Hello!! I am currently looking to buy a new-to-me excursion. My current vehicle is a 2000 Excursion. I love my "beast" (as my kids refer to it). I will probably sell it at some point however, my husband will take over driving it for now. I am looking at another Excursion as I cant find anything else I like as much! My question is...I am looking at a diesel this time and never having owned a diesel before, I am unsure of which one to go with. I have seen alot of cons to a 6.0, but the 7.3 that I have found at this point have 200,000+ miles on them. Now, I know that usually diesels are built to run quite a bit longer but how long really can they be expected to last? I am looking at one now that is 230,000 with a new transmission. I am hesitant to spend the money that I know I will spend for something with too many miles on it already. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

I was just in a similar 'boat'...

I opted for a 6.0 with a little bit of recent service history, knowing I could expect to spend up to $5K on it soon.

My reasoning is as follows:

-6.0 is a good platform once 'fixed'.
-Most of the 6.0 trucks have lower miles. This isn't a big deal when relating to the engines...but the rest of the truck takes a beating when it gets higher up in mileage. The small items that break on them over time will nickel and dime you just as bad as the engine.
-Newer trucks have a few cool interior options/features that older ones don't have. Finding an '03 with a 7.3 is tough, especially reasonably priced!
-6.0 can be had relatively cheap because people have scared the masses into thinking they are terrible
-I prefer the looks of the newer ones over the older ones, which means 6.0
-6.0 has a better transmission from the factory

There are more. I'm a rookie with 6.0's, and I know going in that I will probably shell out $3500-5000 just to make it as reliable as the 7.3. With that said, I couldn't buy a 7.3 for the price I paid for mine without having 100k more miles on it. 100k miles on suspension, brakes, chassis, etc is a lot of wear and tear, and will likely cost a few bucks. The advantage I have is that when I do the $3500-5000 worth of 'upgrades' to the 6.0, I'll know very well what all has been done to it, who has done it, and that it has been serviced right.

For what it's worth, I drove the following vehicles:

179k 6.0 4x4 Eddie Bauer (Bought it)
342k 7.3 4x4 Limited (good drivetrain, but truck felt 'worn' - not the engine, just the rest of the vehicle. Loose everything, wandered on the road, etc)
326k 6.0 4x4 Eddie Bauer (Engine/Trans felt great. Truck was surprisingly nice to drive also. It was sold before I could complete the deal, otherwise I would've bought it)
80k 6.0 4x4 Eddie Bauer (Drove, Looked, and Felt new - it was just too expensive for me at $21,500)
211k 6.0 4x4 Eddie Bauer (Had a no-boost issue on the turbo, so wouldn't accelerate at all. I did some research, was going to offer to buy, but someone already scooped it up. Turns out a simple wiring issue was the problem.)

I looked at a few more. With that said, drive them all. Not just around town! Get them on a bumpy road and listen/feel. A well kept truck will be different, no doubt!

If you're driving the 6.0's, download the 'Torque Pro' App onto an android phone, set it up, buy a $10-15 ELM327 Bluetooth adapter, and monitor your engine when you test drive it. It can save you a lot of money and can be used for bargaining.

Ask about service history, carfax, and a Ford Oasis report. They can help show what has and has not been done to the vehicle.

Lastly, depending on where you're located...MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT EPA/EMISSIONS/TESTING LAWS! If you have very strict laws, you may want to stay away from the 6.0 as getting them to operate at their best seems to require a EGR delete (Although some people do just fine without deleting it).

I know this is from a 'beginner'...so I expect some seasoned vets to come in here and fix everything I missed.

Good luck!
Shawn

 

Take your time and be patient. I jumped at my first 2000 7.3 that has 158K on it, paid a little too much as it had some rust issues. Spent about another $10k repairing and upgrading, then came across a 2002 7.3 4x4 with 46K miles one owner and complete service records. Paid a premium... the low mileage makes a big difference in a lot of ways, the entire vehicle feels tighter, steering wonder is less and of course less rattle. As you said, there just are not any comparable vehicles on the market, so I didn't mind paying the premium for low miles and the 7.3 diesel. For instance, my teenagers did not like the leg room on a Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition or Expedition EL. Owned all but the Tahoe so I rented one to take on a trip, kids hated it. On the 2002 upgraded the brakes, wheels, tires and suspension, everyone loves it except my wife because it ended up being a little too tall to fit into parking garage at SuperDome for Saints games.
Before CT Performance Suspension V/Mod B Upgrade
After V/ Mod B Upgrade with 2 inch Hangers and Shackles-
<a href="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/greg807/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Gregorys%20MacBook%20Air/iPhoto%20Library%20-%201/IMG_2531_zpse8ce17d2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag211/greg807/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Gregorys%20MacBook%20Air/iPhoto%20Library%20-%201/IMG_2531_zpse8ce17d2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2531_zpse8ce17d2.jpg"/></a>

 

In June, I bought my first ex an 05 6.0 EB 2wd with a 05 6.0 engine. It was a one owner with 148k miles and complete service records. Cost me a little over 14k. It was bone stock. Love my ex so much i bought it a little sister an 04 gasser. Great one's are out there, just be patient and quick. Great Ex's go fast.
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My story is similar being my first diesel. My suggestion would be the latest built Ex (05 engine) that you can find within your price range if you decide on a 6.0. I found an 05 with 85K and it was bone stock 6.0, I've put 2k into it to bulletproof it my style and my mpg have increased 4-5 per gallon, so I easily get 20 miles per gallon with 60%-70% hwy. Defintely head over to the 6.0 diesel FTE forum and read the "first time 6.0 owners" to give you some background. Take a Scangauge II with you to check/test vitals. If you do find one that has been upgraded it will save you cash in the long run. I cant speak for the 7.3, but there is a forum member on here than has one of each, if I remember correctly!

