So really, I am just getting some of this out and asking for thoughts and ideas and of course it got long..... It is a complicated scenario.

I have a 2001 Limited with 195k miles with the V10. Bought it in 2011 for $8500 with 110k miles. It has a 4th row with 3 seats to accommodate my family with 7 kids (16yr to 4 yrs).

Exterior
Actually still in pretty good condition but it is getting aged. Some dings here and there.

Interior
No major issues but common rattles, parts have come off, typical stuff for a vehicle that is 15 years old.

Mechanical
-AC leaks but I can add freon a few times a year and it is fine.
-Just put new front bearings, plugs & steering box.
-**Rear end needs to be rebuilt and will cost at least 1k. We have been planning a trip to see my family but that is out now. Can't be repaired in time and I am too concerned about driving it on a long trip like this and have a failure on the highway and/or being stranded.
-Tires & brakes have another 1-2 years.
-Horn does not work
-Drivers side airbag light is on
-No other engine lights

General Life Comments with the Ex.
-We have very little cargo room with the rear bench seat.
-We like that it is a SUV and not a Van.
-Gas mileage is poor but that comes with the territory and even 15-16mpg does not have hardly any payback.

Options:
1. Keep it and repair the issues. Between the rear end, horn and airbag, looking at $1500 at a minimum but I am expecting more. My experience with AC is that they will often last a while with a small leak but eventually it has to be repaired and we all know what that will cost. Have no idea what the cost will be for the airbag and horn. I think it is electrical since they are on the same circuit (fuse is fine). Have been seriously considering buying a used Prius as a get around town for taxi driving the kids around, get alot better mpg and reduce wear and tear on the EX. At this point 60%-70% of the family driving is with 5 or less passengers.

2. Trade it in for a used Ford Transit Wagon. 2015 models with 25-35k miles go for around 20-22k. I really don't want a payment but I don't have the cash right now. We paid cash for the Ex about 5 years ago and I paid cash for my '05 f150.

We will end up growing out of the Excursion in a few years since the back seats cannot accommodate older kids. One child will be on his way out though but we expect that our two oldest will be in home until they finish college.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

Hi Matt, the advantages / disadvantages as I see it are:

1. Excursion is well known, but getting older; those aren't dings, they're well earned battle scars.
2. It needs some work, (most of which you can do yourself with our help) but easily 1/10th the cost of the Transit (excluding the Piou.. eh, that is, Prius.
3. Why not remove the 4th seat for the needed luggage room?
4. The used Prius and Transit will need some work, maintenance; double what you do today.
5. No way that Transit and Pious (I gave up, it is what it is) will look as sweet as a dinged up Ex.
6. What do the older kids drive?

 

What's wrong with the axle? If it needs a new gear set, look for a good used unit. If it's just bearings, that's not difficult to fix.
The size of the kiddo's is the bigger question. If they're really getting too big, before the biggest ones are driving on their own, then your choice is made for you. I know you have a van bias but I'd swallow the pride and pick up a nicely used full size van.
Your other options are all going to cost a lot more. I understand the benefits of staying debt free.
Good luck.

 

The back seat is required for the 9th person.

I agree that the Excursion is cooler by far.

My 16 year old is still a year from getting his own license. He is soon to get his learners permit.

 

The grass always appears greener somewhere else.
Nearly everything about the Ex is known, heck energy-suspensions has a body mount kit for us now!#

 

I was in the same position Spring 2011 and September 2013 with my 7.3 Excursion. I ended up keeping it both times and just fixing what was wrong with it. It's nice not having a payment and having all the room and power that you need when you need it. I bought the '05 because I always wanted the last of the breed and wanted a 6.0 .

Think of your Excursion like a gun: You'd much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

You don't have a payment now and can fix just about anything that goes wrong with it yourself as opposed to having to rely on a dealer.

Too many times I've seen someone sell their Excursion or Super Duty only to miss it and wish they hadn't sold it.

Btw, for a V10, you're doing quite well at 15-16 mpg.

 

You could always buy a cheap, small enclosed trailer and then you have plenty of room. It's better than having payments.

 

Did you know Excursions came with a 9 seat version? Mine is an XLT and seats nine; seats 3 each row. Might be a possibility for your clan.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12914253

 

I've packed 10 in mine, 4 each in the rows and 2 up front

 

Does your cruise work? If not with the inop horn and air bag light, then most likely the issue is clock spring.

I'm starting to think about a change now that my herd is thinning. It's rare these days that we need the Ex for people and it's a pain in the rear to get plywood and such in the back of the Ex. Plus the wife's flex can haul 8 people but doesn't have the cargo room.

 

The cruise does not work either. It seemed like probably just some connected issue with all 3 not working, hoping it is not a ghost electrical issue.

 

I have thought about this a number of times but really don't have anywhere to keep it. Might be able to figure something out though with a friend. Don't have any family around.

 

Well, for right now, we had to rent a Ford Transit to go on our trip. It will give us a good opportunity to review the van. The space will be great. I told my son that he can bring his keyboard and small studio setup and he was so excited. With the EX, unless we get a trailer, we have to pack light.

I have done more research on the Transit and Nissan NV and the Nissan in many ways is like the Excursion with a better seating scenario. It is based on the Nissan Titan like the Ex was based on the F250. It seems that it is gaining popularity with large families because the upper models have the niceties that the EX Limited did such as leather, power seats, etc. These are things that are not even options on the Ford Transit. The Transit is obviously designed primarily as a commercial people hauler.

More to come. When we get back, we will be looking to determine the next steps.

 

If my tribe was as large as the OP I would get a bus.

 

After 10 + years with an empty long bed, I'm happy to carry around empty seats. The ride is SO much better. So far, I have had a maximum of 2 people and the TT as a load. And grinnin at the 10mpg I'm gettin in town and towing!