Hey guys. Newbie with a first post. Here is my situation. I have been looking for an X for about 45 days. The X is appealing to me due to it's size. I do a fair amount of hunting, fishing, and camping. 2-3 long trips per year with family to Colorado or Florida are pretty common for us. No plans to tow anything with the new vehicle.

I have the opportunity to purchase a black '04 Limited 6.0 diesel with 53K miles for about 30K. The car is very clean. It was, however, repurchased by Ford either either as a warranty claim or lemon law claim. Which one is unclear to me. The Ford dealer attirbutes the repurchase to a valve problem associated with the transition from the 7.3 to 6.0. I was under the impression that was a problem in '03. I have the service history with Ford. The problem appeared to be idling fluctuation, surges at highway speeds, and bogging down on acceleration. The turbo has been replaced and numerous other things have been to done to rectify the problem. The final repair is handwritten and is hard to read. I can make out that a R16 reflash was done and the EGR valve was replaced. Numerous other things have been done to the truck during it's service history. Ford is providing a 12 month 12 thousand mile bumper to bumper warranty from the date of purchase in addition to the standard powertrain warranty.

The alternative is to pick up a black 05 Limited v10 with 22K miles for about 26k. This vehicle is clean as well. It was owned by a rental car company and has no oasis history.

So, what would you do? The idea of a diesel is appealing, but I am leary of taking on the risk given the truck's history. Your input is appreciated.

 

Being a V10 guy. I'm sort of biased anyway. But, no matter what engine is in the 04, I think it is self evident which way to go. Ford bought this vehicle back because they could not satisfy the customer by fixing it. The customer may be one of those type A' s that can rarley be satisfied, but it's more likely that the truck is a clam. Do really want to deal with this headache that may or may not have been fixed??

By going with the V10 you get all the improvements that were made in the 05 MY (engine, suspension, tranny, ect) over the 99-04, a vehicle that is year younger, half the millage on it, and you save $4k. No brainer for me.

 

If you are interested, my X is for sale. A 2003 XLT 4x4 with the 7.3L PSD and 9300 miles.

PM me if interested and I can tell you more. I am in the Dallas area.

But to answer your question, the '03 6.0L were problematic. The good ones run great. The bad ones can never be made to run right for any length of time. Considering the history on the one you are looking at, I think that it might be one of the bad ones.

 

The '05 X got none of the engine/suspension improvements that the SD did.

The V-10 in the X is not the upgraded HO 3 valve engine that Ford started putting in the SD in 2005.

The '05 X suspension is exactly the same as the 2000-2004.

I don't know what tranny improvements that you are talking about. The '04 5R110 is the same as the '05 5R110.

The '05 did get the updated grill and dash, same as the SD. But that's it.

 

I stand corrected...that's what I get for straying in the X forum. Ok, minus the 05 SD upgrades, I still think the 05 is a better deal.

 

Fair enough.

 

Ducky,

In my opinion it is a no brainer..I would go with the V-10. Stay far far away from the 6.0L that was lemoned.

I have an 02 Ex with the V-10 and believe me..This engine and power train is EXCELLENT..The V-10 is smooth as silk. The only weak link is possibly the 4r100 if not taken care of..ie tranny fluid flushes etc..

Go over to the V-10 Forum and see for yourself..Then go to the 6.0L forum..

I have not had one problem with my power train in almost 5 years..

There are many V-10 out their with over 200,000 on them..

If you're not pulling a heavy load..Go with the V-10..You won't be disappointed..

Good luck and let us know what you end with..

 

Not entirely true. The rear leaf springs were changed on the '04 model.

Ducky - Get the V10. The $4K savings, and the lower maintenance cost will buy lots of gasoline. You'd have to put about 175K miles on the diesel BEFORE you start seeing any savings from better MPG. I dunno 'bout you, but I am way tired of a vehicle before that many miles are on the clock.

 

Fellas-Thanks for the information. The dealer made it sound like this was a common problem in model year 04 that was corrected. He gave the impression that they eventually figured out how to correct this across t

 

continued- I am so new I can't post correctly. Looking forward to upgrading from the Yukon. It sounds like the deal on the v10 is even better than I thought. Somewhere around 25K. I will keep you updated.

 

I am partial to the diesel. Why go for such a new truck? You can get an older 7.3 PSD for closer to 20k which will beat both the lemon and the gas hog.

George

 

Unless you drive alot, over 40-50,000 miles per year, the cost of the diesel engine will never equal the mileage savings, especially since diesel fuel is priced artificially high (at least here in the northeast). Get the V10 - it will start and go anytime but use gas; 10 mpg around town 14-16mpg freeway driving. I bought a 2004 V10 4x4 LTD out of rental service (in Florida) at my local Pa. Ford dealer in August of 2005. It had 12,500 miles and cost about $28,700. I have had no mechanical problems at all, it runs great and the dealer treats it like a new purchase fixing water leasks, replaced a warped grill etc. all under warranty.

 

It is untrue that you have to pay for the diesel engine. You may have a higher purchase price, but you will get every penny back when you resell the diesel, as your EX with a PSD will still be 3-4k over the gas trucks out there several years down the line!

10 / 16 mpg must be your personal best mileage on a gas V10. I highly doubt it is the rule, unless you have a raw egg under your foot on the accelerator and drive in a completely flat area. We got close to that with a 4.6 F-150 and get that with the 95 Bronco ...

Cheers, George

 

Please! Not another gas vs. diesel thread!!

BTW, 13mpg average is on par with the V10 Excursion.

 

Cool. Sorry if I sparked a diesel vs. gas thread. Especially the mileage is not important. Just wanted to point out the cost aspect / resale value.

George