FordExcursions.com Forums
onager
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• Tampa, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 10/28/2009 |
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• 1 post |
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 Posted:10/28/2009 13:13 |
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I have been a Ford Excursion fan for a years, and i have been lurking here for the last few months.
I have finally decided to give up my truck and step into the big leagues and buy the EX.
My current truck is a 1995 Ford F-350, Crew Cab, dually, Diesel with an 8 foot bed.... Quite a mouth full....  The truck has served me well, but has grown long in the tooth maintence wise. More age then mileage related. It only has about 102,000 on it... The engine and trans are both in great shape, but everything around them is wearing out.... Just replaced a large portion of the AC system (3 months ago) and ALL front brake components to do a stuck caliper pin locking a caliper and frying the drivers rotor.
Now onto the point of my post. I drive the truck about 6000 miles a year but about 90% of that would be towing a load of 6000+ (boat and/or tractor). There may be an occasional load of 8,000 every now and again (Bricks and/or SOD). I have a different vehicle for my everyday ride, this would be just for towing or if i need to take a large group of people all at once.
I have about 15k - 16k i'm looking to spend, (2-3 grand savings, 5,000 for current truck, and finance the rest). Im willing to go up a little further, but i don't want to get in over my head on a payment and insurance etc.
For my budget, my choices aren't "limited", but they really are....
Lower mileage trucks are rare to come by, and the ones you do see all command a high premium. Due to the towing requirement, the V-8 gas is out of the question, just doesn't have the power i want/need. So that leaves the V-10 and the Pair of Diesels.
From what i have read the newer trucks had better fit and finish and more amenities, But mechanically the older trucks are the same. Im not totally opposed to an older truck, but i will be keeping it for a few years (4 - 5) and don't want to run into the situation with my current truck (age related issues)
so i was trying to keep the age less then 7 - 8 model years old, basically 02-03 and up. There are many V-10 avail but fewer diesels (in my price range). Also from what i have read, the 03' model 6.0 was problem prone. I currently have a 7.3 Power-Stroke, and have been very happy with it. No issues with the engine at all... but it is loud and cantankerous at times. I hear the 6.0 is far more refined and powerful. But the last thing i want is a reliability problem.
i have found a few 04 diesels around my price range, but they have HIGHER mileage, like 135,000+ miles. Should i steer clear of trucks with the higher mileage? Should i just get the V-10 and get a lower mileage truck (under 100k)? I have always been a fan of diesels especially in a towing application. I'd also like to lift it (or buy a lifted one). but a fairly mild lift, 4" - 6". So i think the Diesel will accel in this situation. Plus they sound sexy 
Just really looking for honest opinions from owners who drive them... Sales people tell you a bunch of crap to sell their truck.
thanks for your opinions. |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:11/1/2009 08:28 |
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Welcome to the X-files! 
You're giving a lot of thought to your next purchase, and that's a good thing. But after reading your post a couple times, I can't help but think that you've already decided to get another diesel. While 135K miles is not much for a diesel engine, what kind of wear and tear has the rest of the truck endured?
Buying used is always a tough decision, but for me, it has always been much less costly than buying new. I've purchased only one new vehicle since 1986, and I had to get rid of it because all the problems it had (2006 Harley). My used vehicles have served me well ... such as getting 150K miles out of a $5,000 1987 F350 crew-cab SRW gas V8, and then selling it for $3,000. |
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