I am considering getting a 04/05 X. Right now I have a 4d Tundra, but as the kids get bigger, I would like something with more room. I have heard good and bad about the X, so I am hoping to get some straight up answers from owners. I would only consider a diesel. How is the MPG on a diesel? What is maintenance cost? I would appreciate anyone's input. Thanks.

 

Take a read though these - plenty of opinions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-mileage.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...2-v-10-ex.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-and-mpg.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eah-right.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-per-tank.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-mileage.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-do-i-buy.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ing-posts.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...lage-mods.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-and-why.html

and on and on and...

 

Nah, we all hate 'em in here.

 

Good
Better mpg and it holds it value better than a gas. Engine longevity.

Bad
Diesel maintenance and repair costs cost more than a gas engine. Diesel mechanics may charge more. Where I live diesel is more expensive than gas at the pumps. Since you are only considering 04-05 read up on the 6.0L and the potential problems it has.

I bought my 7.3 about 6 months ago and I love it, no regrets .

Hope you find a winner

 

Thanks 7.3 Monster.

I guess I would be open to looking at older models too. I am looking for a vehicle that will last me the next 10+ years. What years and milage of the vehicle would you consider and feel comfortable with the longevity? What years do you feel have the least potential problems?

 

You have picked the best years, in my opinion. Spend a bit extra to bullet proof the 6.0L and you will gain a newer vehicle with a superior transmission.

 

DDD04,

Welcome to the forum! You'll be glad you asked this group because you will get real-world answers and unvarnished opinions. Obviously we are all going to tell you to get one, but having said that up front let me assure you you will get a LOT of helpful and truthful info here.

Up above one of the members (wpnaes) has linked several threads for you to read up on the issues surrounding the 04-05 diesels. He has done you a huge favor and you should repay him by reading everyone of those. You will be doing yourself a favor too, because most likely you will have a great handle on what you need to know going into this.

Just keep reading this forum and you will know what to do for your particular situation. We like to joke that this is "online support" for Ex owners!! I think you'll agree its pretty valuable.

Ask lots of questions and before you know it you will be driving one too! There is also a for-sale forum in the FTE that you might keep an eye on since some well- loved Exes end up there.

Good luck and Happy hunting,
Karl

 

Thank you Karlsgems. I am not a car guru at all, so having input from everyone here is great. Thank you again.

The 05 Limited X I am looking at now has had the injectors replaced around the 100,000 point. I know this is one of the issues with the diesel. If the injectors have gone bad once, can I expect to have to replace them again in the future?

Here are the specs for the X I am looking at. Can someone tell me if $28,900 is a good price for this vehicle?

Primary information about this vehicle:

AT Car ID: AT-13996C22
Price Unlisted
Mileage 133,865
Body Style Sport Utility
Exterior Color Black
Interior Color Medium Pebble
Engine 8 Cylinder Diesel Tur
Transmission 4 Speed Automatic with Overdrive
Drive Type 4 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Diesel
Doors Four Door

Seller's Description and Comments
For any information on these great deals contact our Internet Sales Department @ 1-912-544-2129,Rear A/C,AM/FM Stereo,CD Player,Autolamp,Fog lamps,Privacy glass,Pwr heated memory mirrors w/signal lamps,Pwr rear quarter windows,Rear tri-door,Rear window intermittent wiper w/washer,Reverse sensing system,Roof rack w/crossbars,Speed-sensitive intermittent front wipers,1st/2nd row assist handles,2nd row reclining 60/40 split bench seat-inc: dual recline, tip/slide,3rd row bench seat w/rollers,Door map pockets,Electrochromic rearview mirror,ETR AM/FM stereo w/6-disc in-dash CD changer,Glove box w/lock,Heated premium two-tone leather front 6-way pwr captains chairs,Homelink universal garage door opener,Memory driver seat,Overhead console w/garage door opener, storage compartment, trip computer, pwr rear quarter window controls,Pwr adjustable pedals w/memory,Pwr door locks w/autolock,Pwr windows,Rear floor heat ducts,Rear window defroster,SecuriLock Passive anti-theft system,Speed control,Woodgrain trim-inc: door panels & storage bin,16''

Cars for Sale: 2005 Ford Excursion 4x4 Limited in RINCON, GA 31326: Sport Utility Details - 328821794 - AutoTrader.com

 

Find an 2002-03 7.3L diesel 4x4 Limited, they are the best and will hold their value best. Change the synthetic oil and filter every 7500 miles, fuel filter every 15k, flush transmission every 30k-50k depending on towing and you are good to go for 400k++++ and beyond. Thats all there is to it.

 

Just crashed mine and I'd own another in a heart beat. Diesel is the way to go.

 

$28K seems very rich to me... 6 weeks ago I took a one way flight from Columbus to Dallas and picked up a 2005 Eddie Bauer, 4x4, 6.0L PSD, 113,000mi in pristine condition both inside and out - leather was in incredible shape and not a spot of rust.. I gave $20k + Ohio sales tax for it...

Some of the northern dealers in Ohio and Indiana were looking to get anywhere from $22K-$25K for rusted ones beat to crap..

Don't be afraid to venture away from your home city to find the right one and not be held hostage to local supply and demand. You can use the money you save on some aftermarket upgrades.

I get mine back from the shop today after getting a 4" BDS lift, XD Spy wheels, 35x12.5 Nitto Trail Grapplers, MRBP turbo back exhaust, Volant cold air intake and a few other things done. I'll be posting some before and after pictures by the weekend.

Just my $.02! Best of luck to you!

 

Ditch that TOYota and hop in a real SUV! With whatever motor you decide you'll love it! I was un-sure of my decision at one point but the second I get in it, hear a mild echo of the door closing, then I fire up that ol 7.3! The extra room comes in handy too.

 

I don't know, this price seems very high. I would think a similar Ex could be had closer to $20 - $22K.

There are several on Ebay for comparison--some with as low as 71K miles.

 

BUY ONE ASAP YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO just rember once you go excursion you can never go back .. trust me .. i have tried to downsize many times but it just aint happining with 5 kids lol

 

The pictures look nice, meaning that someone put some effort and money into this rig (lifted suspension and very new f-250/350 side mirrors). So it was probably maintained but you should ask questions.

That price may not be as high IF someone has already done the fixes to the 6.0 ( people here refer to "Bulletproofing" the engine, which is a company but also shorthand for about $5,000 worth of repairs that these engines need sometimes). Also, different areas command different prices. Right now is a good time to bargain with dealers because fuel prices are going up again.

See if your local Ford dealer will run an Oasis report on this rig. This is an electronic record for all work done at Ford dealerships and may give you some idea of how well it was maintained. Private garages wont show up, but you get the point.

Find the best one you can, wherever it may be. One guy here in Southern California flew to Alabama to get his dream rig (also black by the way). Now thats at the extreme end of things but many many people have driven long ways to get their machines.

Personally, I drove about 100 miles to get mine. Many others have driven even further......in fact I think a guy From Wisconsin is going ddown to Alabama on friday of this week to get his. Im not saying you should.....just giving you food for thought. You also might find something in your backyard.

Once the known problems of the 6.0 are fixed, you are golden. Like any other diesel, you'll get hundreds of thousands of miles out of it.

You are already on track to make a GOOD decision because you have found this forum. Putting this kind of effort into something usually results in a good outcome. For me, it meant NOT getting a diesel as I had dreamed of. But it turns out that was the right decision for MY situation and I made a better decision because of this group and the good honest info they share.

Okay, Ill shut up now. Probably TMI, but just trying to help. Like the man said...just do it, you know you want to!!!! Hehehehe!

Happy hunting,
Karl