Advice Wanted: Having an Expedition Checked Out at the Local Ford Dealer.

[OVERKILL]

Tomorrow morning, I'm meeting the owner of the Expedition that I'm interested in at a local ford dealer.
The dealer is doing a pre-purchase inspection.

It's a 2000 XLT (5.4 + 4x4) with about 112,000 miles.
From my understanding, it has original plugs and possibly even original rotors.
The engine does run as smooth as butter. But it makes me wonder what else it might need.

The owner is going to gather all the repair receipts and show them to me tomorrow.
Fwiw, when I went to look at it last week, he showed me a receipt for the upper and lower ball joints. He spent about $870.
That was done this past April, so thats a huge positive in my book.

Getting
back to the dealer, I'm going to get the computer
diagnostic test ($196)
and a basic inspection ($110) of the vehicle.

Is there anything in particular I should point out while I'm there.

I'm concerned about
the transmission and the differentials.


All information and suggestions appreciated.

 

[mustangrfast88]

i would say you would need a tune up which if you are mechanicaly inclined you can do it all yourself i changed the plugs on my 2000 with the 5.4. the brake rotors if they have never been changed they will need replaced all the way around. check the ac how it operates it might need recharged. might need to have a transmission flush and the diffs and transfer car fluid changed but the expedition is a great truck

 

[JUST4FUN]

The trans is every 30,000
the diffs are at100,000

 

[AvroAero]

200 bucks for a computer test? If that just them slapping they're computer on it and reading the codes thats a rip. I don't remember what the readers go for bc I have a programmer with the reader in it that was 500 bucks.

If your going to buy and expedition only, then invest in a reader.

 

[PaisanNYC]

I have an OBDII diagnotics code reader. Come to NYC and I will hook it up for you free

 

[johnnystar]

Take it for a drive on the highway, get it up to a good clip, to see about shakes and rattles. Also make sure that the 4x4 engages and works properly.
Little things will tell you alot. Check the wear on the tires if its worn inside or out, will tell you about alignment & front end. The regular stuff rad fluid, oil color and whether it is smooth or gritty.

Never forget that car dealerships want money. Go to one you trust. If crooked at all, they will leave out some stuff, because they know in 500k that you'll need something done. And if they are the closest dealer, and you've already come to them, chances are you will again.

 

[OVERKILL]

I decided to buy the 2000 Expedition that I was looking at.

I feel like I got my moneys worth so far.
She needs some work but thats life.


Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[pronstar]

Nice.

You know, you can buy your own code reader for about $100...then you can check your own codes indefinitely.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally posted by pronstar
Nice.

You know, you can buy your own code reader for about $100...then you can check your own codes indefinitely.

I plan on picking up a code reader soon.

Can you recommend a good one or are they all about the same?

 

[producer4u]

hey pornstar:
You stated that anyone can obtain a code reader for about $100.00, can you provide me where I can get 1 of them? And exactly the name of the device?
I am not into making my small town dealership rich everythime I want it to be read.
Thanks
PEACE

 

[ELVATO]

Can't you get your codes read at Autozone for free? Also, don't they have some code readers for like 30 bucks? Or are they cheap for a reason?

 

[pronstar]

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3100-Diagnostic-Post-1996-Vehicles/dp/B000EVWDAK

http://www.partsamerica.com/codereaders.aspx

Google "OBDII code reader" or search these terms on E-Bay...

 

[PaisanNYC]

I have this one also liniked above:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVWDAK/002-2857874-6955265

Bought it from Amazon direct (not one of their 3rd party sellers) for $94.99, but they jacked it back up to $126.99 direct from Amazon. The picture is wrong also. The picture shows a screen that only shows numeric codes. The one I received had a full alphanumeric screen with general definitions of the code right on the screen also.

 

[lakmflx]

Originally posted by ELVATO
Can't you get your codes read at Autozone for free? Also, don't they have some code readers for like 30 bucks? Or are they cheap for a reason?

Yes, some places like Wal-Mart sell them for 30 bucks but all they are good for is just the code... those code readers dont have the definitions of the codes, they just throw out a code and then you have to find out what it is.

 

[ELVATO]

Originally posted by lakmflx
Yes, some places like Wal-Mart sell them for 30 bucks but all they are good for is just the code... those code readers dont have the definitions of the codes, they just throw out a code and then you have to find out what it is.

Ok, gotcha. I always thought they had some sort of pamphlet that told you what the code meant. But then that you be a huge pamphlet