Advice for possible purchase of '18 Exped. Platinum

[aggiegrad05]

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?

I have an 18 and have had some of the gremlins. Mirror issue (fixed with a software update), 4wd hub (fixed with a quick warranty visit), and that’s it.

I am yet to learn of an issue for which we have not identified both the problem and a pretty quick solution.

 

[Dice Roll]

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.

Florida does count. That’s a place to get a great deal on a new car. Nobody said anything about buying a used car there.

 

[Dice Roll]

I think some of you guys are missing the entire point. It’s a first year model, with first year issues and lower mpg rating. We have an upside down economy right now, no reason to think that will get better anytime soon. Financing will be better on a new one. It won’t have damage. Tires on a two year old one are approaching half way on cracking since they all seem to be cracked by year 4 or 5.

just too many reasons to only get that much off.

 

[Saltwater Soul]

That seems like a great deal! The first several replies had me feeling bad. I paid significantly more for a very similar vehicle ('18 Platinum, CPO, 4WD, Heavy Tow, 21K miles) just six months ago. And it took me a long time to find exactly the configuration I wanted so I went for it. I did get them to put all brand new tires on mine.

Oh, and I haven't had a single issue yet in the 6k miles I have driven it.

 

[aggiegrad05]

lower mpg rating

What? The 2020 is actually rated for worse mpg than the 2018 or 2019 (trim dependent). And yes, I know those are pics of an Explorer on the 2020, its a glitch on the EPA website.

 

[Zad16]

I am yet to learn of an issue for which we have not identified both the problem and a pretty quick solution.

Very good to know...

 

[Deadman]

They probably tightened down the smog restrictions more for 2020! lol. idiots.

 

[Zig10]

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?

Yes. Apparently my struts aren't leaking enough to get replacements yet. That kind of sucks. Everything else was taken care of within a single day.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Yes. Apparently my struts aren't leaking enough to get replacements yet. That kind of sucks. Everything else was taken care of within a single day.

But the shock leak is not a problem that affects a vehicle with CCD. It’s only the standard suspension setup.

But I am sorry you’re affected, that sucks.

 

[Vipersinu2]

My advice is dont rush,
Start up the ford listen to the engine rev it up see if it sounds good.
Drive it.

Then stop over at Toyota and look at there big suv. Do the same start it listen and drive it.

I have always have had fords,
But the ecoboost has not showed to be a good thing,

The intercooler gets moisture and cracks spark plugs. The valves get dirty and can not be cleaned.
The cam phasers are crap.
The turbos rattle.
The vista roof rattles.
The rear gate is supposed to open with your foot if you can find a sweet spot.
The hinges on the doors squeek and are to small, and will wear out.
The rear push button seats fold down and the headrest smashes the rear tvs
The rear ac is touch screen and difficult to control when driving.
Dislike the start stop.
A/c seems not strong enough to cool cabin,

 

[Soliyou]

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.

Aggie, I didn't say it is a bad deal.... but with the current incentives and offers, I would go for a new one, especially if there are issues that will spoil the joy of owning a new vehicle.

The $74K truck can be purchased without any negotiations for $64K @ 0 APR and 84 months. I would pay $250 extra per month and get the new one.

 

[dlcorbett]

My advice is dont rush,
Start up the ford listen to the engine rev it up see if it sounds good.
Drive it.

Then stop over at Toyota and look at there big suv. Do the same start it listen and drive it.

I have always have had fords,
But the ecoboost has not showed to be a good thing,

The intercooler gets moisture and cracks spark plugs. The valves get dirty and can not be cleaned.
The cam phasers are crap.
The turbos rattle.
The vista roof rattles.
The rear gate is supposed to open with your foot if you can find a sweet spot.
The hinges on the doors squeek and are to small, and will wear out.
The rear push button seats fold down and the headrest smashes the rear tvs
The rear ac is touch screen and difficult to control when driving.
Dislike the start stop.
A/c seems not strong enough to cool cabin,

If he drives a toyota after driving the ford, he'd never step back in that toyota lol. The sequoia is decent, but nowhere near the quality or comfort of the ford. Also, none of he toyotas can crack 20mpg consistently either, very inefficient. Also, toyotas have their own issues outside of the engine, all other brands do. He could end up with a lemon, and for 44k, hed have to get a vastly inferior my16 sequoia or older, nvmd a landcruiser.

