Buying Used - point me in the right direction

[daveandthe6]

I am looking to upgrade my 2003 Eddie Bauer with a 2018+ limited with 302a package or platinum. Cost difference looks to be around $3-4K between the two but not sure what I would be gaining with the upgrade. Is it worth it to upgrade to the platinum? Also I do some towing not much. How important is the HD tow package? Anything else I need to avoid or look out for? Appreciate the help.

 

[dlcorbett]

Most of the price difference goes to the interior/exterior aesthetics and the massaging front seats. They will ride about the same, the platty will be slightly quieter due to noise cancelation, but the expy is already quiet except for bad roads and weather really.

I do wish when I had gotten mine I got a platty mainly because the ccd(which is on 302 ltd) but also because my wife liked the massage feature and we actually needed it due to us getting in an accident with it then having to drive 27 hrs with minor back issues. However, looking back, I would've been content with the ltd 302 as well.

As far as the HD tow pkg, many members on here are staunch supporters of the pkg as it adds many features to increase the life of the drivetrain, not just for better towing. If your not towing anything over 5k lbs regularly, it may not be worth the wait or effort to find a loaded expy with the HD tow as they are actually pretty rare to find with a good deal.

 

[daveandthe6]

Do all 302a packages and platinums have the CCD? Also, is it worth it to find a certified preowned? Usually the cars I buy are well beyond the CPO age so never looked at one before.

 

[mwl001]

I think all 302A have CCD. In my opinion Ford CPO is just nice if you find it. Easy to buy Ford extended warranty at slightly above cost online from several different dealers on whatever you find. I wouldn’t buy without HD tow.

 

[daveandthe6]

Thanks guys sounds like HD tow package is added to the list.

 

[dlcorbett]

For my 20 and older, ccd was pkged with 302a and platinum. For my21, is it a stand alone option on 302 and still std on platinum. I know your looking for pre owned, but I would also look for leftover 2020s if possible. I bet those deals would get u pretty close to a pre owned 19 and you won't have to deal with some of those early bugs from those years either.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

Do all 302a packages and platinums have the CCD? Also, is it worth it to find a certified preowned? Usually the cars I buy are well beyond the CPO age so never looked at one before.

The 2020-2021 models changed a bit.

For the 2018-19 models, CCD was standard on the Limited 302a, 303a, and Platinum.

Also, my 2019 303a included the HD tow with the Stealth package. I think has been since removed in the 2020-2021 models, as were the CCD suspension.


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[FoMoCo_Stealth]

The 2020-2021 models changed a bit.

For the 2018-19 models, CCD was standard on the Limited 302a, 303a, and Platinum.

Also, my 2019 303a included the HD tow with the Stealth package. I think has been since removed in the 2020-2021 models, as were the CCD suspension.


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What a weird move by ford.

Aside from the exterior differences, the CCD and HD tow were why I opted not to look for a platty and stuck with the Limited. Fortunately I was able to find a 303a with low miles at the right price.


HD tow and CCD are 100% worth it.

 

[Calidad]

Doesn’t matter what brand get the vin call your local dealer service department non busy hours like 11am tell them your checking on recall status, while they look it up ask if they see any other service history. Get dates, locations and mileage for a couple. Better yet have seller get the auto maker / dealer to fax it and copy you.

AutoFax data is complete crap!!! The auto maker data is lets just say eye opening.

I caught three odometer rolled back vehicles doing this one was even on a dealer lot!!!
One car had been to 4 different dealers for brake failure over a 4 month period no indication the faulty ABS unit $3500 fix was ever replaced!!

Nearly all of them had outstanding recall work needed. I’ve even used outstanding recalls to negotiate price down.

 

[daveandthe6]

What a weird move by ford.

Aside from the exterior differences, the CCD and HD tow were why I opted not to look for a platty and stuck with the Limited. Fortunately I was able to find a 303a with low miles at the right price.


HD tow and CCD are 100% worth it.

Is the platinum not available with CCD or HD tow?

 

[dlcorbett]

Is the platinum not available with CCD or HD tow?

It is, I think he was sayin he saved money by going with the stealth pkg route instead of platinum.

 

[dlcorbett]

https://www.jordanford.net/searchne...ocation=San Antonio, TX&Trim=Limited,Platinum

If I was back at the states, I mightve snagged the red platty up. That's how much I paid to lease my 18 ltd 301 when it was fresh out.

 

[StealthyBulldog]

It is, I think he was sayin he saved money by going with the stealth pkg route instead of platinum.

