Complete newbie looking for 40k Expedition - tell me what I should know?

[VA Mortgage Guy]

I've been driving a 2017 Tahoe for the last 7 years, thought I wanted a newer Tahoe - until I rented a new Expedition .

3.5 Eco has got me hooked, so I'm in the market for a $40k -ish pre-owned Expedition - nothin new, as I don't want a huge payment.

I would appreicte any advice from the owenrs on this forum.

I want leather seats, NO moonroof, and as many options as possible - tow package is optional, 4 wd is optional, moon roof is a NO GO, as I'm 6'8"

I don't tow, live in FL, and take some long road trips, and rarely if ever need 4WD

I intend to get it tuned for more power - is 4wd something I should get 0r not get?

What do I need to know?

What miles keeps me in warranty for the first 12 months?

Is the XLT the right trim for what I want?

Anything else?

 

[Fastcar]

I've been driving a 2017 Tahoe for the last 7 years, thought I wanted a newer Tahoe - until I rented a new Expedition .

3.5 Eco has got me hooked, so I'm in the market for a $40k -ish pre-owned Expedition - nothin new, as I don't want a huge payment.

I would appreicte any advice from the owenrs on this forum.

I want leather seats, NO moonroof, and as many options as possible - tow package is optional, 4 wd is optional, moon roof is a NO GO, as I'm 6'8"

I don't tow, live in FL, and take some long road trips, and rarely if ever need 4WD

I intend to get it tuned for more power - is 4wd something I should get 0r not get?

What do I need to know?

What miles keeps me in warranty for the first 12 months?

Is the XLT the right trim for what I want?

Anything else?

I'd grab one that has 4X4, HD trailer tow pkg, CCD. I'm with you on no moon roof, although I think you'd be hard put to find one without it. Get the newest your budget can handle.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Well, keeping in the $40K range, you could either get a loaded, well maintained & low mileage '16-'17 (last of the 3rd Gen- IF you can find some) or a somewhat lesser equipped 18-20 model year (1st two of the 4th gen), and the trim levels on most Expy's are all over the place, but I would NEVER, EVER suggest anyone buy one without 4WD, as it can effect the resale value a lot, and you never know when it could get you out of a jam somewhere....

I agree on the tow pkg & moon roof, although the latter was almost a standard feature of certain models....

As for warranty, unless you buy it from a stealership, you'll probably have to get an aftermarket one, as smaller sellers/car lots are unlikely to offer any warranty, other than a 3 day return option, or maybe a 30 day drive train only coverage....

If you search thru the individual sub-forums for each generation, you can find a boatload of info about the good/bad/ugly parts of nearly every model ever made. And the folks here are very knowledgeable & helpful, so don't be afraid to ask even the most basic or complicated questions you may have.

I consider myself lucky with my '011, as it is a friggin tank, and just runs & runs & runs, & goes anywhere anytime regardless of weather, traffic or how much stuff I load it up with. I did have a few minor issues early on (which I posted about), but once those were resolved, neveranottaproblemo, so I fully expect to "drive it 'till it dies" hahahaha

 

[DieselMonk]

Not all Expeditions ride the same. All depends on which one, CCD or not, Hd trailer tow or not etc.
ELSD is one best kept secrets of the Expedition in my book.
Also some have HO engines. The 18 to 21 model year 10 speed, have troubles with shifting (CDF drum), high coolant temp etc…
Also there are different rear ends with the HD trailer tow. (3.73)

 

[VA Mortgage Guy]

No towing at all, just want the newest one possible with leather and no moon roof

4wd would be nice - I will be using it on flat FL roads so not a deal breaker.

MAX is too big for my needs, no kids just me and the wife.

Truck will be a grocery getter but I want something quick - so it would be tuned at some point.

Does Ford warranty up to 60k on the powertrain, or 36k?

If it's 36 k then I'll be looking at higher miles 60k plus, since the warranty is expired anyways.

$40k is not a hard price limit for the right truck, if it's a CPO I'd go higher.

 

[Fizzy]

I think the moon roof was a standard option across the range except for the base model. In which you’re not getting all the bells and whistles you said you wanted.

The higher trim seats are 12 way. One of those is seat height up down. Doesn’t lowering that to its lowest solve your height problem?

 

[Fastcar]

No towing at all, just want the newest one possible with leather and no moon roof

4wd would be nice - I will be using it on flat FL roads so not a deal breaker.

MAX is too big for my needs, no kids just me and the wife.

Truck will be a grocery getter but I want something quick - so it would be tuned at some point.

Does Ford warranty up to 60k on the powertrain, or 36k?

If it's 36 k then I'll be looking at higher miles 60k plus, since the warranty is expired anyways.

$40k is not a hard price limit for the right truck, if it's a CPO I'd go higher.

I'm in FL, E coast. I wouldn't be without 4X4 given the soft shoulders here. Also my kids and G kids are in New England, should I feel the urge in the winter months to head north it's needed. Also here it is great on the beach.

 

[young dude co]

The max isn't for extra seating room, it's for extra cargo. And you'll definitely want that extra cargo IMO.

 

[DieselMonk]

Finding an Expedition that has no moon roof, is extremely rare, specially not with options like leather, HO engine, CCD etc. I am 6’4 and got plenty height in my SPP. I am not really a fan of the moon roof either, but got no other choice.

 

[VA Mortgage Guy]

I rented a MAX from Enterprise, had every option except the moon roof, so they exist - might have to buy a previous rental?

My Tahoe is a former Hertz truck, and it's been stellar for my 80k miles since 2018

 

[VA Mortgage Guy]

I think the moon roof was a standard option across the range except for the base model. In which you’re not getting all the bells and whistles you said you wanted.

