I have on 03 Expedtion 4x4 with 42k on it. It has the 5.4l & is pretty well loaded. Only thing it doesn't have is the message center. I was looking to trade the truck on a Navigator. I tried 2 dealerships & both came in around 17k for a trade in. Does this sound fair? It seemed a little low to me. The truck runs well and is cosmentically perfect (no dents, chips, etc).

Anyone?

 

So I can assume it's an Eddie Bauer with moonroof, climate-controlled seats, 6-disc CD w/ premium sound, side air bags, power-fold third seat, quad captain chairs, and DVD entertainment system?

 

I looked up your truck on kbb.com with my zip code, and here's what I found for trade-in value:

Excellent - 21925
Good - 20530
Fair - 17930

The message center or related options (Load-leveling suspension, reverse sensing, AdvanceTrac) don't show up on kbb.com's search form, so this is essentially a fully loaded 03 EB 4x4. And your zip may come up with a different value. But it looks like they're probably trying to justify giving you only fair condition trade value for your truck. But by your description, I would think you should insist on good condition trade value.

 

Mileage seems high! 25-30K miles seems more appropriate. Plus look at what you can buy an 04 Expedition for right now, then deduct the miles. Every rebate that is put on an Expedition further drops your trade in value. Just the reality of the current market.

 

I'm sorry, it is an XLT. All other options mentioned were correct. I know the mileage is high, but I have no choice. Here's my situation, I recieve a company allowance for the car, but they mandate that the car cannot be more than 3 model years old.

The reason I want to get out of the truck is that I have had nothing but problems with the vehicle. It's been in the shop more times than I can count. The problems still aren't right and 2 Ford dealers won't touch it because it is out of warrantly. I've been very dissapointed with the vehicle and I don't want to deal with the problems anymore.

Given that I have had the vehicle in the shop for either 9 or 10 warranty repair issues (large ones) and they weren't able to fix some of them and now won't touch it, I would like to think that Ford would work with me on this. If they can get me close to even (say within $1500), I'll buy a new Navigator from them. Of course they don't see it that way.

I'm really struggling with my Ford loyalty here. I've had more problems with this truck than with all other vehicles I've owned combined.

 

Unfortunately, those warranty repairs are all on the carfax report that any dealer will see, and they're probably afraid they'll have trouble getting their money back on your trade. Good condition value on your truck is 18170 from KBB. But that stipulates that there are no major mechanical problems. If the lingering problems you mentioned are minor, then you could still qualify for this. And, as others have said in another thread in this forum, KBB is sometimes below the cash auction value the dealer's really worried about. But I would think that given your carfax report on this truck it may be difficult to get any more than 18k for trade-in.

Do you have any lemon laws where you live? If your truck has gone to the dealer repeatedly for the same problem, that's exactly the kind of situation usually covered by a lemon law.

Another thing to consider is the possibility of getting an 05 Expedition Limited -- you'd get almost the same level of options and comfort, but for about 5k less (Expy LTD 4x4 w/ all options vs. Nav Luxury 4x4 w/ all options). That would more than make up the difference of a few thousand bucks on your trade-in. Although the Nav has the 6-speed transmission, both trucks have the same 5.4 3V engine and are similarly equipped. Of course the Nav Ultimate 4x4 is a step up, but it's also 11k more than the loaded Expy LTD 4x4.

Good luck with your purchase -- let us know how it turns out.

 

Carfax does not contain warranty repair information. Since the warranty repairs were probably done at a Ford dealer, then only Ford dealers have access to the information, but for how long is the question. I believe OASIS only tracks for 180 days, but 1956MarkII would have the definitive answer to the information that Ford dealers have access to and the length of time that they can go back on a vehicle.

 

$17K is about right for the wholesale end of the '03 Expeditions, if it's as nice as you say. If that's all they're offering against the sticker price of the Nav, then you need to shop some more. I don't have a problem with the $17K as long as you're buying the new vehicle for right around invoice, not including any rebates. Your price should be invoice less $17K less rebates.

 

If I interpret the posts correctly, then most of you feel that 17k for this truck is fair. Many of you also feel that Ford me be lowballing me for so many warranty repairs (the truck has not had any major repairs done outside of warranty). I don't understand this completely...if the work was done under warranty, then it was the result of a build issue on Ford's part--or at least that's how I see it. For those of you who said this might cause the low figure, then you are saying that because Ford built this particular vehicle poorly, then I, the consumer, should be the one who suffers for it. That doesn't sound right. I can't even keep a set of tires more that 15k without the truck chewing them up.

As for the lemon laws, I am in Texas and the best information I could find on lemon law action is that the problem must be recurring (3 times I think) or the truck be out of service for 30 continuous days. Also, the problems must have occured before 24k. The majority of my problems started AFTER 24k and were not recurring, but a new problem each time *with the exception of the steering nibble but that occured after 24k). I may not be totally right on the lemon law stats, but I think it's close--I got it from the state site.

I am one of the lucky ones who can qualify for the A-plan. I've heard everything from "dealers love it" to "it's a losing situation for the dealer". This comes from dealers. Could this be the case for them trying to lowball me? Maybe making it up on the trade in?

All in all, the truck has depreciated nearly 55% in less than 1.5 years. That is a lot, regardless of vehicle. I bought the Expy becuase my last 2 had held their value reasonably well.

As for the condition of the truck, it has pulled 2 trailers, been hand washed weekly, and garage kept with almost exclusively highway miles. I have reciepts to back up the maintenance record.

Maybe I need to see what the other brands have to offer.

 

I agree, the depreciation is totally out of control on Fords. My 03 Explorer is probably also worth barely 50% of what I paid for it..I'd actually like to get a new one, but there is no way, all these reabtes etc.. turn out to be worthless if you want a new car every 2-3 yrs. Basically you end up paying MSRP or more when you factor in the depreciation loss.

 

Although i had been to the KKB site before, I tried something interesting tonight. I looked to see what the equivalent Tahoe was worth. I matched the options as close as possible. Guess what, the Chevy was worth a little over 3k more than the Expedition.

That says a lot

 

As mentioned before, the big hurt on trade in prices these days are rebates. With 3-4K in rebates and factory financing available on new trucks, it makes the used private sale market tough. And never forget, no matter what else is happening, a dealer only has one goal.. to give you the least for what you have, and get the most for what he has. The only time you have any chance of a "good" trade deal is if you have a hot selling SUV or car.. and want to buy the dealer's slower selling models. It can be done. My last trade was probably the best I ever made in 30 years of car buying.. With Fords 4K rebate, I was able to buy a brand new Grand Marquis and trade in a Year old Escape. They gave me $16,500 for the 2WD Escape that I paid $20,500 for new. They then took $4,000 (Ford Rebate) off, and then another $2500 off list on the Merc. total of $6500 off. I gave them a check for $5565 out the door including Tax (7.75% in Calif.) and went home with Fords best kept secret,The Grand Marquis. (It has the 4.6 V8, the same 4R70W auto trannie, and the same rear end as an F-150), rack an pinion steering, 4 wheel antilock brakes, and traction control.. and geared so high (2.72) it gets 23 mph highway and 18 in town...and you can cruise the interstate and everyone moves out of your way when they see ya comming. All I need now is a cargo bed in the back... Mojave

 

P.S. I am sorry tkd has had problems with his truck, but I spent 35 years driving the hello out of F-150s at work for an electric utility in desert and city conditions. Almost a million miles and only lost one trannie,and ate a few starters on the older ones... Mojave