Buying a 08 Eddie Bauer and need clarity, please

[1955moose]

See, that's why I've always bought used from private parties. Most individuals aren't slick enough to fake a smog check passing, like one of those gypsy lots can. I only bought one vehicle used from a dealership, and ironically it had more problems at 1 1/2 years old than the older ones did. It got rear ended and totaled only 9 months after purchase. Never buy a black car, their like black cats, bad luck. I own green now, the color of money.

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[SWADE23]

Update....

Truck still cant pass inspection... I let it loose.
Going to see a black on black 07 tomorrow.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Update....

Truck still cant pass inspection... I let it loose.
Going to see a black on black 07 tomorrow.

Good move. I'd let that dealer loose too.

 

[1955moose]

I'm with Swade. That dealers shady. If in fact it's a Ford dealership doing this, shame on them, if it's just a used car lot, that's pretty much the way they are, sneaky! Don't buy anything that smells fishy right off the bat. Theirs plenty of things that will pop up later, don't start off with issues.

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[SWADE23]

@1955moose no it wasnt a Ford dealer but a big used car spot in NY


Update..

However, we just saw a 07 and are very happy with it... 84k miles clean body no rust I think this may be the winner. We put a deposit on this and supposed to pick up Monday Whoo Hoooooo!!! No back up cam or bluetooth but does have navi, leather rear tv and a sunroof

 

[bobmbx]

I'm with Swade. That dealers shady. If in fact it's a Ford dealership doing this, shame on them, if it's just a used car lot, that's pretty much the way they are, sneaky! Don't buy anything that smells fishy right off the bat. Theirs plenty of things that will pop up later, don't start off with issues.

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I'm feeling the opposite. The dealer, apparently, is making a good faith effort to fix it before selling it, and didn't simply put some sawdust in the tranny to make a sale.

 

[SWADE23]

@bobmbx - I somewhat agree... There were always up front with what needed to be done on the truck...
Even when I went last night to get a refund on the deposit (which I had to fill out a form and have to wait 7 days)

I just felt like if its this much of a problem I dont think I want to deal with it

 

[1955moose]

Swade, is this new place going to smog and certify before you take it? I'm assuming they will. Didn't mean to play hardball with you, but I've seen and heard so many horror stories both here, and in my personal travels with friends and business associates, im just wanting you to not be one of the many that post here right after taking home their Expedition. I've been involved with cars/trucks going on 48 years now. You made the smart move to buy elsewhere. If your not having an inspection by an outside shop, try every switch, every item, etc. If you notice any large item not working proper, that's your bargaining chip. Good luck.

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[Trainmaster]

In New York, every car sold by a dealer must have a new State inspection. A dealer can't legally sell a car that won't pass inspection. Swade, I assume the seven day wait on your deposit return is because the check for your deposit has to clear? Otherwise, if you paid the deposit in cash, he's required to immediately refund it in cash.

Check that '07 well and ask yourself if the price is worth the hassles you'll have when it comes time to remove spark plugs that have been in it for 13 years. Do your homework, because in New York that's a job that can cost well over a grand. Just make sure you know what you are getting and that you are paying a fair price.

 

[jimz]

And I never put down a penny. Some are almost impossible to get money returned from. It is part of their four square and hold'em games.


I tell the sales group I will spend money when they make a real deal. (I research and know what I will spend before I go in) Until then I will not play their games. Most are nice about it and deal politely. Others act insulted and I walk away, fast. If they can't treat me good before I am a customer I bet they will not respect me in the morning.

 

[TobyU]

In New York, every car sold by a dealer must have a new State inspection. A dealer can't legally sell a car that won't pass inspection. Swade, I assume the seven day wait on your deposit return is because the check for your deposit has to clear? Otherwise, if you paid the deposit in cash, he's required to immediately refund it in cash.

Check that '07 well and ask yourself if the price is worth the hassles you'll have when it comes time to remove spark plugs that have been in it for 13 years. Do your homework, because in New York that's a job that can cost well over a grand. Just make sure you know what you are getting and that you are paying a fair price.