That 44k sounds like a screaming deal. Another thing to look at, its almost memorial day and everything's startin to open up, im sure deaers are gonna be giving away cars. If the platty has the features you want and you cant get them on any other trim, do it. Id make sure however they run the tsbs and gave me a service record of the mirrors and cam phasers. Check the massage seats as well.

If you can get the features you want on a ltd or xlt, search inventory near you, and run the gambit. I say this because, like mentioned, my18 was a struggle year. Not every truck was a problem, but you just dont know if that lease turn in was one of the old mbrs here who bashed the truck for a yr lol. My20 are less problematic, slightly better tuned, and will have competition from the my21 gms, which will be at dealers in june. If you find a nicely optioned ltd for 70k, its possible to take it home at 55k or less, itll be brand new and its resale higher.

 

[Vipersinu2]

Never seen 20 mpg

When boosing engine mpg suck.



When taking easy on truck

 

[dlcorbett]

i guess its more difficult for navs to get their EPA figures. Hes talking about a expy platty though thats way past broken in, 20mpg is far easier to achieve. My old ltd would do 24 in her sleep lol.

 

[Vipersinu2]

This is now, i keep on normal mode

 

[aggiegrad05]

This is now, i keep on normal mode

View attachment 35976

Your numbers are more like mine. Lol

 

[Artie]

This is now, i keep on normal mode

View attachment 35976

You must flog the shit out of it to obtain that mpg. I tow my 5500 pound trailer and can get better than 11mpg. Around town I get 17-18 and that’s with a fair amount of idling.

 

[Zad16]

I now have in hand the repair and maintenance history from the dealer. It was first seen by the dealer after new at 1480 miles for a squeak in the RH front wheel. Then nothing until 18,222 miles for seat fabric repair, interior trim zipper repair of driver side seat back, body hood not aligned, drivers tpo seat airbag (backrest) always full and not reducing and liftgate working intermittently. Then nothing until the vehicle was turned in after lease expired at 26,903 miles when the dealer did the CPO inspection and oil change. I found two other oil changes at a quick lube at 15,500 miles and 24,200 miles, both of which were done with Amsoils' highest quality synthetic oil.

It's an odd hodgebodge of care for such an expensive vehicle. Given that it was a leased vehicle I'd have thought the owner would have been certain to follow the dealer mainenance schedule. Why he or she chose not to follow the maintenance schedule and then use expensive Amsoil synthetic at a drive through quick lube is beyond me. I don't know about this rig, I've got an uneasy feeling and think I'll pass.

The other unit we're looking at is an '18 limited with 22,369 miles for $41,375 and was owned by the wife of the manager at the dealership. Unlike the first vehicle, it doesn't have the CPO and it does have a full and complete service history all done at the dealership. It's not the screaming deal but I feel confident in the history of the vehicle.

The miser in me has a real hard time buying new but perhaps with the COVID-19 related incentives now is a time to reconsider. Thanks for all the feedback folks, much appreciated.

 

[Vipersinu2]

Zad16

Is this a truck you will hold on for a very long time or just a few years?

I see the truck it self lasting long time, but I imagine long term engine work.

You can watch all day long on YouTube 100,000 mile 3.5 ecoboost engine with timing chain strech, some with 80k.

This truck is like the stock market, get in use it and get out before the headache happens.

 

[Zad16]

Zad16

Is this a truck you will hold on for a very long time or just a few years?

I see the truck it self lasting long time, but I imagine long term engine work.

You can watch all day long on YouTube 100,000 mile 3.5 ecoboost engine with timing chain strech, some with 80k.

This truck is like the stock market, get in use it and get out before the headache happens.

We'd likely drive it for 3 years if past is prologue. Perhaps for that timeframe the uncertain maintenance history is less of an issue.