Dangerously close to buying a 07

[ferret]

We've been in the market for a family hauler and have been focusing on '18+ 4th gen. I've got a '17f150, and when the ecoboost and the 10sp work, they're really nice, but they make me wary.

All of a sudden, this 07 EB edition popped up, and it's really, really, reallllly clean inside and out, with 62K miles. Asking $12K obo. It's tempting due to how clean the thing is, low miles (maybe doesn't matter?) and a price that means no monthly payment, unlike going with a 18+

I've been reading through this form, and I see the 5.4 doesn't seem to have the best reputation. And maybe maybe not plugs have been changed? I know none of us have a crystal ball, but would I be silly to take a clean low mileage 07 over a '19 with similar miles at 3x the price?

 

[DeafBringer]

12k for a 2007 is absurd IMO. If you would prefer paying cash rather than car payments, look for a 2012-2017. Better options, similar price to the 2007, and more updates/upgrades. If you want ecoboost, 2015-2017 have them as well.

 

[max78]

I have an 09, We upgraded to a 17 Ecoboost and here are my thoughts.

For an 07 $12k seems VERY steep, sure its low mileage and clean, but its still an almost 20 year old truck. During my search there is not a huge market for these massive family haulers here making them even less. . . .

The 07 will have the older style spark plugs that are troublesome, you will probably need to do the chain tensioners at the minimum, might as well do the timing kit ($300 for parts or so). I would strongly recommend doing a high flow Melling oil pump as well. According to the internet from the factory Ford turned the oil pressure gauge to an idiot light because they had too many people having concerns over low oil pressure. Internet says Ford lowered the acceptable idle oil pressure on the 3v due to issues. Its been a long while since I looked at all these claims, but I did a high flow pump and timing kit around 180K miles, then only ever used 5w-30. The engine still runs smooth as silk but lacking a little power at 240k Miles.

The transmission in the 07 is the 6R75, its not as strong in the 09+ 6R80 and people say it hunts for gears. Our 6R80 is still going in the 09 but its a little clunky.

Our 09 has an electronically controlled vicious fan clutch driven by the water pump. I don't care for it because when its idling it doesn't pull a ton of air across the condenser and the AC is meh during the summer. This can change depending on trim though so I'm not sure what the 07 would have.

We just got a 17 Ecoboost. It has the 3.5 that's been well established because its the last year model. Its also paired with the 6R80 which has a fantastic reputation for reliability. The 3.5 will have electric fans so they go full speed in the summer and cool the truck down WAY faster than the 09, and the 09 was cloth, the 17 is leather.

With the 3.5 you will have potential issues with leaking turbo cooler lines, Phaser rattle, and maybe a leaking oil pan.

I'm not afraid of high mileage ecobooosts, my Fusion is the 2.0 Turbo and I'm at 180K miles and its been FANTASTIC! Its also been tuned since 110k miles...

 

[GlennSullivan]

I agree the price of 07 is way, way, too high. I also think a 2018 is a mistake.

I have a 2011 and a 2017 both with 60-70K miles. Also had a 2014. Owning all from new and doing maintenance every 3,500 miles, we have both have been relatively reliable, but there have been expenses.
2011 - 5 HVAC Blend Doors, ABS Control Module and the expected Battery, Shocks, Struts, Brakes, Rotors, Tires.
2017 - Brake Master / Power Booster, Throttle Body, HVAC Blower, Rear Hatch Leak, Trailer Brake Controller.

 

[1111ExpyEL1111]

We've been in the market for a family hauler and have been focusing on '18+ 4th gen. I've got a '17f150, and when the ecoboost and the 10sp work, they're really nice, but they make me wary.

All of a sudden, this 07 EB edition popped up, and it's really, really, reallllly clean inside and out, with 62K miles. Asking $12K obo. It's tempting due to how clean the thing is, low miles (maybe doesn't matter?) and a price that means no monthly payment, unlike going with a 18+

I've been reading through this form, and I see the 5.4 doesn't seem to have the best reputation. And maybe maybe not plugs have been changed? I know none of us have a crystal ball, but would I be silly to take a clean low mileage 07 over a '19 with similar miles at 3x the price?

