it has been a year since I joined the FTE forum to start researching. Never got around to finishing my research last year. Starting it all over again. Looking for my first SUV, my first PSD, my first Diesel I live in NoVA and looking for some thing that I can

1. commute ~20 miles round trip daily. No rush hour troubles for me and definitely not hitting the toll road / beltway traffic (Those who live around here know of the trouble)
2. drive ~5-600 mile round trip once in a few months visiting friends and family in NJ

Essentially, it is my daily use vehicle that I want a reliable and long running truck. I have no plans to pull a trailer unless its for hauling something that my wife decided to buy Budget is ~15K

Saw one in Woodboro,MD yesterday. Truck has clean exterior (7.5/10) but the interiors need a lot of work - broken handles, plastic stuff, loose door panels, needs a double detail job etc. It is a 6.0, engine sounds good, slight belt squeak, no leaks underneath(they were nice enough to put it up on a lift and show me underneath)
2005 Ford Excursion Limited 4WD 4dr SUV - Inventory | XLR8 Diesel Trucks | Auto dealership in Woodsboro, Maryland

Saw another one in Sterling - 2002 *Ford* *Excursion* Limited 7.3L 4WD - GUARANTEED FINANCING AVAILA
Not a fan of lifted trucks, but decided to check it out. Not impressed at all. Dealer was calling me multiple times to setup an appointment to see it and had the truck running and warm when I got there - Strike 1, IMO, as I wanted to start the engine cold. Interiors on this truck were 6/10. Exteriors - 7/10. There definitely must have been a theft attempt as there was a nice little hole poked under the front passenger door handle. Engine sounded good, but the transmission was a bit jerky in the upshifts. Whoever had it before decided to put stock size tires when selling, making it look pretty ugly (IMO). There was quite a bit of engine work done that I could see, but no documentation of what was done.

Checking out another 2000 7.3 today - 2000 7.3l Excursion 7.3 deisel

I see that there are a number of trucks in the midwest and south, I am a bit wary of the fly and buy situation. Not so sure of putting my money down on something sight unseen either.


Need your inputs on what to look for when buying used. Have done some fair amount of research and created a short questionnaire Appreciate your thoughts. And, what an awesome forum, I must say

 

Offer the guy $10,467.00 see what happens. If you can get it for anything less than $13,000 you've done well.

Personally I'd stay away from the midwest trucks with a salty flavor.

 

He's been nice to already say not to waste his time if I plan to offer anything less than $15,500

 

2002 Ford Excursion Limited Diesel 7.3L

How much work is it to fix rust issues? What to look for in terms of rust damage?

 

Curious to hear the thoughts on using a 7.3l as a daily driver, non tow rig.

 

I'm using mine as a DD right now, I tow with it when needed, and it's my road trip rig as well.

No complaints, little annoying to park in some parking lots, but that's about it.

 

Why diesel? Just curious, seeing as this will be your first one. And you aren't towing anything (SOME people mistakenly think you NEED a diesel to tow heavy ) and aren't talking about tons of driving miles.
Nice V-10s offer lower purchase prices, ample power, great reliability, pretty good longevity with the only downside being a bit more thirsty than the PSDs. Now if you are planning to hotrod your new 7/8,000lb station wagon then by all means get the PSD, they have much more go fast potential than the gassers.

 

Just seem to be a bunch in the west or in Texas...I'm in the looking faze also and the PSD with under 150 k miles command a high price.....best of luck on your search.

 

Nothing against the V10s. I have been driving gas powered cars in the USA since I landed here from India in '97. Back home, I have had many a diesel powered car at home. Diesels and stick shift are always my favorites. But then settling in a new country, raising a daughter to go to med school and keeping up with the career kept me busy. Drove the usual Honda and Toyota cars, & vans for the past 19 years with absolutely no regret on any of them. Now that its my turn to buy myself a new vehicle, I figured what's better than getting the king of diesel SUVs. Anything else would only be a downgrade

The towing part is optional. I'll always have that available when necessary.

 

Good luck to you too!!

 

IDK about that guy specifically- but if someone comes out to look at a truck I have for sale, and wants 1/3 of the price off, I tell them to have a good day and walk back into the house.

If they text me an offer like that, I just hit the block button.

lol

 

The search is over. Details in a new thread