Used '03 worth it?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Originally Posted by SBV45
And why do you say that? So all 2003 with a 6.0L is deifinitely going to be a problem? Let's just deal with fact and information.
Are they all bad? No, of course not. But his odds of getting a bad one are much higher with this motor than any other in Ford's truck line.
Elder User
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Originally Posted by jschira
Go to KBB.com or NADAguides.com and see for yourself the value of a 2003 F250 7.3 versus a 2003 F250 6.0.
I'll save you some trouble, the 6.0 is worth $100-$400 more, despite costing $3000-$4000 more new (MSRP + higher rebates on 7.3s).
So your ~$3500 investment 1 year ago is now worth maybe ~$250. I wonder why?
I'll save you some trouble, the 6.0 is worth $100-$400 more, despite costing $3000-$4000 more new (MSRP + higher rebates on 7.3s).
So your ~$3500 investment 1 year ago is now worth maybe ~$250. I wonder why?
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Originally Posted by Pyrexic
I am not in the mindset that all '03 builds are bad and the info from SBV45 on the physical differences in the '03 vs '04 motors is very helpful. Thanks! For those that say to run away from the '03 motors, outside of the flash issue, are there additional chronic issues? What are they? All I have read at this site indicates that the flash pre-Oct was junk but a Preditor/Banks/Superchips can all eliminate that. I have no problem adding an after-market flash especially if I get the added mpg/hp to boot. Where I live, there are tons of SD trucks on the road and if they were all lemons, the word would be out and they would have a hard time selling them. The flash seems to be a pretty easy fix and with all vehicles, there may be a few bugs to work out before it is reliable. I am not opposed to that as long as I have a good idea what to expect and can compensate in the selling price. All problems can be fixed with $$ and time.
The re-flashes have addressed some of the issues but a bad turbo or an oil leak or a bad injector are not going to be fixed with a computer program. Some of the flashes have been less than spectacular, too. They generally make the motor louder, smokier, cause diesel fumes in the cab, take away power and mileage. It's almost as though Ford is fumbling around in the dark with some of these fixes.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
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From: Central Texas
Jeb, I respect the fact that you are entitled to your own opinion, but I see you using words like "LOT", problematic but, I don't see facts other than you filed a DSB.
Conversely, I am going by the fact that I have an early 03 that is running strong. I have spoke with a lot of 03 SD 6.0L owners that are happy with their trucks. I see one at the pumps, I will ask. I have yet to hear someone say it is problematic except here on the Internet sites.
How many SD 6.0's did Ford sell in the 2003 model year? How many were bought back? I hear all kinds of stories on this and other forums.
Conversely, I am going by the fact that I have an early 03 that is running strong. I have spoke with a lot of 03 SD 6.0L owners that are happy with their trucks. I see one at the pumps, I will ask. I have yet to hear someone say it is problematic except here on the Internet sites.
How many SD 6.0's did Ford sell in the 2003 model year? How many were bought back? I hear all kinds of stories on this and other forums.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by jschira
Go to KBB.com or NADAguides.com and see for yourself the value of a 2003 F250 7.3 versus a 2003 F250 6.0.
I'll save you some trouble, the 6.0 is worth $100-$400 more, despite costing $3000-$4000 more new (MSRP + higher rebates on 7.3s).
So your ~$3500 investment 1 year ago is now worth maybe ~$250. I wonder why?
I'll save you some trouble, the 6.0 is worth $100-$400 more, despite costing $3000-$4000 more new (MSRP + higher rebates on 7.3s).
So your ~$3500 investment 1 year ago is now worth maybe ~$250. I wonder why?
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by jeb
Some of the chronic problems are listed my TN_jeeper. In addition to those, there are a lot of EGR valve, turbo actuator and turbo problems. Also, inconsistent "quirky" running (low power, odd noises, etc) and chronic oil leaks are very common. If you have one prior to 5/03, it'll have the old style injectors in them and no amount of re-flashing will ever bring them up C95 standards.
The re-flashes have addressed some of the issues but a bad turbo or an oil leak or a bad injector are not going to be fixed with a computer program. Some of the flashes have been less than spectacular, too. They generally make the motor louder, smokier, cause diesel fumes in the cab, take away power and mileage. It's almost as though Ford is fumbling around in the dark with some of these fixes.
