At a crossroads....
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Aromas, CA
At a crossroads....
hey guys, its been a while since i have been on here. hope everyone is doing well. so, here it is... my trusty ol' 7.3L now has 280k on her. although her engine is running perfect, she is starting to show her age... front axle has a small leak, seats are worn out, some new squeeks and rattles, and the original transmission cant last forever right!? haha.
so my delima is... do i spend a few thousand and get the ol girl fixed up, or pop for a new truck? i have had several 7.3's, 3 6.0, a 6.4, but always went back to the 7.3 because the other motors just didnt do it for me... but yesterday i test drove a new 6.7 and was really impressed. also with my current back injury the leaf spring front end of my current truck is causing me some discomfort...
there are several reasons i am considering making the move to a 6.7, but the main negative is the PRICE! my wife wants heated seats, which means lariat... which means $55k minimum...
so... how did you guys justify the cost? i know they usually take 8-10k off but its still alot of money.. just looking for general info.. overall opinions on the new trucks.
thanks guys,
merry christmas
so my delima is... do i spend a few thousand and get the ol girl fixed up, or pop for a new truck? i have had several 7.3's, 3 6.0, a 6.4, but always went back to the 7.3 because the other motors just didnt do it for me... but yesterday i test drove a new 6.7 and was really impressed. also with my current back injury the leaf spring front end of my current truck is causing me some discomfort...
there are several reasons i am considering making the move to a 6.7, but the main negative is the PRICE! my wife wants heated seats, which means lariat... which means $55k minimum...
so... how did you guys justify the cost? i know they usually take 8-10k off but its still alot of money.. just looking for general info.. overall opinions on the new trucks.
thanks guys,
merry christmas
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 83
The price is high but these are nice trucks.
Plan for the Ford ESP extended warranty, too.
But you can usually talk them down, especially at buy time.
Cost justification is difficult since everyone handles that in their own way.
Fixing the old truck is cheaper but you know this will be an increasing occurrence as time moves on.
I have the XLT and the 2011+ interior is really nice over previous years especially the 7.3L era.
The cloth bucket seats are very comfortable.
More comfortable than the 2010 Lariat leather seats IMHO.
Maybe you can talk your wife out of the heated seats if an XLT will work great for your needs.
Do you tow much?
If so, I recommend the F350 if you happen to consider an F250.
I pre-ordered mine back in 2010 so I wasn't prepared for the wimpy F250 leafs.
That test drive makes you want one. I think you're probably hooked now...haha.
Merry Christmas.
Plan for the Ford ESP extended warranty, too.
But you can usually talk them down, especially at buy time.
Cost justification is difficult since everyone handles that in their own way.
Fixing the old truck is cheaper but you know this will be an increasing occurrence as time moves on.
I have the XLT and the 2011+ interior is really nice over previous years especially the 7.3L era.
The cloth bucket seats are very comfortable.
More comfortable than the 2010 Lariat leather seats IMHO.
Maybe you can talk your wife out of the heated seats if an XLT will work great for your needs.
Do you tow much?
If so, I recommend the F350 if you happen to consider an F250.
I pre-ordered mine back in 2010 so I wasn't prepared for the wimpy F250 leafs.
That test drive makes you want one. I think you're probably hooked now...haha.
Merry Christmas.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Just throwing this out there, but you can add aftermarket heated seats which are just as good or better for $400/seat. If that much.
The XLT is a nice truck, and up in Canada anyway with the diesel option be nearly $10k and the lariat adder being another $10k...it's a big jump.
Good luck with your decision, but I wouldn't rule out an XLT just yet.
The XLT is a nice truck, and up in Canada anyway with the diesel option be nearly $10k and the lariat adder being another $10k...it's a big jump.
Good luck with your decision, but I wouldn't rule out an XLT just yet.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 1,190
From: Door Cty/Florida
If you look around for a 2012, your out the door price for a 2012 can be in the mid to upper 40's. That would be for a lariat with heated seats. Some FTE members have reported some great deals.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: RTP, NC
hey guys, its been a while since i have been on here. hope everyone is doing well. so, here it is... my trusty ol' 7.3L now has 280k on her. although her engine is running perfect, she is starting to show her age... front axle has a small leak, seats are worn out, some new squeeks and rattles, and the original transmission cant last forever right!? haha.
