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Choosing an Excursion help
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New User
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Choosing an Excursion help
So I am new to this forum and have spent days reading post about everything and anything trying to help me make a decision about purchasing my first Excursion.
Here is my dilemma I have found 3 Excursions in my range but not sure what would be a good buy, so I was hoping for an outsiders view with pros and cons.
Here are my choices.
1. 2002 XLT 6.8l V10 w/121,000 miles https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3766409
2. 2003 limited 6.0l w/234556 miles https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3494037
3. 2005 limited 6.8l w/197,000miles https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3791129
Any suggestions?
Here is my dilemma I have found 3 Excursions in my range but not sure what would be a good buy, so I was hoping for an outsiders view with pros and cons.
Here are my choices.
1. 2002 XLT 6.8l V10 w/121,000 miles https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3766409
2. 2003 limited 6.0l w/234556 miles https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3494037
3. 2005 limited 6.8l w/197,000miles https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3791129
Any suggestions?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
I like the "looks" of the 1st one better. It "feels" better to me.
Generally I would be shy on any diesel because they can come with large bills due for maintenance items. But that just me.
The V10s typically need about $1000 worth of maintaining to be done to them. New coils and plugs, new fluids in all items, and ideally refreshed injectors. Look at intake manifold, if it shows any signs of oil buildup on runners between lower intake and upper intake it will use oil at about 1 qt per 1500 miles or so. It appears 1st one was detailed and they could have removed the build up so be careful. Check exhaust manifold bolts for broken studs. This can cost upwards of $1000 to fix.
Generally check that the rear hatch will lock and unlock. Make sure all doors lock and unlock, make sure ESOF is working correctly. Make sure ball joints and tie rod ends are not worn out. Drive it over bumps to check shocks and front stabilizer bar links. Ask if they have 2 keys for it. If they only have 1 key the second key will be expensive.... $75 to $100. Check for clean antifreeze, if oil film than run away.
Generally I would be shy on any diesel because they can come with large bills due for maintenance items. But that just me.
The V10s typically need about $1000 worth of maintaining to be done to them. New coils and plugs, new fluids in all items, and ideally refreshed injectors. Look at intake manifold, if it shows any signs of oil buildup on runners between lower intake and upper intake it will use oil at about 1 qt per 1500 miles or so. It appears 1st one was detailed and they could have removed the build up so be careful. Check exhaust manifold bolts for broken studs. This can cost upwards of $1000 to fix.
Generally check that the rear hatch will lock and unlock. Make sure all doors lock and unlock, make sure ESOF is working correctly. Make sure ball joints and tie rod ends are not worn out. Drive it over bumps to check shocks and front stabilizer bar links. Ask if they have 2 keys for it. If they only have 1 key the second key will be expensive.... $75 to $100. Check for clean antifreeze, if oil film than run away.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
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From: Media PA
Welcome to the Ex forum! 
Rust, decide now how much or how little is desired or acceptable and then let your limit be a deal breaker no matter the price.
If it was for me and with my money, I would take a very close look at the first one, the lower mileage green XLT V-10. It has the tow mirrors which may increase the odds that it also has the optional (and better
) 4.30 gears. A picture of the door jamb sticker should show the gear ratio code to be sure. And of course, I'm just a little biased as I have a soft spot for Aspen Green XLTs. 
The other V-10 rig is priced too high for the miles in my opinion. Again for me the upgraded option on a Limited don't really matter as I actually prefer a more basic rig.
As for the 6.0 rig, I have no desire to buy, own, operate, repair or maintain a deezle, but that is just my personal choice, the 6.0 CAN BE a good/great power plant with the proper info, resources, parts, budget and frame of mind.
First thing you should do is make a decision on gas or diesel, then if diesel is your pick or if you are really open to either, educate yourself on the diesels, especially the 6.0. Diesel ownership and operation can be very different from living with a gasser.
Rust, decide now how much or how little is desired or acceptable and then let your limit be a deal breaker no matter the price.