The re-flashes have addressed some of the issues but a bad turbo or an oil leak or a bad injector are not going to be fixed with a computer program. Some of the flashes have been less than spectacular, too. They generally make the motor louder, smokier, cause diesel fumes in the cab, take away power and mileage. It's almost as though Ford is fumbling around in the dark with some of these fixes.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
And C95 "standards" are what? I have an oil analysis that says I must have good injectors and I have C94s.
Flashes cause diesel fumes in the cab? That is another fact distortion. People have reported smelling what seems like diesel fumes through the ventilation system. A small number of exhaust systems had faults that released exhaust in the engine compartment.
You are letting emotion distort your perception of the facts. I agree it can be frustrating to buy a new vehicle and have your expectations dashed. I sympathize with your experience. I am not satisfied with all the results of the Oct/Dec flashes, but other than that, the dealer and Ford have tried to make it right. I still like my truck. Does it mean that all early 03's are good or bad. No! It was just our experiences.
Some of the flashes have been less than spectacular, too. They generally make the motor louder, smokier, cause diesel fumes in the cab, take away power and mileage.
You are letting emotion distort your perception of the facts. I agree it can be frustrating to buy a new vehicle and have your expectations dashed. I sympathize with your experience. I am not satisfied with all the results of the Oct/Dec flashes, but other than that, the dealer and Ford have tried to make it right. I still like my truck. Does it mean that all early 03's are good or bad. No! It was just our experiences.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by King Ranch
You can't figure in rebates because there was no rebates on the 6.0 when they first came out.Apples to Apples.
BTW - I took the 0% financing (not available on the 6.0), which saved me closer to $3000. So a 6.0 X would have cost me $4000 more than my 7.3 X.
Now fast forward 1-1/2 years. The 6.0 X isn't worth any more than my 7.3 X. Which means I would have been out an additional $4000 by buying the 6.0.
The rebates on the 2003 7.3s were always $1000-$2000 higher than the rebates on the 2003 6.0s.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,052
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stay away from the 03 the facts are that ford recalled 62,000 6.0 engines and has bought back over 1,000 trucks. and althought there are good 2003 trucks it still has the 94 injectors which ford is no longer using and the chance that some one traded in a good truck with 5k is slim to none. if you are looking for a good used truck find a 2003 or 2002 7.3.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Originally Posted by SBV45
Jeb, I respect the fact that you are entitled to your own opinion, but I see you using words like "LOT", problematic but, I don't see facts other than you filed a DSB.
Conversely, I am going by the fact that I have an early 03 that is running strong. I have spoke with a lot of 03 SD 6.0L owners that are happy with their trucks. I see one at the pumps, I will ask. I have yet to hear someone say it is problematic except here on the Internet sites.
Conversely, I am going by the fact that I have an early 03 that is running strong. I have spoke with a lot of 03 SD 6.0L owners that are happy with their trucks. I see one at the pumps, I will ask. I have yet to hear someone say it is problematic except here on the Internet sites.
How many SD 6.0's did Ford sell in the 2003 model year? How many were bought back? I hear all kinds of stories on this and other forums.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SBV45
And C95 "standards" are what? I have an oil analysis that says I must have good injectors and I have C94s.
Flashes cause diesel fumes in the cab? That is another fact distortion. People have reported smelling what seems like diesel fumes through the ventilation system. A small number of exhaust systems had faults that released exhaust in the engine compartment.
You are letting emotion distort your perception of the facts. I agree it can be frustrating to buy a new vehicle and have your expectations dashed.
Like it or not, this has been a very problematic motor for Ford and continues to be. Deny it if you like but every visit to the 6.0 forums will show you that it is.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
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From: Central Texas
[QUOTE]So do you think all the folks complaining about all these problematic trucks on the internet forums are wrong? /[QUOTE] That is not what I wrote. Quite the opposite. I think if you read back, I recognize that some people who post here have had some bad experiences. The people who have had problems and post here are what percentage of 6.0 owners?
Again, generalizations. How can you come to the conclustion of "WAY too many" when you don't know the numbers? Then it is emotional and not analytical.
Production changes are made all the time in the automotive industry for a variety of reasons.
I will go with facts and information. You can form your opinions on whatever you want. Just because one dog bites you doesn't mean all dogs are bad.
No idea and WAY too many.
Production changes are made all the time in the automotive industry for a variety of reasons.
I will go with facts and information. You can form your opinions on whatever you want. Just because one dog bites you doesn't mean all dogs are bad.
