Help me decide on Excursion purchase?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 57
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From: Central Texas
Help me decide on Excursion purchase?
I have an 04 F250 HD 6.0L truck that I just love, love, love. I have a large family and 4 bucket seat are great for me and the guys but limits taking the entire family on trips so I have been looking at used Excursions. I really do not neet it for towing since the only hauling I do is to deer camp and the truck goes. I don't need 4X4 either. Although I would love to have the 6.0L diesel, I really don't need another one and boy is there a price difference between gas model V10's and the 7.3L or 6.0L diesel models.
Since this will only be used for church on weekends and vacation trips, I'm not too concerned about fuel economy either. I would like some input from you Excursion owners as to which model to pursue or avoid. Right now I am looking at a 2000 model XLT with 125K and the V10 motor. Very nice shape and only $7,500. I'm am also drooling over an Eddie Bauer 4X4 6.0L 2004 model with only 58K miles but at almost $30,000. See what I mean about price difference?
Anyhow, I would appreciate any input from actual owners. Heck I even thought about the new extended expedition but the wife will kill me if I come home with a new $50K vehicle!
Since this will only be used for church on weekends and vacation trips, I'm not too concerned about fuel economy either. I would like some input from you Excursion owners as to which model to pursue or avoid. Right now I am looking at a 2000 model XLT with 125K and the V10 motor. Very nice shape and only $7,500. I'm am also drooling over an Eddie Bauer 4X4 6.0L 2004 model with only 58K miles but at almost $30,000. See what I mean about price difference?
Anyhow, I would appreciate any input from actual owners. Heck I even thought about the new extended expedition but the wife will kill me if I come home with a new $50K vehicle!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
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If I had it to do all over again:
I would try like crazy to find a 2003 Eddie Bauer or Limited 4x4 with the 7.3 diesel motor in it. You get the best of both worlds, a newer model X and the best Diesel X there has ever been as far as dependability and mpg's. That's my take on your question, an 03 7.3 would be sweet!!! You just cannot go wrong with that year X with that motor!!! Good luck deciding!
I would try like crazy to find a 2003 Eddie Bauer or Limited 4x4 with the 7.3 diesel motor in it. You get the best of both worlds, a newer model X and the best Diesel X there has ever been as far as dependability and mpg's. That's my take on your question, an 03 7.3 would be sweet!!! You just cannot go wrong with that year X with that motor!!! Good luck deciding!
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 445
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From: Montoursville, PA
The Limited is a lot nicer than the XLT. I would definitely try to get a Limited, especially if this is a truck you're thinking that you're going to take on trips and go to church on Sundays with. They really are nicer trucks.
The diesel vs. V10: The V10 is a lot whole lot cheaper, as you've noticed. Having a second diesel means that you're going to end up paying more money when it breaks. I have noticed that diesels don't like sitting around being unused. If this truck is not going to see a ton of use (it's not your work truck), I think the diesel may end up giving you more expense and headaches. Most of the people who bought V10s seem to have realized the economic benefits of it, as it's cheaper to repair and purchase, and unless you drive a whole lot, the fuel economy won't be bad enough such that a diesel would be better.
I paid $6650 for my 2000 Limited, black with gray interior V10 and 90k miles on it. My truck needed a little bit of work (coils, rear pads/rotors, and alternator) which really still saved me a lot of money. You probably won't be able to find a deal like that, but still that just shows you the deals are out there, especially on the gas motors!
The diesel vs. V10: The V10 is a lot whole lot cheaper, as you've noticed. Having a second diesel means that you're going to end up paying more money when it breaks. I have noticed that diesels don't like sitting around being unused. If this truck is not going to see a ton of use (it's not your work truck), I think the diesel may end up giving you more expense and headaches. Most of the people who bought V10s seem to have realized the economic benefits of it, as it's cheaper to repair and purchase, and unless you drive a whole lot, the fuel economy won't be bad enough such that a diesel would be better.
I paid $6650 for my 2000 Limited, black with gray interior V10 and 90k miles on it. My truck needed a little bit of work (coils, rear pads/rotors, and alternator) which really still saved me a lot of money. You probably won't be able to find a deal like that, but still that just shows you the deals are out there, especially on the gas motors!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,955
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From: Ohio
Ted does have a point, it would be worth it to get a limited with a dvd player to make road trips comfortable. Do u think it would be worth it to get the limited option if it didnt come with the dvd player? Unless ur dead set on getting leather
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
I'm somewhere between the two you're looking at. I have a 2003 EB Excursion with 60K miles on it, V10, and am wanting to sell it. I love it, but I need the fuel economy of a diesel and will be buying an Excursion diesel once I sell the V10. I have to walk away from my deal on my Ex with $17,500, which is what I paid for it in April plus the pro-rated cost of the new set of 285-75-R16 Bridgestone Revos I put on it right after I bought it.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 445
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From: Montoursville, PA
Matt, it's up to you as to whether or not the Limited is worth it. For me, I like the fake wood trim, I really like leather seats. I'm not sure as to whether or not the XLT has power seats, but that is nifty as well. My Limited does not have a DVD player in it, I don't think they did that in 2000. Personally, I wouldn't have bought an XLT. I like having a nicer truck, but everyone is different.
Pete, you say you need the fuel economy of a diesel. Do you also need the higher purchase price and maintenance costs? Unless you drive and tow a lot, like 50k miles per year or more, it really isn't worth it.
Pete, you say you need the fuel economy of a diesel. Do you also need the higher purchase price and maintenance costs? Unless you drive and tow a lot, like 50k miles per year or more, it really isn't worth it.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 276
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From: Gallatin, TN.
I am very pleased with my 2000 Ltd 2wd. Like you, Ted, I am not towing anything. It is my wife's daily driver and mine when I wrestle the keys from her or on weekends. She REALLY loves this truck. Mine had a VCR with flip tv in the roof. I swapped a PS2 for the VCR so now the kids can have dvd or play games. You should be able to get one like mine off eBay for $10-12k with 75k miles or so. V10 is much more cost efficient than diesel if your not towing or driving wheels of it IMO. It is a great engine.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 331
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I have an '05 V10 Limited and love it. We bought it for pretty much the same purpose, hauling family and friends on trips with out having to take more then 1 vehicle. Being able to take a trip and let the kids watch a movie and dad not having to tell them to chill or i'm pulling over every 5miles is absolutely awsome.
Have to agree with those that said the Diesels don't like to sit. So depending what you mean by sitting the Gasser would prolly be your better bet.
Have to agree with those that said the Diesels don't like to sit. So depending what you mean by sitting the Gasser would prolly be your better bet.