The higher trim seats are 12 way. One of those is seat height up down. Doesn’t lowering that to its lowest solve your height problem?

I wish I'm 6'8 so moonroof is deal killer

Same with my Tahoe - test drove one with a moonroof and I lose 3 inches of headroom, plus my hair rubs constantly on the headliner - annoying as hell.

I've seen a number of XLT's w/o the moon roof - just didn't know if there was a specific trim level with no moon roof

 

[VA Mortgage Guy]

The max isn't for extra seating room, it's for extra cargo. And you'll definitely want that extra cargo IMO.

Wife didn't like parking the MAX we rented, and with no kids, it's jus space we'll never use.

I'm keeping the Tahoe for any home depot/hauling things around runs.

 

[sjwhiteley]

anything above an XLT is going to have a moon roof. I have a 19 XLT, no power running boards, no CCD or HD tow. The latter I wish I had. Has 4x4 but not the 4L or 4H. It does a great job. Leather heated and vented seats, plus heated steering wheel. I have the MAX (since it can take an 8x4), but the non-max XLT I’m sure could be had with the same feature set.

Further, a non-HD tow is likely to be cheaper, as the HD is desirable.

 

[cgvg1210]

We recently purchased (March 2025) a 2022 Expedition XLT 202A Package with modest options.
(ActiveX "leather" all seats , power adjustable w/memory heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, power folding seats)
No moonroof and fixed running boards, and it is RWD only.

(Keep it simple, at least as much as you can with today's SUPER complex vehicles)

Also, this vehicle uniquely has the START/STOP function deleted. Which I love. (What a stupid feature to meet CAFE standards.)
The vehicle was produced in Nov 2022, and was used as a Fleet vehicle.
Original MSRP per window sticker in 2022 was $59,985.00 , we ended up picking it up for just under $31k OTD with 51,000 miles from a Honda dealer. (See if you can get a copy of original window sticker....before you purchase new car, to best understand the depreciation and true market value).

We negotiated a little bit, but it seems like prices on 2022 models are going UP again.
We did pick up the Ford extended Service Plan Warranty from our local Ford Dealer and it still has a little bit of the existing factory warranty for a few more months. Ours came with no floor mats, but luckily got them on sale through FordParts.com.

Knock on Wood, it's been great so far....just need to take it in for the Brake Line recall next week.

 

[AJ82]

As several others have mentioned, an XLT is what you seek. Not wanting the moon roof or power running boards were major reasons we went with an XLT. The seats are Active-X which is a higher quality vinyl replacement. We have no issues with them. 2018 or 2019 may have had actual leather before they started de-contenting them around 2020.

 

[gerard143]

Boy people don’t know what they are talking about left and right in this thread. I’ve been searching for months looking at options in the 18-21 range.
Tons out there with no panoramic roofs. Actually it’s harder to find higher end trims with it then without. For 40k you can get loaded ones (limited or platinum trim with 50k or a little less miles if you look a tiny bit. Or go XLT which seems like a model more up your alley and your money goes even further. Google ford expedition Edmunds and read reviews and you can see what packages come with what standard and what was optional.

60k power train warranty. Can find models with all kinds of options all day long. Don’t forget there’s not just 4wd there is also 2 speed transfer case models. If you don’t want 4wd don’t get it.

Tranny will most likely eventually shit the bed unless you got a 23 or newer.

 

[VA Mortgage Guy]

Boy people don’t know what they are talking about left and right in this thread. I’ve been searching for months looking at options in the 18-21 range.
Tons out there with no panoramic roofs. Actually it’s harder to find higher end trims with it then without. For 40k you can get loaded ones (limited or platinum trim with 50k or a little less miles if you look a tiny bit. Or go XLT which seems like a model more up your alley and your money goes even further. Google ford expedition Edmunds and read reviews and you can see what packages come with what standard and what was optional.

60k power train warranty. Can find models with all kinds of options all day long. Don’t forget there’s not just 4wd there is also 2 speed transfer case models. If you don’t want 4wd don’t get it.

Tranny will most likely eventually shit the bed unless you got a 23 or newer.

I do see a lot w/o the pano roofs, agree on that.

4wd is only attractive to me, if i were to tune the truck and it would be needed for traction, which i doubt since I'm only tuning and not touching the motor otherwise

I've used my Tahoe 4wd 5 times - 4 times for fun, and once on the beach just in case, not even sur if I needed it.

Definitely seeing a lot of sub-$40k XLT's out there

 

[bmk1]

6'8"

anything above an XLT is going to have a moon roof. I have a 19 XLT, no power running boards, no CCD or HD tow. The latter I wish I had. Has 4x4 but not the 4L or 4H. It does a great job. Leather heated and vented seats, plus heated steering wheel. I have the MAX (since it can take an 8x4), but the non-max XLT I’m sure could be had with the same feature set.

Further, a non-HD tow is likely to be cheaper, as the HD is desirable.

What is CCD?

 

[Tiger Bob]

I bought a used 2018 loaded Platinum and had the dealer send me the repair history of the vehicle prior to purchase. One thing I would make sure of is that those original cam phasers have been replaced with the new, upgraded version. If you don't have a warranty, you're looking at 3 grand or more for that repair. I would not buy one with the original cam phasers if you don't have a lenghy warranty.

 

[OpticonBill]

I bought a 2019 Expedition MAX XLT for 36k with 160k miles. Fully loaded but no moon roof.

My 2019 Expedition MAX XLT

At the time it was listed at low blue book value. Upon inspection I found that the vehicle was covered with a light overspray consisting of tiny light grey paint specks. Three hours of elbow work and ultra fine clay removed 95 percent of the overspray. I'm happy with the results and the vehicle.