Where to get a used expedition inspected?

[vaindioux]

Hi I am going to buy a used 2004 Expedition XLT from a car dealership. We test drove it and everything looks great as far as the eye can see. Shall I bring it to be inspected at my local mechanic or shall I go to a ford car dealership? How much shall I expect to pay for the inspection. Thanks a lot Patrick

[minitrk]

who do you trust more?

[mtondreo]

I know someone mentioned on here that the dealerships will do it for a fee. They are going to be the most familiar with the vehicle if they actually do it. I had them look over my 06 when I bought it and they said it was perfect. They did look it over for me when it was in for an oil and fuel filter change. They were not exactly correct as I have had a few repairs they i think would have been foreseen with a thorough inspection. But i absolutely love fine. Not really an answer, I would check with the dealer. Independent shops will be able to see major mechanical problems (if any), but unless they specialize in Fords - they may not know which warning signs to look for. Thanks, Mike

[dirtmonkey11]

Well it depends on who you trust more, If you know the local mechanic well then take it to him because he might do a look for different things compared to the dealer. The only thing better that a dealer would have is all the recalls, technical service bulletins and other problems that have occurred in many vehicles. The reason I'm saying this it that they see a lot of the same problems over and over again. Mostly it just depends on who you trust.

[vaindioux]

Hi

I have decided to go with my local mechanic. The dealership actually has all the records of that particular truck but I don't trust the huge dealership vs the small mechanic.
My mechanic told me on the phone "Make sure people from the dealership don't show up in my garage as I will throw them out. I work for you not for them, they often come and try to have us not write everything we see."
I thought that was very honest from him.

Thanks again

Patrick

[Floatsun]

Originally Posted by vaindioux

Hi

I have decided to go with my local mechanic. The dealership actually has all the records of that particular truck but I don't trust the huge dealership vs the small mechanic.
My mechanic told me on the phone "Make sure people from the dealership don't show up in my garage as I will throw them out. I work for you not for them, they often come and try to have us not write everything we see."
I thought that was very honest from him.

Thanks again

Patrick

That strikes me as a very odd comment.
How would they know your vehicle was there to begin with?

[vaindioux]

Originally Posted by Floatsun

That strikes me as a very odd comment.
How would they know your vehicle was there to begin with?

Hi

The "Odd" statement explained.

The mechanic didn't want the people from the car dealership to show up, that is the Hunday/Mitsubishi car dealership that was selling the used Expedition and not the Ford dealership that I was considering to look at the truck.
Crystal clear now?
The expedition was inspected and is in great shape, we own it. A nice beast, we love it.

Thanks

Patrick

[mtondreo]

Congrats - enjoy. These are probably the most comfortable and yet still easy to handle large suvs on the road. My wife can not wait to take mine from me. She is the one that went from a pilot to a CX-7 because she wanted smaller and more car-like. Amazing how every weekend my expy just happens to be in the way so she has to take it. Lots of knowledge on these boards - I have learned a lot from these guys and can always get opinions with no holds barred. enjoy, Mike

[vaindioux]

Originally Posted by mtondreo

Congrats - enjoy. These are probably the most comfortable and yet still easy to handle large suvs on the road. My wife can not wait to take mine from me. She is the one that went from a pilot to a CX-7 because she wanted smaller and more car-like. Amazing how every weekend my expy just happens to be in the way so she has to take it. Lots of knowledge on these boards - I have learned a lot from these guys and can always get opinions with no holds barred. enjoy, Mike

Mike

Thanks for the kind words. We love the truck, it's amazing to have that monster sit in our driveway.
I will definitely learn a lot from this board about it.

Thanks again

Patrick