Would you buy a Ford Excursion or would you buy something different

[dalpal]

Hi All,

We are looking for a used SUV to pull not only a horse trailer, but husband’s car trailer when he goes to the track.

We love the Ford 250, but with our menagerie of dogs, we would prefer to have an SUV…more practical for our lifestyle.

I drove an Excursion a few years ago and loved it. I know that they are now very old and can’t find a used one with less than 180K miles.

So, here’s my question…Would you buy an older Excursion, if so…which model. I’m assuming the diesel would be the best choice. 6.0 or 7.3?

OR would anyone recommend looking at a Chevy Suburban 2500.

OR something else completely

Thanks.

[OTTB2]

For the life of you. DON’T EVER EVER EVER EVER, buy a 7.3 diesel. That crack pistons and cylinders left and right, usually resulting in needing to replace the engine. They were by far the worst engine ford ever made. If I were you I would just buy a extended cab truck with the full seats in the back.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

No. Too old.

[cutter99]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8835205]
For the life of you. DON’T EVER EVER EVER EVER, buy a 7.3 diesel. That crack pistons and cylinders left and right, usually resulting in needing to replace the engine. They were by far the worst engine ford ever made. If I were you I would just buy a extended cab truck with the full seats in the back.[/QUOTE]

The 7.3 liter PowerStroke was pretty much bulletproof for Ford. They were, in fact, one of the best diesel engines Ford ever made. Now, the 6.0 liter PowerStroke was an entirely different problem.

[mjhco]

I drive a 7.3 l diesel F250 pickup truck. At 180,000 miles it is just getting ‘broke in’

Don’t know why anyone would think the 7.3L was a bad engine. It was the best that Ford put into their trucks (old International Harvester diesel engine).

The 6.0 L is what came out AFTER the 7.3. Was the about the crappiest engine ever to be built. The Ford mechanics told me that.

[Where_sMyWhite]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8835205]
For the life of you. DON’T EVER EVER EVER EVER, buy a 7.3 diesel. That crack pistons and cylinders left and right, usually resulting in needing to replace the engine. They were by far the worst engine ford ever made.[/QUOTE]

Pretty much contrary to anything I’ve ever heard about the 7.3l which was a very well regarded engine. FWIW, the 7.3 was not made by Ford, it was manufactured by Navistar International. This same engine was, in the day, also very popular with other diesel products such as school busses.

[jawa]

I had a gas Excursion. It got, maybe 9mpg towing. Loved the roominess of it, but the mileage!

I’d get the 7.3l diesel over the 6.0.

You’d have to realize that after so many miles and so many years stuff starts to wear out. Power windows, A/C, etc

[clanter]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8835205]
For the life of you. DON’T EVER EVER EVER EVER, buy a 7.3 diesel. That crack pistons and cylinders left and right, usually resulting in needing to replace the engine. They were by far the worst engine ford ever made. If I were you I would just buy a extended cab truck with the full seats in the back.[/QUOTE]

the 7.3 “Power Stroke” that would have been in a been in an Excursion was made by Navistar International for Ford … calling it the worse engine is something I have never herd before as most people prefer the 7.3 over the replacements

The 7.3 L DI Power Stroke engine is commonly referred to as one of the best engines that International produced

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Power_Stroke_engine

even the 7.3 IDI which was replaced by the power stroke was a very reliable engine

The 6.0L that followed in second quarter of model year 2003 is the dog of dogs

[tangledweb]

I’d get a truck with a cap over the bed for the menagerie. Put a bedrug brand bedliner in it and the menagerie won’t even know they are suffering.

Owning a 15 year old vehicle for hard use gets tiring very quickly.

[katyb]

I wouldn’t have any problem buying one, but I have a handy spouse.

We have a 2001 Yukon XL and (knock wood) haven’t had any issues with it. My teenager is 6’9", so our choice of vehicles is pretty limited.

I regret selling my 7.3 Ford F250. We have a 6.0 that has definitely been a maintenance hog (but it has 275,000 miles on it).

The tall teen is already lusting after the new diesel Excursion. He might be able to afford one once it is 15 years old!

[Where_sMyWhite]

Clanter, isn’t that pretty much what I said

[airhorse]

Look at cargurus.com There are some out there with moderate mileage. I would look for something that has not seen winter yet…

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePage_false_0&formSourceTag=112&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d332&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=&zip=60098&distance=50000&searchChanged=true&fuelTypes=0&maxMileage=216000&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true&sortType=MILEAGE&sortDirection=ASC#listing=153395093

[Macimage]

We have the 7.3l in our Ford F250; it’s a great engine. Stay away from the 6.0 and 6.4 that came out in later years.

[Manni01]

I just got a VW Touareg and love it… maybe just look into it…The diesel are very good and I think you get a great value for a used one… Mine is gas though. I pull my (European Style) horse trailer with it.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8835205]
For the life of you. DON’T EVER EVER EVER EVER, buy a 7.3 diesel. That crack pistons and cylinders left and right, usually resulting in needing to replace the engine. They were by far the worst engine ford ever made. If I were you I would just buy a extended cab truck with the full seats in the back.[/QUOTE]

I think you might have the two engines mixed up.

The 7.3L was pretty much bullet proof. The highest and best use of a 6.0L would have been a bullet stopper. Or maybe a boat anchor.

The youngest Excursion you’ll find that’s a U.S. vehicle will now be 11+ years old. That’s getting long in the tooth for an SUV. The 7.3L engine might just fine but what about the rest of the vehicle wrapped around it?

If I were going to go large SUV the only real answer today is “Suburban.” It looks like the later model years were gassers, but I saw one link that said there would be a Duramax option in 2016 or 2017. I don’t know if that ever happened.

But if you just MUST have Duramax Suburban never fear. Capitalism is here to serve YOU!!! Go to http://duramaxsuburbans.com/ You’re welcome. No extra charge!!!

G.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I have a 2003 Suburban (always was a Expedition girl) I use to take my 5 dogs back and forth to PA when I go. I also use it for trailering CAVEAT: it is my second vehicle so doesn’t get beat up on. My current situation for trailering is I go out once or twice a week local (30 miles round trip). I have hauled back to PA a few times.

I am in a similar debate about purchasing a truck and getting rid of my other 2nd vehicle. I don’t like having the dogs in the covered cab so I’d keep the suburban until it die.

That is my situation only.

[dalpal]

Thanks guys good to know…because Edmonds had the 6.0 as at the best engine of the series…so thank you!

[airhorse]

The 6.0 can be fixed, just plan on dropping 3-5K to make it a forever motor.

[crimsonsky]

[QUOTE=airhorse;8836698]
The 6.0 can be fixed, just plan on dropping 3-5K to make it a forever motor.[/QUOTE]

mine has had the fixes done (with the exception of the EGR delete) and it’s a workhorse - i love this engine. i however know i am an exception to the rule, such as that may be. lol

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=dalpal;8836692]
Thanks guys good to know…because Edmonds had the 6.0 as at the best engine of the series…so thank you![/QUOTE]

Then somebody at Edmunds made a big typo or they have idiots doing some of their analysis.

G.