I'm trying to figure out why you keep harping on me about this. I did a coolant flush, big deal, cost me $100 in coolant. I haven't done the differential fluids but that's no different than any other car. Frankly, many people never change the differential fluid and do fine. I'm not advocating that.

Oil changes for the 6.0 are expensive. I admit that and said it earlier. I spend about $200 a year on oil changes. That sort of sucks but it keeps the thing happy.

BTW, your analysis about annual maintenance on a used car years ago vs now is quite off.

If you bought a car (lets exclude diesels) 20 years ago (I've done that, I'm 43), with say 175,000 miles on it... first off, cars 20 years ago didn't typically last that long anyway, but if they did, you'd probably be rebuilding the entire car. American cars didn't even have 7 digits on the odometer, they weren't very optimistic.

Fast forward to today. You buy a used car (not a diesel and not an Excursion) with 175,000 miles on it, if it was well maintained, you'll probably just drive it and get your 15k mile oil change done every year or two. The transmission will most likely be sealed or not require a fluid change, same with the differential, same with the coolant. You might have consumables like a timing belt or serpentine belt, maybe a battery, but that's about it.

Now, you go and buy any Excursion, it'll need more maintenance and might require more fixing. Excursion parts are expensive but you can't lump a "used car" annual maintenance into the equation.

You think that if you buy a used car today you should expect to spend $1000 a year on it? I totally disagree. An Excursion, still disagree. That's expensive motoring and I wouldn't bother if that was the case.

If an Excursion needs shocks, springs, ball joints or steering related issues, then sure you can spread out that cost but I doubt you'll replace those items again while the car is still running, assuming "normal" driving habits. I wouldn't buy one that had those issues BTW.

Given your math, if someone owns an Excursion for 10 years (or any car given your statement), they are going to spend $10,000 in maintenance? Yikes, I'm shocked there's a used car market at all. We should all just buy new cars with warranties. It would be cheaper than spending $10-20K to acquire an Excursion (or whatever) and then the $10k in maintenance.

 

Wrxin

Nothing direct at you. I said be prepare so if things broke, have the funds to fix. Not $10,000 in 10 years, just enough to fix when it happen and it will last another 10 yrs...

How about this, my other car shock leaks after 120,000 miles at $1,000 each for shock. So to change 2 shocks last year my other car set me back $2,000 in parts. This year it need new tires, that's more than $1000 a year. For the next 5 years, I don't need tires but the other 2 shocks might give out...

After oil/egr cooler change last year, my Excursion suddendly decided to develop injectors leaks last month, cost me maybe $300 to $400 in parts maybe more depends on how many injectors need replacement. I also decide to buy more tools to make it easier to work at about $1,000 worth. I am not crying here, these tools will be in my tool box when I am done. Most people here buy Excursion so they can tow their boat or trailer so an extra $5K in the bank shouldn't be a problem...

 

When I consider the high cost of new vehicles, that the excursion is such a special vehicle, and has a 6L psd and gets 20-23 mpg on long hiway drives and there won't ever be something like it again I plan to keep it until i can't drive anymore..

So investing/upgrading failed components when needed, or while already in there makes sense to me.

I don't get people driving a smartcar or 2 seat mini cars either, i can stop for big box presents on a whim. But IF you like the ease of parking those tiny things that's the beauty of choices.

Sent from my Sprint PC36100 using IB AutoGroup

 

I may cross the line here, but I really am not crazy about our X. I drive a really nice '97 Towncar that has to be the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, and the ride is to die for...I digress... Now my wife, that's another story. It's a "pry my cold dead hands off the steering wheel" type of relationship with the X. I will say it has been super reliable. 178,000 on it and has a fuel pump, 2 alternators, red head steering box, and 2 COPS replaced in addition to all the normal stuff. With the 3.73 gear it would get mid-14 MPG's on a flat HWY. That's cheap reliable transportation to drool over.

 

I'm only 19 and I don't plan on a different vehicle either! I haven't had to replace any sort of o-ring yet while working on the Ex, but the first time I do I'm going to whisper "Till death do us part"

 

Stewart

 

LMAO...

Also, if you're 19 and have an EB X and can afford to fuel it... you're a lucky kid. Say a short thank you to your deity of choice every time you turn that key.

 

I bought my first Ex a 2004 V10 4x4 at the age of 19. 24 now and on my third V10 Ex

 

I've lived in cold *** temps with a 6.9 IDI and a 7.3 2nd Gen PSD, neither has ever had cold start issues. A well maintained system will have no issues.