I soapboxed about this last week or so.
850-1100 for a "tune up"

Do any plugs yourself. Minimal tools needed. One little nice 49.99 socket set or less form Home Depot and maybe one extra longer extension will be all you would need. Lots of choices for complete COP sets really cheap. Bu ton lower mile ones just plugs and boots all you often need for a long time.

And get a scanner if you don't have one. Lots for under 40.00

Both purchases are gifts that keep on giving.

You'll be about 900.00 ahead.

 

[SWADE23]

@jimz - Yea, learned my lesson with putting money down.... I did the deposit with Amex Platinum The dealer said it would take up to 7 days (they actually said that in their paperwork). But once I left I called Amex and told them this dealer is on some ********* and they said wait the 7 days and if not we got you.

@Trainmaster - Yea man I know what it is to change plugs on an Expy. My brother and I did all 8 on my 2000 Expy in the middle of December. The 2 in the back are a huge PITA !!! Needed right angle socket extensions lol
We do like the 07... 1 owner, looks well kept. But it will be going to my mechanic as soon as I get it home. We are taking the warranty that covers pretty much everything except breaks, oil changes, tires etc...
The 07 is costing me 12k including tax, tags, warranty. Truck price itself is 10,700

 

[TobyU]

I guess PITA is a relative term. The back two on each side are harder than the others but the others are simple so....
Just need the right length or combination or extensions so you can put the ratchet right on top just so it clears. I rarely ever use a u joint swivel extension plugs. Too risky to tilt socket and crack a plug insulator it not get them tight enough.
Just did an 03 Navigator with the 32 valve. I consider harder than regular 5.4 covers and all. 4.6 in town car or Mustang is easiest.
I just did a heater core in a 99 Town car so nothing is a PITA compared to that.

 

[Trainmaster]

Do note that the '07's have different spark plug problems than the First Generation trucks. The '07 plugs tend to break off in the heads, while the earlier ones would spit out of the heads. Just check it out.

And compare the warranty you are getting with a Ford warranty. If it's anywhere near the same price, go with one from Ford that will give you dealer service and Ford parts.

 

[SWADE23]

@Trainmaster thanks for the info on the plugs... I always thought it was crazy to read that the plugs would shoot out of the head

 

[1955moose]

The ones that shoot out are the first edition 97-02, and some 03-04. The problem you run into on 05-07 models is the plugs can snap off during removal, due to the fact their a 2 piece plug. Your SUV your buying is only at 84 k, I think it's kinda crappy that the selling lot hasn't changed them, that close to the 100k replacement recommendations. Too bad you can't negotiate the price $500.00 or so for the plugs that will need to go eventually.

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[TobyU]

If you pay over $100 for any warranty or they won't knock off a hundred bucks to not give you the warranty on something that included it's almost always a waste. This is unless you get a Ford manufacturer warranty from Ford. Those are sometimes worth the paper they're written on.
Some people do and have gotten good amounts of money and repairs done from your comment aftermarket warranty companies but I have never been that lucky and many people say the same thing as me. They sell you the world and then they weasel weasel weasel.
If you get a 3 valve that's only 85000 miles, I would definitely change the plugs quickly. They are easier to get out and less likely to break when I haven't been in there a hundred a hundred twenty thousand miles.
Just look it up and see the procedure. It's all about warming it up for a few minutes and then soaking some PB Blaster down in the plug wells before you crack them loose slightly and then blowing everything out around the plug without turning the plug over a very small amount. Then soaking carb cleaner down around the plug so it can soak into the threads for a couple of hours. Then moving the plugs ever-so-slightly and working them back and forth to get them out without breaking them off.
Then make absolutely certain the plug that you install is a one-piece design plug. A few years ago only Champion made one. Now I have read that the Motorcraft are one pieces on and I think Autolite might have also copied but I would just get the Motorcraft as long as you can confirm they are at one piece plug.
There's also some instructions on using anti seize on them he just have to make sure you don't get too crazy with it and get it down near the very tip. And it's not important to put anti seize on the threads because it's never the threads that stick.

