Ford Excursion - I think I must have one! Comments welcome.

[ddivinia]

A 2002 4wd 7.3l showed up for sale around the corner. limited with every options 189K miles $9900. It sounds like it has been maintained, etc. I am going to go check it out.

I just don't want to spend more then $10K on a tow ranch, hunting vehicle. I don't want to buy a piece of junk and end up with $20K with repairs either...

D.

 

[Dargo]

OMG!!! I just looked on eBay to see what prices people are asking for Excursions. I'd have to say that they have at least doubled in value in the last 2 years! I realize that not many sell for the "stupid" prices like $35k, but a surprising amount are shown sold on completed auctions for prices I'd never consider. I'm really, really hesitant to buy one with so many miles on them. I personally found that the older 7.3 PSD Excursions seemed prone to a lot of injector issues and transmission issues. That's besides the fact that most everything from the engine to the road in the powertrain will be extremely sloppy and worn if it hasn't been replaced. Believe me, I drove dozens of Excursions with really low prices on them that had over 150k miles on them and they all felt, well, loose. I'm relatively sure it's nothing $5000 and a lot of parts changing won't correct, but there will be a long list of things that are at the end of their useful life.

On a side note, even though I still would never consider a 2wd version due to the winter snow we get, I will tell you that my X will go further in 2wd than any other vehicle I've ever driven. Honestly, the Suburbans would go quite well in the snow and mud in 2wd, but nothing like the Excursions. Playing around in about 8" of snow this last winter I could go places and climb hills that several stock 4X4 pickups couldn't go. I never got stuck in 2wd and only used 4wd to climb some really steep hills. The other thing is that you can easily drive an Excursion in 2wd in the snow like a flat track dirt racer. The amount of control you have while sliding in 2wd in the snow is simply amazing. If you don't get much snow, you will be able to go through mud until you're pushing it with the axles for quite a while before you get stuck. I guess this unique ability is due to the weight, weight distribution, ground clearance as well as wheel base.

If I could find a deal like I could find everywhere 2 years ago, I'd jump on a 2005 model with low miles in a heartbeat. It seems clear that I could sell my X for a handsome profit now, but I'm not about to sell it without being able to replace it with a newer and lower mileage version. Clearly with only 80 something thousand miles on mine, with it only spending a half a dozen nights outside since new, it should still have plenty of life in it. Again, good luck in your search. I'd just be hesitant to go for one with almost 200k miles on it. There's just too many wear items between the engine and the road that will need replacing and it will not at all have the feel of one with under 100k miles. It may take some looking, but I'd bet you can still find what you want with under 100k miles in your price range.

 

[aida2010]

My boyfriend has a really nice excursion that I have finally talked him into getting rid of. We are in NJ and its just such a big unecessary truck for our lifestyle. Its an eddie bauer one i think and its really nice and has leather 4wd and runs good. If you haven't found one and are still interested in getting one I can give you his email or phone number. I can also send you a picture if you like.

I have always wanted a Ford Excursion. I could never talk my wife into driving one instead of a Suburban, etc. The prices have come down a bunch. Also, we have 2 kids now. I have a Dodge 3500 for serious towing. I was thinking an Excursion would be handy for the kids, dogs, and tow.

It must be a 4wd & leather.

I am debating gas vs. diesel. Gas ones seem to be much cheaper. I don't plan on driving it that much - so, I don't think the fuel economy difference would pay for itself. Repairs on the diesels are expensive.

If I did go diesel it would have to be a 7.3 or one of the last 6.0s made. The 2003 models had all kinds of problems.

Comments, suggestions, etc. ?

Thanks,
D.

