Advice for possible purchase of '18 Exped. Platinum

[Zad16]

Hi, new to this forum, my wife and I are going to trade our '14 Armada in for an '18 or '19 Expedition. One vehicle we are considering is an '18 Expedition Platinum with 27K miles with Certified Preowned Warranty on top of the remaining factory warranty. Price is $44,500. One middle row seat has a small tear from a dog claw and the other has a stain from a spill. Has anyone replaced a Platinum seat bottom skin and able to tell me how much that would cost? With COVID afoot and new car sales in the tank I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to wait a bit and see what sort of new vehicle incentives come out. Having said that, it seems like the above mentioned rig is a decent deal, bird in hand...

 

[Dice Roll]

That doesn’t sound like enough off for a 2 year old vehicle with that many miles. Has damage too boot. No zero for 84 or other incentives. Just doesn’t add up. I gave 62k for mine two months ago and that included an added DVD player. A platinum would’ve been maybe 5k more. So I’d keep shopping.

 

[Soliyou]

I would pass. If I am paying 44k then better I’d be the first owner. When I was buying you can easily get $15k off or $10k off with 0 APR. I guess they have better deals currently.

Plus, there is too much dishonesty now from dealerships. They have no problem selling you a CPO that has fresh paint. And when you tell them that it had an accident,, they look you in the eye and say “oh but the CARFAX doesn’t show anything”— yeah right!

 

[Zad16]

Wow, I figured 35% less than new isn’t bad but I’ll look around some more to see what I can find. I didn’t know that there were ways of hiding accidents from carfax. Thanks for the input.

 

[Dice Roll]

Try the Deep South. Georgia is where I got mine. Florida has better deals too. Local dealers were irate when I showed them why I wouldn’t take their deal. They had ZERO interest in competing. Shocking how much better it was and that’s with shipping embedded into it all!

 

[Soliyou]

Wow, I figured 35% less than new isn’t bad but I’ll look around some more to see what I can find. I didn’t know that there were ways of hiding accidents from carfax. Thanks for the input.

the problem is that now some insurance companies (if no all) would take possession of car after an accident, cut the owner a check as if it’s totaled, but go and sell it in auctions with clean title to make more money. It’s really bad these days so be careful.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Wow, I figured 35% less than new isn’t bad but I’ll look around some more to see what I can find. I didn’t know that there were ways of hiding accidents from carfax. Thanks for the input.

I’m...really confused here.

A 2018 Platinum started at $74k, give or take. The Blue Book value today on a 2018 with 24k miles is $49k, give or take. And that’s assuming it doesn’t have HD tow, 4x4, or rear seat entertainment, and it’s not a Max, all of which would increase the Blue Book value. And you can buy this one for $44k. And it’s a CPO.

And these two are telling you it’s not a good deal? Or maybe I’m misreading and they’re telling you its too good of a deal?

Color me confused because $44k for a 2yo CPO platinum with 24k sounds like a screaming deal. A nationwide search of AutoTrader shows comparable vehicles to all be listed in the mid to high $50s. This seems like a really good deal to me. Get a quote from the body shop to recover the seats and see where you end up.

Hell, I’ll sell them my 2018 platinum with 29k for Blue Book value and buy this one for $44k...I’ll make $5k!

(If I have totally missed something in the OP or the replies, I apologize)

 

[aggiegrad05]

I would pass. If I am paying 44k then better I’d be the first owner. When I was buying you can easily get $15k off or $10k off with 0 APR. I guess they have better deals currently.

Plus, there is too much dishonesty now from dealerships. They have no problem selling you a CPO that has fresh paint. And when you tell them that it had an accident,, they look you in the eye and say “oh but the CARFAX doesn’t show anything”— yeah right!

How are you going to pay $44k to be the first owner of a vehicle that stickers for $74k? If you can work that deal, I’ll pay you to fly to me and negotiate my next car purchase.

 

[Adieu]

Wow, I figured 35% less than new isn’t bad but I’ll look around some more to see what I can find. I didn’t know that there were ways of hiding accidents from carfax. Thanks for the input.

The simplest way of hiding repairs from carfax is not reporting them in the first place.

Considering that a dealership usually does its own maintenance work...