so my delima is... do i spend a few thousand and get the ol girl fixed up, or pop for a new truck? i have had several 7.3's, 3 6.0, a 6.4, but always went back to the 7.3 because the other motors just didnt do it for me... but yesterday i test drove a new 6.7 and was really impressed. also with my current back injury the leaf spring front end of my current truck is causing me some discomfort...
there are several reasons i am considering making the move to a 6.7, but the main negative is the PRICE! my wife wants heated seats, which means lariat... which means $55k minimum...
so... how did you guys justify the cost? i know they usually take 8-10k off but its still alot of money.. just looking for general info.. overall opinions on the new trucks.
thanks guys,
merry christmas
so my delima is... do i spend a few thousand and get the ol girl fixed up, or pop for a new truck? i have had several 7.3's, 3 6.0, a 6.4, but always went back to the 7.3 because the other motors just didnt do it for me... but yesterday i test drove a new 6.7 and was really impressed. also with my current back injury the leaf spring front end of my current truck is causing me some discomfort...
there are several reasons i am considering making the move to a 6.7, but the main negative is the PRICE! my wife wants heated seats, which means lariat... which means $55k minimum...
so... how did you guys justify the cost? i know they usually take 8-10k off but its still alot of money.. just looking for general info.. overall opinions on the new trucks.
thanks guys,
merry christmas
Go drive it again and be more objective the next time. Pay more attention to everything, both good and bad. You might not be as impressed. If you still are, go ahead and pull the trigger.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
The trucks are for sure expensive. I was lucky and work for a company that partners with Ford and was able to use the X-plan. Maybe that would be something you could look into. Sticker price on mine was 61 and I ended up at 48 and some change. It's a good time to buy a '12...i'm sure there are some incentives with the '13's hitting the lots.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 83
Some larger volume dealers can get below x-plan, too.
When I purchased mine, I walked in with my x-plan at the ready but the price they gave me was lower.
And that was for a pre-order.
If you find one on their lot, they probably want to move it.
When I purchased mine, I walked in with my x-plan at the ready but the price they gave me was lower.
And that was for a pre-order.
If you find one on their lot, they probably want to move it.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Stafford Virginia
I sold a 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV to get the 2011 Lariat. I think the Ford is actually a lot nicer. I was fortunate enough to have the X-Plan so I paid exactly $55k.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 1
From: The Woodlands, TX
They are very nice trucks. I've test driven three now and can't get myself to get rid if my 6.4. I have looked at buying a lower mileage 7.3 as a work truck though, they are work horses and its so much easier to repair yourself.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
A comment on XLT vs. Lariat -
If all you're after is the heated seats and you don't want everything else that comes with the Lariat, then by far your best option is to go with the XLT and have aftermarket heated seats put in. Heat alone will likely run you around 100-$150 a seat installed. I went with a complete Katzkin leather interior designed exactly as I wanted it, with the driver, passenger and both rear seats heated, and the total cost was around $2000. If you went with only front heat and montone seats, you could get that down to around $1500. The downside is that they aren't cooled and you don't have the dual powered and memory seat function, all of which would be really nice to have, but not nice enough in my case to justify the $3-4000 cost increase of the Lariat vs an XLT with aftermarket leather.
IMHO, the Katzkin seats are actually nicer than the Lariat ones, and they're unique.
If all you're after is the heated seats and you don't want everything else that comes with the Lariat, then by far your best option is to go with the XLT and have aftermarket heated seats put in. Heat alone will likely run you around 100-$150 a seat installed. I went with a complete Katzkin leather interior designed exactly as I wanted it, with the driver, passenger and both rear seats heated, and the total cost was around $2000. If you went with only front heat and montone seats, you could get that down to around $1500. The downside is that they aren't cooled and you don't have the dual powered and memory seat function, all of which would be really nice to have, but not nice enough in my case to justify the $3-4000 cost increase of the Lariat vs an XLT with aftermarket leather.
IMHO, the Katzkin seats are actually nicer than the Lariat ones, and they're unique.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 365
Likes: 2
From: Silverthorne, Colorado
Two weeks ago I pulled the trigger and went from a very reliable and loved 2004 6.0 to a 2012 6.7. Heated seats, some other creature comforts and the calming thought that we were able to get a trade-in we thought impossible on a truck that we were just waiting to fail, even though it had yet to do any such thing.
So while the negatives were trading in my buddy and paying for a new one, the positives were a warrantied truck, creature comforts (I came from a cloth XLT to sunroof, heated seats and leather) and the fact i'm getting better fuel mileage on a truck with only 900 miles now than i ever saw on my 6.0.
