One of the most sought-after automotive brands on the market is the American classic, Ford. You’ve probably searched for a used Ford dealer or asked friends where they got their latest Ford SUV or pickup. Although local dealers may have plenty of used Ford models in their inventory, it’s helpful to know what you’re looking for and what features you want in your new-to-you vehicle. There are some standard and optional features that you can keep an eye out for when you decide to drop by a dealership and spend some time window shopping or narrowing down your choices.
Towing Add-Ons
Ford’s pickups are often used by individuals, families, and small businesses who find that they at least semi-regularly need to tow something, whether it’s a jet ski, a horse trailer, or tools and equipment for a job. When choosing a new vehicle, the towing package is often optional and will add to your final total. With a used Ford, you can choose a higher trim level that might already be equipped to tow while keeping costs low.
This means more bang for your buck, but it also means that you’ll need to ask a few questions to determine if there is indeed a used Ford that has the right towing options already installed on the lot. One important detail to remember is that two used trucks might look the same but have very different towing capacities. You may need to take some measurements, check the door jamb stickers, and do your research to ensure it’s the perfect fit. If you are shopping for a used F-150, look for either the Trailer Tow Package, which includes all the hardware needed for towing, or the Max Trailer Tow Package, which upgrades the truck to handle heavier weights, on the window sticker.
Extra Bed Space
Ever see the pickups with short beds and wonder why someone would have a pickup that couldn’t haul much? Sometimes, they’re the best price option when buying new, but if you’d rather get that extended bed, buying a used Ford will cut the cost and give you more room. Take the Ford F-150, for example; it comes with three bed options ranging from five and a half feet to eight feet.
Depending on what you’re hauling around, you can stick with the size that works best for you without having to shell out extra cash. If you’re just hauling trash to the dump, then a five-and-a-half-foot bed will probably fit the bill. If, on the other hand, you find yourself regularly hauling large or heavy loads, then you might want to reconsider and go with the eight-foot bed.
That extra bed space can be a boon when you need just a bit more room, and it can also double as a fun way to relax––put a mattress in the back and go stargazing, fill the bed with hay bales and invite others in your community on a hayride, or use it to corral your dogs before you get to the dog park or campsite.
Hybrid Options
If you’re trying to switch from gas or diesel to electricity, you know how expensive that can be when it comes to buying a new vehicle. Further, some of the older electric models may seem unusable because of how often they have to recharge. However, Ford’s hybrid options are the best of both worlds. In fact, the Ford Fusion Energi is praised for being one of the best plug-in hybrids on the used market. You can do better caring for the environment without having to stop once or twice a day and sit a few hours while your EV charges.
The 2013 to 2020 Ford Fusion Energi has a 2.0L gas engine as well as electric motors that work together via a continuously variable transmission. If you’re driving around town, you can get 88 MPGe combined and enjoy 20 miles of all-electric range. On the highway, you can travel 550 miles and be ready to keep going after a five-minute stop at the nearest gas station. Not only do you save on a used vehicle this way, you save on fuel, and that extra money can go a long way.
Owning a fuel-efficient vehicle has its perks, and if you’re someone who enjoys a road trip with friends and family or likes to explore new places, a hybrid will help keep the cost of your trip down. Ford’s used hybrid models also have plenty of entertainment features that are still impressive, so you won’t have to downgrade to be kind to the earth.
Locks and Safety
When you’re out hiking, camping, skiing, swimming, or just soaking up the sunshine in the wild outdoors, there are times when it’s best to beat a hasty retreat. Bears, moose, elk, snakes, raccoons, and other animals are all dangerous in their own ways, and fumbling for your car keys while screaming for help doesn’t do much for the old heart rate. Likewise, if you’re downtown with some friends late at night and can’t find your car in the parking garage, a shiver might crawl down your spine as you consider whether that shadow was there a moment before. While we hope for the best, it’s always better to be prepared in case of an emergency. That’s why a newer used vehicle can be worth considering.
Many used Ford models come with keyless entry, which allows you to unlock your doors and start the car without removing your key fob from your pocket or purse. This feature also helps prevent losing your keys since you don’t need to handle them as much, so no more emergencies where you’ve locked yourself out of your car and can’t get home to put the melting groceries in the freezer. Some models even have a SecuriCode keypad on the driver’s side door, allowing you to lock and unlock your Ford without needing your keys at all––although you will still need them to drive away. It’s little details like these that can come in handy during a big emergency and help give you a sense of calm as you go about your day.
A Variety of Options at Your Fingertips
Buying a used vehicle means that it has already been broken in, that any major problems have already been found, and that you get the benefits of a feature-filled car at a lower cost. If you’re in the market for a used Ford, you know they can last quite a long time, and if you’ve got a short list of needs and wants as far as the features go, you’ll be able to narrow down your options to the ones that are tailor-made for you.
Whether you’re looking for a pickup to haul or tow with, a family car with plenty of room and comfortable seats, or a cheap hybrid option for long road trips, you can’t go wrong with Ford’s range of dependable, affordable vehicles. Visiting a used Ford dealer lets you make your selection, sign the paperwork, and drive home knowing that your Ford will be a perfect fit for years to come. Which practical features do you look for in a used vehicle?