 

[Fasttimes]

Not sure what these other guys are saying, but $44k for a CPO is a great deal on a 18' Platinum. As long as the only damage is the seats that's a good deal. It's just a hair over the expected millage I would say. If $44k is the absolute bottom and they won't fix the seats just reach out to a local shop or ask how much their sourced guy will charge considering your buying the car from them. My guess is it'd cost about $400 to fix both seat bottoms. I just did something similar here in Miami and it was about that.

 

[Adieu]

Try the Deep South. Georgia is where I got mine. Florida has better deals too. Local dealers were irate when I showed them why I wouldn’t take their deal. They had ZERO interest in competing. Shocking how much better it was and that’s with shipping embedded into it all!

Florida doesn't count.

It had some weird laws lobbied thru that makes running dodgy used car businesses a breeze there.

Pretty much everything as-is, no returns, no warranties, no lemon law, you got deceived state law says lol haha too bad sooo sad.

 

[Vipersinu2]

18 is the 1st year fot 4th gen.
See what gremlins are not fixed yet.
Realy listen to that engine on start up.
Rev that engine listen for rattles.
Engines are known for cam phasers and turbos to go bad. Get extended warranty b/c when that ecoboost engine fails it is very expensive to fix.

My opinion here, if you dont mind less horsepower buy a Toyota.

I have a 19 Navigator Reserve with 12k. I like the horsepower. But the truck is not reliable.

 

[Zad16]

Aggiegrad and fasttimes, thanks for responding, I was having a hard time squaring 44k being too high for a CPO as well, seems like a good deal on the face of it.

Digging a bit deeper, according to Carfax it’s a one owner car with no accidents. It was a leased vehicle and is being sold by the same dealership that leased it which is also the same dealer that CPO’d it. However carfax doesn’t show any odometer readings, repair or service history. According to the salesman all service was done at that dealership and he said he’ll send me the service invoices. This is obviously raising red flags and I’m 9 hours away from the dealer making it more difficult to investigate further. I’m contemplating hiring a mobile mechanic to go check it out.

The dealer is willing to trailer me the rig and give me a decent trade in on our current vehicle for that price...too good a deal perhaps.

Any sage advice on how to get further into this short of driving there and taking it to another shop for a thorough once over? Are there other reporting services that might shed light on the vehicles history?

Thanks for your time.

 

[Zad16]

18 is the 1st year fot 4th gen.
See what gremlins are not fixed yet.
Realy listen to that engine on start up.
Rev that engine listen for rattles.
Engines are known for cam phasers and turbos to go bad. Get extended warranty b/c when that ecoboost engine fails it is very expensive to fix.

My opinion here, if you dont mind less horsepower buy a Toyota.

I have a 19 Navigator Reserve with 12k. I like the horsepower. But the truck is not reliable.

Ok, good advice, thank you.

 

[Fasttimes]

Aggiegrad and fasttimes, thanks for responding, I was having a hard time squaring 44k being too high for a CPO as well, seems like a good deal on the face of it.

Digging a bit deeper, according to Carfax it’s a one owner car with no accidents. It was a leased vehicle and is being sold by the same dealership that leased it which is also the same dealer that CPO’d it. However carfax doesn’t show any odometer readings, repair or service history. According to the salesman all service was done at that dealership and he said he’ll send me the service invoices. This is obviously raising red flags and I’m 9 hours away from the dealer making it more difficult to investigate further. I’m contemplating hiring a mobile mechanic to go check it out.

The dealer is willing to trailer me the rig and give me a decent trade in on our current vehicle for that price...too good a deal perhaps.

Any sage advice on how to get further into this short of driving there and taking it to another shop for a thorough once over? Are there other reporting services that might shed light on the vehicles history?

Thanks for your time.

One owner car, CPO and from the same dealership that leased it? I'd be all over that. Fabric repairs are cheap and easy, wouldn't deter me a bit. The price is really good for a CPO Platinum. I would find it hard to turn away from that deal.

Being first year of 4th gen that has been my only concern. I think having an extended warranty is almost required given it's first year model. What will your total remaining warranty be with the CPO, does it get extended further?

I've been eyeing upgrading from my current 2010 EB Expy to an 18' or 19' Limited or Platinum. I've been looking every few months at used ones as well and that price you have there is a really good deal, especially for CPO. I'll probably wait another year for me for the prices to tick down a bit more and for the current situation to pan out a bit, but look forward to the upgrade.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Aggiegrad and fasttimes, thanks for responding, I was having a hard time squaring 44k being too high for a CPO as well, seems like a good deal on the face of it.

