I have a wierd question...
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New User
Joined: Oct 2006
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I have a wierd question...
I am looking into buying a 1999 Ford Expedition. I need a durable, good winter car. I really want an expedition, but nothing too fancy. The one Im looking at is an XLT and it has 100,000 miles on it but it has been well maintained during its life. The guy is going to give it to me for $5,995. How long do you think this truck will last me if I take good care of it? Do you think it's worth it?
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City, TX
That's not a wierd question, infact it's pretty common on here. Welcome to the site! If you can verify the maintainance history and it has been properly cared for that sounds like a good deal. Do you know which engine the car has (5.4 or 4.6L)? Both are solid engines and you can expect to get a few 100K miles out of them when serviced appropriately.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Foothills, CA
If this is someone you personally know, and they have taken care of the Expy, then by all means, it's an excellent winter/all weather vehicle, and that sounds like a good price. I'm not sure if you could get the air suspension on the XLTs in '99, but that is one area that can be more maintenance (tho we love ours), so if it has that option, be aware it is not as simple as just having springs and standard shocks on all four corners.
If you don't know this person selling the Expy, then take it to a mechanic you trust for an evaluation. Spending an hour or so of $s on labor for a check-over can save you big $s down the road...
If you don't know this person selling the Expy, then take it to a mechanic you trust for an evaluation. Spending an hour or so of $s on labor for a check-over can save you big $s down the road...
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I dont personally know the seller, but I did get a carfax report on the truck, and it said it has been maintained properly. Th engine is a 5.4L. No ir doesnt have air lift or anything special. I do have a pretty good knowledge of air lift and springs. Its just a standard XLT. I love it, but Im worried I'm going to have problems in the long run. Im still pretty young, I work 2 jobs and Im putting myself through school, so I would be taking out a small car loan and I worry that its going to crap out on me and Im going to be paying for a loan on a car I can't drive. My family is totally against the idea, but I still have a pretty good feeling about it. No matter what I as going to bring it to a mechanic. So thats why I was asking that. Are there any problems I should know of that they might have in the future?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: North Texas
No matter what I as going to bring it to a mechanic.
There's small stuff that you will have to fix from time to time... but you can find the cures for 99.99% of them right here on this site. Typically these won't "crap out" on you if they're not already showing signs of it starting to happen. With that being said, I would like to second the motion to take it to a mechanic and have him check everything.
Also, you said that Carfax said the truck has been maintained properly? Did the guy get his maintenance done at the dealership or something? I didn't think carfax showed maintenance history.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Foothills, CA
Originally Posted by Mr.Novice
Huh?
There's small stuff that you will have to fix from time to time... but you can find the cures for 99.99% of them right here on this site. Typically these won't "crap out" on you if they're not already showing signs of it starting to happen. With that being said, I would like to second the motion to take it to a mechanic and have him check everything.
Also, you said that Carfax said the truck has been maintained properly? Did the guy get his maintenance done at the dealership or something? I didn't think carfax showed maintenance history.
There's small stuff that you will have to fix from time to time... but you can find the cures for 99.99% of them right here on this site. Typically these won't "crap out" on you if they're not already showing signs of it starting to happen. With that being said, I would like to second the motion to take it to a mechanic and have him check everything.
Also, you said that Carfax said the truck has been maintained properly? Did the guy get his maintenance done at the dealership or something? I didn't think carfax showed maintenance history.
You might want to see if the seller has any maintenance records, or check the book in the glove to see if it has the maintenace that's been done recorded in there. Show whatever you find to the mechanic you take it to -- he can tell you from that and the maintenace schedule if it's due anything right now or soon.
If it has a receiver hitch (for towing) look to see if there's rust inside the 2" square receiver tube -- if it's clean that's a great sign! That means you have a tow package and the extra transmission cooler (if it's a factory hitch) and it hasn't ever had to tow! Though, the Expy is quite a tow beast anyway... Bottom line is the more history you can determine the better you can determine the potential future reliability.
Like bridge said, these things are pretty robust and can last hundreds of thousands of miles if maintained. I think you'll love your Expy like we all love ours...
Oops, just noticed, you didn't say if it was a 4x4, is it? (depending on the type of winter driving you do, 4x4 sure is nice)
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Here is my two cents. I have a 1998 Expedition Eddie Bauer with 4wd. It has 130,000 miles that have been mostly city and all have been faithful. First off, it has the selectable 4wd, which I believe 99s are full time AWD with selectable 4Hi and 4Lo. My transfer case in AWD provides for a nice jerking motion under 60%+ acceleration; however, it still provides traction to all four wheels. Secondly, the transmission seems to be slipping as to be expected with 130K hard driven miles. Last but not least, it seems to go through oil like a fish. I seem to put in about a quart of oil every thousand miles which the maintenance department around here says is okay as long as the oil never drops below what is recomended.
To comment about what diesel_dan said, I have a tow hitch that has never been towed with and it is rusty especially on the outside, but I cannot tell how it is on the inside... (not sure how the transmission cooler would help the rust factor though). I know people paint their tow hitches black too, so beware of that.
Either way, I have known people that either love their Expeditions or F-150s and want to go back to them if they've sold them.
To comment about what diesel_dan said, I have a tow hitch that has never been towed with and it is rusty especially on the outside, but I cannot tell how it is on the inside... (not sure how the transmission cooler would help the rust factor though). I know people paint their tow hitches black too, so beware of that.
Either way, I have known people that either love their Expeditions or F-150s and want to go back to them if they've sold them.
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