacity of 3,300 lbs. For the best fuel efficiency, you’ll want the twin-turbocharged 2.7L V6 engine for its EPA-estimated ratings of up to 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.

More Modern, More Power

It’s impressive to consider the difference five years can make. The 2015 and 2020 F-150 models may be within the same generation, but tech isn’t the only thing separating the two. For example, the 2015 F-150’s standard 3.5L V6 engine was replaced with a smaller 3.3L V6 engine that produces 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque––a slight bump in performance that increases the maximum towing capacity to 7,700 lbs. However, the performance differences are subtle enough to warrant saving money by choosing a 2015 F-150 over a newer model if features like connectivity technology aren’t up your alley.

The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 also saw some changes over the years. For 2020, it produces the same 325 hp but has 400 lb-ft of torque output, which is 25 lb-ft more than the 2015 model. The maximum towing capacity increased by 500 lbs while the maximum payload capacity went up by 310 lbs. The next of the two engines to receive slight improvement was the 5.0L V8. When installed inside the 2020 F-150, the 5.0L V8 engine outputs 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to tow upwards of 11,100 lbs and delivers a payload capacity of 3,270 lbs. Improvements to power and performance didn’t stop with 2020, either. Choosing a fourteenth-generation F-150 will provide even better performance, including a max tow rating of up to 14,000 lbs.

No Second-Guessing

Something the F-150 gives drivers more of than any other vehicle on the market is peace of mind. The peace of mind you experience from purchasing an F-150 has to do with owning a truck that’s universally loved to the point of being the best-selling vehicle in the country. With this comes several benefits. For example, owning a vehicle that so many people are familiar with means that there’s always going to be a clear-cut answer to your questions or any problems you’re having.

The F-150, and the F-Series of trucks by extension, has been well documented, and spare parts and accessories are widely available. If there’s one vehicle that most technicians will know about, it’s the F-150. The F-150 is hard not to admire, and if you’re in the used market and specifically looking for an F-150, you statistically can not do better because millions of drivers can’t be wrong. Finding the F-150 that works for you isn’t a difficult process either; all you have to do is come visit DePaula Ford, and we’ll get you started.