When I was looking in 2019 there was very little difference in price between the Stealth and Platinum, I think it was like $1200. I actually had found a Platinum for CHEAPER than the Stealth I bought, but the Mrs. hated the Platinum grill, only liked the Stealth, so Stealth it was!

 

[vincentrose]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought any trim level, Limited or higher, comes standard with the HD Tow Package

 

[dlcorbett]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought any trim level, Limited or higher, comes standard with the HD Tow Package

No sir, it's optional on all trims, however, certain pkgs on ltd trim comes with it bundled.

 

[Calidad]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought any trim level, Limited or higher, comes standard with the HD Tow Package

Nope but more are likely packaged that way due to top trims likely people expect all the goodies.
My experience was that dealers were begging people to buy the loaded Platinums because the sticker was so high.

The limiteds and other lower stickered versions sold easily and they had little to no interest dealing on them. My platinum HD tow pack loaded was $500 more than a Limited non HD they tried to sell me.

 

[FoMoCo_Stealth]

Is the platinum not available with CCD or HD tow?

It is available on the platinum, in fact I think CCD is standard and HD tow is an option.

It is, I think he was sayin he saved money by going with the stealth pkg route instead of platinum.

this.

I bought used so for what I paid I got less miles than for the same price in a platinum. Mine had 18,000 miles compared to in the 30,000 range I kept finding in a platinum of the same price.
That and the stealth looks better IMO and I don’t need message seats or anc. Also I think the carbon look stuff is nicer than the wood look.

 

[MxRacer965]

I always buy the highest trim level with every option. I keep my vehicles for several years, and I don’t want to experience regret over missing out on a feature in hind sight. Happens quite often to folks it seems. Upgrading to LED lamps seems to be a common one that people want to update to.

+1 for HD tow as a requirement. I don’t really see any reason not to get it. I went from a Grand Cherokee Summit with the Hemi getting 12-14 MPG around town driving and my 19 Max Platinum gets better than that so I’m good with a potentially small gas mileage penalty.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

It is available on the platinum, in fact I think CCD is standard and HD tow is an option.



this.

I bought used so for what I paid I got less miles than for the same price in a platinum. Mine had 18,000 miles compared to in the 30,000 range I kept finding in a platinum of the same price.
That and the stealth looks better IMO and I don’t need message seats or anc. Also I think the carbon look stuff is nicer than the wood look.

All the same reasons I chose the Stealth.

I was not a fan of the Platinum interior. I think it had the light colored headliner whether you went with the tan or black seats.

I like the all inclusive dark interior, especially at night when driving.

Some say the leather was softer and more comfortable in the Platinum. I did not notice that. The Platinum is smoother and the Stealth has a more pebbled leather look (which I prefer). The contrasting red stitching is also nice, IMO. Then there is the faux carbon fiber accents. Looks better than faux wood grain.

As far as the noise cancellation, I actually enjoy hearing the slight whooshing and the hum of the tires when I drive.

Last, I am not sure I would really notice a 25hp difference. If I want more HP, I’ll get a tune, which could actually improve my towing experience to boot.

Regarding price, Sticker pricing was within $1000 of each other. There were more incentives for the Limited at the time and I was able to get mine for around $65K before my trade-in.


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[FoMoCo_Stealth]

All the same reasons I chose the Stealth.

I was not a fan of the Platinum interior. I think it had the light colored headliner whether you went with the tan or black seats.

I like the all inclusive dark interior, especially at night when driving.

Some say the leather was softer and more comfortable in the Platinum. I did not notice that. The Platinum is smoother and the Stealth has a more pebbled leather look (which I prefer). The contrasting red stitching is also nice, IMO. Then there is the faux carbon fiber accents. Looks better than faux wood grain.

As far as the noise cancellation, I actually enjoy hearing the slight whooshing and the hum of the tires when I drive.

Last, I am not sure I would really notice a 25hp difference. If I want more HP, I’ll get a tune, which could actually improve my towing experience to boot.

Regarding price, Sticker pricing was within $1000 of each other. There were more incentives for the Limited at the time and I was able to get mine for around $65K before my trade-in.


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I totally forgot about the light headliner. No. Thank. You.

my wife has an 18 explorer platinum and I cant stand the light headliner over dark lower plastics/leather.

25hp I’m not sure is even noticeable. That and you can easily gain that and then some for less than the $1,000 initial price difference if you bought your expedition new.