Okay, got a V10 Ford now, anything I should watch for?

Dargo · Feb 22, 2008

As to not get off the subject in another thread, I thought I'd start a new thread on the Ford V10. After taking the huge price difference into account between the diesel and gas V10 along with the fact that I'll likely drive it less than 10k per year, I bought a V10 powered Excursion. It is an older model, 2000, but only has 89k miles on it. I was able to buy it for right at $9000 less than similar diesel Excursions have been selling for. It seems to run and drive just fine. I have now run 1 tank of gas through it and I averaged 11.3 MPG. That is about what I got with the 360ci Durango I am replacing, but I did notice the Excursion's larger fuel tank. I had to use my credit card twice at the "pay at the pump" because it shuts off at $100 by default. It took right at 40 gallons to fill and cost me $125.60. Ouch!

Anyway, is there anything I should look for or be sure to check on the Ford V10? From what I gather, it is basically a SRW F350 4X4 with an SUV body. Strangely enough, I seem to like the way it rides and drives.

EddieWalker · Feb 22, 2008

Dargo,

Just wanted to thank you for posting your findings. I'm one of those who is undecided on what my next truck will be and appreciate hearing from those with the V10. It's especially nice to hear about your mileage to compare what others are saying.

Eddie

JiminGa · Feb 22, 2008

from your miles per year estimate I would assume it's mostly town driving, so I think your mpg is about right. I would imagine the additional weight would make it ride pretty good, my cc f250 rides much better with the 4 wheeler in the bed. As far as things to look out for? I'd have the trans serviced, general maint. stuff, as long as every thing checks out and it drives good you should be ok. Nice Find!

Z-Michigan · Feb 22, 2008

In my experience some stations will let you pay at the pump for any amount. Meijer gas stations in my area do so; a good thing since my wife has a diesel Dodge that she always runs near dry. 30 gallons @3.50/gal = lots of money. I have had to run my card twice only at a few stations and it is a royal PITA.

No expert on the Excursion. I've never heard of any common problems for them. Agree with Jim on all the normal new to me used car stuff.

Builder · Feb 22, 2008

Dargo said:
As to not get off the subject in another thread, I thought I'd start a new thread on the Ford V10. After taking the huge price difference into account between the diesel and gas V10 along with the fact that I'll likely drive it less than 10k per year, I bought a V10 powered Excursion. It is an older model, 2000, but only has 89k miles on it. I was able to buy it for right at $9000 less than similar diesel Excursions have been selling for. It seems to run and drive just fine. I have now run 1 tank of gas through it and I averaged 11.3 MPG. That is about what I got with the 360ci Durango I am replacing, but I did notice the Excursion's larger fuel tank. I had to use my credit card twice at the "pay at the pump" because it shuts off at $100 by default. It took right at 40 gallons to fill and cost me $125.60. Ouch!

Anyway, is there anything I should look for or be sure to check on the Ford V10? From what I gather, it is basically a SRW F350 4X4 with an SUV body. Strangely enough, I seem to like the way it rides and drives.

I was told they're like an F-250 with a SUV body.

Congrats on the purchase, sounds great.

Dargo · Feb 22, 2008

JiminGa said:
from your miles per year estimate I would assume it's mostly town driving, so I think your mpg is about right. I would imagine the additional weight would make it ride pretty good, my cc f250 rides much better with the 4 wheeler in the bed. As far as things to look out for? I'd have the trans serviced, general maint. stuff, as long as every thing checks out and it drives good you should be ok. Nice Find!

Hey thanks. I thought of most of that except having the transmission flushed and fluid changed. I've found that if you change your transmission fluid and filter about every 50k miles it reduces the incidents of transmission failure by about 90 percent. I very, very rarely see transmission failures where the owner has taken proper care of their transmission. Contrary to popular belief, transmission fluid is not permanent and most certainly breaks down, causing transmission failure. Thanks again for the reminder!!!

ultrarunner · Feb 22, 2008

My C20 Chevy Van takes $120 to fill and some stations in the Bay Area still have $50 limit, with most now going to $75... Good thing too... because if I attempt to use my card 3 times for gas in 24 hours it will not allow the third transaction to go through.

The Ford Diesel Excursion, 2000 model, is the best tow vehicle I've found... great ride and lots of torque and room for all my stuff and a couple of friends.

I imagine the V10 would be very similar.

Dargo · Feb 22, 2008

Builder said:
I was told they're like an F-250 with a SUV body.

Congrats on the purchase, sounds great.

Thanks Builder. I originally thought the exact same thing but was corrected when I called Ford. I think that is what prompted my comment that I actually like the way it rides and drives. Being on the F350 platform, I would expect it to ride like my 1 ton dually 4X4, but it doesn't. I've never had a single rear wheel 1 ton, so I don't know how to compare it to one of those. Maybe they also ride better than a dually. I'm sure weighing around 7500 pounds may help the ride as well; but not necessarily the fuel economy.

Dargo · Feb 22, 2008

ultrarunner said:
The Ford Diesel Excursion, 2000 model, is the best tow vehicle I've found... great ride and lots of torque and room for all my stuff and a couple of friends.

I imagine the V10 would be very similar.

I know that your diesel will have considerably more torque for towing and is obviously worth far more. I likely won't tow anything with this one except my jet skis. I'd imagine it will tow them fine.

Out of curiosity, what kind of mileage do you get out of your diesel model? As suggested earlier, yes, most of my first tank was in town driving. I hope I get a little better on the highway, but I honestly don't know yet.

bake321 · Feb 22, 2008

I bought a F350 V10 crew cab, SRW, 2wd and short box new in 04. I now have 60k on it. It has been a great truck. The ride is great. Running empty and keeping the RPMs below 2k I get 14-15 mpg. Pulling heavy I don't even keep track of the mpg. I would guess 8 to 10. Of course this includes climbing some rough grades out here in Arizona. The slowest that I have gotten down to going up the side of a mountain with a 32' heavy 5th wheel is 40 mph. At one time I owned a F350 6.9 diesel and that POJ would drop down to 15 mph on the same hills. I love my V10 and find that it is a perfect fit for someone who pulls heavy occasionally, plus quiet and no smell. I also pull a three horse aluminum gooseneck with it and you don't even know that it is behind you.
Bake