I have a 12 with the 3 valve 5.4. 162,000 miles on original engine. Only tranny work was a couple points ago. Some circuit board in the tranny was starting to fail. Got the dreaded "wrench" in the display 1x and 1x only. Since I'm wanting to drive this truck into the ground I decided to spend the money to replace the board and also do a custom tranny tune and also something where they bypass a water temperature sensor. I can't give you any specifics about that without me talking to the tranny guy.
In other words my 2012 Expedition EL with the 5.4 Triton has been pretty much flawless since new! Forgot to add no engine work at all including I'm on the original cam phasers. I change the oil every 5,000 miles with Valvoline synthetic and have just recently started to use the Valvoline restore and protect oil. I know a guy that rebuilds Ford engines and he doesn't know what kind of magic they have in that oil but stuff works.

 

[dr2024]

I have a 2006 (same engine) with 193k.

If you do internals, don’t skimp - do the full timing set with Ford/OEM parts, Melling 340HV oil pump, roller followers, hydraulic lifters. (FordTechMakuloco YouTube videos are gold if you diy). FreedomRacing.com has good kits (again, choose Ford/OEM not aftermarket).

$12k does seem high.

 

[dr2024]

ETA, Ford roller followers & hydraulic lifters.

 

[dr2024]

Oh, and budget to replace the fuel pump driver module as preventive maintenance. It’s a straight forward diy and the original mounting design was prone to (rather spectacular) galvanic corrosion, new design corrects. FODM costs much less than a tow!

 

[Trainmaster]

I have an 08 with 175,000 miles that has been babied with all Ford parts and is all up to date on everything. Clean down to the replaced new leather seats. New springs, shocks, brakes, rocker panels. Two thirds left on the Michelin highway tires. Just came back from a 1200 mile ride. I'm selling it for $5,000 in New York. Paying $12,000 for anything that old is just paying dealers' markup and ripoff.

The mileage is only half of the story. Twenty years old. Rust? Check the rocker panels.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Hummm.....$12k for an '07.....ummmm.........Nope, notta, no way 'Jose

I paid less than that for my 011 a few years ago, it was also VERY CLEAN, well maintained & had only 57K miles on it. Of course that was before the merry-go-round clusterfluke situation that the used car market is in now

The only serious issues it's had were:

A) 4 of the relays in the circuit path that controls the PATS/start-no start-no crank system failed about a year in, but they were original FOMOCO units, so not that bad IMHO, but was a PITA to get correctly diagnosed & fixed

B) The air blend doors & actuators went poopoo last year, also FOMOCO originals...

C) The sensor unit for the Air Ride suspension failed last year, same as above

So all things considered, it continues to be a very solid, reliable vehicle, even though I have been driving it about 500 miles per week for the past 18 months, which I was not doing prior to early 2024

 

[TORNIT07]

Yes, price is a bit steep. If you could get for between $7,000 and $8,000 THAT would be more in the ball park. I think the book value is between $5,000 and $6,000 BUT depending on milage/condition, etc., can be more. Naturally. I don't see many who will pay $12,000.

I own the '07 EDDIE BAUER EL two wheel drive that I purchased new. Still driving it. Still LOVE it. The worst mechanical failure was the transmission valve body at 105,000 miles. I found the part for about half what the local dealer wanted & they matched the price. That was back around 2013. I replaced the timing components/oil pump/roller lifters/rockers/waterpump myself around 190,000 back in 2020. Also the VCT solenoids. None of those things had failed, but it was just time to get it done.

Over the past five years I've replaced the front struts...oh, that's one thing. The front struts failed at around 5,000 miles & were replaced under warranty. Then again around 50,000 miles. The dealership installed KYB'S due to the OEM struts being out of stock. Those lasted until 175,000 miles. I replaced with KYB's again, but they didn't last 30,000 miles. The first set of KYB's were manufactured in the USA. The second set in Japan. Now I have SACHS on the front. So far so good.

I also replaced the upper control arms with OEM ones. Lower front ball joints with OEM. Stabilizer links with aftermarket ones. The radiator with OEM. AC compressor with OEM. Fuel pump with OEM. It originally went out around 160,000 miles. Put a CARTER in but replaced it with an OEM one about a year ago due to finding a lot of metal (from the fuel station) in the filter. Just a precaution on my part.

Spark plugs replaced 3X. First time 5 broke, no problem with the extractor tool. Second time 2 broke. Third time none broke. Blend door actuator with OEM. AC compressor with OEM & condenser due to meeting warranty requirements. The original AC compressor went over 200,000 miles. It may seem like a lot, and there are a few other things, but I've already rambled on for too long.

My point is, at just over 223,000 miles I can tell you this vehicle has simply been a gem. I did recently acquire a 2015 Subaru Forester with only 45,000 miles on it. It belonged to my mother who passed away this past Thanksgiving. So, the Subaru gets more use now simply because of the fuel milage/cost savings. Good luck!