Opinion on 7.3
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 946
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From: Needville, TX
Opinion on 7.3
I have been debating so bad about buying this Cars for Sale: 2003 Ford F250 4x4 SuperCab Super Duty in Houston, TX 77063: Truck Details - 320319752 - AutoTrader.com truck. I drive about 60 - 80 miles a day round trip and pull a trailer average 3 days and drive unloaded 3 days a week. When i am unloaded i get 15-16 mpg. Loaded i get 10-11. (according to scan gauge 2). You guys think the 7.3 will do much better to kinda pay for itself.. also just wanted opinions on the truck. I just dont wanna trade a good truck for a bad one. I had my tranny rebuilt 30k ago and it is solid. Also there is nothing else wrong with my truck except 1 broken exhaust stud also no rust. Mine has about the same mileage as it and it is WAY cleaner then mine body wise and interior. Also how much more do you think it is worth then mine. Thanks guys 
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
I think you can get a nice 7.3L truck with a lot less miles for same price if you keep looking.
Your 5.4L truck with ~230K miles isn't going to fetch much money, especially if it's a bit beat up like you suggested. If your truck is still running good then it is probably less expensive to keep driving your truck until it dies and then get a different truck at that time. But maybe you want a change anyway and that's why you're looking?
Your 5.4L truck with ~230K miles isn't going to fetch much money, especially if it's a bit beat up like you suggested. If your truck is still running good then it is probably less expensive to keep driving your truck until it dies and then get a different truck at that time. But maybe you want a change anyway and that's why you're looking?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
No question it looks like a nice truck, I just think they are asking way too much for it with that many miles.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
You didn't say what you tow. How much weight and what profile? Depending on driving habits, you MIGHT pick up a little driving empty, or you might not. There's a good chance you will improve your mpg's while towing.
The mileage on the motor doesn't scare me (the mileage on the rest of the truck doesn't scare me either), but from a purely economic standpoint, for the difference in cost of what you'll sell yours for, and what that one is listed at, I don't think you'll save enough money while towing to pay for the different truck. That is, unless you keep it a very long time.
The mileage on the motor doesn't scare me (the mileage on the rest of the truck doesn't scare me either), but from a purely economic standpoint, for the difference in cost of what you'll sell yours for, and what that one is listed at, I don't think you'll save enough money while towing to pay for the different truck. That is, unless you keep it a very long time.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Frederick, MD.
7.3 is a great platform and if you find a clean one that has been cared for you can do real well!
That is a bit steep but the truck does look clean. Look at it closely check the front end and see if it has been serviced, drive it - make sure it does not have that famous Ford front end thunk and get it inspected/looked at by someone to see if it is going to need anything soon. Unless they have recently done them I would guess that ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, sway bar bushings and the like are in your near future. Make sure that the 4 wheel drive works - not just clicks when you turn the switch, but actually enagages the front wheels (take it for a test drive on a steep gravelly hill), make sure the AC comes out the AC vents and not the defroster. Check that the electric door locks work correctly. You may even want to pull the transmission oil stick and smell it - see if the oil smells burnt.
IF all that is good then you may have a gem there.
That is a bit steep but the truck does look clean. Look at it closely check the front end and see if it has been serviced, drive it - make sure it does not have that famous Ford front end thunk and get it inspected/looked at by someone to see if it is going to need anything soon. Unless they have recently done them I would guess that ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, sway bar bushings and the like are in your near future. Make sure that the 4 wheel drive works - not just clicks when you turn the switch, but actually enagages the front wheels (take it for a test drive on a steep gravelly hill), make sure the AC comes out the AC vents and not the defroster. Check that the electric door locks work correctly. You may even want to pull the transmission oil stick and smell it - see if the oil smells burnt.
IF all that is good then you may have a gem there.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Needville, TX
You didn't say what you tow. How much weight and what profile? Depending on driving habits, you MIGHT pick up a little driving empty, or you might not. There's a good chance you will improve your mpg's while towing.
The mileage on the motor doesn't scare me (the mileage on the rest of the truck doesn't scare me either), but from a purely economic standpoint, for the difference in cost of what you'll sell yours for, and what that one is listed at, I don't think you'll save enough money while towing to pay for the different truck. That is, unless you keep it a very long time.