So while the negatives were trading in my buddy and paying for a new one, the positives were a warrantied truck, creature comforts (I came from a cloth XLT to sunroof, heated seats and leather) and the fact i'm getting better fuel mileage on a truck with only 900 miles now than i ever saw on my 6.0.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,242
Likes: 758
From: Houston, Texas
Spring 2011, I was in a similar situation as I was ready to sell my trusty 7.3 that had started to show it's age for a 2005 Excursion with 4wd and the 2005 motor.
The thought of having a payment again didn't sit well with me so instead of cleaning out my savings for the down payment on an '05 Excursion, I re-invested the money in MY truck. To this VERY day as I type this, I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL!
I spent some time, spent some money, and made my truck BETTER than it ever was from the factory. All of the parts that I used to rebuild the top end of my motor came from Clay at Riffraff Diesel. My truck went from mundane to now insane.
Spring 2011 Parts list:
-Blank Pedestal
-Garrett High Flow Outlet (no EBPV)
-Gen II Frx
-Terminator T500 HPOP
-Mechanic's cabinet o-ring kit
What was done 2011:
-Completely resealed and rebuilt fuel bowl
-Installed Gen II Frx
-Installed Blank Pedestal instead resealing the old one (no more leaks, ever)
-Installed Garrett High Flow Outlet (no more EBPV, turbo spools MUCH better, lowers EGTs)
-Removed Diesel site "Adrenaline" in favor of Terminator "T500"
-Resealed whatever had an o-ring on it on the top end of the motor
Fall 2011:
-Installed Stage I injectors
January 2012:
-Sold DP-Tuner chip in Favor of Gearhead Tuning
-Installed 6.0 Intercooler (given to me by vinny_mastrodomenico)
-Installed lower boots from Riffraff Diesel
October 2012:
-Installed CFM+ intake manifold (got a stupid good deal on it)
December 2012
-Installed a 38R
-Installed a full set of Riffraff Diesel intercooler boots and clamps (these things are TIGHT and hang on for dear life, I.e. no more boost leaks!)
The money I've invested over time has proved to be some of the best money spent on my paid for Excursion. The best part is: if something goes wrong: I can fix it myself in no time at all and don't have to worry about an expensive repair bill and/or a payment.
So the lesson here, don't talk yourself into a payment. Freshen up your truck and keep driving it....
The thought of having a payment again didn't sit well with me so instead of cleaning out my savings for the down payment on an '05 Excursion, I re-invested the money in MY truck. To this VERY day as I type this, I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL!
I spent some time, spent some money, and made my truck BETTER than it ever was from the factory. All of the parts that I used to rebuild the top end of my motor came from Clay at Riffraff Diesel. My truck went from mundane to now insane.
Spring 2011 Parts list:
-Blank Pedestal
-Garrett High Flow Outlet (no EBPV)
-Gen II Frx
-Terminator T500 HPOP
-Mechanic's cabinet o-ring kit
What was done 2011:
-Completely resealed and rebuilt fuel bowl
-Installed Gen II Frx
-Installed Blank Pedestal instead resealing the old one (no more leaks, ever)
-Installed Garrett High Flow Outlet (no more EBPV, turbo spools MUCH better, lowers EGTs)
-Removed Diesel site "Adrenaline" in favor of Terminator "T500"
-Resealed whatever had an o-ring on it on the top end of the motor
Fall 2011:
-Installed Stage I injectors
January 2012:
-Sold DP-Tuner chip in Favor of Gearhead Tuning
-Installed 6.0 Intercooler (given to me by vinny_mastrodomenico)
-Installed lower boots from Riffraff Diesel
October 2012:
-Installed CFM+ intake manifold (got a stupid good deal on it)
December 2012
-Installed a 38R
-Installed a full set of Riffraff Diesel intercooler boots and clamps (these things are TIGHT and hang on for dear life, I.e. no more boost leaks!)
The money I've invested over time has proved to be some of the best money spent on my paid for Excursion. The best part is: if something goes wrong: I can fix it myself in no time at all and don't have to worry about an expensive repair bill and/or a payment.
So the lesson here, don't talk yourself into a payment. Freshen up your truck and keep driving it....
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: RTP, NC
Spring 2011, I was in a similar situation as I was ready to sell my trusty 7.3 that had started to show it's age for a 2005 Excursion with 4wd and the 2005 motor.
