Considering a 2004 Expedition Eddie Bauer

FWIW, about 8 months ago, I found an 04 police package 4x4 under 100k miles for right at 6 grand, that came out of a local(ish) fire department. It was so clean, it looked like a showroom specimen - I believe it was a supervisor's car that received exceptional institutional maintenance. I did have it inspected by my mechanic who found about 2 grand worth of needed work, but nothing significantly problematic - the biggest issues were the front suspension and the rear brakes. It came with a carfax that reflected regular care throughout its life. i bought it and I've been very happy with it.

On the other hand, I searched for three years before I found this one.

I paid $7500 for my 2005 XLT 4x4 with 99,600 (or so... it was under 100K miles) miles on it. Bought in August 2019. I think I got a bargain -- $8K out the door, tax title and all. I have that annoying "slap" of the actuator door that won't go away even after replacing the lower air door, but that's where the sound seems to be coming from. May have got a bad one... I have dual controls for the front, so may have replaced the wrong door -- can't find anything that shows the second one! The AC seat controls work, driver's side heated seat doesn't work (passenger does). Most likely a $250 controller, but I don't really need the heated seat. Had to have the spark plugs changed, cost $600 for that (only two broke off!). That's a job I'd normally do, but too much had to be moved to get to all but three of the eight, so I just bit the bullet on that one. The trans went just a few months after I got it, and that was a $3500 for a rebuild included R&R, but you have to expect such things with a used vehicle. With $about $12K in it I'm still okay with the price.

Mine IS a cream puff though! I had looked at newer Expys (was originally looking for a 2009-2012) with $170K+ and the asking prices were over $8K. None looked near as good as the 2005 I bought!

JB1258 -- as Aspen03 says, you have to expect such things at 125K miles and 16 years! I was a bit disappointed when the trans went out in mine (lost 3rd and OD, snap ring broke inside), but not that much due to age and miles on vehicle. I plan to keep it a while, so the new trans is an investment. If the fuel pump goes out in another 25K miles (I will only be putting about 5K a year or less on it, mainly use it to tow camper 2-3 times a year, and an occasional drive when I need more room than the wife's 2013 Escape) I'll still be happy. Of even if it goes out tomorrow... just not when I have the camper towed 2050 miles away like the tranny!! I drove it back home in 2nd gear, left camper in storage. #k rpm is about 46 mph in 2nd gear... was a long drive home as I didn't want to run it over 3K rpm for any length of time.

JonSnow said:

Thanks for the info. $3-4K seems unlikely around my parts unless it’s a private sale & this one is at a Ford dealership. I’m in a fairly rural area without too many options.

I was thinking of making an offer of $5K contingent on a clean inspection. I did check the usual areas for rust & didn’t see anything except for a couple of smaller bubbles on the rear hatch.

View attachment 34787

Click to expand...

Looks identical to my 2004 4x2 Eddie Bauer. I bought it in September 2017 at 146,000 miles for $4200 and just turned 160k this month. Other than a few road trips in the springs & summers, she doesn't get driven much, since I live very close to work & family. Just about everything on the truck is in exceptional condition, given its age -- one of the primary reasons I bought it. It's my first Ford -- historically I've been a GM guy -- and I'm very pleased with it. I just had the original front wheel bearings replaced and new pads/rotors put on last month. That's the first major work it's needed since I've owned it.

I agree your dealer's asking price is way too high. I see 2nd gens on Facebook Marketplace all the time for $3-5k depending on mileage.

Bubbling on the liftgate is extremely common. The good news is the liftgate is aluminum, so you won't get rust. But the bubbles will continue to develop.

I have an '03 2wd EB and put about $2K+ in preventive and other fix-its after I bought it for $4K.

Don't the '04 and forward have cam phasers? I think I read those can be a problem, but possibly an easy DIY fix.

My '03 EB w/ 9.75" LSD is a great ride, and yes, a 16 YO truck will have issues.

To minimize repair costs I have found a couple of local indy shops that have no problem with me bringing them the parts. I also had that with my Porsche 928 years ago - that saves (saved) quite a bit.

Truck is running perfect. Knock on wood.

Cheers,
Dick

RichardH said:

Don't the '04 and forward have cam phasers? I think I read those can be a problem, but possibly an easy DIY fix.

Click to expand...

The 04s were the last year they used the 2 valve engines that didn't have the cam phasers and spark plugs that break when removing them.

These are some of the problems of the new generation of vehicles where electronics are the main components that control everything in that vehicle. This is why people sell their 5 year old vehicles and buy new (you got the best 16 years that that vehicle will ever see). Yes I agree that there's really no reason why these things should ever go bad, but with bean counters running the world, and that everything is built with the cheapest materials, and manufactures always overlook the possibility of how often the parts need to be serviced as well as the fact that the cost of labor always far exceeds the cost of the part that needs to be replaced, what can you expect?

16 years is a long time. I just bought a 15 year vehicle with the thought that I'll need to have a spending account of 3K per year to keep it going down the road, but it's paid for and most things are not that had to work on. That is the trade off unless you have the cash to buy new.

Hamfisted said:

That Expy is worth $3-4k if everything works and it's in very good shape otherwise.
It is definitely possible the seat heater elements have gone bad after 16 years. The lack of airflow in the rear vents should just be a bad airflow door actuator and you can actually fix that yourself pretty easy. The actuator ( there's also one for the temperature control...) are all located in the rear quarter panel along with the rear AC unit. Insist on a Carfax report on the vehicle. Check the frame under the Expy for rust issues, and the roof channels on top for rust issues. Use a synthetic 10w-30 oil in it and it should last you a long time. But DO NOT overpay for the vehicle. Keep looking and don't get a glaze over your eyes.


https://www.kbb.com/ford/expedition...de-in&condition=verygood&options=6328937|true

Click to expand...

ahh, he's got his little doggy to help.

There is no “lemon” year for the Expedition. My 04 is still going strong at 105K+ Miles.

I paid $7200 for my 2003 4x4 EB with just under 140k miles on it...in 2012. I'm at 218k now, and still going great. Its been our regular road-trip vehicle. I usually change cars every 2 years or so, and this one will never go away. If/when it finally blows up, I'll probably drop a new heart in it and keep on going.

I think the price is somewhat high for what you're looking at, but they are great vehicles.

I need to vent a little here.My Wife and I bought a new 04 EspyEB off the lot in o4 and paid for it .I have kept the car because I did not to have a car payment so we have the 04 things started to go wrond on it a year ago first the fuel pump which then burnt out the relay its either buy new fuse block from ford for 600.00 or take the old one out and have it rebuilt took about a week 250.00 to fix .Then the motors on the blend doors go bad had to change those turn signal goes out .then auto locks redo shutoff and auto lights go out this is the second time. I take care of my cars but this one once it reached the 110.00 mile range started to fall apart long story short the 04 is a big TURD I would steer anyway possible do not buy one I am just trying to get through the Corona Virus and them I am going to #1 set it on fire #2blow it up #3 trade it off long story short DO Not Buy an 04