Hi there!
I have been a reader for a couple of months now and have decided that I want to buy an Excursion with a 7.3 in it. My question is, How many miles is too much for these badboy when buying used? The one that I was looking at has 185k and He wanted 9.5k for it. I could probably get it around 8.5k to 9k if i haggle enough. I just want to know if that is an ok deal for these King of SUVs. Thanks guys! This is really a great site. Keep up the Good Work

 

I have an '01 with 183k on it. From my point of view, that is not many miles at all. These engines can go twice that with not a lot more than routine maintenance. There is no way you could find an X around here(rust free, good condition) for anywhere near that price. Good luck. You will be buying the most capable SUV on the planet.

 

I havent looked at it at all so I am not overly excited. The X's that I see around my area are ranging from 15k-19k with 150k miles on it. This is just a new one that popped up. I just want to know if the mileage are ok with 185k+. This will be my first diesel without me spending alot of money for a brand new one.

 

That is a steal where I am (probably anywhere for that matter). I don't know where you are in CA, but it isn't likely to have any rust.

 

I wouldn't blink at 185k as a deal breaker. What counts at that level of mileage is whether it was taken care of or not. 185k is low mileage on an X that was treated right.

 

I do hope that this X is taken care of. From what I have been reading from you guys is that this is a steal. Now you guys are getting me all excited hahaha

 

I paid 7,200 out the door for mine, I rolled it to 271,000 miles on the test drive! I never looked back. One owner, clean carfax and clean bill of health from a reputable diesel shop! The biggest thing is how it was cared for, That many miles isnt an issue as long as it was maintained.

 

I looked six months before I could fine one I wanted. I would say that price is a steal from the prices I have seen unless it has been beat to death or rusted bad. I ended up with a 194,000 miler!!

 

I would also check to see if the "usual" items have been addressed, tie rods, ball joints, sloppy steering box etc........ Those will add up quickly, so if you are prepared to replace those on top of the purchase, you are good to go!

 

I picked up a 2000 7.3 with 185K on the clock and it runs great. I would look at the rest of the truck to get an idea of how it may of been maintained. ( I was luck to get a pretty indepth history on mine ) If the interior is rough and the body is rough....not always..but I am willing to bet the maintainence history may not be the best.

With 190K on mine right now.. I am getting 18-23mpg on the highway...unchiped/no tuner.

 

I agree with everyone else. That is a deal! With the miles you will be replacing stuff like brakes, hardware, and odds n ends but nothing major. The 7.3 will outlast the truck/X.

 

A little more info about the X. I just talked to the owners and they are going to buy a house and selling 2 vehicles to get the closing cost going. The owner is about to send me the vin number when he gets out of work. Also with my negtiation, I got it down to 8.5k without even looking at it yet. with 185k on the odometer, I would assume that it was driven pretty good. 185 divided by 12 years comes out to 15.4k miles per year. It also seems that the truck wasnt used for towing. It was just a family outing SUV kinda thing because they dont own a house or anything more... a Boat/Trailer. I am going to look at the X tom. and hope that it is in good condition.

In your opinion, what is going to be a deal breaker for the amount im paying for this X. I mean 8.5k is really good because they are selling it out of desperation. What is going to be my hindrance on owning a new X?

Thanks again guys

 

Combination of 3 or more of these:

A valley full of oil and fuel
worn out tires
rusted out door bottoms
severe shakes under braking
steering componets shot
rear diff roaring
not shifting well
no door locks working

Follow your gut feeling. I still think it is a very attractive price, you have a lot of room, money wise, for repairs and still be under market price.

 

I just gave 7500 for a 2000 7.3 Excursion 3 months ago, with 174k miles on it.
The locks not working are an easy fix. I had to repair 2 of mine, took me 40 minutes.
I have to do the brakes. I knew that going into it. I have the parts, it cost me 250 off ebay.
I had to service the AC on mine the week after I bought it. Cost me 2 bucks for a orifice tube. ( I own all the stuff to do it my self. The refrigerant charge on these vehicles MUST be weighted in for the system to work correctly. Any other way is just guessing.)
My front bumper has surface rust on it since the guy lived 2 blocks from the Ocean in CA. It has no rust anywhere else though. It was a original AZ vehicle. Get a Carfax, it is worth it usually!

I would be more worried about the motor. Check it for smoke out of the tail pipe at start up, Check for excessive blowby. With the engine running take off the oil cap look for it puffing out LOTS of smoke. If it does and build up pressure when you put your hand over it. PASS on it.
Check the trans make sure the fluid is pink and bright, and doesn't smell burnt. Ideally should have had the trans serviced/ flushed in the past 30k-50k miles. (one X i looked at had not been serviced in over 120k miles that I could see on the service records.)
The AC, check to make sure with the AC on high front and rear that it blows ICE cold out of the rear AC. The front is easier and cheaper to service. If the rear is not putting out cold air and the front is that is a sign that the rear expansion valve is plugged. That will run you around 1600 at the dealer to repair at the most.
The Motor and trans are the 2 big ticket items on these vehicles. Everything else is still money, but not big money.

 

Thanks guys for all your help... I mean if I end up not getting the X, I would still come back here because of all the support you are showing. Thanks guys!

Basically, the only thing I am worried about is the Engine and the Trans. This is going to be my first Diesel. I know my engine when it comes to gas, but diesel is a whole another animal.

From what I have read is smell the trans fluid to check the trans and watch for the shifts. For the engine, look for the exhaust at start up and the check for the blowby.

I really hope that this becomes by new baby Thanks guys