The thought of having a payment again didn't sit well with me so instead of cleaning out my savings for the down payment on an '05 Excursion, I re-invested the money in MY truck. To this VERY day as I type this, I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL!
I spent some time, spent some money, and made my truck BETTER than it ever was from the factory. All of the parts that I used to rebuild the top end of my motor came from Clay at Riffraff Diesel. My truck went from mundane to now insane.
Spring 2011 Parts list:
-Blank Pedestal
-Garrett High Flow Outlet (no EBPV)
-Gen II Frx
-Terminator T500 HPOP
-Mechanic's cabinet o-ring kit
What was done 2011:
-Completely resealed and rebuilt fuel bowl
-Installed Gen II Frx
-Installed Blank Pedestal instead resealing the old one (no more leaks, ever)
-Installed Garrett High Flow Outlet (no more EBPV, turbo spools MUCH better, lowers EGTs)
-Removed Diesel site "Adrenaline" in favor of Terminator "T500"
-Resealed whatever had an o-ring on it on the top end of the motor
Fall 2011:
-Installed Stage I injectors
January 2012:
-Sold DP-Tuner chip in Favor of Gearhead Tuning
-Installed 6.0 Intercooler (given to me by vinny_mastrodomenico)
-Installed lower boots from Riffraff Diesel
October 2012:
-Installed CFM+ intake manifold (got a stupid good deal on it)
December 2012
-Installed a 38R
-Installed a full set of Riffraff Diesel intercooler boots and clamps (these things are TIGHT and hang on for dear life, I.e. no more boost leaks!)
The money I've invested over time has proved to be some of the best money spent on my paid for Excursion. The best part is: if something goes wrong: I can fix it myself in no time at all and don't have to worry about an expensive repair bill and/or a payment.
So the lesson here, don't talk yourself into a payment. Freshen up your truck and keep driving it....
The thought of having a payment again didn't sit well with me so instead of cleaning out my savings for the down payment on an '05 Excursion, I re-invested the money in MY truck. To this VERY day as I type this, I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL!
I spent some time, spent some money, and made my truck BETTER than it ever was from the factory. All of the parts that I used to rebuild the top end of my motor came from Clay at Riffraff Diesel. My truck went from mundane to now insane.
Spring 2011 Parts list:
-Blank Pedestal
-Garrett High Flow Outlet (no EBPV)
-Gen II Frx
-Terminator T500 HPOP
-Mechanic's cabinet o-ring kit
What was done 2011:
-Completely resealed and rebuilt fuel bowl
-Installed Gen II Frx
-Installed Blank Pedestal instead resealing the old one (no more leaks, ever)
-Installed Garrett High Flow Outlet (no more EBPV, turbo spools MUCH better, lowers EGTs)
-Removed Diesel site "Adrenaline" in favor of Terminator "T500"
-Resealed whatever had an o-ring on it on the top end of the motor
Fall 2011:
-Installed Stage I injectors
January 2012:
-Sold DP-Tuner chip in Favor of Gearhead Tuning
-Installed 6.0 Intercooler (given to me by vinny_mastrodomenico)
-Installed lower boots from Riffraff Diesel
October 2012:
-Installed CFM+ intake manifold (got a stupid good deal on it)
December 2012
-Installed a 38R
-Installed a full set of Riffraff Diesel intercooler boots and clamps (these things are TIGHT and hang on for dear life, I.e. no more boost leaks!)
The money I've invested over time has proved to be some of the best money spent on my paid for Excursion. The best part is: if something goes wrong: I can fix it myself in no time at all and don't have to worry about an expensive repair bill and/or a payment.
So the lesson here, don't talk yourself into a payment. Freshen up your truck and keep driving it....
TD,
I was hinting in that direction but you did a much better job!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,914
Likes: 2,639
From: The Great State of Texas
Modifications/Upgrades done to my 2012 6.7 psd:
Oil changes/DEF refills
Fuel filter change
Rotate tires
Drive truck and enjoy every minute of incredible power, trailer pulling, fuel sipping experience.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,673
Likes: 900
From: Milford, MI
I too left a 7.3 for a 6.7. No regrets at all. I added up the repairs I was going to have to do to run the 7.3 another year and the parts added up to 50% of the trucks value, or the down payment. This not factoring in I was loosing the battle with the road salt in these parts. I don't trade off very often so I will get to enjoy my truck longer without the payment than with.