Be sure to tell the second dealer about the first X you looked at being cheaper and use that to bargain.

I think more people in the rust belts should consider this. I know it is always a risk to spend money on a trip that may not work out, but many times you can get tons of pics sent before you ever go. You could also ask a local FTE member to check out the X for you. I had my brother go check out my truck before I bought it so I could save a 4 hour round trip. After my brother gave me his report, I haggled the price before driving down and buying my truck.

 

Are you looking for a V-8, or will a V-10 fit the bill?

I could be convinced to sell mine (in the signature image below).

And it's one of the lowest mileage Excursions you will find anywhere now.

 

Say it ain't so!

 

Yes, I will tell them about the other XLT I saw that is cheaper to help aid the haggle process. This one is relatively close to me. Don't think I would mind enlarging my search area, but I need to trade my current ride to make this work. So, unfortunately, a private party won't work. Need for a dealer to see mine and give me a reasonable number for it. I could go either way: V8 or V10. I don't tow often. When I do its a muscle car like 1 or 2x year.-hinking about getting a 19-21 foot boat though. This I will only tow locally on weekends and vacation during summer.

 

I would be inclined to sell mine if somebody paid me "Kelley Blue Book private party sale value", based on my excellent condition and low mileage.
That value currently stands at $17,825 in my zip code. Full retail value is currently $19,975.


That's a shame. When dealing with a car lot you're limited to chosing between bad and worse most of the time. They have trade-ins that people wanted to suddenly get rid of for whatever reason (usually mechanical), or they have Excursions they have picked up at car auctions themselves. The cream that rises to the top usually comes from the driveway of a private owner. I have seen some real piles of Excursion junk with high mileage on my local Ford dealers lot over the last few years.

 

I think Carmax will buy your car even if you don't buy one of theirs. Not sure if they'll give you a fair deal on it.

 

Carmax?

Yeah, they would probably give me $10,000 for it, and put it on their lot for $18,995.

 

Today I went to see this 2004 v10 xlt with 75K. Took my young son and wife. Its at a Ford dealer about 70 miles from home. Salesman tells me that the dealer "just this week replaced front hubs and brakes all around." I see manifold studs replaced on r/s and all l/s studs are rusted to nubs and 2 broken off. There is a new Motorcraft battery. After closing the rear hatch glass I hear the tell tale broken glass pieces inside the hatch and I notice the top of the l/s barn door has a 6" scratch and there are loose pieces of broken glass laying on top of it. Salesman says he broke the glass this week by accident. The tab on the rear tv screen is broke off so it doesn't stay fully closed. The overhead console hangs down in the front about an inch or so. The front tires are bald on the inside 3 inches of tread and the remaining section of outside tread is cupped. Rear tires have about 3/32 of tread left. At least they were E rated tires(Kelley). All shocks bad. Steering stabilizer, tie rods, center link, control arm bushings, and front sway bar bushings bad. Get this: the jack and the tools(above the radiator) were missing. Not done yet. Saved the best for last. The roof: it was higher in the center than normal. The front section above the driver was pushed Down and the rear section above the second and third rows were also pushed down. Numerous other dents over entire roof surface as well. This is why the overhead console was loose! Salesman took a look at the roof and told me with a straight face "happens with age." Told him there is no way I would put my son and wife in this piece of $#*t and drive it! i ASKED HIM REPEATEDLY IF IT WAS CLEAN AND HAD A CLEAN CARFAX/AUTOCHECK REPORT ON THE PHONE DURING EACH OF MULTIPLE PHONE CONVERSATIONS! Really mad that I wasted my time. I should post the name of this dealer but won't. Can't repeat how my visit ended, I think you can figure it out. On the way home we stopped at another Ford dealer and saw an EB Expedition we liked a lot. Too bad it was 2wd, otherwise..........

 

It seems that most USED CAR SALESMEN are scum bags. It takes a special person that will look you in the eye and lie to you. This has allways happened to me with every UCS that I have dealt with. Try to buy from a private owner. Sorry about the rant!!!