Possible Excursion Purchase?
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Possible Excursion Purchase?
Hey All,
Im new to the forum, and I've been checking through the threads here for the last couple weeks. I'm planning on purchasing an X at some point in the next couple months to replace my wife's '01 Saturn L300 death trap. We do a lot of traveling, and an X would be great for that.
I'm considering two options.
1. Buy a cheap mid-mileage (100-150K) V10 2001-2003 to try it out. Use it for about a year, and then if we like it, upgrade to a '03 7.3. The budget for this would be about $6-8k.
2. Buy a high mileage older 7.3 to keep for at least 2 years. Like this one close to my house.[/URL] The budget here would be $10K.
We don't know if we are going to love the X, so that was why I thought of getting a cheap gas version to try it out. In August I'll start a new job and should be able to afford a $15-20K vehicle in 2017.
I'm looking at the '01 7.3 with 190K miles tomorrow. My biggest concern is rust, because Central PA winter salt is not nice to Ford Trucks. What else should I check for? The CarFax is clear.
2001 Ford Excursion Limited 7.3 Diesel
Im new to the forum, and I've been checking through the threads here for the last couple weeks. I'm planning on purchasing an X at some point in the next couple months to replace my wife's '01 Saturn L300 death trap. We do a lot of traveling, and an X would be great for that.
I'm considering two options.
1. Buy a cheap mid-mileage (100-150K) V10 2001-2003 to try it out. Use it for about a year, and then if we like it, upgrade to a '03 7.3. The budget for this would be about $6-8k.
2. Buy a high mileage older 7.3 to keep for at least 2 years. Like this one close to my house.[/URL] The budget here would be $10K.
We don't know if we are going to love the X, so that was why I thought of getting a cheap gas version to try it out. In August I'll start a new job and should be able to afford a $15-20K vehicle in 2017.
I'm looking at the '01 7.3 with 190K miles tomorrow. My biggest concern is rust, because Central PA winter salt is not nice to Ford Trucks. What else should I check for? The CarFax is clear.
2001 Ford Excursion Limited 7.3 Diesel
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From: Dustbowl, NV
Welcome to the best forum ever!
Either way you go, you should be really happy- my wife likes driving the Ex almost as much as I do. I can't imagine you not loving an Ex unless you drive in tiny parking lots exclusively!
Good luck.
Either way you go, you should be really happy- my wife likes driving the Ex almost as much as I do. I can't imagine you not loving an Ex unless you drive in tiny parking lots exclusively!
Good luck.
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Thanks! We shouldn't have any problem parking, as I drive/parallel park Type 1 ambulances and she grew up on a farm driving dump trucks. I'm more concerned about avoiding a lemon with tons of expensive repairs. I don't know exactly what to look for when buying one.
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From: Salem, VA
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From: Dustbowl, NV
IMHO, maintenance records are huge. You can judge a lot by them. Leaks that have been let go are bad juju.
If the seller will let you take it to a mechanic for a look-see, that's awesome. A couple hours spent there could help set your mind at ease.
Have a knowledgeable friend go with to check it out- more eyes looking are better.
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That makes sense. I had an '04 F250 V8 Gas with an exhaust manifold leak, which seems to be fairly common on the gas engines.
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From: Northern California
On the 7.3 a few highlights to look at
Injectors
Hpop
Turbo
Up pipes
Broken exhaust studs
Transmission
Ball joints @ tie rod ends
Steering box
Brakes
Bonus if you can find one with a few of the upgrades like.
Rear sway bar
Shocks - steering damper
Leaf spring bushings or springs (if you want a lift)
Gauges
Be aware of things like
Tuners ( not bad but can be a clue to how it was driven )
After market air filters
Accessories wired up with substandard wiring
Leaks. Crawl under it and do not dismiss any leaks...they all have a story to tell
Non functioning switches.
Fluids
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Then find one that the PO has already done some of the more expensive work.
On the 7.3 a few highlights to look at
Injectors
Hpop
Turbo
Up pipes
Broken exhaust studs
Transmission
Ball joints @ tie rod ends
Steering box
Brakes
Bonus if you can find one with a few of the upgrades like.
Rear sway bar
Shocks - steering damper
Leaf spring bushings or springs (if you want a lift)
Gauges
Be aware of things like
Tuners ( not bad but can be a clue to how it was driven )
After market air filters
Accessories wired up with substandard wiring
Leaks. Crawl under it and do not dismiss any leaks...they all have a story to tell
Non functioning switches.
Fluids
On the 7.3 a few highlights to look at
Injectors
Hpop
Turbo
Up pipes
Broken exhaust studs
Transmission
Ball joints @ tie rod ends
Steering box
Brakes
Bonus if you can find one with a few of the upgrades like.
Rear sway bar
Shocks - steering damper
Leaf spring bushings or springs (if you want a lift)
Gauges
Be aware of things like
Tuners ( not bad but can be a clue to how it was driven )
After market air filters
Accessories wired up with substandard wiring
Leaks. Crawl under it and do not dismiss any leaks...they all have a story to tell
Non functioning switches.
Fluids
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