Keep or trade up?

[EKBlake]

I have a 2012 Ford Expedition Max Limited 5.4 V8 with 196,000 km or 121788 miles. Have owned for 3 years since 145000 km. Regularly serviced and the work I've had done since I purchased has been: New compressor for air suspension ( warranty ), timing chain, coils, plugs (warranty), power steering leak.

The most I can afford to upgrade is a 2017 eco boost with ~ 60,000 km 37000 miles. The 2018-20's are still out of my price range.

It's our family vehicle used for family stuff and not a commuter. I'm averaging 15000 km or 9300 miles per year.

So do I keep it and max out the miles or sell and upgrade?

Thanks for your input

Blake

 

[JExpedition07]

Really nobody can decide that for you. I’d run the 2012 into the ground myself and maybe others wouldn’t, 120,000 miles isn’t much for these trucks and then again maybe some don’t like owning vehicles for a long time.

 

[762mm]

If you look around the threads on here, users with Ecoboosts seem to have a lot more early maintenance issues than those with the V8. They have more horsepower and torque plus somewhat better fuel economy, but it comes at a price.

Make sure you change the oil on that V8 regularly and use synthetic oil only (better flow and no sludge). It should be just fine long term. Barring something unexpected, I'm not getting rid of my 2014 for another 15 years, lol! (timing job and high volume oil pump upgrade incoming this summer to make that Triton last!). Mine has 133k miles and can probably last double or triple that with good maintenance.

A Ford tech friend of mine told me to stick with the V8 on Expeditions and F150s, as he works on both Eco and V8 versions every day and sees the difference in quality / longevity of parts on a daily basis.

 

[Trainmaster]

I tend to keep my cars well over 200,000 miles. The question is whether you have the patience and maybe skill to do the work or send out the work that a higher mileage car will require. There's a tradeoff here. Generally, a newer vehicle will require less repair. But the newer vehicle comes at a price.

 

[Jamo]

It's all a crap shoot in my opinion. I tend to keep my vehicles until they need repairs beyond my abilities, or they get to looking like a garbage scow.

With your truck, you know what's been done and kind of know what it might be needing over the next few years. As a family vehicle, dependability would be high on my list. If you are comfortable driving it anywhere, I'd keep it. I say that with the fact that I did buy an extended warranty on my '14 that I bought a year ago with 80K miles. I guess that's really my peace of mind.

I'm with 762...hoping mine is a long time keeper. And that would be in US years. Best of luck to you...

 

[Aspen03]

I'd keep it. Only for the fact that youd basically be buying the same vehicle w a different motor. A '12 limited is a fairly well appointed model. A '17 isnt drastically different other than power output and fuel economy. Spending tens of thousands to get better fuel economy isnt usually a smart bet and the power, that's up to you. Tow much? If not it's likely not necessary.

If there is something we don't know, say you hate the color, has an odd squeak or rattle that drives you nuts, some looming repair that you're dreading, etc. Let it go. You'll always question yourself why you kept it. Been down that road before.

Myself, I tend to keep cars higher into mileage when others dont run into me and total them first. Pushing 217k now and expect many more. In fact I'm looking to buy a second expy for the family because we like this one so much. If ever a serious issue to come up we'd still be able to haul everyone around and I can be patient with the repairs that we typically do ourselves. It will also be nice to have 2 vehicles we all fit in rather than planning who drives what on a given day.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I have an 08 with 170,000 miles and it has needed 3 replacement parts in all those years, I plan to keep it till it dies (hopefully somewhere north of 250,000 miles), your is quite low mileage and if you haven't had any mechanical issues, I would save your money and keep it till it dies (as stated just keep up with the oil changes and use a good quality oil).

Gary

 

[jeff kushner]

I'd keep it too....you don't rack up enough miles to make the change worth it.

Just my opinion though, good luck!

jeff

 

[WEDGE]

Hello from Kimberley BC! I've got a 2010 XLT with 141,000 kms (87,600) miles. owned it about a year. It's been real good to us and I plan to keep it for a long time. My sister has a 2007 Limited with 248,000 kms. I replaced the timing chains, guides, tensioners, Melling HV Oil Pump and locked out the phasers @ 230,000 kms. A tensioner seal had blown, which caused oil pressure to drop and the phaser/vct system wasn't working, and she drove it a while without telling me. It was so bad it would hardly move! Runs great now, but she's selling it to buy an F-150.

At my work I've seen plenty of problems with the 3.5 Eco-boost. Phasers, VCT solenoids, turbo's, throttle bodies etc. Makes me not want to own one. I'll stick with my 5.4 3v thank you very much

 

[Michael McC]

Trade up. Didn't read a word of your post or any of the replies, but if you can afford it, trade up! Cars get better and better.

 

[kkelly]

I just bought a 2013 with 181,000 km on the dial.

In your case I would keep it. Especially considering the low mileage you put on it in a year.

We will average 35,000km a year on our Expedition.

End of the day, do what your gut and wallet say

 

[Blksmk]

I got my 07, 278000 kms I'm keeping it, cost me new battery cables starter 10 days ago. Got the z36 power stop big brake kit new rubber. Runs get I only put on 1000 kms a month on it since I'm in the big rig

 

[Jamo]

...Says the used car salesman...

(to M McC)

 

[Michael McC]

...Says the used car salesman...

(to M McC)

Lol

 

[EKBlake]

Thanks everyone, some really good points. Lots to think about now.

 

[chuck s]

I'd make the trade if you can get the '17 you note. You'll feel right at home in the '17, all the switches and knobs are where they belong.

The 3.5 EcoBoost engine is quantums better than the 5.4 V8 as well.

I drove my '07 to 170K miles and sold it to buy a new '17. Fully loaded XLT (practically a Limited in all but the badges). I toyed with waiting for the '18 model but the lack of a gear lever really turned me off. Column shift or floor shift is fine with me, but not a little knob I can't shift by feel.


-- Chuck

 

[JExpedition07]

I feel like if you want to trade up you should go for an 18+ for the improved EcoBoost and ten speed. 6 speed seems to work a bit better with the 5.4. The 10 speed and the EcoBoost work great together. The 15-17 trucks are good and all but if you are going to make the leap, make the leap!

 

[Machete]

Do not buy any vehicle w ecoboost engine. You’ll pay through the nose on a whole host of issues including turbos.

Think about it, a small v6 in a truck is under powered so they bolt on two tiny turbos and force air through it to compensate.

Add to that the ridiculously complex variable valve train w cam phasers, chain guides etc failing because...well they’re over loading the power plant w forced air high compression and high temperatures.

V8 if maintained properly especially oil will serve you the best.

 

[bloodhound]

Do not buy any vehicle w ecoboost engine. You’ll pay through the nose on a whole host of issues including turbos.

Think about it, a small v6 in a truck is under powered so they bolt on two tiny turbos and force air through it to compensate.

Add to that the ridiculously complex variable valve train w cam phasers, chain guides etc failing because...well they’re over loading the power plant w forced air high compression and high temperatures.

V8 if maintained properly especially oil will serve you the best.

Good advice. In fact, you should stick with carbureted engines only as well. These new-fangled fuel injected ones have all these sensors, and, get this, a compooter that controls them.

 

[Machete]

Good advice. In fact, you should stick with carbureted engines only as well. These new-fangled fuel injected ones have all these sensors, and, get this, a compooter that controls them.

Fuel injection has been around for decades. Doh!