 

[1955moose]

Yeah, aftermarket warranties aren't worth the paper their printed on. They'll fight you tooth and nail. Had it happen to me. Personally if it runs good, leave it be for a few months. Mines got 103k and running fine. Don't start a possible issue with spark plugs. Just know, if you don't already, these 2nd gen Expeditions have spark plug removal problems. For most it's no big deal, but for others it's an expense, and a shocker. Read up on it. Not a deal breaker, as these are dependable SUVs. Be sure motor has no ticking sounds on start up. Other than that, you'll be fine.

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[SWADE23]

Thanks for the info @TobyU and @1955moose
Plugs will def get changed sooner than later. I watched a couple of vids on doing the change but dunno If I want to do it myself lol

 

[James W Moore]

Hi all Happy New Year!
I own a 2k Expy that rusted out on the bottom of the truck and the mechanic said its time to let it go...
My wife drives the Expy and wanted another one, she didnt want to get a smaller SUV...

Spent my new years eve at Major World Auto Sales (any New Yorker knows this place lol)
They have/had a 2008 Expy Eddie Bauer for sale, I liked it because it only has 75k miles on it!! Every other Expy I found in my searches had well over 100k on the clock.
Went, took a look as it, has some normal interior wear but the leather was good, no rips/stains in the seats. Exterior is good for a 10 year old truck.
The Navi works but back up camera doesnt seem to function. Or at least I couldnt get it to.
The test drive went well.

The kicker is that when we took the car to get inspected, they hooked a hand held unit up to it and said it wouldnt pass because there were codes coming up. The head of service stated that mechanically the car is sound (because they worked on it before) but needed to be driven to clear the codes for emissions.

Today they said they would still need to keep it / work on it so that it passes emissions inspection.
Im told Thursday is pick up day...

Should I be nervous that this is happening? I feel like sometimes a car with low milage can be a gift or a curse.
The Expy came out to 12k with taxes, DMV fees etc...

What do you guys/gals think ??? We do want it, my wife isnt interested in looking at any other brands lol Price wise, this is what we can afford currently.

Thanks!

Always beware of any used car, Is the dealer the mechanic that is looking at it or did you take it to YOUR mechanic? "driving it to clear codes" is a line used car sales men use to sell the car "as is" and hook YOU for repairs they do not want to do. Yes LOW mileage vehicles can be both curse and gift. The new thing is to get a flooded car or rebuilt car that was totaled scrub the title in one state and get it retitled in another state (many times the vehicle sits in the same salvage yard for month/years till this is fixed, then resold at auction and then sent to another state.) Check Carfax if possible (they don't always have all the facts either). New floor mats or seats or carpet may indicate a flood vehicle. Check the vin and # of owners, mileage compared to how long it has set. same miles (zero new miles) and several owners is a big red flag. Both gas engines these had have issues. The trannys are not bulletproof and do need service and repair as they get old. Check out every electronic thing in that truck, look for stains or dirt in places you would never look or expect it to be. Get a outside mechanic to inspect it for your peace of mind. I bought a used 2004 Expedition with 90,000 miles/ $4000 and no rust (it had a electronic rust inhibitor attached to it) Carfax said it was from Hawaii (owned by a MP) and he brought it home with him to West Virginia. it had a shop listed that did a lot of work. I looked up and called them, they had replaced the heads and fixed the spark plug issue (recommended I change them every oil change and use antisieze to keep from sticking or rusting) they also told me they had rebuilt the tranny which was a full rebuild and if it goes bad take it back to them as it was covered for 3 years or 3,000 miles (ok well they are 500 miles away from me and the warranty has since expired) This thing gets a 18mpg on the freeway. I do not drive it in town. Since I got it I fixed a couple things. new cruise control switch, power seat fuse, and a 1 inch wide three inch long rust spot on the roof by the first luggage rack support. large rubber vacuum line on the motor and the rear window defogger and radio. one oil change. The Carfax had almost all the oil changes at correct intervals less one. So I think I got a good one. I checked it myself before I bought it. So yes there are good deals out there