If it was for me and with my money, I would take a very close look at the first one, the lower mileage green XLT V-10. It has the tow mirrors which may increase the odds that it also has the optional (and better
) 4.30 gears. A picture of the door jamb sticker should show the gear ratio code to be sure. And of course, I'm just a little biased as I have a soft spot for Aspen Green XLTs. The other V-10 rig is priced too high for the miles in my opinion. Again for me the upgraded option on a Limited don't really matter as I actually prefer a more basic rig.
As for the 6.0 rig, I have no desire to buy, own, operate, repair or maintain a deezle, but that is just my personal choice, the 6.0 CAN BE a good/great power plant with the proper info, resources, parts, budget and frame of mind.
First thing you should do is make a decision on gas or diesel, then if diesel is your pick or if you are really open to either, educate yourself on the diesels, especially the 6.0. Diesel ownership and operation can be very different from living with a gasser.
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New User
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Thanks for your thoughts, I have been torn between the 6.0 and all the negative comments and fixes that will probably need do or get the gas thursty V10. Diesel would be nice but the one i foujd are out of my budget at the moment.
I have seen the green XLT and droven it everythig seems to work, i made sure the ESOF is working as i'll need that in the snow out here in Utah, nothing seemed to jump out as being trouble some, all the fluids looks clean and i didnt see any signs of leaks. But it had been detailed. The XLT is a one owner california car so no rust as far as i could see crawling under it. It looks like it has recently had new Sway bar links as it has fresh hardware, and its missingthe 3rd row seat not a deal breaker.
thanks for the advice. Looking forward to joinig the Ex family.
I have seen the green XLT and droven it everythig seems to work, i made sure the ESOF is working as i'll need that in the snow out here in Utah, nothing seemed to jump out as being trouble some, all the fluids looks clean and i didnt see any signs of leaks. But it had been detailed. The XLT is a one owner california car so no rust as far as i could see crawling under it. It looks like it has recently had new Sway bar links as it has fresh hardware, and its missingthe 3rd row seat not a deal breaker.
thanks for the advice. Looking forward to joinig the Ex family.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
California vehicle?
Didn't those have EGR systems?
None of mine have a EGR so you may want to check and see if that one does. I know very little about the EGR systems but I know there is a valve or something that can get plugged...
Didn't those have EGR systems?
None of mine have a EGR so you may want to check and see if that one does. I know very little about the EGR systems but I know there is a valve or something that can get plugged...
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,573
From: Media PA
My '05 V-10 EX is a Cali spec rig even though it originally came out of AL (but it was Gov fleet vehicle so that might explain the highest level emissions) doesn't have an EGR but it does have the third O2 sensor after the cat..
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
Dang, you have all the luck. I would have killed to have that 3rd O2 sensor on my supercharged excursion. It would have been the perfect setup to log a wide band O2 sensor via pcm. Good thing I don't know where you park your X.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Cypress TX
I like the 1st one, but not for $8,900. Since it is missing the 3rd row and is only XLT trim, I would offer $7,000... try and work up $7,600 tops.
Make sure you check the tires too, both for wear and for a date code/load code. New quality tires for the Ex are pretty spendy.
Good luck! Honestly, I looked for several years before the right Ex came along that checked all my boxes... 2WD, V-10, southern states car, reasonable mileage, 2nd row captains chairs. Wasn't willing to budge on any of those and eventually I found what I wanted...
Make sure you check the tires too, both for wear and for a date code/load code. New quality tires for the Ex are pretty spendy.
Good luck! Honestly, I looked for several years before the right Ex came along that checked all my boxes... 2WD, V-10, southern states car, reasonable mileage, 2nd row captains chairs. Wasn't willing to budge on any of those and eventually I found what I wanted...
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
I like the first one as well. The Limited doesn't bring anything different mechanically to the table other than the later head design with more spark plug threads, but has more miles. I do not like the bumpers on that 05 though. they shouldn't be a faded flat black with rust spots. The rest of the truck is filthy as well. That said, I would still give it a look though if it is close enough just for comparison. FWIW, my 05 came from Texas new, was not a fleet or govt vehicle, but has the Cali spec emissions with no EGR. There is no telling what it will have until you look at the sticker and verify that third O2 sensor is in place.
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