Well, after about 6 months of looking and two failed near purchases this Friday I fly to Texas to pickup my suv. I want to thank all of you members for posting all sorts of info that have helped me with my decision.
It is a 2000 2wd Ltd, v10, Black w/tan with 78k. It has a clean carfax and oasis for what that is worth. I am an insurance adjuster and don't accept any of that as gospel. I can walk away if not as represented.
I am buying from a very reputable seller for $11,750. Maybe a little on high end but it is color, package and miles looking for. Also it has a VCP with flip screen for kiddos.
Kiddos is about all I will haul. Hockey, football, soccer and all the friends and equipment.
I have always wanted one and am moving up from a 1999 Expedition, 2wd, Regency conversion- quads, vcp, boards, wheels, etc. No problems ever with 140k. I will be selling it if anyone is interested.
I hope to be active on this board and will be doing some simple cosmetic mods to the truck. You all have me looking at alot of things though with your experience and knowledge. Thanks everyone!

 

Congratulations!

I'm in the market myself, moving up from a '97 F-250HD Supercab to, hopefully, a '00-'03 7.3L 4x4 for towing my wheeling rig and carrying the family long distances, as well as hauling stuff around. I'm looking for the prices to fall below the $15k mark, which looks to be about a year out. But in the meantime I'm soaking up the accumulated wisdom and pain and suffering and joy of the members of this and other lists so I don't walk into the purchase uninformed.

I suspect that, like you, I'll have to fly out and drive back my dream X from wherever I'll find it.

 

congrats 1948F1! What kind of mods are you going to be putting on your truck? Don't forget to take before and after pics.

 

I really like the newer front end and may purchase the modified grille off eBay and do some updates on lights. I definitely will be adding fog lamps. I would like to tint the front windows to match factory tint on the X.
If anyone has any suggestions for better performance and especially mileage please let me know. Adding a K&N system and some simple bolt ons under the hood or possibly a chip???? My wife will drive the truck the majority of the time so I don't know how tolerable she would be of a set of fllowmasters rumbling underneath. Actually she is right here beside me and I just asked her. She said lets do it. So it looks like a trip to the muffler shop is in order.
She grew up in a heavy car environment- her Dad currently owns 22 cars. The majority are classic convertibles so it is in her blood. I got lucky!
Oh yeah, I will be putting a Ford hybrid emblem on the rear gate just for laughs and to stick it to the tree huggers.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...QQcmdZViewItem

This is the url for the truck.

 

I added fog lights seperatly on mine. Look at my gallery for the pics. That should be a good project. Are you going to lift it? I lifted my 2wd 4 inchs and it sits about 1 to 1.5 inchs taller then a stock 4x4 excursion.

 

I viewed your gallery yesterday Hybrid Eater. Nice ride you have. Tasteful changes but not over the top IMO. Beauty and brawn is in the eye of the beholder. I like your lift but wonder if bigger meat on all corners would affect my MPG? I know, if this is an isssue I should not buy the truck! What kinda costs for the lift package if you don't mind?

 

1948F1,

As soon as you said you were flying to Texas, I knew where you were going. Texas Auto Direct. This is where I bought my 04 X. The business they have going there is hands down the best.

I was very Happy with my experience with them !!

Enjoy.

 

That is great to hear ECA! Looks like you got a good one from the photo.

 

1948Fi,

Yep, got the truck of my dreams.. and Love it a lot.. I think that you will like your time with Texas Direct Auto.

I decided I wanted to get a X and started searching locally here in Austin... Then expanded my search to the larger cites, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston.. I came across their Ebay adds. They had about 5 X's in stock at the time. After a few days my soon to be X popped up on the site.. It was more that what I was looking for at the time, but It was Love at first site.

As I compared it to others, same year, same miles, same trim package, same motor, everthing. I found the price was from $1k more to $3.5k less.. However the kicker was the ones I compared it to were totally stock. the one I bought had 6'' lift, killer Mazi 18'' wheels, brand new Nitto tires, Stainless steel exhaust, AEM air intake, Edge Juice w/ attitude computer, Ranch hand bull nose, and quad capt. chairs. As I added up the reatil of these items it was over $10k in upgrades that I would have done anyway.. So in the end, I feel I got all that for free. I must also have got lucky since the Oasis report on my 6.0L was two items, very minor.

I put the $300.00 deposit down as showed up as they opened on 1/3/07. The guy I dealt with came out, said hello and told me it would be pulled around in a few mins. He said, take your time, drive all around, and if you want to buy it, go see that lady right there. I spoke to him for a total of 2 minutes... No pressure, no sales, nothing.

Needless to say, after a 15 min test drive, I gave the lady the check from my bank, they gave me the keys. I drove back to Austin a very happy guy..

That was pushing 6 months ago, I am even more sure I got the best X for the best price in the US..

I log onto their site all the time to see what comes in, wish I could buy another X

The short of a long story, is if I ever need to buy a Car, Truck, or X again, there is only on place. Texas Direct Auto.

Enjoy.

 

ECA,
I am tempted to purchase the 2003 solid black 4x4, 10 cyl LTD they have listed now. It is probaly not to practical for hauling a four year old child with the lift though.
It sounds like your experience with Texas Direct is about as good as it gets and I hope mine goes as smooth.

 

1948F1,

Hmmm.... I must dis-agree. I have a 6, 5, and 2 year old boys.. They scale the mountain to their seats in seconds.. They love it.. Going to the site to check that one out right now..

 

ooooooww!!

Man, I am not a gasser guy, but if I was there would be no choice!! That baby is sweeet.. Think hard about...

and be prepared for a shock when they bring it around.. You just cannot picture how massive it is until you are right there.

 

ECA,

I can't really disagree and I am sure it would be very tempting in person to get the 2003. My boys are nine and four and yeah they would love it. BIG & BAD!
I don't know if I can justify $6k more for 4k less miles although three years newer and has lift and wheels. I don't need 4wd but it would be nice to have and can't hurt resale. We will have to think about it some more.

 

For the 2wd lift kit, it is a fabtech basic. I paid $950.00. I had my buddys dad install it for $200.00. In the end, i think this lift was really worth it. It made my ride quality so much more better. Also you can really beat the crap out of this lift kit off roading to! Also the lift and bigger meat only affected my mpg's by .5 to .8 mpgs. Not that much, because you have to think that a stock 2wd ex is already 2 inchs shorter then a stock 4x4 ex. In the end the lifted 2wd ex with four inchs of lift is only 2 inchs taller then a stock 4x4 ex.