 

[jcmseven]

Personally, I would go with the gasoline powered Excursion if you have no strong opinion. The diesel powered ones are very nice, but truly for a daily driver that likely will not do much towing the V10 is sufficient. I have seen these modular V10 engines in this application go well over 200,000 miles with little to no maintenence issues, which for most of us would be our ownership life of the vehicle. They have good power, just not a lot of torque for heavy towing. The mileage is not great but not horrible and well in line with other vehicles of similar size and weight. The 7.3L diesel is a good option also and can be modified if one desires more power, for not a great deal of money. The 6.0L jury is still out. Many who bought them, especially later in the run, found them to be good engines with good power, but they really do or did not get that much better mileage unladen than the V10. There are still enough lemons floating around out there among the 6.0L that I would find it hard as a potential purchaser to tell easily so it might be best to avoid that engine unless one knew the seller personally or had solid records of any issues. The only thing I do not like about the Excursions is they tend to be rattletraps with age. The sheer size and voluminous cabin tends toward creaks and grunts from inside. While some might expect this in such a large vehicle I would find that annoying. As a large cargo hauler, they are pretty simple and bulletproof.

John M

 

[Builder]

Personally, I would go with the gasoline powered Excursion if you have no strong opinion. The diesel powered ones are very nice, but truly for a daily driver that likely will not do much towing the V10 is sufficient. I have seen these modular V10 engines in this application go well over 200,000 miles with little to no maintenence issues, which for most of us would be our ownership life of the vehicle. They have good power, just not a lot of torque for heavy towing. The mileage is not great but not horrible and well in line with other vehicles of similar size and weight. The 7.3L diesel is a good option also and can be modified if one desires more power, for not a great deal of money. The 6.0L jury is still out. Many who bought them, especially later in the run, found them to be good engines with good power, but they really do or did not get that much better mileage unladen than the V10. There are still enough lemons floating around out there among the 6.0L that I would find it hard as a potential purchaser to tell easily so it might be best to avoid that engine unless one knew the seller personally or had solid records of any issues. The only thing I do not like about the Excursions is they tend to be rattletraps with age. The sheer size and voluminous cabin tends toward creaks and grunts from inside. While some might expect this in such a large vehicle I would find that annoying. As a large cargo hauler, they are pretty simple and bulletproof.

John M

Couldn't have put it better. The 6L is more risky than a V-10 or other diesel. When it comes time to risk your hard earned money on anything, the best bet is a sure bet. The V-10 is a sure bet and more than enough motor for 99% of all excursion owners.

Despite the rabid support for them by a handfull of owners on this website, there's a general concensus that too there's too many bad 6L's out there to risk your hard earned money on. If you get stuck with a bad one out of warranty, you'll be looking to unload a defective truck.

How will your wallet and your concious deal with that is what you must ask yourself. If you must have this truck, make sure you get it for a well below blue book value to reflect this risk and today's poor resale value of large gas guzzling vehicles.

 

[Dargo]

How will your wallet and your concious deal with that is what you must ask yourself. If you must have this truck, make sure you get it for a well below blue book value to reflect this risk and today's poor resale value of large gas guzzling vehicles.

The issue is that you've clearly not recently reviewed auction results and average individual party sales results. Your interpretation of Excursions having "poor resale value of large gas guzzling vehicles" simply is incorrect. Taking your advice to "make sure you get it for well below blue book value" assures the prosepective buyer either buys one with a salvage title or doesn't get one. The facts that are easily found with a little research show that these vehicles are bringing more than book value in almost all circumstances with several sellers trying for just plain stupid money; like twice book value. I can't ever see them selling for twice the listed 'book value', but they clearly are the class of the field in the large SUVs and are no longer being made.

As I've stated, my preference is for the V-10. However, in regards to the diesel version, stating that only "rabid support for them by a handfull of owners on this website" is rather humorous. As I've posted before with references, the 6.0 PSD has proven to have the fewest warranty claims of any Ford engine produced that year demonstrates that the best selling light duty pickup diesel engine in this country isn't exactly a sure bet for issues. I've posted the video and time sheet for a 1/4 mile run in my 6.0 PSD. Clearly I'm not concerned about it's durability and it definitely outran all GM diesels with similar weight that have only had software upgrades. I invite you to go to the track and post the video and results of your truck we've all heard about so much. I just think a guy would have to have a specific reason to justify the huge price difference between the diesel and V-10 powered Excursions. My theory is that the price for the V-10 Excursions will come back down to the reasonable range if gas prices go up again. Right now the Excursions are going for so much over book price that I wouldn't be a buyer.

 

[ddivinia]

Yeah - the 6.0 seems to have issues.

