Hello all. I am currently driving an '07 Explorer and looking to upgrade to an Excursion. I have been looking at the Excursion for close to a year and have read several posts on your forum over that time. I am more serious now that last weekend we took our first trip to the lake with our newly grown family (3 kids, dog plus wife and myself). The Explorer was about ready to explode! Anyway, I have read over and over the discussions on the 7.3 vs the 6.0. I love the looks of the '05 model vs the '00-'04 and understand the front end can be changed pretty easily so not dead set. I really do want a diesel even though I have never owned one before. I love that sound. I see several on the market, mostly from private sellers which limits my pickings because I would rather trade my explorer in vs selling. I am currently looking at on '04 diesel at a dealership with 166,000 miles. That is more miles than I have ever seen on a vehicle but understand with a diesel, it really isn't much. The vehicle is very clean and in good condition. It is located in another city about 100 miles away so I'm planning to go test drive and possibly purchase this weekend. There is still something about buying a vehicle with that many miles on it so I'm posting now to see what kind of responses I get. I know there are some out there will lower miles but they are beyond my budget. Any response would be appreciated.

 

Prices vary greatly by region of the Country also.

vehicles in the SE are nearly rust-free and generally have much less 4x4 usage asking top dollar - compared to vehicles in NV/CO with 4x4 similar mileage and asking top dollar.

 

The '04 I'm looking at is a limited, 4wd, asking $13.9k. That's right at my budget. There is an '05 with 177k miles listed for $14.9k about 200 miles away that seems to have more flaws and a check engine light on. Obviously both have the 6.0. There is also a '00 with 245k miles for $8.9k but also has some cosmetic flaws and a check engine light on. The cosmetics don't bother me as much as the check engine lights does. I'm ready to make the move but it just seems the selection isn't very plentiful.
I guess I'm just looking for someone to tell me that the '04 with 166k miles still should have plenty of life in it, at least another 100k+miles.
One reason I'm looking at a diesel is for the gas mileage (other than that's just what I want). I average about 18mpg in my Explorer and would like to see that or better in a diesel Excursion, is that possible? I understand the V10 would only average around 13mpg but are more plentiful for less money.
I don't do much towing, just a boat occasionally at the lake and even that's a short distance.

 

The 6.0 needs to be used often and maintained meticulously for it to be reliable. Mine is my first diesel and i have learned a lot for the good people willing to share on this forum! You could get close to 18 mpg with a 6.0 and close to 13 with a V10 if your not speeding and the engine is running good. It took me a year to find a 1 owner 6.0 excursion, so get schooled here & good luck on your quest.

 

Thanks Misky, you are right, top dollar is commanded for nicer rigs. Unfortunately my budget doesn't allow for that. I'm still hoping to get a nice truck for my budget though.
Thanks Curt, I've been looking off and on casually for the last year but now that my wife has had our 3rd child, family trips are tight in the Explorer so I'm looking for something soon. Just don't want to go the minivan route and luckily my wife doesn't either.
And ouch with the mileage, I was really hoping for over 20mpg to help offset the higher cost of diesel over gas. I've seen a lot of people get that (or at least claim to) but maybe that's with the 7.3. I'm pretty consistent with oil changes but as I have read, I understand the fuel filters need to be changed quite often as well. On the 6.0, the recommended oil change is 7500 miles but I've also read where you should do it sooner. How often you'll change yours? What should I expect to pay for an oil change, doing it myself of course?
Again, thanks for the responses, I do appreciate it.

 

04 diesel limited with 166k for under 14k? That is stupid cheap compared to my area!

 

average of 13 mpg with a v10 4x4? to that i say HA! 10 mpg would be a more realistic number depending on your city vs highway driving. but might i suggest test driving a v10 before you discount them.

with your search i say good luck sir! there are many great ones out there but even more beat to death ones.

 

18mpg is easy on the 6L, ON THE HIWAY.
i get 20 going 72 mph over 900 miles on a tank beyween fl and nc and back.
Stop n go my psd gets 14 while its warming up, then i get on the hiway and average is 17-18.

 

The excursion works great for our family. We load up the 2 kids, 2 dogs, all the luggage and coolers we need or want and still ride in comfort. We replaced our trailblazer with the excursion and while the cost of maintenance is higher I think that we are saving a tad on fuel costs. Everyday around town driving gets us a little better than 16 mpg and long highway runs are usually in the 18 - 19 range depending on wind.

I am a big fan of the 05 front ends too and plan to upgrade ours at some point. It is not a cheap upgrade so you may want to search for an 05 and spend a few bucks more now, get the OEM parts and save it on the upgrade. Just a thought...

Good luck on your search!

 

Where do you live? Do you use 4x4? I never have and got a 2wd and get better mileage and a better ride, less maintenance, and stuff.

From what I hear on here is that the early 6.0's should be avoided if possible. People that are willing to get a 6.0 normally go for the last two years of the 6.0.

One thing to remember with the 6.0 is if the work wasn't done yet you can expect to stick another $3500+ into it either willingly before problems or forcefully after problems start.

The drawback to the older 7.3 trucks is the transmissions normally go out around 100-150K miles. But are cheaper to replace than head gaskets in the 6.0.

With any of them it is a good idea to change all fluids when you first get it. Go threw all the brake calipers, clean and grease the pins, flush the brake fluid, check the pads and rotors.

Possible U-joints, wheel bearings, and if you get a rusty one you might have to replace brake lines, fuel lines, rear end cover, maybe an oil pan, and stuff.

As far as mileage, diesel fuel, and stuff. It seams diesel fuel is starting to be cheaper than gas in many areas even around me. The extra fuel mileage of the diesel over the gas is a huge bonus to me, the money I save in fuel can do LOTS of maintenance.

 

I bought an 2001 7.3 4x4 with 141K last october and paid $18K a nice clean Texas truck. The best fuel economy I've seen is just under 21mpg that was driving solo with the cruse set at 68. 20.7 mpg over the 1600 miles from TX to NY. Loaded down with 7 people and luggage for a week I was 19mpg over the 2400 miles to Florida and back again trying to keep it at 68. Driving around the cityI get around 14-15mpg. I recommend the Ex 1000%.

 

The offset in diesel mpg vs v10 mpg will never be recovered due to higher price of diesel (sure, once in a while it drops below gas prices, but on average it's ALWAYS higher)And last but not least, The diesels need work ($$$$$$$$) to have them be reliable. Headgaskets, egr's. etc. I hope you read all the stories.
personally I'd never get the diesel. If you do the occasional trip to the lake, get the V10. For that budget you can get a v10 in immaculate shape and have money left over.

you'll love the EX vs explorer. my in laws have an explorer. it's a shoe box compared to the EX

 

Russ your driving style excludes you from the averages (remove the highest and lowest)
I easily get 13 mpg

 

Unless you live in canada where diesel is cheaper

 

REALLY NOW? how about you to on Fuelly | Share and Compare Your MPG and look up any 99-04(05 excursion) V10 ford. unless the person drives mostly ALL highway or long distances you are not going to touch 13 MPG for a average. period.

my driving style really has nothing to do with it, where i drive does. in town stop and go driving with hills kills MPG period. add in idle time and boom your in single digits easily. funny part of your assumption is my driving style nets very close to EPA city numbers in my explorer and expedition..hmm

on the highway i can easily see 13.5-14.5 MPG which is at the top of the numbers for a 4x4 V10 for anyone...on average. yes some people can eek out alittle more here and there but a true average over say 10,000 or 20,000..ect miles is a whole nother ball game.