Digging a bit deeper, according to Carfax it’s a one owner car with no accidents. It was a leased vehicle and is being sold by the same dealership that leased it which is also the same dealer that CPO’d it. However carfax doesn’t show any odometer readings, repair or service history. According to the salesman all service was done at that dealership and he said he’ll send me the service invoices. This is obviously raising red flags and I’m 9 hours away from the dealer making it more difficult to investigate further. I’m contemplating hiring a mobile mechanic to go check it out.

The dealer is willing to trailer me the rig and give me a decent trade in on our current vehicle for that price...too good a deal perhaps.

Any sage advice on how to get further into this short of driving there and taking it to another shop for a thorough once over? Are there other reporting services that might shed light on the vehicles history?

Thanks for your time.

Just look at the records they send you. It sounds like you’re asking the right questions. Good luck!

 

[Zig10]

Aggiegrad and fasttimes, thanks for responding, I was having a hard time squaring 44k being too high for a CPO as well, seems like a good deal on the face of it.

Digging a bit deeper, according to Carfax it’s a one owner car with no accidents. It was a leased vehicle and is being sold by the same dealership that leased it which is also the same dealer that CPO’d it. However carfax doesn’t show any odometer readings, repair or service history. According to the salesman all service was done at that dealership and he said he’ll send me the service invoices. This is obviously raising red flags and I’m 9 hours away from the dealer making it more difficult to investigate further. I’m contemplating hiring a mobile mechanic to go check it out.

The dealer is willing to trailer me the rig and give me a decent trade in on our current vehicle for that price...too good a deal perhaps.

Any sage advice on how to get further into this short of driving there and taking it to another shop for a thorough once over? Are there other reporting services that might shed light on the vehicles history?

Thanks for your time.

If you're comfortable with the total package then go for it. The "best deal" isn't always the cheapest one, and you're getting the extended warranty and good value for your trade.

I have an '18 Limited and it has some 1st year gremlins (transmission software, mirror software, struts, probably the cam phasers). It is frustrating, but that's how it goes for new platforms. Nothing has been a deal breaker, and that stupid phaser issue has been with Ford across different engines for like 8+ years.

Make sure the dealer has run all of the recalls and TSBs on it before they deliver it, and see what they'll charge to fix the seats. Maybe you can lump that into the deal, too.

Incidentally, while you would expect the COVID-19 situation to have dropped car prices, most of the research publications would indicate that it hasn't happened yet. So, if you're not in a rush and you don't feel 100% comfortable with this one, another will come along before too long with a potentially better price...but your trade will likely drop too.

 

[Zad16]

Being first year of 4th gen that has been my only concern. I think having an extended warranty is almost required given it's first year model. What will your total remaining warranty be with the CPO, does it get extended further?

Here is what the dealer is listing as CPO and Factory warranty:

Certified Pre-Owned warranty until October 29/2022
Factory warranty until October 29/2021
Factory powertrain warranty until October 29/2023

 

[Zad16]

If you're comfortable with the total package then go for it. The "best deal" isn't always the cheapest one, and you're getting the extended warranty and good value for your trade.

I have an '18 Limited and it has some 1st year gremlins (transmission software, mirror software, struts, probably the cam phasers). It is frustrating, but that's how it goes for new platforms. Nothing has been a deal breaker, and that stupid phaser issue has been with Ford across different engines for like 8+ years.

Make sure the dealer has run all of the recalls and TSBs on it before they deliver it, and see what they'll charge to fix the seats. Maybe you can lump that into the deal, too.

Incidentally, while you would expect the COVID-19 situation to have dropped car prices, most of the research publications would indicate that it hasn't happened yet. So, if you're not in a rush and you don't feel 100% comfortable with this one, another will come along before too long with a potentially better price...but your trade will likely drop too.

You nailed it, our current vehicle is running well and in good shape but getting on and I suspect there will be a glut in used cars coming up making our trade in value drop more than it might in normal times. Thanks for the TSB and recall reminder, I hadn't thought of that.

One of my hesitations is that it is first year new platform, we're considering waiting a bit and getting a '19. Have the '18 gremlins been satisfactorily addressed under your warranty?

 

[Deadman]

Thats a solid price, but I can't see paying that much for anything used myself. If I'm shelling out a big chunk of change, I'll pony up the extra and buy it new knowing its history. Thats just me....

Its a pretty good deal tho in my eyes if you are ok with the miles!