The earlier V-10s had a bad habit of spitting out spark plugs.

I wonder what the break down of gas vs. diesel each year.

Even the 7.3 is not perfect. I had a bunch of misc problems with my 2001 F-250 that I had bought new. oil leaks, glow plugs, injector pump, etc. I think I got a bad one. My Brother has a 7.3 - same year, etc - almost no problems.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

The issue is that you've clearly not recently reviewed auction results and average individual party sales results. Your interpretation of Excursions having "poor resale value of large gas guzzling vehicles" simply is incorrect. Taking your advice to "make sure you get it for well below blue book value" assures the prosepective buyer either buys one with a salvage title or doesn't get one. The facts that are easily found with a little research show that these vehicles are bringing more than book value in almost all circumstances with several sellers trying for just plain stupid money; like twice book value. I can't ever see them selling for twice the listed 'book value', but they clearly are the class of the field in the large SUVs and are no longer being made.

As I've stated, my preference is for the V-10. However, in regards to the diesel version, stating that only "rabid support for them by a handfull of owners on this website" is rather humorous. As I've posted before with references, the 6.0 PSD has proven to have the fewest warranty claims of any Ford engine produced that year demonstrates that the best selling light duty pickup diesel engine in this country isn't exactly a sure bet for issues. I've posted the video and time sheet for a 1/4 mile run in my 6.0 PSD. Clearly I'm not concerned about it's durability and it definitely outran all GM diesels with similar weight that have only had software upgrades. I invite you to go to the track and post the video and results of your truck we've all heard about so much. I just think a guy would have to have a specific reason to justify the huge price difference between the diesel and V-10 powered Excursions. My theory is that the price for the V-10 Excursions will come back down to the reasonable range if gas prices go up again. Right now the Excursions are going for so much over book price that I wouldn't be a buyer.

I will for sure avoid early 6.0s. Without a doubt - they had issues.

V-10 is probably the safe beat.

Oil prices are up today - maybe Excursion prices will be coming down. I think I will keep looking and drive them all.

D.

 

[Builder]

I will for sure avoid early 6.0s. Without a doubt - they had issues.

V-10 is probably the safe beat.

Oil prices are up today - maybe Excursion prices will be coming down. I think I will keep looking and drive them all.

D.

And that's all you really need to know. Like you've correctly stated above, early 6L's had issues and with oil prices up, fuel guzzlers are going for far less than at any time in the last 5+ years.

Like you said, keep looking and remembering there's no excuse to overpay in today's economic climate.

 

[Builder]

Yeah - the 6.0 seems to have issues.

The earlier V-10s had a bad habit of spitting out spark plugs.

I wonder what the break down of gas vs. diesel each year.

Even the 7.3 is not perfect. I had a bunch of misc problems with my 2001 F-250 that I had bought new. oil leaks, glow plugs, injector pump, etc. I think I got a bad one. My Brother has a 7.3 - same year, etc - almost no problems.

D.

Same with me. All my 7.3's had the same problems-leaking rear main seals and oil consumption in other areas. I melted a few GP harnesses and replaced injectors early, too. I'd still take a 7.3 over a 6L, but the 6L tranny is superior.

The breakdown of gas v. oil depends on what price you use for each type of fuel. Back in '07-'08 when diesel was pushing $5/G, it was not a good time to buy a diesel. Now it's pretty much even prices between unleaded & diesel, so the diesel engine's longevity, resale value once your truck hits 100K miles and superior fuel economy are factors to consider.

The bottom line is this: If you really need ~600 lbs of torque to tow heavy OR you rack up like 25-30K per year, then a diesel might still be in the picture for you. If you drive under 25K/yr and tow occassionally/moderately, a V-10 is plenty of engine. The later model V-10's had more power & reliability and you are likely to find one with 75-100K for a LOT cheaper than a 6 leaker. I think another thing that you'll be tempted to do is modify the 6L for more power as most Ford owners seem to do. You wonder why anyone would have to do that. Must be they're just not powerful enough, I don't know.

Just don't ever buy the Ford V-8, fine for an F-150, but it's a real pile of crap for a truck that big.