 

As a first time diesel buyer with friends who have 6.0s and 7.3s, I wasn't willing to gamble with a 6.0, moneys too tight to cough up for a $5-7k 'make right' after the initial buy... I looked around 3 states away for a year and a half before finding a local, original owner 03 7.3 4x4 with 85k mi last December! With less than a thousand dollars spent on 'goodies' for the intake and exhaust, I'm getting 20-21 mpg hand calculated (and I haul butt everywhere).
Good rigs are out there, just be patient and don't settle! Good luck and have fun looking!

 

Not sure if the one you are looking at is the original or second owner, would be nice to know. I am the second owner and bought my 02 with 26K on it and am pushing 180K. I have done the maintenance as scheduled and a few upgrades. Runs like a top. They weren't perfect from the factory but you can make them better than factory, that is the nice thing about these rigs.

 

A couple questions...

Why do you want a diesel?
2WD or 4WD?
What is your budget?

To your questions...
200K+ is not a problem, you will save upfront but pay for maintenance items (suspension, brakes, lights, other sundries).

You decide what you want to do if you pay more for a low mileage vehicle you MAY not have to pay for as many maintenance items (if it was maintained properly).

We are very good at spending other people's money.

 

I bought mine with 183k on it, bone stock. Now it has 229xxx and I beat the living hell out of it routinely with no issues. It overheated once, but I was a ******* and forgot to spray out the radiator after a mud-fest. Brake calipers were old and tired, replaced those last weekend amidst other required brake components.

Even if the engine was neglected a little bit, it's still a tank. Granted, sensors and gaskets go bad over time, as they would with anything. Having said that, the only leak I have had is when the EBPV rod o-ring in the pedestal went bad, and that's fairly common on a higher mileage rig. It's a simple, cheap, albeit tedious fix that anyone with a Chilton's and hand tools can accomplish. Especially with the knowledge on here.

Take a good look at it, especially underneath for rust. If someone here on FTE is close to you and has AE, hit em up and see if they wouldn't mind coming with you and hooking up to the truck to check out the parameters and how things are working.

 

I would only by the diesel only if you plan on towing heavy or a lot. The 6.0 is a great platform after "bullet Proofing/upgrading", that cost's an extra $2-5k. The 6.o Requires strict maintenance. I've had mine for 4.5 years and took a year to find my 1 owner eddie bauer with low miles. Like others have said, they are awesome trucks and my favorite truck

 

Check out the newer Ford Expedition - particularly the XL which is longer and more similar to the Excursion. Also the Ford Flex is pretty roomy for family and such. Both will realistically get more MPG than a diesel Excursion from what I've observed.

If that still doesn't float your boat, the 2000 to around 2003 Excursions with the 7.3 diesel is generally a more reliable engine. So long as it was taken care of and got regular oil changes. Around 2003-2004, the 6.0 engine was introduced and there were a bunch of issues with it that might or might not wind up being your issues and could cost a small fortune. You have to shop wisely when going with that 6.0 engine package.

239k is not bad mileage especially with the new transmission but depends on price. How much are they asking? I assume they have receipts to back up that it really has a new transmission... Check for the usual things - whether it's blowing smoke (it should not be) or not shifting right and that everything works and makes no funny noises.

I bought my 2000 7.3 with 190k miles and have 202k on it now. Have only had to do routine maintenance - oil change, transmission oil change, rear differential oil change, coolant flush and re-fill with diesel specific coolant, flush/bleed the old brake fluid and replaced some of the tie rods. It drives much nicer than my old F250 4x4. I does need shocks though so that will happen soonish. Brakes have been fine.

 

To be honest I love the 7.3, but I do all the work on my cars and trucks. The real question is who will do the work on yours? Check with what your mechanic is most comfortable with. If he says either then he does not know what he is getting into or does not regularly work on them.

My friends truck is a late 05 and he loves it even though it has been sitting in the driveway for the last 9 months dead. WHen it runs he puts a lot of miles on it in LA.

 

9 months? I'm assuming he's unemployed.

 

Naw he also has 2 Cadillacs just prefers the truck. He should be retired but refuses to stop working. Always a new toy to get.

 

I personally just bought a 2005 Excursion Limited 4x4 with the 6.0, and I love it. I test drove a 7.3, a V10, and even a 5.4 before I test drove the 6.0, and before I tried the 6.0 I had almost given up on an Excursion because the mileage on all of the 7.3s was too high (the rattles and general driving looseness was too much for me, as one of the previous posters alluded to), and the gas engine trucks had the potential to require far too frequent fuel stops to make me happy.

Do yourself a favor, as was pointed out above: do research, test drive, and bring a Scangauge with you. Don't just research the 6.0, research the 7.3, and research the truck that you are considering before you buy it. Carfax is overrated, but it can provide you with an idea of how many owners the vehicle has had. Bring an expert with you, preferably someone who has owned a truck with the engine that you are considering for purchase. If you are considering a 6.0, bring a 6.0 expert, and vice versa.

Plus, it's always beneficial to bring an extra person with you when you go shopping anyway. Bring all of your kids, any strollers or extra stuff you haul around, and throw it all in the truck with you just so you get an idea of the space that you have available on the inside. Then, when you take it for the test drive, have someone follow you to watch for unusual vehicle attitude, smoke, or anything that seems out of the ordinary.

That being said, all of the cautions and warnings aside, I love my 6.0. It's fun to drive. Even my wife, who is used to driving her BMW X5, loves driving it when the opportunity presents itself.