The mileage on the motor doesn't scare me (the mileage on the rest of the truck doesn't scare me either), but from a purely economic standpoint, for the difference in cost of what you'll sell yours for, and what that one is listed at, I don't think you'll save enough money while towing to pay for the different truck. That is, unless you keep it a very long time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Sounds like a diesel would fit nicely in your work, I agree that you could get one cheaper with less miles though. Just going to have to keep searching. Love my 7.3, but they are getting old so lower mileage the better.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Weimar,TX
Nice looking truck.
Mileage is a little high but these trucks are made to drive. I have 2003
crew cab Lariat with the 7.3 with 165000 miles and and it has been the best truck I have ever owned.
With the miles this one has on it, it is averaging around 23000
a year. It has probably had lots of maintenance items replaced once or maybe twice. I would get a Carfax on this truck and an Oasis report.
The dealer can furnish you both of these.
Also, for around $75.00 you can have it checked out. They can give report of what it might be needing in the near future.
The 7.3 was only in the early 2003's, then they started putting the 6.0's.
So this truck is somewhat rare and very sought after. In my opinion,
this is the last good diesel Ford put in their trucks. Go down to the 7.3 forum and get to know this engine.
Good luck,
Mileage is a little high but these trucks are made to drive. I have 2003
crew cab Lariat with the 7.3 with 165000 miles and and it has been the best truck I have ever owned.
With the miles this one has on it, it is averaging around 23000
a year. It has probably had lots of maintenance items replaced once or maybe twice. I would get a Carfax on this truck and an Oasis report.
The dealer can furnish you both of these.
Also, for around $75.00 you can have it checked out. They can give report of what it might be needing in the near future.
The 7.3 was only in the early 2003's, then they started putting the 6.0's.
So this truck is somewhat rare and very sought after. In my opinion,
this is the last good diesel Ford put in their trucks. Go down to the 7.3 forum and get to know this engine.
Good luck,
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 3
From: West of Chicago
12k is Pretty steep especially with 230k my excursion was 8,200 with 271k on it but came with an aluminum radiator new oil Pan new batteries, and a new water pump. 230k is nothing for a 7.3 but remember the rest of the tuck has higher miles and anything can be worn out and need replacing. There are lower mileage 7.3s still out there but 12k is pretty steep.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 946
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From: Needville, TX
Well turned out to be an unwell maintained turd. First noticed all the dents and scratches...alot of em...my body is way cleaner. Second a **** load of rust...not a Texas truck for sure...Next leakin ALOT of oil from everywhere...Next hubs we so stuck you couldnt turn em...At this point i was scared to see under the hood...but did...First the brake fluid in the master cylinder was almost bone dry and it was loose..Second...the coolant tank was almost bone dry...Next it had 1 brand new battery and one old....ASked them to start it and it barely turned over....then it started blowing alot of air around the turbo area...my truck looks pretty good to me now.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Well turned out to be an unwell maintained turd. First noticed all the dents and scratches...alot of em...my body is way cleaner. Second a **** load of rust...not a Texas truck for sure...Next leakin ALOT of oil from everywhere...Next hubs we so stuck you couldnt turn em...At this point i was scared to see under the hood...but did...First the brake fluid in the master cylinder was almost bone dry and it was loose..Second...the coolant tank was almost bone dry...Next it had 1 brand new battery and one old....ASked them to start it and it barely turned over....then it started blowing alot of air around the turbo area...my truck looks pretty good to me now.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
I'm in Houston. Last week I found and test drove a 2006 single cab 5.4 F250 with 121k miles on it out in Cypress, 290 @ Spring Cypress. I was going to buy it until I checked out a few 7.3's. There is no comparison. The 5.4 is a scared little school girl, the 7.3 an elite heavyweight professional cage fighter. I bought a 2001 7.3 extended cab F250 Super Duty.
If you want the number to that 5.4, it is in awesome condition overall, I can hook you up.
If you want the number to that 5.4, it is in awesome condition overall, I can hook you up.